Just like with the Dogs in New York.
But this was different, very different. This wasn’t just targeting Dogs, but a Dog ally, and one who, through his careful efforts, wasn’t too publicly associated with them.
There had been instances, though; sightings together. He’d grown lax, leaning too heavily on the semblance of family they offered.
But there were civilians here, too. All his employees.
“Shit,” Alec breathed. “Is it credible?”
“We can’t afford to act like it isn’t,” Bruce said.
Ian had to swallow a few times before he could answer. “Alright, then. The thing is not to panic.” Though panic was beginning to crowd his vision into a narrow, dark tunnel. “We have to evacuate the building, absolutely everyone, but in an orderly fashion. We don’t want anyone stampeding. Candace.” She stood with a hand cupped over her mouth, breathing through it. “Are you alright?”
“No. But I’m here.” She gathered herself, smoothed her hair. “I’ve already dispatched someone to every floor. We’re gathering the employees.”
“Excellent. We’ll get everyone out on the street. Call the fire department, the police – whoever deals with this sort of thing. And then we’ll–”
The fire alarm went off.
Ian sighed. “Wonderful.”
~*~
“A bomb?” Hoaxes happened, sick practical jokes, and Leah wasn’t sure she believed there was a real threat until the fire alarm went off. Like everything else in Ian Byron’s elegant office, the alarm was polite, a muted, ringing chime underlaid with rhythmic pulses, designed to alert you, but low enough that you could still think and speak over it.
Eric’s eyes went impossibly wider. “Oh, Jesus, oh, shit,” he said, last of his tact abandoning him. He looked like he might cry.
Leah closed her eyes a moment and took a few deep breaths. It wasn’t a coincidence, she knew: that a Dog clubhouse had been bombed, and now an office belonging to a wealthy Dog ally was being targeted. It didn’t matter that they were states apart: if what Carter had been saying was true, then this new enemy was after all the Dogs, and not a particular member or chapter.
He’d been so worried, this whole time, that it was dangerous for her to be with him. Afraid she’d come to regret the risk.
Fear welled up in the pit of her stomach. It would make her sick if she let it. But there was no room for regret, not amidst the mounting panic, and the trembling knowledge that, of all the people on this floor with her, she was, in her own way, most equipped to handle whatever happened next.
When she opened her eyes, she squared her shoulders, and said, “Eric.”
He whimpered, but his gaze snapped to hers.
“You have to stop freaking out. We all have to stay calm, and get out of the building.”
Gabe, Rochelle, and Isobel all stared at her like she’d sprouted an extra head.
“I’ve gotta make a phone call, and then we’re all going to leave together. We’ll take the stairs, because the elevators might not work.”
More stares.
“Hold on.” She pulled out her phone, and her hand only shook a little.
Carter picked up on the second ring. “Hey…” His greeting died away, and she realized he must be able to hear the alarm in the background. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?”
“I can’t talk long,” she said, “but you guys need to know: I’m at work, and somebody called a bomb threat into the building. I’m leaving – I’m getting out, and I have to help my friends. But tell Ghost. Call the club’s cop buddy. Just – you needed to know.”
“Leah.”
“I love you,” she said, and hung up, and slipped the phone away. “Okay, guys, let’s move.”
~*~
“Sir, we have to get you out of the building right now,” Bruce said, as stern as he’d ever sounded.
