“That’s a deal.”
I had no idea how long it would be before Vaughn’s crew came barging through the door.But I liked seeing her looking so fearless and ready.This woman would never be one to hide in a closet or under the bed and wait for the dust to settle.At the same time, I had to figure out a way to keep her safe.
I pointed to the last two items on the bed.“Drone Assassins.Think of these as the James Bonds of the gadget world.They can be used as weapons or as high-tech, mobile surveillance devices.”
“Ah, great,” she groaned, clearly not overly impressed.“Another complicated piece of techno-crap.”
“Now, listen.I’ve handled this kind of situation before.I’m a pro.You, on the other hand?—”
“Are a rookie.I get it.”
“I want you to follow orders.Be the invisible sidekick.”
“Try not to become a casualty,” she added.
“Exactly,” I emphasized.“Can you do that?”
“I’ll try.”
“Trying isn’t good enough.I need your solemn promise.”
She was probably crossing her fingers behind her back, but she nodded.“You have my word.”
“Good.”I wished I had a lie detector device handy.
Just then, another text from Vaughn lit up Judy’s screen.
“Is he still texting her?”Avalie asked.
“He won’t be, after this,” I told her, writing back.
- Fuck off, Vaughn!We’re ready for you.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Avalie
Reedand I were standing on either side of the bed, him still insisting that I sign a sworn statement when something tore through the screened window.It thudded on the floor before rolling under the bed.
My eyes barely caught a glimpse of it.“What the fuck?”
As I reached the end of the bed, a second bang sounded from the kitchen.It could have been a brick taking a nosedive into the sink.A split second later, a third thud came from the floor of the sitting area.
“Maybe you texted him back too soon,” I muttered under my breath.
Whatever it was under the bed, it made a distinct click.
“Stay back,” Reed warned.
Without hesitation, he reached down, gripping the side rail under the mattress.Driving with his legs, he executed a powerful lift, sending the entire bed right over.
We stared at the object.It was a silver canister the size of a soda bottle.And now, it was hissing.
I recognized the odor, and it sent a chill down my spine.It was the same stuff Vaughn had tried to use on us in the Surf Ghetto.“Gas grenade.I’ve got it.”
“No,I’vegot it.Stay back.”
I was closer to it, so we both lunged towards the canister.At the last moment, Reed expertly shouldered me aside, scooped up the device, and hurled it back out the window.I quickly slammed the window shut.
