Jesper comes out of the cockpit and smiles at us as we pause in front of the door.
“It has been a true honor to be your pilot of choice,” he says.
“Same. I’ll call when we’re ready to head back.”
“Sounds good,” he replies as I grip the handle and turn. But before I can even push it open, the door is ripped out of my grasp.
The barrel of a gun is shoved in my face, and a large hand grips the front of my shirt.
I spin and slam out with my boot, hitting the attacker square in the chest. He falls backward—down the steps and onto the concrete.
Delta growls.
But I don’t send him out because, standing at the base of the stairs, alongside the furious-looking armed man I just sent down to the bottom, are Heath Slater, Mattheus Karver, and about a dozen more men—all with guns aimed in our direction.
I whirl on Jesper, who’s drawn his own firearm and is pointing it at Emma’s head. She’s silent, tears in her eyes.
I start toward him, fury in my veins, ready to tear him apart where he stands, but he clicks his tongue and presses the barrel closer. “I said I’d deliver. She doesn’t have to be whole for me to get my payment.”
“You betrayed us,” I snarl, my hands clenching into fists. I could go for the gun at my back, but if I do that, Emma will likely get hit in the crossfire.
Since flying a plane isn’t something I’ve ever done, and shooting our way out isn’t an option, I have to play my cards right.
For now.
But I will make him pay. One way or another. He won’t get away with this. “We trusted you.”
“It wasn’t personal,” he deadpans. “I had debts that were owed.”
“Go ahead and come on out of there,” Heath orders. “And tell your mutt to stand down, or I’ll put a bullet in him.”
“You hurt my dog, and I will rip you to pieces,” I snarl as I turn toward him. “Fuss, Delta,” I order anyway. Heel.
“Good boy,” Heath says with a smile. “German commands, right? I’ll have to remember that. Always wanted a dog, and here you go, bringing me one already so expertly trained.”
With thirteen guns pointed at us, I don’t taunt him. I may be fast and lethal, but I’m not bulletproof. Neither are Delta and Emma. Our best chance is if I bide my time and wait for the perfect opportunity.
On legs heavy as lead, I walk down the steps.
“Go ahead and place your hands on the back of your head there, cowboy. Not trying to have a Wild West shootout once you get down here.”
My stomach twists as I do as he says. Darkness edges into my vision, and if I weren’t so concerned for Emma’s safety, I might not care if the monster comes out. But she is here. And the monster won’t stop with just the enemies.
Lord, please be with us. I trust You. I trust that You have a plan. Please don’t let it be for us to lose.
“Good boy. I told you he could follow directions,” Heath tells Mattheus.
“Yeah. Good. Shoot him and be done with it.”
“Nah, not yet. I have something fun planned for him.” He grins at me as I reach the bottom, and it’s all I can do to keep my temper reined in. I have to play this smart. Otherwise, we’re all dead.
Jesper sets Emma on her feet right beside me. She sways a little until he props a crutch beneath her arm. “You have what you want. Are we clear now?”
“Sure thing.” In a blur of movement, Heath raises a gun and fires. Blood sprays Emma, and she screams. My pulse hammers in my ears as I rip her behind me, then quickly grab Delta’s collar just in case he decides to follow his instincts and go after the one who pulled the trigger.
All while I try to process exactly what just happened.
Jesper is on the ground, blood pooling beneath him, thanks to the bullet hole in the center of his throat. “Enjoy your payment,” Heath sneers as he lowers his gun.
