Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“Save it, brother.” Cooper didn’t seem to want an overly emotional good-bye. “Go.”
Big Tag pushed the door open and stepped out into the hall. “We’re going to work our way to the lab. That’s their last known position. Do you remember the schematics?”
He’d studied them, but he also knew they were the basic building plans and could have changed. Still, they’d ID’d the labs. From watching the CCTV cams, he knew basically where he wanted to go. He moved left. Somewhere in the distance, he heard shouting and then it went quiet.
“We make a left at the intersection,” Zach said softly. “It’ll take us back to the labs. Shouldn’t there be more security?”
Big Tag moved to the wall, sliding along so his back was protected and he had the best angle. “Good. Let’s do it. And I’ll be shocked if most of his security doesn’t take off. He’s hiring mercenaries. They require two things—pay and the knowledge that their jobs aren’t going to go bad. That’s the difference between a mission and a paycheck. And that’s why my fucking team works. Not a one of you would ever run. Well, except you, and even then you stopped and took care of Lou and Aidan in Toronto. That was impressive, by the way. You took out five guards, and most of them with your hands in cuffs.”
“They weren’t well trained.” Talking was calming him down. “And you’re right. The minute they figured out it was going bad, they tried to run. I couldn’t let them.”
He couldn’t let them now either because he wasn’t sure where Devi was and if they would encounter her. A security guard turned the corner and his gun came up.
Zach shot him without hesitation and picked up his key card because they might work on different doors.
He took out two more in the hallways as he and Big Tag made their way deeper into the complex. Big Tag took down his own. Every now and then they would meet someone who had to be on the cleaning staff. Big Tag would tell them to take cover. Or try to since there was a language barrier.
It was tense, and they had to find a way through two doors on their own before the third took one of the keycards.
Lou. Thank the universe for Lou.
A door opened to his right and Zach turned, but Ian put a hand out, stopping Zach from firing.
Kenzie stood there wearing Lou’s latest contraption. She was in all white, but that could change since her clothes were made of nanites. It wasn’t what she’d been wearing when they’d dropped her off. She smiled that smile she used when she knew she was caught and was going to brazen through it. “Hey, Dad.”
Big Tag’s eyes narrowed. “I issued you a perfectly acceptable combat uniform. What happens if that fucker sets off an electromagnetic pulse and all those nanites are suddenly on the floor?”
She gave him an even brighter smile. “I’ll distract everyone.” Her father growled but she shrugged. “Well, it worked for Daisy. Oh, and Lou got the comms back on, but she didn’t want to interrupt you when you’re like murdering people. I know it’s fun for you.”
Tag sighed. “Yeah, not so much anymore, kiddo. You see your cousin?”
“Lou’s looking for her,” Kenzie replied. “She’s got the CCTV cams back up and made sure they’re recording. She and Tim are now working with Tris. I’ve got to get this to Ben, though he doesn’t know it’s me coming.”
“You’re working.” Big Tag could really put the judgment in there.
“I know, but you should be aware…”
“You’re going to tell him. I agree. It’s time.” A wolfish grin lit the big guy’s face. “And then all our cards are on the table, and he and I can have a real talk.”
Kenzie went a little pale. “I’ll have to deal with that later.” She touched her earpiece and winced. “And they’re down again. Lou told me Huisman has weird programs running. She’s worried about some signal that’s coming from his inner base. I have to go. The last time we saw Devi she was moving toward the cafeteria. She’s got Shannon with her, and Aunt Erin is going to be proud of her. I don’t think that blood is hers.”
Zach felt his stomach bottom out. “Blood?”
Big Tag’s head shook. “Go. Meet back at the helo. If there’s a helo. The Canadians better have their own ride.”
“I’ll let him know.” And she was gone, disappearing down the hall.
He had no idea how Big Tag stayed so fucking calm. He was never allowing his kids to… He was going to have kids with Devi. He was going to have a family with her. Marry her. Be a husband. Live a life. “Sir, I need you to know I’ll do whatever you say if you’ll help me come home.”