“It was your idea.”
“I didn’t say it was a bad idea, I just said I didn’t like it.” He looks at me, the worry clear in his eyes. “But I think it’s our best chance to get him.”
I nod. “So we take it.”
We wrap around the back, moving as quietly and as quickly as possible with guns drawn until we are flush with the side of the building. Careful to avoid being seen on our descent and even more careful now as Aiden cups his hand and hoists me up onto the overhang just as we discussed.
The roof is indeed old but still holds as I crawl low across it, heading for the small stovepipe that juts out. I toss my coat over the top, the thick and long black fabric put to a use I had never imagined when Cypress purchased it for me back in Last Chance.
As soon as it’s over I start to ease back, knowing we won’t have a lot of time before all hell breaks loose, and sure enough I drop off the side and into Aiden’s arms just as we hear the first sounds of a commotion from inside.
Someone’s yelling. More than one someone before there’s the distinct sound of the window shattering as they attempt to let the fresh air in. Not enough it would seem, because someonealso fires toward the roof, inches from the spot I’d just vacated.
“Told you,” Aiden mutters, looking over his shoulder at me with his gun drawn. “Christ, here we go. You hold until I give the signal, all right?”
I nod, and a second later the wood on the front door splinters as someone shouts, “Don’t.” The command goes unfollowed as the door bursts open and someone stumbles out, hacking and coughing in the billowing smoke as their knees hit the ground.
The fallen figure raises their gun, gesturing wildly from side to side to try to find their attacker. “Come out. Come out now, you—”
Aiden steps out from the side of the building, only far enough to aim and shoot, hitting the man in the arm so that his gun goes flying. He screams, trying to scramble for it before Aiden shoots him again, and he slumps backward into the dirt.
I resist the urge to move forward, waiting as Aiden keeps his left arm across me. “We’ve got you surrounded,” he calls in the direction of the broken front door. “Best to show yourself.”
“Thought you said that doesn’t work,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.
When the silence only lengthens, he gets to once again mutter back, “Told you.” Peering around the corner, he yells, “I’m coming in if you don’t come out.”
“I wouldn’t,” says a voice back. “I’m not as stupid as that fella you already gunned down. Nor as weak. Going to take more than a bit of smoke and some threats to work on me. Not sure I can say the same for your friend, though.”
Cypress. My stomach clenches, and I almost move forward again before I catch myself.
“My money is on him more than it’s on you,” Aiden replies, but despite how calm his voice sounds, I know he’s fighting just as hard not to run in.
“Thought he was the only one who placed the bets,” the voicesays back.
“Family affair,” Aiden counters.
The voice laughs. “You know, he said you’d come. Been adamant about it no matter how many times I suggested otherwise. Never gave up hope. Right to the end.”
The end.I look to Aiden, my chest feeling like it’s going to crack in two. “No,” I say softly. “No, can’t be…”Too late. We can’t be too late.
Aiden shakes his head, his fingers tightening around the handle of his gun. “That shit isn’t going to work on me either. Hand him over and I’ll let you live.”
“Not so sure about that. Not while you got that girl with you.”
Aiden glances at me and motions for me to stay quiet. “You think I’m that much of a fool to bring her, Frank?”
The voice chuckles, further confirming Aiden’s assumption as he replies, “Women make fools of us all; I know she’s with you. And I know you’ll kill me because she is. So I guess we better finish this right here.”
Aiden’s eyes close for a second before he looks around, searching for something to get us out of this.
“The window,” I remind him.
“It’s too high,” he murmurs back.
“Not to throw something through it. It’ll distract him.”
Aiden’s mouth presses into a tight line, but after another moment passes, he nods. Before I can turn away, he bends down and kisses me, just once. Just in case.