Page 105 of Ramshackle
My father might be one of the people in this room.
I scan the room of unfamiliar faces. I wouldn’t recognize him even if I saw him. They’ll have to be identified or wait until they’re awake to ask if there’s a Charles Whitmore here.
If Aiden’s lead is right and he is here, then how long has he been trapped like this? How long can someone survive it?
“Reid, let’s go. Jack, make sure this floor is clear.” Reid follows Kellan out the door to the hallway as Evie and Tinsley get to work. Evie shrinks a bed, and Tinsley uses her speed to pick them up and put them in the tub.
Jackson stops next to me. “I’ll be right back,” he promises, and I nod once before he leaves.
There’s a high likelihood that there are others in this building aside from the guards we’d taken care of outside, but I’m not worried. If any goon tries to enter this room, I’ll take care of them. Evie and Tinsley already have the evacuation under control between the two of them, so I decide I’ll be their guard and keep this room secure.
I stroll the perimeter to keep out of their way and to get a clearer idea of the exit and entry points. Aside from the door we came through, there are three long exterior windows and two more doors.
I pause in front of the window on its own wall. This wasn’t a corner room. How can there be a window here? My fingertips press against the coolness of the glass that overlooks sand and palm trees on a dark night. The fronds sway in the sea breeze as waves roll and crash upon the shore.
I knock my knuckles against it, but it sounds like any other window. There’s no echo or hollowness to it.
Still…
Stepping outside of the room, I check both directions of the hall and walk down the side to where that window is positioned. The wall continues beyond it to another door.
I settle one hand on the grip of my gun in its holster, then reach for the knob and turn it, swinging the door open wide.
Wheels squeak and roll over laminate flooring and a chair crashes into a high counter. My gun is in my hands in an instant, pointing at the room as I search for who is inside. One wall looks into the room where Evie and Tinsley are still busy at work. A one-way glass.
I step into the room, swinging my gun to the left and freezing when something hard and small taps my back.
“Are you seriously wearing a bulletproof vest?”
I peek over my shoulder, and Vera draws her gun up to point at my head instead.
“Where’s Dane?” she demands.
I’m really getting tired of her threatening me. The only reason she’s so confident against me is because of my promise to Dane. The promise that I no longer have to abide by, according to him.
“Not here,” I snap out.
It’s not a complete lie. He’s not here. He’s somewhere else on the island with Aiden and the others.
I lower my gun so my hands are hidden in front of me, releasing one hand and calling on my gift. It settles like a warm tingle of nerves beneath my skin.
“Liar,” she snarls and presses the gun harder into my skull.
I spin and throw my gift-filled hand at the gun, grabbing and pushing it away from me. A gunshot fires, and my muscles tense.
The gun disintegrates in my hand.
Holy fuck. She was really going to shoot me!My heart hammers in my chest as the sound of gunfire continues to ring in my ears.
That was too fucking close.
Vera gasps and stares at the gun I’m now aiming at her. Her eyes slide to mine. “I knew you weren’t serious about that promise.”
I cock my head at her. “I haven’t broken it. Are you hurt? Or am I the one who almost got shot just now?”
“That was your fault for surprising me!”
“Maybe I wouldn’t have had to surprise you if you weren’t holding a gun to my head!”
