Page 40 of Shadows Redeemed
He moved closer, putting himself between Jacob and Sullivan as best as he could, which wasn’t easy since Jacob hid in the rafters over their heads. “Look, if he says he doesn’t have them, he doesn’t?—”
Sullivan snatched out, grabbing Parker by the shirt and jerking him toward him, causing Parker to stumble with the suddenness of the movement. The cold metal of the tip of Sullivan’s gun pressed into Parker’s cheek as the man leaned in, fire in his eyes, and spittle flying from his lips when he spoke. “I’m tired of your mouth! I know what he’s doing, and I’m not?—”
A shot rang out, the bullet sparking against the floor at Sullivan’s feet. Everyone screamed and ducked, and more guns were yanked from holsters and waistbands as people spun toward the shot.
Jacob stood behind one of the rafter supports, his gun quite visible and aimed at Sullivan’s head. “If you really believe I killed Eric, then you should be shitting your pants right about now, Sully. I’d advise you to let go of my brother if you want to walk out of here.”
Sullivan jerked Parker in front of him, using him as a shield. “You fire another round and your brother’s the first to get plugged. Now get your ass down here.”
Every shadow seemed to pulse with menace as Sullivan’s garlic breath filled Parker’s nostrils. He stared up at his brother, fear mingling with desperate hope as Sullivan tightened his grip.
“I kind of like where I am, thanks.” Jacob leaned out, his eyes locking with Parker’s, and there was something there, somethingthat tugged at the edge of Parker’s memory. “My brother’s not some weakling, Sully. He’s seen this scenario played out a few times. We’ve even talked about it. About what would happen and the need for sacrifice.”
Parker’s mind raced. There had never been a call for sacrifice, just… Then his eyes went wide as he realized what his brother wanted.
“This ain’t no time for chitchat. You’ve got two seconds to back off, or I’ll spill his guts all over this warehouse.”
Bryce stepped up beside Sullivan, his gun out, but not really aimed at anyone. “And you be a damn fool if you did. Let him go.”
Parker’s breathing quickened as he dredged up the details from every time his brother drilled into him how to get out of such a situation as the one he found himself in. He had always thought Jacob a little paranoid and over-the-top, but now he knew he needed to apologize to his brother. And he would if he didn’t screw this up.
Sullivan shifted, impatient, and the tip of the gun pressed harder into Parker’s cheek. He had to act now, before the detective lost his patience altogether.
Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves, Parker then gave his brother a subtle nod.
Jacob stood straighter, easing out from behind the support beam he hid behind, just enough to draw everyone’s attention. Parker simply let his body fall, twisting as he went down, just enough to throw Sullivan’s balance. Wrenching his body to the side, he dropped to one knee, Sullivan’s gun hand swinging wide to the other side. The detective snatched at Parker’s shirt but Parker was already rolling, his elbow jabbing backward into Sullivan’s gut.
And then all hell broke loose as the warehouse doors busted open.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
DANE STOOD QUIETLY BESIDE her, but she could feel the weight of his gaze on her, the silent concern that simmered just below the surface. She knew he worried about her, her closeness to all of this. Jacob. Now Parker. However, she didn’t have time to worry about what he thought. Not now. Now she had to save Parker, and she no longer cared what happened to Jacob.
However, before they took another step, Blaze was in their ears. “You guys didn’t beat him. I spotted Jacob slipping through a vent on the roof. He’s inside.”
“Shit,” Dane growled. “Do you have eyes inside yet?”
Cookie stood on Sage’s other side, the others trailing a line behind him. She wasn’t sure why the man was even there, but she’d take the help.
“No,” Blaze replied. “You’re going in blind.”
Elvis scoffed. “Won’t be the first time.” He glanced over at Sage and shrugged. “It is what it is, darling.”
Sage sighed, knowing the man was right, but not liking it any more. She turned to Dane, shrugging. “Let’s get this over with. Jacob will just have to take care of Jacob. It’s what he’s good at, after all.”
Dane simply nodded as he motioned for them to move out.
They had parked in a dark alley a few buildings away from the warehouse so no one would see a bunch of people with guns piling out of cars. The old building loomed in the distance like some kind of dark fortress for lowlifes, and Sage thought it fitting for Luc Broussard. The team moved out in silence, their footsteps muffled by the thick, humid afternoon. Sage’s heart pounded in her ears as they approached the building, and every instinct in her body screamed that they were running out of time. However, she knew they didn’t dare move any faster, not without knowing what was happening inside.
Dane motioned for the team to fan out, and they quickly fell into position. Sage moved with practiced ease, her senses on high alert, her body ready for anything. This was what she trained for—high-pressure situations, quick thinking, fast reflexes. However, this time was different. This time, it was personal.
They entered the warehouse through a side door, the metal creaking loudly in the quiet afternoon. Sage held her breath, listening for any sign those inside heard them, but the building remained eerily silent. She exchanged a glance with Dane, who simply nodded as he signaled them to move forward.
The warehouse was dark and musty, the air thick with dust recently disturbed and the lingering scent of decay of a building left abandoned for over a decade. Sage’s pulse raced as they cleared the front, making their way to the large double doors that led to the main part of the warehouse. They found nothing but emptiness, however, and the tension mounted with every step she took, her anxiety ratcheting up as they drew closer.
As they neared the doors, Dane held his fist in the air, calling for a halt as voices reached them from the other side.
“…your ass down from there.”
