Page 194 of Dark Angel
BANG! BANG!
A sharp pain pierced his back, but the strong armor of Kevlar stopped the bullet. Screams and cries filled his ears. Some sprinted out, others dropped to the floor. Gabriel wanted to pump him full of lead, but his priority was Halston. Using his body as a shield, he ushered her toward the kitchen. Once there, he moved her into a corner while the kitchen staff ran for cover.
“Are you hit?” he asked.
To his surprise, there was no fear in her eyes. Only calmness stared back. “You got hit, didn’t you?”
“Answer me.”
“No, I wasn’t, but you were.”
“I’m fine,” he protested. “We need to get you out.”
“You got shoved into me.” She hurried around him. “There’s a bullet hole in your sweater.” Seconds later, she was peering into his eyes as concern flashed across her face.
Gabriel had done for Halston what Angelo had done for him. He’d paid it forward. He just didn’t think it would happen so soon after Angelo’s death.
“I’m pretty sure the bullet’s lodged in the vest,” he said.
“We need to get you upstairs.”
“We need to getyouupstairs,” he pushed back.
A server rushed over. “The shooter is down,” she said. “Hotel security shot him. I think he’s dead.”
After the employee hurried off to alert others hiding in the kitchen, Gabriel murmured, “No one can know you were his target. If anyone finds out, your cover is blown.”
“Agreed.”
“We need to get you out of the hotel?—”
“I can’t leave,” she pushed back. “I’m safer here than anywhere else.”
“Follow my lead.” He clasped her hand, led her back into the lounge. It was more crowded than he’d expected, but that would work in his favor. Moving slowly, he made his way around the guests toward the lobby.
There were four security guards, their guns drawn, all pointed at their subject. Grigori was on the floor, blood oozing from multiple wounds.
“Is he dead?” someone asked.
“Everyone!” shouted one of the guards, “we need you to move away from the body.” The guard pointed into the lobby. “Wait over there. The police will need to question all of you.”
A man hurried over. “I’m a physician. What can I do to help?”
A couple in front of Gabriel and Halston started to walk out.
“Now,” Gabriel murmured, and they fell in line behind the couple.
“Hey, you can’t leave,” yelled one of the guards.
The first couple stopped. “That guard told us to wait over there,” called out the man.
“Right. Over there,” said the security guard.
Gabriel wrapped his arm around Halston and continued walking. Instead of stopping where instructed, he guided her to the Penthouse elevator.
She pulled out her keycard, the doors slid open and in they went. Once inside, she swiped the card. The light turned green, the doors closed. They stayed silent, the only sound Halston’s breath coming faster than usual. Up to the penthouse level, down the hall to their suite. Once behind the locked door, he held her tightly in his arms.
“You saved my life,” she said. “Thank you.”
