Chapter 100

Lorenzo was leaning back in his wheelchair, a headset on his face while he had a controller in his hands. We were parked just out of sight of the building. Pulling out one of two drones that Lorenzo brought, he did some recon for us before we made a fool of ourselves by going in blind.

The whirl of the drone sounded and Keenan opened the door, catching it as it came down. It shut off as Keenan brought it back inside and Lorenzo took off his headset. Taking a deep breath, he rubbed his eyes for a second.

“I don’t know how you do that. I tried it once and I thought I was going to throw up.” I shook my head.

“It takes some getting used to but you do.”

Keenan set the drone down into the foam it came from originally. “What are we looking at?”

“Honestly, I think they were relying on us not finding it than us finding it and holding us back.”

“So security is lax.”

Lorenzo nodded. “Really, it’s the most lax I’ve ever seem while holding someone as important as Marek Baranov.”

My eyes widened. “You confirmed he’s in there.”

He smiled at me. “Yeah. I did. He’s sitting in a chair as well, so he’s still alive. A bit rough, but alive.”

I felt like I could take a breath again. Marek was okay. He was alive and we were so close. Keenan reached out and squeezed my shoulder. Nodding to him, I pulled myself back to the present.

“How many?” Keenan asked Lorenzo.

“There are three watching the perimeter. Inside, there are four playing cards at a table, three at another cleaning their guns.”

Smiling, I squirmed. “They taken apart completely?”

Lorenzo nodded. “It’s the big boys too. So they will be out of commission for the next few minutes. They are taking their time, looks like they have been really bored. Two more are sleeping in cots in the corner and another three are either pacing the top walkway or leaning against the railing staring at Marek. He’s in a cell in the center of the building.”

“I mean, in total, that’s fifteen. So it’s nothing to sneeze at.” Keenan did the math with a frown.

“We’ve done worse.” Lorenzo and I said at the same time.

We smirked at each other and he winked at me. Looking back at Keenan, he was only shaking his head.

“We take the three on the outside first. Confirm that they won’t be a problem later. Then if you can take care of the three on the top level, Lorenzo, Keenan and I can sweep the bottom floor.”

Lorenzo nodded. “I can do that. More than three might be more than the drone can handle. But I don’t have silencers on it. Once I fire, everyone knows they are being attacked.”

“Lead us to the three. We’ll take that. Once we secure our entrance, you start shooting and we will come in as everyone is distracted.”

He sighed. “I’m going to lose Jaqueline aren’t I?”

“I told you to stop naming your fucking drones, Lor. It’s creepy.” I threw up my hands.

“But they are my woman. I take good care of them and they help me gather information. I see the world through their eyes.”

I gave him a deadpanned look. “This is why you don’t have a girlfriend.”

Lorenzo huffed. “I don’t have a girlfriend because I have numb nuts.”

“No. You don’t got outside and you name your drones after woman. Stop making excuses for yourself.”

“Okay you two. That’s enough. We need to go if we are going to take advantage of their guns being out of commission.”

I stuck my tongue out at Lorenzo and he did the same. Keenan was holding the drone with what looked like two rail guns on them. Shutting the door behind me, Keenan held it above his head before the blades came to life and it lifted into the air.

“Can you hear me?” Lorenzo’s voice came through the earpieces we had.

“Loud and clear.” Keenan called back.

I huffed. “Unfortunately.”

Keenan glared at me and I held up my hands. “What? I acknowledged that I heard him.”

“Alright. Let’s go. Follow…” Lorenzo cleared his throat. “…the drone and I’ll lead you through the best path to the back side of the building.”

Both Keenan and I kept our pistols ready, silencers attached as we made our way through the overgrown land that was behind the building. We stalked forward, lowing into the grass as we got closer. Keenan motioned that he had eyes on two ahead. I peaked over his shoulder and could see the two. They were smoking together leaning against the back of the building.

I motioned to myself and the two guys. Then I motioned to Keenan and pointed up at the drone. He nodded as he followed the drone to the left of the building. I slipped further down into the brush and snuck in the grass as quietly as I could.

“They said boss won’t be around much for a little while.”

The other guy took a drag of his cigarette. “Oh yeah? What are we supposed to do with this asshole? I mean, it’s easy but I’d rather get in the thick of things. Get some action.”

“Dunno. Boss said he’s using the dude for something. So I expect him to get moved eventually.”

Lorenzo spoke in my ear. “Keenan is in position. We are ready. On my count.”

Lifting up my gun, I took two steps forward, the brush barely parting so I could see the two guards.

“Uno...due…oh wait, Keenan doesn’t know Italian does he?”

I growled a three and stepped forward. Taking two quick shots, the two of them dropped before they even saw me come out of the grass. Walking over to them, I confirmed they were dead before pulling their guns and taking their clips. Keenan came around the corner and I nodded to him.

He shook his head. “How do the two of you work?”

“Mostly in Italian.” Lorenzo pipped up.

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “He means how do we get any work done.”

“Oh. I dunno. She doesn’t really listen to me…our plans would go a lot smoother is she did.”

I snorted. “Please. You make this complicated map layout and name each game plan after amphibious creatures and then you decide which gun I need to use in which hallway. Then you get mad at me if I open up a door you haven’t designated as safe.”

“It could be booby trapped!”

“You haven’t even seen a real booby before. You wouldn’t know shit.” I snapped back.

Keenan snorted and covered his mouth. “Where is the entrance?” He tried to steer us back to the mission at hand.

“The front door is barricaded but there is a side door that the guys use to go smoke. It’s on the right side from here.”

I rolled my eyes. “South side.”

“Ria, I don’t know which way is South from here.”

“This is why I don’t listen to you.”

Keenan looked like he was about to crack. “Atamansha, did you want to follow me and then once I confirm the all clear, we can step in and let the drone get in position before we enter?” He was trying really hard but there were tears in his eyes.

“I can go first. Watch my back.”

He nodded and took a deep breath. I sided up the back of the building and quickly made my way to the edge. Pressing up against it, I keep my finger on the trigger as I peaked around the corner. There wasn’t anyone and the door was propped open ever so slightly. Just as I put my fist up, I opened my palm but Keenan was starting to move. Slamming my hand on his chest, I pushed him back against the building.

One of the guys pushed the door open slightly as he stepped out. He moved closer to us, only to lean against the wall and start to light up a cigarette. Steadying the gun, I silently counted to three before I popped out from the corner and took two shots to be safe. The guy slid down the wall, the unlit cigarette falling to the ground.

“One extra down outside.”

“Looks like it was one of the sleepy boys. Jaqu…I mean I’m in position hovering just above a ceiling beam inside.” Lorenzo alerted us.

Tapping Keenan, I moved forward and peaked into the door. It was dark and it wasn’t going to be a good transition from the light outside to dark. Taking out my other gun, I made sure it was loaded right and safety was off. Keenan also put away his pistol and pulled out an AR that he grabbed.

“Ready?” I looked at Keenan.

“Ready.”

I smiled. “Let’s get Marek back.”

“Ready in one…two…three!”