Page 27 of The Brigadier

“Some kind of sweatshirt with a hood. I think it was gray.”

“He’s not there now but he could have seen us coming. Is there a back entrance to this building?”

“Yes. Kind of in an alley.”

Danny yanked out his phone as he nodded. Who the hell was he calling? “Maxim. Pull around back and watch for a man in a gray hoodie. He’s the one who’s been following Chantel.”

“Will do. I’ll be there in less than two minutes.”

“Good. We’re coming down.” He ended the call and walked toward me.

I backed away.

“It’s going to be okay. You need to trust me. Okay? Are you taking anything with you?”

My mind was still processing but I glanced down at the stuffed full duffle bag, which he grabbed.

“Get your purse. Let’s go.”

I did as he asked, finally snapping back to reality.

He pulled out a weapon and moved to the door, opening it slowly. After peering out, he beckoned for me. “Where are the back stairs?”

“End of the hall,” I said.

“Good to know. Stay right behind me. Okay?”

“Okay.

And I did. He was very careful every step of the way, peering down the stairwell before allowing us to race down.

His weapon was still in his hand and when we reached the bottom, he turned to face me. “As soon as I make certain Maxim is outside, you’re going to keep your head down and jump in the back where you’re going to lie on the seat. You won’t move until I tell you it’s okay. Do you understand?”

“I’ve been through drills like this. I’ll be fine.”

“Good. Let’s go.” He opened the door and I could see a black car just outside. Another man jumped out, opening the back door and I didn’t hesitate, racing toward it, Danny keeping me covered as much as possible.

Once inside, my suitcase was dumped on the floor and I did as he’d told me to do, lying across the seat while the two men jumped in the front. They didn’t waste any time, Maxim pressing down on the accelerator. They said nothing and my heart remained in my throat as they drove. From what I could tell, they were trying to remain in the alley as long as possible.

The jags and swerves indicated they were doing their best to avoid dumpsters, boxes, and the usual shit people tossed in the alley.

I was starting to breathe easier when Maxim cursed first in Russian. “We got company. Gray hoodie.”

It was my natural instinct to jerk up, trying to see the asshole.

“Stay down!”

I thumped back down as the car was suddenly brought to an abrupt halt.

“Do not move!” Danny hissed and both men jumped out.

I didn’t need to see anything to know they were chasing the dude or that apparently, they’d caught him. The sound of heavy fighting ensued. Brutal thuds were followed by someone being slammed against the hood of the car.

I didn’t follow orders very well, lifting my head and staring into the cold, black eyes of the man following me.

And I’ll be damned if he wasn’t grinning.

He didn’t remain there for long, yanked off and tossed around. Another series of hard punches could be heard.