Page 89 of The Knight

Fox released her arms to the stinging tingle of blood rushing back. But the prickles helped, grounding her. Fox had risked his life coming for her. She wouldn’t fall apart now.

“Come on.” He guided her to the library door, pressing her flat against the wall with one hand while the other held his weapon ready. “When I move, you move. Stay tight to my back. Clear?”

“Clear.”

Fox crouched, sweeping the corridor with his weapon.

Her gaze slid to Korolov’s escape route—bloody smears marked the door. The sight should have satisfied her, instead she felt hollow. The purpose of the archive had been to help people. He’d only wanted to twist it into a weapon for profit.

“Now.” Fox’s grip locked around her elbow. He hauled her into the hallway, a police siren’s howl echoing from somewhere beyond the walls.

49

“Package secured,but Korolov’s in the wind.” Fox’s voice was gruff over the comms.

Freya was with Fox. The words hit like a physical blow, making him stumble.

“Copy, Fox.” Abe waited, but no reply. He tapped the button in his ear in frustration.Too much shit going on.

He climbed, sweeping his weapon up, then down. The groans from his target on the first floor were getting weaker, but he wasn’t taking chances.

Fox had her, and Fox would get her out. That’s what mattered. Relief burned through his veins, even knowing they weren’t clear yet.

Korolov’s in the wind.

Loose. Dangerous.

His heartbeat pounded in his head, the only sound besides his careful footsteps, the air growing damper as he climbed. Dust was thick on the rails, the stairs forgotten, abandoned for whatever monstrous elevator Korolov had likely installed. Thin strips of light from landing windows did little to break the gloom.

A cramp shot through his calf. He ignored it, clearing the second-floor landing. One more to go.

Air stirred above him.

The landing door whispered on well-oiled hinges.

Abe flattened himself against the wall and raised his weapon. His pulse thundered, but his hands were steady.

Footsteps scuffing on the bare stone.

Abe swung out to face whoever was coming down.

Korolov.

The weapons dealer halted. Blood soaked his right arm and dripped steadily to the bare steps. The knife he held reflected dim light.

“Korolov. Put the knife down.”

A grin split Korolov’s face. “I was just about to suggest the same thing.”

“You’re hurt. Let me get you medical attention.”

“I don’t want your fucking medical attention, you meddling bastard.” The words came through gritted teeth.

Abe’s finger tensed on the trigger. “You lost Freya?”

Korolov’s sneer didn’t reach his eyes. “Your team is impressive, Mr. Knight. I could pay you handsomely for your services. Far more than you’re being paid now.”

“Not everything is about money.”