Twenty-eight

Twenty-eight

They made it in relatively easily, and that worried Jaime. There was a chance Letov's fast journey had left him unprepared, but Letov was a sick bastard. He could have planned to lure them there to torture Royce and Sean. Killing Randy and Jaime in front of the two of them—before they were killed themselves—would be something Letov would do.

The man really had lived too long. People like him shouldn't be able to cause this much pain.

Randy used hand signals to tell her that he was going to head down the hallway. She nodded and followed his lead. They both had armed themselves with automatics, but they also had pistols and various knifes. There was no way they were not going to get out of there.

They made their way down to the very end of the hallway. All the rooms were empty but the last one. They heard talking, and Jaime knew it was Letov.

The door was partially open, and it was easy to see inside. She could see Letov striding around the room, a sharp instrument in his hand. She saw her father then. His arms were tied to the chair he was sitting in, his face was bloodied, and his shirt had dried blood on it. She didn't know if he was even breathing. Her heart stuttered, as if it were going to stop, when she saw Sean. He was in a chair also, soaking wet, and with a little blood. He was watching Letov as he paced back and forth. Randy made a motion with his hand, and there it was, the almost imperceptible nod. Sean knew they were there. But, he wasn't calling for them to come. Why?

Sean made a motion with his head, and Randy positioned himself to see what Sean was telling him. When he did, Randy's face lost all color. He stepped back then signaled a C and a four.

Fuck. A bomb.

"You would think you would have been smarter. Lassiter said you would never fall for the plan, but you did, didn't you? You just couldn't deal with not flaunting those two disgusting lovers of yours." Letov made a noise. "That slut and the gay boy."

Jaime wanted to go in with guns blazing, but they didn't know about guards.

"Funny you should say that. I mean, you look down on healthy sexual appetites, considering your own."

"What do you mean by that?"

Sean made his own sound of disgust. "It's said you like young girls. The younger the better."

She shared a look with Randy, who shrugged.

"I do not."

"Oh, then maybe it's boys."

"Bastard," Letov screamed as raised his hand and brought the sharp weapon down onto Sean's thigh. He dropped the others he held and backhanded Sean. His chair toppled, but he seemed to be ready for it. The minute he hit the floor, he swung his feet around and tripped Letov. The man went down with a grunt, and she and Randy burst into the room. She kept her back against the wall, taking assessment of the situation. Two of his men were down, shot in the head.

Randy walked over to Letov and kicked him in the face. He didn't even give the man time to stand. The blow sent him to the ground again, unconscious.

"Get Sean. I'll get your father," Randy said. Randy felt Royce's pulse and sighed. "Strong and steady."

Relief filtered through her, as she helped Sean up, then cut the plastic cuffs with one of the knives Letov had dropped. As soon as he was free, he stood up, then he staggered.

"Hey, there, be careful," she said. "How many more?"

"I don't know. I know about those two, but I had just come to a few minutes ago."

"Royce, buddy, are you in there?" Randy said as he slapped her father's face.

"Take Sean," she said as she went to her father. "Royce, wake up."

He stirred opening his eyes. "Jaime, you're here."

"Yes, and we need to get out of here."

Randy undid Royce's hands and helped him to his feet. "He needs more help than Sean. I've got him."

She nodded and went to Sean. They were almost out the door when she heard something behind her. She looked behind her and saw Letov heading to the table. Without hesitation, she shot him in the shoulder, but not before he hit a button on the bomb. It didn't explode, but she heard the ticking. He'd set it to explode.

Letov fell to the floor.

"Is he dead?" Randy asked.

"Who cares? Let's get out of here before that blows."

They rushed out as fast as they could. It wasn't easy since Royce was a dead weight and Sean was injured. Suddenly, she heard shots from behind them, and knew that Letov was still alive.

"Go," she yelled at Randy. She let go of Sean and pushed him in the back. "Go on, I've got this."

Every bit of Sean's body was throbbing as they cleared the front lanai and rushed out into the yard. Shots rang out behind them as Randy helped Royce. Jaime was right behind them, protecting their back. He tried to turn and see what was happening, but Randy was moving too fast, urging him on. Smoke filled the area as the Task Force Hawaii members were running toward them.

Suddenly, it was as if the heavens had erupted behind them, lighting up the sky. Heat singed his back. He tried to turn around.

"No," Jaime yelled. "Run, Sean. Don't look back."

The last explosion threw them all forward. Randy and Lassiter stumbled, and both of them fell to the ground. Using what energy he had left, he helped Randy up, who then grabbed Lassiter. The four of them made it to the gate, as police vehicles came tearing up the road. Sirens were screaming through the night, cutting into the explosions behind them.

Del was leading the charge as he rushed them.

"We got ya," he said. "We have injured here," Del shouted.

Paramedics came rushing toward them, and Sean finally gave into the pain. He closed his eyes as he was laid out on a gurney. Randy was there, his hand in Sean's.

"Everything is going to be okay."

He nodded, but he couldn't open his eyes.

"Lassiter."

"Not sure, but looks worse than I think it is."

"You should have waited," he said.

"Yeah, well, when have I ever done what was expected?"

He wanted to tell him to stop making light of the situation. Both Jaime and he could have been hurt, and what would have happened then? But, the moment he opened his mouth to say it, Jaime returned.

"You're going to Tripler Army Medical Center."

Jaime leaned down, cupped his face and kissed him. "It's over."

Her voice was filled with relief. Before he could respond, the paramedics returned.

"We need to get him loaded up in the ambulance."

Jaime nodded and stepped back. "We'll be there."

As they lifted him up into the vehicle, Sean looked at Randy and Jaime. They both were covered with mud from their stumble onto the ground. The fact that they were safe was the only thing that kept him from going to find Letov's corpse and setting it on fire.

They would not have been put in this kind of danger if it hadn't been for him. As the attendees slammed the doors shut, he watched Randy and Jaime through the windows, his heart heavy. But how much longer would they be safe if they stayed around him?