“We’re going to do things my way, then. Which means that you don’t argue with me. If I say fucking run, you run. Got it? I need to know that if I’m handling something, I don’t have to worry about you. And I’m not questioning your—”
“I get it, seriously. You’re trained in a way I can’t fathom.” She had some self-defense classes under her belt and she worked out, but he could disarm people and probably knew how to kill people far too many ways with just his bare hands. “I’ll listen to whatever you say. I just… I can’t ignore this. I can’t abandon her if she’s in trouble.”
Minutes later they were in his vehicle. Tension buzzed in the air as Nash drove and she didn’t bother turning on the radio. Her mind worked overtime as she worried about her friend—and blamed herself for all of this. Genesis had a semi-dangerous profession, but it was clear that Ivy had brought something deadly to her friend’s doorstep. And if her friend got hurt because of her, she’d never forgive herself.
As they neared the address, Nash slowed slightly, but didn’t stop, instead driving by and turning at the next stop sign.
“There’s someone at the front entrance. He was hidden off to the left, but I got a glimpse of him. I think you’re right, she was telling you to use the back door.”
“So whoever is there might not have a huge crew at least. At least not enough to cover the back and other exits.” That was the hope anyway.
“I’m going to call Juan and keep him on the line. If shit goes down, he can call in backup. If whoever is in there thinks the cops are on the way, they might be less likely to kill us.” His tone was hard as he turned down a side street.
“I’m sorry I pulled you into this,” she said quietly. Technically he’d volunteered, but she sure as hell hadn’t stopped him. If she could go back in time… Damn it, she hated all of this. “I can’t walk away from this and I know you’re not going to either. I won’t insult you by telling you that you should. Even though—”
“Ivy. I made the choice to do this. We’re good.” He looked back at the quiet two-lane road, slowing as a couple with a dog on a leash crossed in front of them. “I’m going to park a couple blocks over, then we’ll make our way to the back of the building. How well do you know the interior?”
“Pretty well. I’ve been there a decent amount of times. It’s kind of similar to the one we broke into. I don’t fully understand her organization or anything, but I can get around in there easily. I know exactly where her office is.”
“We’re good, then.” He sounded confident and she wished she felt the same.
They did exactly as he’d said—parked, then made their way down the quiet city street.
There were people out this early, some on their way to work, others walking their dogs, a handful of people out jogging and listening to their earbuds. No one paid any attention to them. She and Nash blended in with some pedestrians, and about a block before they made it to the front of the warehouse, they veered right down an alleyway. “We should be able to approach the back of her place through here.” He motioned down the alley. “Without knowing what kind of security she’s got, I can’t say for sure how difficult this will be.”
Ivy simply nodded and hurried along with him down the quiet alley that backed up to a bunch of businesses. Genesis’s warehouse was in a different location than the one they’d broken into. It was in a more urban area, and had once been some kind of factory. Various shops, bistros and boutique-type stores had been built up around it. Though she knew that Genesis had bought the two shops on either side so she didn’t have any direct neighbors with access to her main place of operation.
As they hurried across a pay-by-the-hour parking lot, Ivy eyed the fence that connected to the back of Genesis’s building. Kudzu and other foliage covered most of it, creating a wall of green privacy.
“Just climb over it,” she murmured, scanning the alleyway again. No one else was back here. Just dumpsters and broken-down cardboard boxes propped up along the various back walls and fences.
Nash nodded and they quickly scaled the fence, dropping onto the other side with ease. A bunch of palm trees and other bushes blocked them from anyone who might stumble into the alleyway, but she could easily see the loading area and a set of stairs that led to the second floor.
“I know she uses the back stairs, but there’s also another entrance right there.” Ivy pointed toward the far left of the building. “We’ve gone in and out that door a few times. It’s not where she brings clients in. It’s one of her private entrances.”
“Let’s go, then.”
After dropping her crossbody bag behind one of the trees, she followed after him. Ivy hated feeling so damn exposed as they raced over the back gravel lot. There were two cars parked there, both Genesis’s.
As soon as they made it to the back door, she didn’t even get a chance to work her magic. Nash quickly picked the lock, popping it open with record speed. She barely had time to be impressed before he turned the handle and stepped inside, pistol up.
“Drop your fucking weapon,” a male voice said from the darkened interior.
Oh hell.
“Hey now,” Nash said, starting to raise his hands. “We’ve got no problem here.” Before Ivy could even react or attempt to draw her Taser—or let fear sink its talons into her—Nash moved so damn fast, practically superhuman.
He stepped forward and she heard a thud and then the clatter of a gun. On instinct she followed after him, Taser up, only to find that he had a man on the ground, chest down.
“Hands behind your back,” Nash ordered.
The man grumbled but did as Nash said.
Then, to her surprise, he pulled out flex-cuffs from one of his many cargo pockets and put them on the guy. Moving in a quick pattern, he hog-tied the guy in a way that looked reeeaaaally uncomfortable, then patted him down as she shut the door behind them.
As he looked for ID or more weapons, she scanned the small room. It was more or less a storage room. There were some boxes and other things stacked in the corner but no desk or anything. And no Genesis. There also weren’t any visible video cameras. Ivy knew Genesis had them, but the feeds were linked to her smartphone and she dumped them frequently.
Ivy’s heart was racing as she turned on the guy. “What did you do to her?” she whispered.
“Fuck you,” the guy growled.
That got him a punch from Nash. Then he gagged the guy.
“He didn’t have anything on him and he’s not going to tell us anything,” Nash murmured as he opened the other door she knew led to the interior of the open warehouse.
Heart racing, she stayed behind him. He motioned for her to move up against the wall out of sight.
She obeyed, not breathing as he slowly drew the door open.
In a clearly practiced fashion, he went in low, weapon up. Then, “It’s clear,” he whispered.
She hurried out after him, blood rushing in her ears. The warehouse spread out before them, looking as it always did. Rows and rows of antiques, newer furniture, and unique pieces from around the world.
They moved across the concrete floor, their steps barely audible. They only stopped once they were behind a set of high shelves filled with antique furniture. “Exactly where are the other entrances? Because I’m guessing there are guards at all of them.” His voice was whisper quiet.