Falling with Grace - Page 176

“Jesus.” I dropped my weapon and stood with a grunt.

Javier nudged the other assailant with his foot, then bent down and pressed his fingers to the man’s neck. “Dead.”

“I must have broken his neck when I kicked him.” A scarlet river crept across the cement as I put my gun down and shoved my feet through my pant legs, securing the waist with my button and belt, then holstered the gun. “Are we secure?”

He nodded.

“Mamá?”

“She’s fine, still sound asleep.”

“They didn’t attack her?”

He shook his head.

“Casualties?”

“Alphonse is injured. Felipe is dead.”

“Grace? Where is she?”

I tossed my shirt over my head, my muscles screaming in my chest and back as I rushed inside.

“She’s gone.”

“Gone?” I paused in the hall and exhaled, my fingers pinching the bridge of my nose. “Willingly?”

My stomach revolted, my teeth clenched, my jaw popping.

She wouldn’t.

To save them…

“I don’t think so.”

I turned and narrowed my gaze as he shook his head.

“There’s blood here.” He pointed to the waxed marble we’d walked over.

Crimson droplets led toward the front entryway, and a secondary smear was on the wall and floor. Small tendril-like wisps trailed out of the puddled blood as though her hair swept through it.

“I think she was the main target.”

I gave a derisive snort.

And that was his mistake.

“Call the remaining men and meet me in the office.” I squeezed my fist tight against my leg and winced as it brushed against a tender wound. “If it’s a war he wants, we’ll bring it.”

I turned and limped down the hall.

Javier brushed past me. “Dr. Navarro is on the way. You should have your leg looked at.”

I glanced down.

Deep red coated my foot, leaving stamped imprints behind me. “I’ll be fine.”

My muscles quivered, the residual aches and pains riding the coattails of fading adrenaline, lending credence to the life-or-death struggle that had unfolded.