Chapter 32

“Should we go out there?” Toly asked and Reginald shook his head as he waited next to the door.

“We wait and do what we’re told. They’ll have a plan,” he said and smiled as a shape moved on the other side of the door. It opened just slightly and Reginald tensed and raised the fire extinguisher but he knew who it was before he heard his voice.

“Reginald?” Paul called softly and he quickly put the extinguisher down as the door pushed open.

“Thank God you’re ok,” Reginald said he grabbed Paul and checked his chest. He was wearing a vest and only slightly scratched and scraped.

“I have him,” Paul announced. “I’m fine but we need to move, Zubkov will be here soon,” he said then jerked his head toward Toly as he pulled one of the velcro straps at his side to remove his vest. “What’s his story?” He asked as he reached for another strap. Reginald grabbed his hand.

“Don’t,” he warned and Paul’s lips pulled tight. Reginald turned him toward the door. “We don’t have time for you to take all of that off and for me to get strapped in. This is Toly, the Red Death. He’s coming with us,” he said and Paul tapped his temple in salute.

“Great to meet you, Mr. The Red Death,” he said then stopped at the door. “Will you take a gun?” He asked and Reginald shook his head.

“I will not. I’ll end up shooting myself in the leg or one of you. I’ll just stay behind you and you can shield me with your vest,” he said and Paul was definitely going to yell at him once they were out.

“I’ll take one,” Toly said and Paul gave Reginald a questioning look. He nodded and Paul snorted as he pulled a pistol from one of the holsters at his back and handed it to him.

“Trust a Russian hacker. Add that to the list of things I really didn’t want to accomplish in my life. It might get crazy out there. Take cover where you can but stay close,” he said then swung the door open and looked out quickly then signaled for them to follow him.

“Is Denver calling it?” Reginald asked as they crouched and hurried along the landing. A few people were firing but he could see Mr. Lavender at the bottom of the stairs and Lane was reloading as he ducked behind a crate.

“Denver hasn’t shut up the entire time but he’s good,” Paul said then pushed Reginald against the wall as he aimed at one of Zubkov’s men as he came around a massive hole in the corner of the hangar. He fired and the man fell back and landed on the heap of bodies by the east wall. Reginald gasped in awe. It looked like pizzas had been flung all over the hangar.

“Denver’s an acquired taste but he’s quite good. Lots of tactical experience, he was a sniper before he became a recluse. Lavender swore he’d never use him again but he still pays him. Denver said it’s the first time he’s been able to support his family since he was discharged and he can put his sister’s son through college,” he explained and Paul paused at the top of the stairs as he waited for Lavender to take out another shooter at the west corner.

“I’m really happy for Denver and your boss isn’t completely terrible,” Paul declared loudly then glanced over his shoulder. “Can you wait until we get out to tell me the rest of Denver’s life story?” He asked and Reginald swatted his arm playfully.

“I won’t feel as bad about retiring, Denver can take my place and I know my employer will be in good hands,” he said and Paul’s head swung toward him and his eyes were large and glittered before they dropped to Lavender. He nodded as he listened to the conversation in his earpiece.

“We have to move now. Four trucks are headed this way and they’re full of men,” Paul said as he reached behind him. His fingers tangled with Reginald’s and squeezed for a moment. “I’m going to switch to rifle, everyone stay along the south side of the room. I want to give them cover so they can make it down,” he called. Lavender nodded as Paul pushed his gun into the holster then swung the rifle around his body and aimed. He switched to automatic as Lavender raised his hand. Lavender waved for him to begin and Paul pulled the trigger and sprayed the room. “Go!” He yelled as his head cocked toward the stairs and Reginald got as low as he could and hurried down the steps. Toly was right behind him as he reached Lavender. Lane stepped out and raised his rifle and fired, covering the hangar so Paul could clear the stairs. He reached them at the bottom then stopped and swore before he looked at Lavender. “What do we do?” He asked and Lavender’s lips moved rapidly as he counted to himself and Paul leaned closer to Reginald. “We’ve got a truck pulling up to the door behind us and three heading for the gate to Hell. Looks like about forty or so,” he said as he pointed at the hole in the corner.

“We stand here. Don’t let anything get through that door, Paul. Lane and I will cover the wall,” Lavender said. Lane backed toward them as Paul pushed Reginald and Toly so they were in the middle. He pulled two pistols from his holsters and Reginald was so aroused as Paul raised them and aimed at the door. The room erupted in thunder and sparks and Reginald shrank as he covered his ears and did his best to crouch behind Paul. The door was thrown open and sparks bounced off the doorframe as Paul calmly picked off each man as he tried to rush through.

The sound was astounding! It was so loud, it felt like it was coming from inside Reginald as his teeth vibrated. Reginald was surprised at how strongly it smelled. Smoke surrounded them as shells were spit from rifles and pistols and Reginald coughed at the fumes, it smelled like a garage. If there was a significant amount of raw and burned meat in said garage as well. While Reginald never wanted to experience another firefight in his life, it was rather exhilarating.

Reginald looked over his shoulder to where men spilled into the hanger from the hole in the wall and his body became cold as Zubkov strolled in with a dozen or so men. Lavender shrugged out of his rifle’s strap and pushed it at Toly then pulled two pistols from behind his back. Zubkov stepped on and over limbs as if he was stepping over stones in a stream and a pistol hung from his hand as it casually swung at his side. Reginald wanted to see the smug motherfucker die. Mr. Lavender would never… He would have much more respect for his own men. Not that he’d ever need an army to kill a single man. One of Zubkov’s men ran between them in an attempt to cover him and Lavender put a bullet between his eyes. Zubkov pushed the man out of his way then aimed and Lavender’s right shoulder pulled back and Reginald gasped as metal sparked behind them.

“Get back!” Lavender yelled and Reginald realized he’d got caught in the moment and was too close. Zubkov’s eyes lit up and Reginald saw the flash from his muzzle. Lavender’s eyes followed the bullet as it passed his left shoulder and there was a burst of searing heat in the middle of Reginald’s chest.

“No!” Toly screamed and Reginald looked down in confusion. Lavender swept Reginald’s legs as his hand slammed against the hot hole in his chest and he grunted as he was pushed onto the floor.

“Paul!” Lavender roared as Reginald’s legs kicked and his hands pushed at the floor. “Be still,” Lavender said firmly and Reginald relaxed and nodded. “Hold on,” he said then looked at Paul. “Hold him down or he’ll bleed out,” he ordered and Paul’s hand covered Lavender’s before he pulled it free. He jumped to his feet and Reginald was mesmerized. Lavender’s coat swung around him and his arms stretched as he spun and fire burst from his hands. Bodies dropped as the chaos pulled in around them and it was like being on a dance floor as light flashed from muzzles and the air became damp with sweat. Reginald looked up as Paul swore.

“Gun!” He yelled as he threw his then raised his hand as Lane turned and tossed one at him. Paul snatched it out of the air and juggled the grip then shot a man at the door as he leaned in. “We should be able to get out,” he called and Reginald smiled as he grabbed Paul’s arm. His eyes dropped and they were tortured as they found Reginald’s.

“I always wanted to see him at work and you’re brilliant!” He wheezed then coughed as a hard hiccup locked his chest. Cold spread through him and seeped into his fingers.

“Don’t talk,” Paul said as he watched the door. “Save your strength, we can catch up later.”

“I have to now, in case I can’t later,” Reginald said as he held onto Paul’s arm. Paul’s hand kept his heart pinned to the floor and what was left of Reginald’s life pinned to his body. “I love you.”

“I love you too. You have to hang on,” Paul begged.

“We need an airlift, Denver,” Lavender shouted. “Tell them it’s a gunshot wound to the chest,” he added and Reginald shook his head. He was drowsy and everything was cold except the heavy heat in the middle of his chest. That wasn’t a very good sign. “Keep your eye on that door!” Lavender shouted at Paul as he dropped his guns and pulled two fresh ones from his holster. “Zubkov!” He roared as he ran at him and Reginald raised his head so he could watch. The hangar was almost clear as Zubkov backed away. Lavender cut down anyone in his path as he followed. Zubkov screamed as he grabbed his shoulder and Reginald laughed weakly. He would have bet his life it was exactly where Lavender shot him the first time they met in the hangar. Zubkov swung his other hand to fire then staggered back as a bullet tore through his left shoulder. Ha! Game over, motherfucker.

“I don’t think I can hang on but it was worth it. I’m sorry,” Reginald said as his head fell back and he shut his eyes as the heat faded.