matter, but the Russian had C-4 relayed to collapse the dilapidated structure onto anyone who dared to infiltrate the building.
After the thermite detonation was initiated, the rest would be discharged from a safe distance through a series of shaped charges.
A solenoid switch would open the valves of underground propane tanks by relay, releasing heavy propane fumes into the air of the tunnels—the sole purpose for the supply of propane. And after the buildup of gas, a charge near the propane tanks would initiate a white-hot fireball at the core of the building with more C-4 to hit structural supports. The blast would set off a chain reaction through the underground corridors with enough magnitude to drop a structure five times its size.
But that wasn’t enough for Petrovin. The Russian wanted to make sure his death trap would take out any cop who crossed his threshold. Someone would pay, and Petrovin would make sure of it.
“Sound the evacuation alarm for the men,” he ordered. “The noise will mask the sound of us leaving.”
“What about the girls?”
With dead eyes, the Russian smiled and said, “Do not worry about them. I have taken care of everything. I will meet you as agreed.”
Giving authority to an egotistical crazy man had its drawbacks.
Ethan had no more time to argue. He hit the evacuation alarm and ran out the door, leaving the Russian behind. When he blew past the room where the girls were held, he tried not to think about them. He’d given up the right to a conscience long ago.
And having a sense of morality was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
“What’s that sound?” Sam stopped to listen outside a delivery door near the loading bay. “Do you hear that?”
“An alarm,” Joe said. “Sounds like it’s belowground.”
“If we had any doubts about someone being inside, those are all shot to hell. We gotta get in there—now.” Payton reached for the door, thinking only of Nikki, but Joe grabbed his arm and stopped him.
“Sam and I will take point. Follow our lead, no question, remember?” Tanu’s voice was stern, tempered with the concern of a friend. “If Nikki is here, we’ll find her—bring her home.”
And as he crossed the threshold with gun in hand, Payton found himself praying, something he hadn’t done in a very long time.
CHAPTER 18
“What’s that siren?” Jess reached for Nikki and pulled her close. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know.” The girl gripped her hand. “Jessie, I’m scared.”
Beyond the door, an alarm blared through the corridor and a flash of red beat like a pulse under the door, eclipsing the light. Voices were garbled by the sound, and boots scuffed along the cement floor outside their door. Jess didn’t mistake it for a good sign. Even if Harper had come through, it didn’t leave them in the clear.
“No matter what happens, you stick with me. You understand?” She squeezed the girl’s hand. “You and me. We’re gonna get through this. I’m getting you out of here, I promise.”
The girl burrowed her head into Jess’s shoulder and put her arms around her waist.
“I’ve been so stupid. I can’t believe—”
Jess stopped her. “This isn’t your fault. These people know how to manipulate and lie. And they prey on kids like you. You did nothing wrong.”
Before she had a chance to comfort the girl, a key slid into the lock and the door swung open. Noise and bright lights flooded the darkness, blinding them. Jess held onto Nikki and cowered in the shadows, but two men carrying weapons swept into the room, yanking the other girls off the floor.
“Get up. Move. Now!” they shouted.
When they came for her and Nikki, she asked the men, “Where are you taking us?”
“Shut up and get moving.” One of the cowards grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled, forcing her to stand. Nikki had gotten in line behind the others, but kept turning back, making sure Jess wasn’t far behind.
Out the door, they headed right single file. Nikki walked ahead of her, leaving one man on the tail end. Jess had no idea of the layout but caught a glimpse of darker tunnels ahead. All the activity and alarms were behind them. They were heading deeper into a maze, and the air smelled toxic, like gas fumes.
Instinct told her to run. She forced herself to breathe shallow, waiting for her moment. In the confusion and the noise, she and Nikki might break free without being noticed.
When the lead man turned a corner, Jess lost sight of him and the first two girls. Something inside her clicked and she reacted. Biting back pain, she spun and punched the man behind her, catching him off guard. Knocked off balance, he fell against the wall, leaving her to grapple for his gun, but the man held firm.
“You bitch,” he grunted.
“Nikki, run! Back the way we came,” she panted, struggling for leverage.
The girl moved but didn’t take off.
Jess pinned the man’s arm against the wall and slugged him in the gut, rapid blows that staggered him. When he bent over, she rammed a knee to his face. In a stupor, the bastard let go of the gun and fell back, his head whacking the cement floor. Even with all the noise, Jess heard the ugly thud. He stayed down for the count. She picked up the gun and caught up with Nikki.
“Come on.” She ran back the way they’d come. “How do we get out of here?”
Tears welled in Nikki’s eyes. Jess could see that she was losing it, but Nikki pointed straight ahead. “Turn left here…I think.”
The blaring alarm grated on Jess’s frayed nerves, exacerbated by the flashing lights that washed bloodred on the walls. And the gas fumes had become more noticeable, making her nauseous. By the smell, the whole place would soon be a ticking time bomb. Anything could set it off. With a tight grip on the weapon, Jess raced down the passageway as if she knew where to go, clutching the girl’s hand. They couldn’t afford any mistakes.
And for Nikki’s sake, she hoped her luck had changed.
Once inside the loading bay door, Payton followed Joe and the detective into what looked like a small underground parking structure with another secured door to the left. A handful of cars were parked inside. Sam confirmed that the one with the busted-out windows was Jessie’s. It proved that something was terribly wrong and her friend was in danger.
They quickly swept the outer chamber and the car interiors, making sure no one waited in the dark to ambush them. Assured that everything was clear, they focused on the only entry left.
Payton took his position on the hinged side of the door. Standing with his back to the wall, he reached over and turned the knob before opening it. It wasn’t locked. He shot a concerned look at Joe, who seemed to read his mind. So did Sam. An alarm had blared before they’d opened the outside door. Now a second door was unlocked. Something didn’t feel right.
It was too easy.
Joe used the detective’s flashlight to check the door for booby traps, then repeated the process with the door ajar. After he gave the all clear sign and Sam had given her thumbs-up Payton swung the door open. Joe and the detective swiftly moved into the room, an efficient team. In a practiced maneuver, they crept through in a bent- legged shuffle, shifting their weapons from corner to corner. Payton followed close behind, taking their lead. But once they got inside, the interior fanned into a maze filled with spiraling red lights, a much bigger underground vault than he had expected.
Before Joe or the detective said it, Payton shook his head in frustration.
“Damn it! Which way do we go?”
Up ahead a door stood wide open. Jessie stopped dead still and pulled Nikki to one side, positioning the girl against the wall behind her. She didn’t want any surprises. The men might have evacuated the area, but she
