Read Online Siren's Surrender by Devyn Quinn - Free Book Online Page B

“Guess that means we take care of things ourselves.”
    Kenneth spread his hands. “Everyone just calm down.” He looked toward his wife. “Get some coffee. I think we’ve got some explaining to do.”
    Addison glanced at the ceiling over their heads. “I wonder if we’ve got time to drink a cup. Our visitors have got enough firepower to blast the house to bits.”
    Tessa gave a little start, dodging the comment clearly aimed her way. “I’ll get the coffee.”
    Kenneth patted the walls. “It’s solid concrete all around us, and its several feet thick. They shouldn’t be able to get in.”
    Addison gave the steel door shutting them in a glum look. “Yeah, but that means we can’t get out.”
    “That’s a lot of precaution,” Whittaker commented.
    Kenneth’s hand dropped. “We were hoping we’d never need it.”
    Addison eyed the small room. “Just remember the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.”
    Her words struck Gwen as totally self-defeating. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
    Folding her arms across her chest, Addison leaned back against one bare wall. “I think it means we’re in a whole lot of trouble, for sure.”
    Gwen snapped, “Quit thinking.”
    Taking a minute to catch her breath and organize her thoughts, she looked around. When she was a kid, the basement had served as an emergency shelter during hurricane season. But it was nowhere near as elaborate as it was now. Recent renovations had turned what was a simple safe haven into an underground bunker.
    Approximately thirty-three by fourteen, the bare concrete room had been outfitted as a small campsite, complete with a propane heater, microwave, fold-out table, and some chairs. A bunk bed set and adjoining bathroom with a shower completed the area. A small closet held a stash of supplies, including canned goods, bottled water, and other necessary items that were good in an emergency.
    Tessa dug out some instant coffee and a gallon of drinking water. Her hands shook as she tried to take off the lid.
    Kenneth stepped over to his wife. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Let me.” He took over, filling the cups with water before heating them in the microwave.
    Tessa gave her husband a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
    With a slight wince, Whittaker slipped off his charred jacket. Deep furrows of pain had etched themselves into his forehead, yet he bore his discomfort with remarkable stoicism. “Any chance there’s a first-aid kit in there somewhere?” He jabbed a finger through the hole in his jacket. “I’ve got a few hurts that need patching.”
    Noticing his injuries for the first time, Gwen gasped. “You’re hurt.” Shirt burned clean through, his right arm was a mass of scorched flesh.
    Addison pushed herself away from the wall. “I can handle this.” She headed over to the closet to dig around. “Right here.” A moment later she produced her find. The familiar red cross was marked on the case. “Have a seat and I’ll patch you right up.”
    “Gwen,” Kenneth prompted as he distributed steaming cups of coffee on the table. “Set out a few more chairs, would you?”
    Head still spinning, Gwen nodded. “Sure.” Functioning on autopilot, she unfolded a few more chairs. Her numb fingers barely functioned. Somehow she managed to handle the task.
    Whittaker took a seat and offered his injured arm to Addison, who was laying out her equipment with precision. She was rock solid. As an EMT, Addison was trained to keep her cool and her wits in an emergency situation.
    “I’ve never seen anything like that,” he remarked. “That’s one hell of a weapon they’ve got.”
    Face practically encased in stone, Addison cut away his sleeve. “You’re fortunate it just grazed you,” she mumbled. “Too bad Lucky didn’t live up to his name.”
    Those who hadn’t been outside when the trouble began turned their gazes toward Addison and Whittaker. That included Gwen.
    She frowned. “What about Lucky?”
    Addison