Basement Level 5: Never Scared Read Online Free PDF Page B

here?”
    “ No, of course not. But—”
    “ No buts. This problem has to be solved. I need you here to solve it with me—no matter what it takes.”
    “ Dro—”
    He grabbed her face between his massive hands. “Stop. Masked men came into a safe house and threatened to take away everything we’ve worked so hard for. Now, it’s true that things are different, but there’s no way the woman I love would sit down and take this. I know you’re scared, but this is who you are. This is the life we lead. It doesn’t matter how much we want to be different, we were born into this legacy. And we have to protect the people around us at all costs. And I need you with me fighting for everything we have to lose.”
    He was right, and she knew it just as surely as she knew her name. But it didn’t stop her from worrying. It didn’t stop her from wishing this could all simply go away.
    He wiped the tears from her face. “We want to go into the house as soon as it’s clear.” She closed her eyes, but he didn’t let up. “Can you pull that box out from under the bed?”
    Frowning, she leaned over and felt under the bed until her hands skimmed a hard edge. Slowly, she pulled out a wooden box. She knew what was inside. Her eyes flicked to Dro as she set it on the bed. She ran her hands over the intricate detailing. It had a ladybug engraved on the top. Taking a deep breath, she undid the latch and lifted the top, revealing the contents.
    He placed his hand on top of hers. “She’s been here waiting for you. I knew if we ever had to come to B5, you would need her.”
    She picked it up and ran her fingers over it. A quick push of a button and the clip dropped into her lap. She traced the engraving on the side then snapped the clip back into place.
    She noticed the gleam in Dro’s eyes as she admired her first baby—her gun, Lady.
     

CHAPTER 6
     
     
    August 23, 1993, Alexa’s Thirteenth Birthday :
     
    Alexa was so excited she ran across the street to Dro’s house. She sprinted into Dro’s room smiling. It was her thirteenth birthday and her mother had straightened her hair. It was almost as long as she was tall.
    Dro looked up from his schoolbook. “What are you smiling about, Alexa?”
    She was glad everyone had stopped calling her lady. Her father started it when he nicknamed her ladybug. As she grew older, she dropped the bug from her nickname and became known as lady. Now that she was thirteen, she wanted to be called by her true name.
    She smirked as she sauntered over to him and perched herself on the edge of the desk. “I got my birthday present from Daddy.”
    He removed his glasses and set them on the desk. “What did he get you?”
    She pulled out her brand new Sig Sauer .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol. “This. I’m going to call her Lady.”
    “ How original.”
    She smacked him on the arm. “Stop teasing me. I figure she can be called Lady. I mean, she’s my gun.”
    “ She?”
    “ Of course, it’s a she. I’m a lady and so is she.”
    “ Whatever you say. So, you didn’t want a Barbie for your birthday?”
    “ Why would I want a Barbie when I can have one of these?” She held it up to the light and studied it proudly. “Besides, I’m too old for a Barbie doll and you know it.”
    He shrugged. “Don’t thirteen-year-old girls still play with Barbie dolls?”
    “ Ha Ha. You’re so funny. But Daddy says it’s time to train. And you know my goal is to be the best in the business.”
    “ Good luck with that. You may have to beat out your brother for that title.”
    “ Lei? Yea right. I already have him on my agility and ability to get into tight places. Not to mention my sex appeal.”
    He laughed. “Sex appeal? You’re thirteen. What do you know about sex appeal?”
    She smirked. “I know plenty. I’ve already had my first kiss.” She watched his eyes turn a shade darker.
    “ Oh really? Who needs their ass kicked?”
    “ No comment.” She grinned and changed the subject.