by Ainsley Cole
“True.” Apollo looked out past the fence. The night was falling fast. They had their supplies and gear packed, they were waiting for the right time. “Reaper is retro-fitting Betty to the roof again. She's damaged, but he’s managed to have her chambering rounds, and she should do if needed in a pinch.”
“Good.”
“Abigail, Chris, and Andrew are packing up the last of the lab. They’re leaving what’s not important behind.” Bones nodded, and Apollo looked at him. “Does she know?”
“Know what?”
“What’s going to happen? That you’re taking her in another direction to give us time?”
“No. I don’t think she’d appreciate being bait.”
“You’re going to have to tell her, Bones. She deserves the right to know.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he said. Turning, he stood, looking down at his adopted brother and Apollo stood. They climbed down off the roof and stood in the sands. They looked at each other, knowing it might be the last time they laid eyes on each other. Gripping each other’s forearms, they pulled each other into an embrace. “Make sure if I don’t come back, you clear my browser history.”
Apollo laughed, hugging him tight. “Midget porn?”
“Fuck, no. Just way too much regular porn.” Bones chuckled, stepping back. “I love you, you know that, right?”
“Even after beating me up as a kid?” Apollo asked, punching him in the arm.
“Yes, I did that for your own good. Look at you now. Fucking badass blond bitch.” He dragged the man in again, hugging him, his heart tearing with the prospect of not seeing the blond again. “I’ll see you on the other side, man.”
* * *
“Do you have a minute?”
Abigail looked up at Bones, shoving the last of her dirty clothing into her pack. “You’re the one who has us on a time limit. Do I have a minute?”
He chuckled and sat on the side of her bed, watching her. “We’re going a different way to the others.”
She stopped, one of her bras hanging in her hand. “What?”
Bones looked at the garment before taking it and putting it in her bag. He took her hand, holding it, caressing the back of it. “Me and you. We’re going a different way.”
She didn’t know if she heard him right, and she blinked, frowning. “Going a different way? Why?”
He pursed his lips together, his beard moving, and she waited. “We have to make sure that the others get to safety.”
“By what? Using me as bait? Are you insane?” She wrenched her hand from his, glaring at him. “You said you wouldn’t let them get me. How the hell is this doing that? What happens when they get the others because they’re in the broken—”
She watched him grimace, and she frowned, stomach churning. “We’re going in the busted Humvee…”
“The good one can carry six. The busted—”
“Is goddamned busted, Bones! What if they decide to shoot this time? There are no bloody windows left in it!” She couldn’t believe he was suggesting such a ludicrous idea! He was her security. He was supposed to keep her from the danger, not take her to it. “So, what happens, huh?”
He didn’t answer her, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Can you guarantee we’re going to survive?”
Bones closed his eyes, head shaking minutely, and she frowned, sinking down onto the bed opposite him. His eyes opened to her again and she could see them watering.
“And if they catch us?”
“I won’t let them have you. I promised you that,” he said, reaching out. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“How?” she asked, her voice tinged with acid. He frowned, his bottom lip trembling and she knew. “Oh my God. You’d kill us.”
He didn’t have to say it. But it hung in the air between them. Bones would end their lives before he let the militia take them as hostages.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” he said, picking himself up off the bed. He looked down at her. “Because I know I wouldn’t be able to do it…”
Bones left, his words haunting her, and she sat on the bed, staring off into space. Why the hell did she have to be the adventurous one and put in for this damned mission?
* * *
“Helmet.” Abigail pulled the helmet onto her head, doing it up. “Thank you.”
“Do we have to go the other way? Can’t we all go together?”
He frowned, bringing the bulletproof vest up and she held out her arms, and he slipped it onto her. “No. We had this discussion.”
“But—”
He lifted his hand, touching his finger to her lips. “Please, Abigail. I’m already having a hard time doing this, don’t question me. Trust me.”
“Okay,” she murmured, pursing her lips. “I trust you.”
“Thank you, honey.” He stepped back, looking at her. “You want to drive again? Or you want to shoot?”
She blinked, and he chuckled.
“I’ll shoot. You drive.”
“Yeah, because that went so well last time,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Do you trust me to drive?”
“I can’t do both. And yes. I trust you completely.” He turned his head, seeing the guys loading up Andrew and Chris. He grimaced, looking back to her. “Give me a minute with my men.”
“Okay.” She walked to the Humvee, putting herself in the driver’s seat, and he turned to his men. They all stood in a line, waiting for him, and he sighed.
Walking over to them, he smiled at Apollo. They’d already had their goodbyes.
Next was Reaper. “Dude.”
“Shut it,” the Irishman said, stepping forward. He gripped his shoulders, pulling him into a tight embrace, muttering in his ear. “Make sure you make it out.”
“I will.”
Apollo and Reaper went to the Humvee, climbing in, leaving Queenie and Wolf.
The dark-haired man stepped forward, his lips pursed. “Never did get that night…”
Bones rolled his eyes, clipping him around the ear, chuckling. “And you never will. Don’t go whoring your life away, boy. It’s not worth it.” He hugged the man, before stepping back.
Queenie turned, walking to the car and Bones turned to the one man who, behind Apollo, meant more to him than life itself. “Ethan.”
The American Indian’s gaze lifted to his, wavering with tears. “Braedon.”
“Make sure you get the hell away, as soon as you can.”
“I know,” he murmured, crossing his arms over his chest.
Bones’ gaze gravitated to the black tattoo on the man’s bicep. A silhouette of a dove, black as night, surrounded by a wreath, with a pair of guns underneath it.
It was their logo. They each had one. This group of men was his brothers. Not by blood, but by mate-ship. The things they had gone through would have strained anyone. But they had made it.
“Make sure you get out too,” Wolf said, stepping closer. “The first round is on your retarded ass.”
Bones laughed, but stepped forward, hugging the dark-haired man. “As long as it’s not fireball. That shit is nasty.”
Wolf laughed, clapping him on the back. “It’ll be whatever you want, man.” He stepped back a little. “Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka hoȟpi niyé.”
“And may the Great Spirit guide you too, brother.” Bones nodded, pressing his forehead against Wolf’s. They stepped back from each other, giving a quick nod.
Bones turned, walking back to the Humvee, a tear sliding down his cheek. He slipped into the passenger seat. Looking out the non-existent windshield, he tried to compose himself. The sound of the other vehicle starting brought him back to reality with a swift kick. Clearing his throat, he looked over at Abigail, wondering if the woman was worth it. She turned her head, looking at him from under the huge helmet. Those huge doe brown eyes putting all her trust in him, and he smiled.
Yeah… she was worth it.
* * *
Half of the jeeps had taken off after the crew. The res
t came after Bones and Abigail.
She had her foot flat to the floor, the Humvee’s engine screaming as they took off in the other direction. Bones could see the determination in her eyes. She knew what was in store for her if the militia got hold of her.
Rape, or a bullet from Bones’ gun.
The light was fading. The oranges of the sunset starting to give way to greys and blacks.
“Head for that ridge. If we can get in there, when night falls, we should be good. We’ll be able to hide.”
“And if we can’t?”
He didn’t want to think about it.
Turning in his seat, he looked back to the column of vehicles following them. There would be about seven or eight. Each had at least five men in it.
Thirty-five to forty trained militia.
All with one goal in mind.
Take Abigail hostage.
And he was the dumb shit standing in their way.
Abigail headed for the ridge, pushing the broken Humvee as hard as she could. For someone who’d never been in a combat situation, she was doing well. She found a track and hugged it, winding the car along the dirt track.
“It’s a town!” she cried out.
Bones stared at the large settlement in the distance. The bright lights twinkling. It would be big enough for them to hide in.
“Get there!” he roared, lifting himself up through the roof to Betty.
They only had a set number of bullets, he’d been hoping to not have to use them at all. But now, it looked like he’d have to, to keep the militia back. Give them enough time to get to the town. Pressing the trigger, he aimed Betty at the lead militia vehicle… and fired.
* * *
The sound of Betty offloading round after round above her had Abigail’s teeth on edge. She’d already been in one car accident with that sound blaring in her ears, she didn’t want to be in another one.
Concentrating on the town, which was getting closer and closer each second, she hoped to hell they’d make it.
Two thoughts kept running through her head.
What the militia would do to her if they got hold of her... then the overlying knowledge Bones wouldn't let that happen. He'd shoot her first.
The thought of the conversation they'd had made her stomach rebel. He would rather end both their lives than see the militia have her.
Bones dropped back into the cab of the vehicle, his bright eyes dark in the fading light.
She looked over to him. “What?”
“We’re out of ammo.”
The tense tone of his voice told her that was not a good thing. “Crap.”
“Yes, crap indeed, honey,” he replied.
The name, once again, made her insides light up and she frowned. “So now what?”
“Now we get as close to the town as possible, with as much distance between us and them… and hide.” He turned, rummaging around in the back of the Humvee, bringing a bag to the front. Into it went water, food, a knife, a couple grenades.
She kept looking over to him, seeing what he was putting into the bag. “What are the grenades for?”
“Last resort, believe me,” he quipped, doing the buckles up. He slung it over his shoulders as the first lines of houses rushed up to meet them. His hands moved, checking the weapons in his holsters. His hand came out, pointing to the left. “Head for that group of houses. They seem denser.”
Abigail nodded, veering the vehicle to the left a bit, heading for the grouping of houses he pointed out. They were closer together, like sardines and Bones leaned over, his scent washing over her. “Over there. Kill the lights.”
With ambient light, as she shut off the Humvee's lights, she pulled the car over. Bringing it to a rest against a wall.
“Perfect, sweetheart. Shut it off.”
She put the car into neutral and switched it off as he moved. Her belt snapped open, and she turned to him. “What—”
“We’re on foot now.” He opened his door, climbing out, and she scrambled for hers, her stomach roiling with fear. He rushed around the car, his hands going to her helmet. “This has to go. Same with your vest. Have to make it less conspicuous.”
His hands fumbled with her vest, unclipping it. Her stomach churned with the touch of his fingers against her breasts. Bones dumped the helmets and vests back into the car and turned to her. Reaching out, he took her hand and they ran.
* * *
Bones hated hiding. He was the kind of man to stand and fight. But he was on his own, without his team, with a civilian. Running through the tight, twisty streets of the town. Ducking down into the shadows when they heard vehicles.
So far, they hadn’t run into the militia. He didn’t know how much longer that would last, though.
Abigail was doing very well, keeping up with him, not complaining once. He had to remind himself to congratulate her if they ever got out of it alive.
Her first combat scenario and she was acing it.
The rumble of a vehicle had him ducking behind some dumpsters. Pulling Abigail down next to him, she hid her head against his shoulder, breathing coming hard.
The vehicle full of militia rumbled past. Swahili language in angry and frustrated tones coming from them.
It was small comfort to him. While they couldn’t find them, it was great. But he didn’t know what the town was like or if they were sympathizers with the militia.
The vehicle left their area, and he turned, looking at Abigail. She lifted her head, staring up at him.
“You ready to run again?”
“For how long? They’re going to find us.”
“I hope not,” he replied, lifting his hand, caressing the side of her face. “We have to find somewhere to lay low.”
He turned his head, looking back out into the street. The jeep was gone, with no signs of any others and he lifted himself, taking her hand. They moved across the road, ducking down another alley and through the lines upon lines of houses.
He had to keep them moving.
“You! Stop!”
Bones turned, seeing a militiaman on foot behind them.
“Fuck!” He held Abigail’s hand tighter, dragging her behind him as they took off away from the man. He would have only been eighteen if he was lucky, but the AK-47 hanging in his hands told them he wasn’t a kid anymore.
Swahili was being shouted through the streets and Bones gritted his teeth. Running past surprised civilians as they poked their heads out to see what was happening, they had to get away.
A dark figure stepped out in front of them, and Bones slid to a halt, Abigail slamming into his back. Her spare hand gripped his bicep as the man stepped forward, AK-47 raised at them. “Give us the woman.”
Bones stepped back, his hand moving to Abigail’s stomach, pushing her behind him. “Uh, no.”
“Give us the woman! You can go free.”
Bones’ eye ticked as he turned his head, seeing the kid coming closer to them from behind. He turned, pushing Abigail behind him, against the wall. “I call bullshit.”
The man stepped forward, pushing the barrel of the rifle he was holding against Bones’ throat. “Give us the woman.”
“Get that fucking thing away from me,” Bones growled, his hand still against Abigail’s belly. Something cold slid into his hand, and his heart hammered. She’d managed to get the knife out of the bag on his back and give it to him.
“The woman. Now!”
With the knife in his hand and the woman he was protecting behind him, Bones moved.
* * *
Her security guard moved with a lot more speed than she thought he would have for such a big guy.
Bones slashed the knife across the throat of the man with the gun. Before turning on the kid, driving the blade into his chest.
Abigail’s stomach churned at the idea the man she found so attractive could be such a cold-blooded killer. But he had done it to keep them safe. Like he said he would.
Bones turned back to her, his bright eyes dark in
the shadows. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, blinking as the blood of the men soaked into the dirt.
“Come on, it won’t be long before they come looking for their men.” He wiped the knife on his thigh and tucked it into the side of his pants. Gripping her hand, he led them from the alley and out onto the street.
Her adrenaline was through the roof. She could smell Bones better. His masculine scent washing over her as he walked in front of her. God, she was hot as hell for him now. She thought she wanted him earlier, now she wanted him even more.
He led them through the streets, ducking out of the sight of the militia. Bones led her down an alley, stopping short of the other end. He turned back to her, his face hidden in shadows. “Do you trust me?”
She blinked, looking up at him. “Yes.”
“Then please, stay here. I’ll be right back.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. His mouth was hot, his beard softer than she thought, and before she could reach up and hold him to her he was gone.
* * *
The memory of Abigail’s soft lips on his had his cock hardening, and leaving her alone in the alley was the last thing Bones wanted to do. But he had to. They needed another car. One that wasn’t as conspicuous as the Humvee had been.
His idea, though stupid, was the best one he had—get one of the militia jeeps.
They were already touring in and out of the town. It wouldn’t be that hard to get out in one of them. Gritting his teeth, he ducked down another street. His eyes had become accustomed to the dark. He could make out vehicles and people and clothing hanging on lines.
Reaching up, he pulled a blanket from a washing line, throwing it over his large frame. Peeking out of the side street, he saw the militia jeep coming down the road, three men inside.
Three… he could take on three.
Slouching over, he hobbled out onto the road. Covering his head the best he could, he reached for the knife in his waistband. He knew if this backfired he’d be dead on the ground, and Abigail would be alone. There'd be nothing stopping the militia from finding her.
He’d most likely get a bullet to the brain instead of pulling this off.
The jeep’s driver honked the horn at him as they slowed, and Bones frowned, not lifting his gaze. The one thing which would give him away as a foreigner was his bright blue eyes. The jeep stopped, and two sets of feet hit the ground.