“Sorry, mate,” Vanderwalt whispered. “I can’t go any farther.” He took a shuddering breath. “Leave me a gun. I’ll cover you.”
“Yeah, right,” Brandt countered. Leaving the Brit wasn’t an option. Leaving anyone wasn’t an option. “I’ve seen your aim.”
Vanderwalt managed that dopey grin of his. “Better than nothing, chap.”
Perhaps, but there had to be another way.
Then he heard the rev of an engine. The type of rev only Lopez could produce—it was more of a tortured automotive cry. Brandt peered between the leaves but couldn’t find the vehicle. It had to be close, though, as loud as the engine was. He risked popping his head out from the alcove. He got chased back by bullets, but confirmed that the Jeep was nowhere on the commons.
Where the hell could it be, then?
With one final screeching rev, the Jeep leapt over the top of the pyramid. The vehicle landed hard on the stone steps, then bounced its way down. The Zetas must have been as shocked as Brandt. Svengurd firing into their ranks seemed to startle them from their stupor, though. One ran across the doorway. Brandt took him down. Given the screams from outside the tunnel, the rest were injured or on the run.
Grabbing Vanderwalt by the collar, he jerked the Brit to his feet.
“Can you run that far?”
The Jeep rattled its way down the stony steps.
“Hell, yes,” Vanderwalt answered, surging forward.
That was what Brandt liked to hear.
* * *
Svengurd braced his legs on the dashboard and door, but even so he almost flew out of the Jeep as it hit one of the steps on the edge, nearly flipping them.
“Pyramid luging!” Lopez shouted. He truly did seem to be enjoying himself.
They had scattered the Zetas, but they would not stay down for long. These guards were no children. They had been battle hardened.
Finally, the Jeep was reaching the bottom. Lopez gunned it, sailing them off the platform and landing a good ten feet from the base. The grassy earth dulled the jarring, at least a little. Then they were across the commons. The corporal skidded them sideways into Brandt and Vanderwalt’s path.
“Keep going!” Brandt yelled as he pushed Vanderwalt forward.
The CIA operatives hauled the British agent into the back of the Jeep. Brandt ran alongside, then swung up, grabbing hold of the roll bars. With one last push, Brandt launched himself into the back seat. A heartbeat later, his gun was up, spraying bullets into the surrounding area. There were no Zetas to be seen, but clearly the sergeant planned to keep it that way.
Now, with the awkward rock steps out of his way, Lopez could really nurse some speed from the Jeep. The corporal angled them toward one of the breaks in the wall. They were nearly to the exit when another vehicle turned onto the dirt bridge, gunning right for them.
Lopez probably would have played chicken, but if they went much further, they would have nowhere to turn except into the flanking stone walls.
“Right, Lopez!” Brandt barked.
Even with certain death approaching and his sergeant’s orders, the corporal still seemed loath to give in to the Los Zetas’ challenge. At the last moment, Lopez braked, cranking the wheel to the right. Their tires spit up chunks of earth as dirt rained down upon them. The rear bumper barely made the turn before the Zetas’ SUV sped past them.
Svengurd joined Brandt in firing at the vehicle, which turned sharply to give chase.
The Jeep practically jumped out from under them as Lopez stepped on the accelerator. They streaked past the ancient ruins. The corporal swerved around burned out stumps and small stone structures. Svengurd couldn’t even identify what the markers were beyond grey blurs.
It took a few moments to realize that there were walls on each side of them. By then, the Zetas’ SUV was on their six, streaking along behind them. Then the walls opened up into a small area. An enclosed area. Not even Lopez could get the Jeep to jump the eight–foot–high stone walls that surrounded them.
Instead, Lopez yanked up the emergency brake, skidding them around 180 degrees—just in time for them to watch the Zetas hurl toward them.
* * *
“Bloody hell, mate,” Vanderwalt exhaled. “What do you Yanks say? Straight from the kettle and into the flames.”
“Yeah,” Brandt said, firing at the oncoming SUV. “Something like that.”
The enemy vehicle skidded to a stop, guns bristling out of every window. A hail of gunfire tore through the Jeep. Everyone ducked to avoid the bullets flying overhead. Getting brazen, the enemy exited the car, firing as they advanced on the Jeep.
The Los Zetas thought they had the upper hand. They thought they had them outnumbered. They thought they had them outgunned.
They were so sure of themselves that they didn’t even notice a man in the back of the group drop to the ground. Then another. Then a third. It took them losing four men before anyone noticed. Then the line broke and shouts rose on the evening air.
“Now!” Brandt yelled. Lopez and Svengurd joined him, firing at the now exposed enemy.
The Los Zetas scrambled, rushing back to their SUV. Only the windshield cracked, a bullet going straight through the driver’s chest. One of the guards shoved his deceased teammate out of the way and put the SUV in reverse, stepping on the gas.
The problem with that? Lopez had laid a tire spike string at the bottleneck. The SUV’s rear tires blew, then the front tires, grinding them to a stop. Another shot ripped into the radiator. Down to three men and a busted SUV, the Los Zetas weren’t going anywhere.
The survivors came out of the car, arms raised, tossing their guns to the side.
“Ha!” Lopez yelled, pointing at the disarmed men. He then turned to the two CI agents. “That’s how you do an ambush!”
Yes, that was exactly how you wanted to do an ambush, except for possibly the jaguar, hang glider, and Jeep down the pyramid diversions, but hey, it got the job done.
The after–action report would be a doozy to write up, though.
What had always been clear was that this mission was just one big trap. The fact that the CIA had known exactly where their captured asset had been held? Then, for them to know exactly where the captured CIA agents were? Come on. The Zetas should have just burned the letters A. M. B. U. S. H. into the forest.
Most of the time, the best way to handle a trap? Spring the sucker, with a plan. A good plan. Or, in their case, an adaptable plan.
And it all happened because they had one of the best perimeter specialists in the business. Brandt had to search the trees for several moments before he could make out his sniper, Davidson, and he knew where the kid was holed up.
A midwestern smile glistened in the waning light. Brandt waved, indicating that the kid could come down out of his perch. Whip–thin, Davidson barely stirred the leaves as he climbed to the ground. As Svengurd zip–tied the Los Zetas men, Lopez rushed to Davidson.
“You and the rifle, man? You are one!” Lopez exclaimed as he brought the younger man into a bro–hug.
While Brandt agreed wholeheartedly, he wouldn’t go so far as to hug the kid.
Davidson shrugged his way out of the embrace. “It was just a point–and–shoot setup. No biggie.”
Compared to some of the other incredibly difficult shots Brandt had seen the sniper take, Davidson was right, but to take down that many men that quickly? That was still something. As the sniper passed, Brandt did indulge in clapping his back.
“Still. Decent job.”
There was that easy smile. If only Brandt had so few cares in the world to be that relaxed. Maybe with a cold brew in one hand and a fishing pole in the other he could feel as carefree as Davidson.
The beat of rotors in the distance did cheer him up a bit. Their extraction helicopter was right on time. Their orders were to leave the Los Zetas secured for the Federales, then get the hell out of Campeche.
Which was perfectly fine by Brandt.
Within moments, the choppe
r dropped a back board for the teen and lines for the rest of them. In rapid order, they ascended up into the helicopter. The injured were taken to the back of the large transport helicopter, where a medic awaited them.
Brandt sat down hard on the metal jump seat. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand as the helicopter sped across the sky. They should be landing in Ticul and picking up a small plane to fly them to Cancun, then onward to Miami.
Lopez didn’t sit down, though. “Don’t worry, Sarge. I’ll get us home in a jiffy.”
“No,” Brandt said sharp enough it gave the corporal pause. He softened his tone. “Let’s let the pilot get us to Ticul. You can take over from there.”
“But—”
Brandt raised his hand. “No ‘buts.’ I do not want to referee a smackdown match between you and a Federales.”
“Okay, fine, but we’re flying in the wrong direction.”
“What?” Brandt said, rising from his seat. The sun was setting out the left window, rather than the right. Lopez was correct. They were going south. Exactly the opposite direction of Miami.
He made his way to the pilot, shouting over the rotors. “Your orders were to take us to Ticul.”
The man shook his head. “Did they not inform you?”
Brandt did not like the sound of that. “Inform us of what?”
“We are to drop the injured off in Ciudad de Carmen, where you will rendezvous with a jet to take you to Ecuador.”
“Ecuador?” Lopez said at his shoulder. “What happened to Key West?”
The co–pilot handed Brandt a thin folder. He didn’t like thin folders. It meant they were being shipped off with little or no information. Brandt opened it to find only one page. He skimmed it, which didn’t take a whole hell of a lot of time.
Slamming it shut, he headed back to his seat and strapped in.
“Well?” Lopez asked, sitting next to him.
Brandt pulled a lighter from his pocket and set the file on fire. “We’ve got to pull some researcher from the Amazon and get her to Paris.”
“Paris?” Davidson asked. “Why?”
“I don’t ask…”
“Because they won’t tell,” Lopez finished for him.
It was their life in black ops. Flicking the corner of the file to put the flames out, Brandt leaned back against the bulkhead.
“At least it sounds straight–forward,” Svengurd remarked.
“Easy peasy,” Lopez agreed.
After this extraction? Brandt could use a nice boring mission. And he wouldn’t turn down some R&R in Paris. However, instead of basking in the glow of the thought of some time off, a knot formed in his stomach.
His gut was worried about this next mission.
And damn it, if his gut wasn’t always right.
Afterword
Fans have been clamoring for a prequel to 30 Pieces of Silver. Actually, more than likely they just wanted to see more of Brandt in action. Hopefully new readers will have enjoyed Ambush as well.
If you enjoyed Ambush, I would love to ask you a favor and go back to Amazon and leave a review. Indie authors live and die by our reviews!
Want even more of Brandt and his team? Check out the next section for more of my works!
Other Works by Carolyn McCray
30 Pieces of Silver – Extremely controversial historical thriller
If you loved the thrills, and excitement of The Rush, you should check out Carolyn’s #1 Bestseller in Men’s Adventure /War/Techno–Thrillers, 30 Pieces of Silver.
Be warned, however, that 30 Pieces of Silver is an EXTREMELY controversial historical/religious thriller. Please be sure to read the warning on the Amazon page before purchasing!
Unabashedly controversial, 30 Pieces of Silver has been described by NYT Bestselling author James Rollins (author of Devil Colony) as…
“Part minefield and all roller–coaster ride, here is a story as controversial as it is thrilling. Hunker down for a long night, because once you start reading this book, you won’t be putting it down.”
And the praise doesn’t stop there…
“Even as I write this, I find I can’t do justice to the scope and breadth of 30 Pieces of Silver. It is cinematic in its ambition and execution, taking the reader on a well–thought–out and well–written journey.”
The Word Zombie
Book Reviewer
“If you are looking for an action–packed, archaeological thriller, then look no further than Carolyn McCray’s 30 Pieces of Silver. I cannot say enough good things about this book! I started reading this book and found myself taking it everywhere I went just to finish it. McCray has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.”
The Pen & Muse Review
Book Reviewer
We could go on and on. However, it is probably best if you sampled some of 30 Pieces of Silver for yourself. However, be forewarned! The ending is so controversial that New York would not put it into print! #youhavebeenwarned
To purchase or read a sample of 30 Pieces of Silver on Amazon, click here.
* * *
Havoc – the sequel to McCray’s #1 bestseller in Men’s Adventure, War, & Techno–thriller – 30 Pieces of Silver!
Praise for 30 Pieces of Silver…
“I don't know how to classify 30 Pieces of Silver, it was mystery, thriller, romance, all interwoven and it was so good. If some novels feel like cotton candy, this was steak and potatoes! The writing was top notch and I look forward to the coming sequel, Havoc. Hopefully Ms. McCray won't be too long…”
Regina Shirdley
Blog Tour de Force.com Reviewer
“If you're looking for an action packed thriller from the Dan Brown school of mystery mash ups with more than a smattering of Indiana Jones thrown in – this is for you. It's a wild ride that I thoroughly enjoyed: a lot of stuff is blown sky high, but the stakes are even higher in an archeological cat and mouse that spans most of Europe and even a bit of Asia. Exotic locations, colourfully described, sinister opponents, dynamic heroes, mysteries hidden at the roots of Christianity and spanning the millennia as well as the occasional thought provoking twist giving a fresh look at the life of our savior make for an absolutely riveting read that will keep you glued to the reading device of your choice.”
Guenther Mulder
gMulder.de, International Journalist and Reviewer
Overview
Following hot on the heels of 30 Pieces of Silver, Havoc bursts onto the scene with a fresh religious mystery and a vicious new enemy.
From an explosion in London to an all out assault in Russia’s infamous Red Square our heroes race against time to gather the fragments of the Ten Commandments.
Will they be able to discover the secrets hidden within stone tablets before they are buried beneath the sands of the Holy Land?
More Praise for Book 1 in the Betrayed series…
“Carolyn McCray has just become one of my favorite authors. With a flare for story telling and character building that rivals that of James Rollins and Matthew Reilly, her novel 30 Pieces of Silver grabbed my attention from the very first page. A mix of action/adventure and spiritual fiction, 30 Pieces of Silver carried me along for a very satisfying ride.
I was especially impressed by her descriptions of the various, world–wide settings in which the story took place. In fact, I now find myself wanting to visit Budapest and Istanbul, just to see if they measure up to McCray's depictions of them.
If you're looking for an action–packed, thought–provoking story that will have you hooked from the very beginning, then I highly recommend 30 Pieces of Silver. I can't wait for the sequel!”
Dieter Schweiss
Reviewer for Quiet Rumblings
If you loved 30 Pieces of Silver or if you hunger for some serious controversy and can't get enough of James Rollins, Dan Brown, Steve Berry, and Brad Thor… Havoc is your next thrill fix!!
* * *
Encrypted – Carolyn’s action–packed techno–thrille
r
If you enjoyed the adventure–filled romp of The Rush, you might also enjoy Carolyn’s action–packed techno–thriller, Encrypted.
“Dan Brown blinked, and Carolyn McCray took over. Encrypted is the best thing that I’ve read in the thriller genre, hands down. It’s got history, mysticism, and shadowy organizations manipulating world events. Oh, and did I mention the most incredible opposites–attract relationship EVER? This novel knocked my socks off.”
ThrillersRockT
Book Reviewer
More praise for Encrypted…
“I found this book to be just as the title said an action packed techno thriller. I read at least a book a week but this was one of those impossible to put down books. It was well worth the money and based on this book I bought her other book and will be placing the next in her series on my wish list.”
Scott Powner
Amazon Reviewer
Halting the spread of a weaponized redo of the Black Plague? Intending to plunge the world into a medieval hellish vision of the Hidden Hand? It's never good when the dead could turn out to be the lucky ones. That's a lot of responsibility resting on the shoulders of a brilliant cyber hacker and a sexy FBI agent. Makes you wonder who's calling the shots? God, the angels or a 13th century cult that would make Lucifer blush.”
Taylor Lee
Author, Big Girls Don't Cry
To purchase or read a sample of Encrypted on Amazon, just click here.
* * *
Plain Jane – A Patterson–style thriller with a dash of Hannibal
If you enjoyed the twists and turns of Club Death, you might want to try Harbinger’s first novel the #1 Bestselling (Police Procedurals and Hard–Boiled Mysteries)…
In the words of New York Times best–selling author, James Rollins (Altar of Eden and Devil Colony)…
“Wickedly macabre and blisteringly paced, Plain Jane marks the debut of a thriller for the new millennium. Brash, funny, terrifying, and shocking, here is a story best enjoyed with all the lights on. Don’t say I didn't warn you!”
Ambush Page 3