Shaw: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (Hell Squad Book 7)

by Anna Hackett

  Chapter Eight

  “Flamethrower!”

  It only took a second for Claudia to see there was an entire fleet of these aliens filling the sky, covering the area with flames.

  “In the Hunter!” Marcus shouted.

  Around her, she heard the berserkers taking off on their bikes. She saw Marcus waving her to the Hunter.

  “Shaw!” She shook her head. “I need to get him.”

  “Get in, Frost.”

  A wave of deadly flames flashed nearby and, out of options, she sprinted the last steps to the Hunter and dived inside.

  She saw the others were already in. She turned, as Marcus jumped in and slammed the door behind him.

  “We need to get to Shaw,” she said urgently.

  A muscle ticked in Marcus’ jaw. He pointed out the small window.

  She saw the tall tree Shaw had been using was now entirely engulfed in flames.

  “No.” She pressed a hand to the glass. She couldn’t breathe.

  The thought of him had sustained her during her captivity. Every fist, every slap, every bit of blood had been endurable because she’d held the image and memories of him in her mind.

  She swallowed, her heart feeling as though it were about to rip out of her chest.

  “Shaw? Come in, Shaw?” Marcus was touching his ear. “Elle? You get anything from Shaw?”

  “No, Marcus,” came Elle’s soft, solemn reply.

  “Dammit, Baird,” Marcus muttered.

  Claudia stared at the burning branches. He couldn’t be gone. God, she’d pushed him away, using her past as an excuse to hold him off…because she knew he had the power to wound her in a way no one ever could.

  Now…

  She pressed a closed fist to her mouth, watching the dancing flames outside.

  Then she saw something move.

  Someone was running through the hellish flames, arms pumping, a black silhouette against the orange. A long-range sniper rifle was slung over the figure’s shoulder.

  “Shaw!” As the others swiveled to look, Claudia yelled at Cruz. “Go! Get closer.”

  Cruz sped off, and a second later skidded to a halt. Claudia yanked open the door and Shaw appeared. She grabbed his armor and yanked him in.

  Marcus slammed the door closed, and Claudia stifled a cry and snatched her hands back. Shaw’s armor was boiling hot and smoking.

  He collapsed in the seat across from her. The protective visor on his combat helmet was down, and he fumbled at the side of his neck to retract it. His tawny-gold hair was stuck to his head with sweat and soot, and he still had dried blood on his face. He looked terrible.

  She’d never seen anything so good.

  He grinned. “That was a bit close.” He winked at Claudia. “All in a day’s work.”

  She couldn’t get any words past her tight throat. He yanked at his armor, pulling it off.

  “Damn, I just about cooked like a sausage in this armor.”

  Claudia blinked and didn’t let herself think. He was alive.

  She crawled into his lap, heard his shocked gasp. She clamped her thighs around his lean hips, cupped his stained face, and pressed her mouth to his.

  He made an inarticulate sound, his arms closing tight around her. Then he growled into her mouth and kissed her back.

  God, he tasted good. She had a hard edge riding her, and the kiss wasn’t soft or gentle or pretty. It was hard and wild, lips and teeth clashing.

  She wished she didn’t have her armor on so she could feel his hands digging into her skin. She gripped his damp, smoky hair, tugging his head back. He groaned, his hands sliding up her back until he grasped the base of her neck.

  Finally, before she completely lost herself, she yanked her head away. They were both breathing hard. Green eyes stared at her.

  She swallowed and moved off him. He gripped her hips, held onto her for a second, then he let her go.

  She sank into her seat, ignoring the thick silence around them.

  “About fucking time,” Marcus grumbled under his breath.

  Claudia dragged in air and watched Shaw tip his head back, a smile flirting on his lips.

  One part of her wanted to climb all over him again. The other part of her, the one that had survived a horrible betrayal, was telling her not to be a moron. That part of her told her to not waste her time on a man who could not just break her heart, but shatter it.

  But as she stared at the blood on his face, she felt something inside her shift. She was Claudia Frost, and she sure as hell wasn’t a coward.

  So, now she had to dredge up some of that courage and decide what the hell she was going to do about Shaw Baird.

  But first, he was injured, and that was the priority. She reached for the first aid kit.

  ***

  Shaw sat quietly, still sprawled on the floor of the Hunter, back against one of the seats. The vehicle’s gentle rocking as they drove was almost calming.

  Claudia knelt beside him, cleaning the wound on his scalp. Every time she reached up, he stared at her chest. She was in her armor, so he couldn’t see anything, but he knew she was rather generous in that department.

  Now he knew what she tasted like. Hell, that kiss had almost blown his head off.

  Man, he wanted more. He wanted the rest of her too.

  She finished and sat back. “Best I can do for now. Have the doc check it out when we get back.”

  “Thanks.”

  She nodded and sighed. “I need a beer.”

  “That can be arranged.” He touched her hand. “How about you and me grab a few beers together back at camp?”

  She ran her tongue along her teeth. “Sure. We’ll all have a few beers, like we always do.” She pulled back and sat in the empty seat beside Gabe.

  Dammit. Shaw closed his eyes and stayed where he was. Even after that heat-of-the-moment kiss, she was still keeping her distance, throwing up barriers.

  She didn’t trust him. God, that thought dug in and hurt. They’d fought alongside each other for months, saved each other too many times to count, and she didn’t trust him.

  Well, screw that.

  Now he really did need a beer.

  Not long later, Cruz turned off the road onto a dirt track. “Convoy’s ahead. Found another remote campground.”

  Soon, they pulled to a stop, and Shaw climbed out behind the others, ignoring the little twinges from his battered body.

  Outside, in the light of the dying day, he saw the convoy members moving around in a slow dance of activity. Some were setting up tents, or unloading equipment, others preparing to cook, but some were just sitting, huddled together, looking more than a little shell-shocked. He watched some kids sitting under a tree. None of them were smiling.

  Being on the run, being hunted, was taking its toll.

  “Cruz,” he called out.

  Cruz turned. “Si, mi amigo.”

  “Grab your guitar. I think we need to cheer the place up a bit.”

  The other man glanced around and his face tightened. He nodded. “Let me clean up and grab Santha and Bryony.”

  “Let’s all meet under that big tree.” Shaw pointed at a large eucalyptus. “I’ll track down some beers.”

  Marcus gave a single nod. “I’ll debrief the general.”

  “I’m going to check on Selena, then I’ll be back,” Claudia said.

  Shaw watched her stride away. She didn’t saunter or swing her hips. She had this economical way of moving, but there was power there…and he also knew there was passion.

  He wanted her.

  His hands clenched into fists. He’d almost lost her. Hell, he’d almost died today. Hell Squad was made up of some awesome soldiers, the best he’d worked with. But in this world of survival, they had to take risks, they had to keep fighting.

  They could lose their lives in the blink of an eye.

  So every minute where you could hold onto what really mattered was important.

  Shaw hurried off to check in with Doc Emerson.
After she’d pronounced that his hard head had saved him from far worse injury, it didn’t take him long to round up some of the residents, including the other squads, and nab some beers and ice from the well-stocked kitchen truck.

  The roar of motorcycle engines filled the air, and all the residents stopped to watch the berserkers ride in, with Tane at the head of his squad. The group circled around and pulled to a stop. Tane retracted his combat helmet and caught Shaw’s eye. Tane lifted his chin.

  Shaw returned the gesture. “Homebrew?” He waved at the buckets filled with ice and beer.

  “Hell yeah.” Tane waved his squad over.

  “Just what the doctor ordered.” Tane’s brother, Hemi, grabbed a bottle. He cracked it open and took a long sip.

  The rest of the tattooed, bearded berserkers grabbed drinks and started pulling their armor off.

  “Nine back yet?” Hemi asked, swiping his arm across his mouth. He’d pulled off his upper armor and his arms were covered in dark tattoos.

  Shaw nodded. “Storing the Darkswifts.” There was a specially designed truck used to transport the craft.

  “That means we have about ten minutes of peace before the fireworks start,” Tane said.

  Shaw raised his brows. “Fireworks?”

  “My thick-skulled brother decided to mess with the combat helmet of a certain tall, beautiful Squad Nine soldier. He painted it and hid it in her stuff.” Tane’s lips twitched. “She had to go on the mission with a pink helmet.”

  Shaw’s eyes widened and he turned to Hemi. “Cam? You painted Cam’s helmet pink?” He shook his head. “You are a brave man, Rahia.”

  “More like insane,” Tane said with a grunt.

  Hemi took another swig of beer. “I can handle one cranky female soldier.”

  Shaw snorted. “My money’s on Cam.”

  Everyone settled in, finding seats, still wearing half their armor, looking like they’d been to war. Which, Shaw guessed, they had. There would be time later to wash in the portable showers, or in the nearby river, for those willing to brave the cold water.

  Soon, a large group was gathered around a small fire, with Cruz playing his guitar. Damn, the man was good. Santha sat nearby, one hand on her belly, and the other holding the hand of the young girl they’d rescued from one of the alien labs. Bryony was swinging her legs to the music.

  Shaw let the beer relax him a bit, hoping it would take the edge off the driving need running through his veins. He saw Claudia arrive. She was still in her lower armor, with just a tank top on. It showed off her strong arms. She sat down by Reed and his fiancée, Natalya.

  The squad soldiers were all laughing and telling bawdy jokes. Other residents were smiling and chatting. Shaw was pleased to see some of the kids running around, playing a game of tag. Hell, even Marcus and the general appeared, Marcus forcing a beer into Holmes’ hand.

  This. This was important, too. This was key to them surviving this fight, and this perilous road trip to the Enclave. They had to lean on each other, find something that made them feel good, something to smile about.

  He caught Claudia’s eye, and they stared at each other through the flames. She lifted her beer and he lifted his own in return.

  “You are a Neanderthal, Hemi Rahia!”

  Camryn McNab stormed up. She was still in her armor, and at close to six feet, with the face of a goddess, she was a sight to behold. Behind her, the rest of Squad Nine appeared. Roth, with his arm around his woman, Avery, and beside them, Nine’s second-in-command, Mac “Don’t mess with me or I’ll beat you up” Carides. Bringing up the rear were Sienna, Taylor, and big, silent Theron.

  Beside Shaw, Hemi leaned back in his camp chair, like he didn’t have a care in the world. But his eyes were fastened on the woman striding toward him.

  Cam marched past Shaw and kicked out at Hemi. Her boot landed, hard, between his legs. Lucky for him, she’d aimed for the chair and not his tender parts.

  Shaw had to give it to the guy; he didn’t even flinch.

  “Now, sweetheart—”

  “Don’t give me that sweetheart crap. That stunt you pulled, messing with my combat gear, is ridiculous.”

  “But I just thought you’d look so pretty in pink.”

  “Idiot,” she snarled. Then she pushed out with her leg.

  Hemi’s chair tipped backward, taking him with it. He landed flat on his back, and his squad roared with laughter.

  Hemi, meanwhile, was holding his beer bottle up. “Look at that. Didn’t even spill a drop.”

  Cam shook her head and stomped over to grab herself a drink.

  Shaw swallowed a laugh and took a sip of his own beer. Everyone blew off steam in their own way. Cam was pissed, and that meant she wasn’t thinking of the dirty little battle they’d waged today, or the fact they were on the run. And Hemi was looking mighty pleased with himself.

  When the berserker was once again upright, Shaw shook his head. “She might look like a goddess, but she knows a hundred different ways to kill you.”

  “Yep.” Hemi’s gaze was glued to Cam, who’d given the man her back. “But I’ve got her attention. And if she does kill me, it’ll be worth it.” He glanced sideways at Shaw. “You have a taste for deadly women too.”

  Involuntarily, Shaw’s gaze slid to Claudia. She was laughing at something Reed was saying. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Hemi laughed. “Yes, you fucking do.”

  Shaw sighed. “Unfortunately, she thinks I have a taste for all women.”

  Hemi snorted. “Wonder what gave her that impression.”

  “She thinks I’m all about the good time, or something.” His hands curled around his beer. “She doesn’t trust me.”

  “She trusts you. She picks up a goddamn carbine every day, and wades out in the muck with you. Trusts you to watch her back.” Hemi’s face turned serious. “Something tells me she doesn’t trust herself.”

  Shaw shook his head. “She’s the most self-assured woman I’ve ever met.”

  “Then talk to her about it, mate.”

  “Like you’re talking to Cam?”

  “Fuck you, Baird.” Hemi lifted his beer again. “Here’s to gorgeous, deadly women. Can’t live with them, can’t survive without them.”

  Shaw watched the way the firelight danced over Claudia’s face. It softened her a little. He knew that under the armor, there was a warm, caring woman. A woman who wanted him with a passion that left him hard.

  Someone stepped in front of him, blocking his view.

  “Hey, Shaw. Heard you had a rough day.”

  Shaw looked up at Angela. The pretty schoolteacher was funny, easygoing and enjoyed a good time—no strings attached. All things Shaw had always appreciated. “Hi, Angie.”

  “Wondered if you wanted to take off and have some fun?” She smiled, and fiddled with the hem of her shirt.

  Funny how not that long ago, he’d have jumped at the offer and enjoyed the heck out of it. Now, he sat back, trying to find a way to let her down gently. His gaze caught Claudia’s again, and she deliberately turned away.

  “Sorry, not tonight.”

  Angie frowned. “Are you okay?”

  “Got tossed from a moving vehicle, and nearly got shot by alien snipers and burned to a crisp by raptor flamethrowers.”

  Her eyes went wide. “That’s horrible.”

  And he didn’t need to drag this nice woman into the muck with him. What he needed was the woman he wanted, the woman who understood. “I’m fine. Look, go have a good time, okay?”

  She touched his shoulder and left.

  When Shaw looked up, Claudia was gone. His heart gave one solid thump. He scanned the area, but she wasn’t by the campfire.

  Chapter Nine

  Shaw stared into the darkness, one hand pressed to the trunk of a tree, the other dangling a fresh brew between his fingers. Behind him, the party continued. But since Claudia had left, he wasn’t in a party mood anymore.

  He hadn’t heard a thing
, but suddenly Gabe was standing beside him. Shaw controlled his instinctive start. He should be used to how quietly the big guy could move by now.

  “Having fun?” Shaw asked.

  Gabe grunted. He wasn’t much for people or parties.

  “The doc’s having a good time.” Emerson, Elle, and Natalya had started dancing to Cruz’s music and were all laughing.

  “She’s been working too hard,” Gabe said.

  “She’s lucky to have you to take care of her.”

  Gabe looked into the darkness. “Are you going after her?”

  Shaw frowned in confusion. “Emerson?”

  Gabe’s stormy gray eyes turned Shaw’s way. “Claudia.”

  Shaw huffed out a breath. “Hell, don’t tell me you’re going to try and give me relationship advice, Gabe. You screwed up with the doc so many times I’m amazed you got it right.”

  “She got it right. She didn’t give up on me,” Gabe said. “Claudia…she’s too afraid to try.”

  “Claudia isn’t afraid of anything.”

  “Stubborn, then. You know she was married?”

  “What?” Shaw jerked, spilling his beer. Claudia Frost…married? Who the hell had she loved enough to marry?

  “She told Emerson and Santha. She was young, he was a lawyer or a doctor or something.”

  An ugly burn carved through Shaw’s stomach. She’d been married to some suit?

  “He cheated on her. A lot.”

  It was a blow to his body. Hell. Shaw closed his eyes.

  “She divorced his ass and joined the Army,” Gabe said.

  Shaw slapped his palm against the tree. “Shit.”

  “Yeah. Guess she has a low tolerance for cheaters.”

  Shaw rounded on his friend. “I do not cheat.”

  Gabe held his gaze. “Because you don’t commit in the first place.”

  “I…fuck.” Now Shaw slammed his fist into the tree, the rough bark scraping his knuckles.

  “You’re good with people, with women, and you like talking.” Gabe’s tone left no doubt what he thought about people and talking. “Would think dealing with this would be…easy for you.”

  Shaw released a long breath. “It’s easier when it doesn’t matter.”

  Gabe nodded. “So she matters?”