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

by Anna Hackett

  “Hey.” Shaw grabbed her hand, but his gut clenched. He’d never seen Claudia worried about anything or anyone before. “Hell Squad will stop him. Together with Squad Nine, Squad Three, the others. If he gets too close, we’ll take him down.”

  She nodded, but he could still see the doubt in her eyes. And that worried him more than anything.

  Suddenly, Holmes appeared. “Everyone, pack up and in your vehicles. Emergency evac procedures.”

  Almost on auto-pilot, people started hurrying to their assigned vehicles, scooping up items as they went. There was an almost mechanical feel to it, edged with an air of urgency.

  “What’s the situation?” Shaw asked.

  Holmes ran a hand through his hair—hair that had gotten far past regulation length lately, and had a few more strands of grey at the temples. “Drones picked up alien ground troops heading this way. It’s almost like they’re tracking us.” He shook his head. “We need to move.”

  They’d have to move in tight formation and all stay under the illusion.

  Shaw nudged Claudia. “Let’s go.”

  There was a frenzied air in the makeshift camp, as people tossed belongings in vehicles. Shaw and Claudia armored up and grabbed their weapons. Soon, they were sliding into the Hunter with the rest of Hell Squad.

  Shaw leaned forward. “Everyone okay?”

  From the front seat, Marcus nodded. “Everyone knows the evac procedure better than their own damn names now.” He glanced over as Cruz slid into the driver’s seat. “Let’s get moving and help the other vehicles hit the road.”

  They took off. Shaw gave Claudia a quick squeeze on the shoulder before sliding into the autocannon seat. Well, the leisurely morning he’d planned with Claudia hadn’t happened.

  Memories of their night together fired his blood. He shifted in his chair and forced the images of smooth skin and husky cries from his head. He so did not need a hard on right now.

  Focus, Baird. Cruz did a few laps of the camp, getting others moving into the evac line and rolling out.

  Finally, everyone was on the road.

  Hell Squad was assigned to bring up the rear and fell in behind the last group of vehicles.

  “Where are we headed?” Reed called out.

  Marcus half turned, his rugged face serious. “We’re working toward getting out of the mountains and closer to the Enclave. For now, our next stop is a mountain resort not too far from here.”

  If they made it. The raptors were circling around like vultures, just waiting for them to do something that gave the convoy away.

  A light blinked red on the autocannon screen. Shaw focused on the controls and saw a perfect image of the rear of the Hunter and the empty road behind them.

  But a second later, he spotted the ugly raptor vehicles tearing toward them.

  His heart thumped hard, but he reminded himself they were under the illusion. The raptors didn’t know they were here.

  Yet.

  “Marcus. Company incoming.”

  Marcus swore and opened the comms. “General, there are raptor vehicles directly behind us.”

  A moment of silence. “Roger that.” Holmes’ voice was tense. “Let’s keep everyone inside the illusion and keep moving forward.”

  As the general passed the message along the convoy, Shaw watched the convoy vehicles ahead pick up speed. No one wanted to gain the aliens’ attention. He kept one eye on the monitor, ensuring the raptor vehicles remained as dark shadows far behind them.

  Then Marcus swore and slammed a fist into the Hunter’s dash. “A convoy vehicle’s broken down ahead.”

  Shit. Shaw looked forward and saw the vehicle off to the side, still moving, but too slow to keep up with the convoy.

  “We could tow it,” Claudia suggested.

  Marcus stared ahead. “It’ll still take time to connect it up.”

  “Move them into another vehicle,” Cruz said. “We can load them in here.”

  It’d be tight, but doable. Only problem was, they’d leave a still-warm vehicle as a damn calling card for the aliens.

  “Pull up.” Marcus’ voice was a rumble. “Let’s get ’em in here. Be quick. If the convoy moves too far ahead, we won’t be covered by the illusion.”

  Cruz pulled up beside the disabled vehicle, the Hunter’s tires screeching a little on the road.

  Gabe, Reed, and Claudia leaped out. Through the small window in the Hunter, Shaw saw the frightened faces of three kids pressed against the car’s windows.

  His squad mates got to work. Gabe stayed as a guard, carbine up and aimed at the trees. Claudia herded two older kids inside—they were looking wide-eyed around the military vehicle—while Reed helped the parents grab what belongings they could take.

  “Reed, speed it up,” Marcus called out. “Convoy’s moving fast.”

  “Coming.”

  “We fall out of the illusion, we’re all screwed.”

  Claudia went back to the car and pulled a smaller child up into her arms. Shaw was no expert on kids, but this one looked not far past the baby stage. Claudia held the child securely to her chest and swiveled, calling out to the rushing parents.

  “Fuck.” Marcus turned in his seat. “We just dropped out of the illusion!”

  Shaw’s gaze flew back to his rear camera. He saw the alien vehicles speeding up, zooming straight toward them.

  “Aliens have spotted us!”

  ***

  Claudia clutched the little girl tighter in her arms. Through her earpiece, she heard her team swearing. She saw Gabe and Reed racing back toward the Hunter. She glanced back over her shoulder and saw three alien vehicles accelerating toward them.

  Fuck.

  “We have to go,” she yelled. “Now! Leave the things.”

  The couple who were frantically pulling belongings from the vehicle looked back and blanched.

  “Claudia, we’ll hold them off.” Marcus’ voice was like gravel through the comms line. “We can’t let these vehicles get past us and find the convoy.”

  “Roger that.” The little girl had started sniffling, and Claudia hitched her higher.

  “Bunker down with the civvies and we’ll be back for you.”

  “Got it.”

  Claudia turned to the civilians as the Hunter tore off with a squeal.

  “Where are they going?” the woman asked, her voice high-pitched.

  “They’ll hold the raptor vehicles off. We need to hide for now.”

  The woman swiped a hand across her mouth. “They left us.”

  “No…they’re protecting us, and the rest of the convoy. Come on.” Claudia walked along the verge. “We can’t stay near the car. It’s the first thing the raptors would check out.”

  The man nodded, putting an arm around his frightened wife. Claudia assumed they were husband and wife. So many people had lost partners, children, loved ones. Now, many family units were cobbled together by people who weren’t even related by blood. People had taken in parentless kids, others had managed to fall in love again, even in the middle of hell.

  She had.

  God. Her heart kicked in her chest. She couldn’t go there right now. Not with Shaw and the rest of her squad racing right toward the aliens.

  A boom sounded. She turned, and down the road, saw a giant ball of flames and smoke rising. Her throat went tight.

  “Woo-hoo, take that you alien-sucking scaly bastards.”

  Shaw’s jubilant shout came across her comms. She smiled and shook her head. “I think Hell Squad has taken out one of the vehicles.”

  “They’ll take out the rest.” The man smiled. “They’re invincible.”

  Claudia smiled back, but inside she felt cold. They weren’t invincible. They were men…men with feelings, needs, wants. Men who risked their lives every day for others.

  Damn, she loved all of them.

  The woman sniffled and wiped her tear-stained face. “I can take Amy.” She held her arms out for the little girl.

  Amy clung to Claudia,
tucking her head into Claudia’s neck. Something inside Claudia went soft and gooey. “She’s fine. Let’s get hidden.” They trekked up the road and Claudia studied the tree line. “Over there. See that large tree, with the thicker bushes around it?”

  The couple nodded and they climbed the small slope up to the tree.

  Claudia tickled the little girl, delighted when she giggled. “Come on, sweetie. We’re going to play hide and seek.”

  “Claudia!”

  Shaw’s urgent voice came over the line.

  She touched her ear, tensing. “I’m here.”

  “Raptor vehicle got past us. Pretty sure he’ll head for the convoy, but make sure you guys are out of sight. We’re in pursuit.”

  Shit. “Got it, Shaw.”

  A pause. “Stay safe.”

  She felt a glow inside. “Always. You too.” She looked at the couple. “Quick, alien vehicle heading in this direction. Hide.”

  The couple ducked into the thick bush. Claudia wriggled in, felt branches sticking to her armor. She curled around the little girl to protect her skin.

  She’d just sat down, the girl in her lap, the heavy breathing of the couple just behind her, when she heard the roar of the alien vehicle.

  She held up a finger to her lips. “They’ll go past, but everyone be quiet.”

  The raptor vehicle tore past, its engine making a low, throaty growl.

  Claudia’s shoulders relaxed a fraction.

  Then she heard a screech. She slowly moved a small branch to peek through. The squat black vehicle had pulled to a halt. As she watched, it executed a tight U-turn.

  Her eyes widened. Dammit to hell. “Quiet.”

  It pulled to a stop just a few meters past their hiding spot. How the hell could they possibly know they were here?

  Claudia stared at the ugly vehicle with its dull-black metal body and spikes on the front. She willed them to start up and leave.

  The side door opened. A raptor got out and straightened.

  Sunlight caught the red leather across his chest, glowing like the color of blood.

  Her mouth went dry. Claudia hated that fear coursed through her. She squashed it as best she could.

  The Huntsman slowly looked around, his red gaze scanning the trees, moving right over where she crouched.

  The little girl whimpered and Claudia pulled her closer to her chest.

  The Huntsman opened the door of the vehicle wider. Claudia saw a flash of movement, but couldn’t quite see what the bastard was doing.

  Then she saw them…his two large alien canids.

  The Huntsman barked something in his guttural language, and the alien hunting dogs moved forward, sniffing the ground, the spines along their back quivering.

  Shit, shit, shit. Claudia shoved the girl at the woman. “I need you guys to move back, very quietly, and then climb a tree. Get up there and stay very quiet. Understand?”

  Fear was alive in their faces, but the couple nodded.

  Claudia swung her carbine around, checking it. “I’ll hold them off until Hell Squad arrives.”

  The man nodded jerkily. “Come on, Julia.”

  Claudia turned back to the incoming canids. They’d stopped sniffing, and had started yipping.

  They’d gotten the scent.

  She lifted her carbine, and aimed through the bush. She knew she could take one down with a headshot.

  But it would give away her location and the other would be on her in a flash.

  She breathed deeply, watching the creatures move in her direction, then she took the shot.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Claudia ran through the trees, branches snagging and slapping at her.

  She had to put as much distance between her and the family as possible. The little girl’s face swam through her mind, and Claudia pushed for more speed.

  Behind her, she heard the canid yipping and crashing through the undergrowth.

  The first alien dog had gone down under her laser fire, but now this one was out for her blood.

  Worse than that, though, she heard the solid footsteps of the Huntsman and his guttural commands as he followed behind the canid.

  Well, she wasn’t chained up and subject to his little mind games anymore.

  Claudia splashed through a small creek. She hoped it might make the canid lose her scent. She waded through the stream for a short distance, then climbed up the bank and ducked behind some rocks.

  A second later, she saw the canid step into view. She lifted her carbine, staring down the scope. Her finger rested on the trigger.

  Then the Huntsman appeared.

  Claudia screwed up her nose. The bastard was relentless, she’d give him that. Through the sights, she studied his reptilian face, his red eyes and thick, gray skin. There was something remote about him, like he was completely disconnected from everything except the hunt.

  Everything except finding his prey.

  He wanted the convoy, she knew that. But deep in her gut, she also knew that he wanted her, as well. Like she was some damn collectible he couldn’t let get away.

  The raptor slowly studied his surroundings, absently patting the agitated canid on the back.

  Then she saw a grimace cross the Huntsman’s face. She squinted slightly, trying to see more clearly, and saw a small trickle of red coming from his nose. He sniffed and swiped a hand at his face.

  After a week of studying him in detail, Claudia realized he was uncomfortable.

  His nose was bleeding. She looked closer. His eyes were leaking blood as well.

  He glanced at a nearby tree and his grimace deepened.

  The trees.

  They knew the raptors usually avoided them. Her pulse raced. Something in the trees did not agree with the Huntsman.

  His head turned slowly, his gaze brushing over her hiding place. Then, his eyes moved back to where she hunched behind the rock. That red gaze stayed there for a second, for what felt like a damn week to Claudia, then moved on.

  He couldn’t know she was here.

  He murmured something to the canid, and it launched into the water.

  In her direction.

  Fuck.

  Claudia turned and bolted.

  She sprinted, running as fast as she could. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but she blocked it out. Like she did on every mission when her emotion rose up, threatening to destroy her focus, she shoved it in a little mental box. She’d taught herself to compartmentalize when she had to, and just focus on her main objective. Like she had when Zeke had been killed, or when Shaw had been in the jaws of a damned giant water alien.

  The lives of her teammates, of the human survivors, depended on her and she would never, ever let them down.

  She heard the canid growling, heard the heavy steps of her alien tormentor.

  He wasn’t going to give up.

  Something washed over her. He might catch her again, but she was damn well going to make sure she led him as far away from that family, from the convoy, and her squad as she could.

  And far, far away from Shaw.

  She leaped over a fallen log, heard some animal scamper away through the bush. She surged through some trees…and landed right at the edge of a cliff.

  Claudia skidded to a stop, windmilling her arms. Her boots skated very close to the edge. Heart in her throat, she looked down.

  It was a rocky, tree-covered drop into a deep ravine.

  She had nowhere to go.

  For a brief second, she closed her eyes. She was trapped.

  She heard the canid go silent, and then it emitted another growl. Louder this time.

  She opened her eyes, and looked back over her shoulder. The ugly alien dog was just meters away. Its rabid red gaze was on her, its chest heaving.

  Then, the Huntsman appeared.

  Hell. She did not want to go back. She moved a little, her boot balanced precariously on the edge. She felt so damned helpless again, like she had when this creature had locked her up in chains.

&n
bsp; She raised her chin, staring at him defiantly.

  Those red eyes burned into her. “Nowhere to run, Claudia Frost.”

  “There are always options, you bastard.”

  He tilted his head. “You’d jump?”

  “I’ll always try something, do the unexpected. That’s what you scaly aliens keep misjudging about humans. We can get very creative when pushed into a corner.”

  “I’ll remember that.” He started forward. “Now, you are coming with me.”

  She heard a shout. Something crashed out of the trees.

  “She is not yours, you fucker.” Shaw lifted his weapon and fired at the Huntsman.

  As the laser hit, the raptor jerked. He ducked back into the trees with a growl. The canid leaped forward.

  Claudia fired. Her laser joined Shaw’s.

  Together, they advanced on the canid, and under the hail of fire, it finally fell. Its body twitching in the dirt.

  Shaw reached out and grabbed the back of Claudia’s neck. He yanked her in for a quick, rough kiss. When he pulled back, a muscle ticked in his jaw and his gloved hand slid up and cupped her cheek.

  Claudia let herself close her eyes and press her face into his touch. She wished she could feel his skin.

  “Let’s get that bastard,” Shaw said, a growl in his voice.

  She nodded. Now that she wasn’t alone, strength flooded her.

  Together, they headed into the trees at a run.

  Shaw tapped his ear. “Marcus, I found her. And the Huntsman. He’s headed west.”

  “Got it,” Marcus answered back. “Elle, you got a bead on them?”

  “Yes, Marcus. I’ll lead you in.”

  Claudia concentrated on staying by Shaw’s side. Ahead, she could hear the Huntsman crashing through the trees.

  “Come on, you coward,” Shaw yelled. “You’re fucking brave when you have people chained up, or a big, ugly dog in front of you.”

  They broke out of the trees again, and Claudia spotted the Huntsman on an open ledge. He was running fast, pumping his arms…straight toward the cliff.

  Her eyes widened. Was he going to jump?

  It wouldn’t be as satisfying as killing him herself, but there was no way he’d survive the fall.

  Before he reached the edge, he glanced back, his gaze crashing into hers. She saw something cold and lethal in them, and she barely suppressed a shiver.