“So you don’t get yourself or Hydria killed. Hey, she’s a beautiful woman, and every person on this team has noticed. But that’s the extent of our connection. You, on the other hand, seem to be personally involved.”
This was the exact reason he’d blocked her from becoming a SWAT team member, he just never wanted to admit it. He’d have sacrificed himself, even others, to keep her safe. “I’m trusting you, Cory. If anything happens to her—”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll wish it was me.”
Renzo turned and headed back, so they could join the rest of the team. As he approached the others, he put his earpiece back in. “Vose, you’re with Team Omega. Cory, take your team up the far side of the ridge. The rest of you will come with me, and we are going to circle around the ridge and come up the flank. Our intel said there’s a small home that has been taken over. We don’t know yet if they are the rebels or the mercenaries so proceed with caution. Any questions?”
Hydria asked, “Is the family still inside?”
This is where the truth was not only ugly but painful to say. “Their youngest child, a seven-year-old boy, had been outside playing when the men arrived. All we have is what he told us. His parents and two sisters were inside. Gabe hasn’t been able to get a clear view via satellite because the trees tower high over the house. We’re going in blind.”
“Any idea how many?” Cory asked.
“Negative. The boy said he heard screaming and the sound of a gun going off. We asked if his father had any weapons, but he couldn’t confirm. We are treating this like any other hostage situation except for one major difference.”
“What is that?” Hydria asked.
Renzo looked down at her and said firmly, “We don’t negotiate. They can come out willingly and surrender, or we go in. Got it?”
He saw the concern in Hydria’s eyes. It wasn’t for her own safety, although he wished it was. She was thinking about the family that may or may not still be alive. Each of them knew if they had to force their way inside, the hostages might get killed. What you don’t understand is these scumbags are going to kill them one way or another. We’re their only chance of surviving. It was something they’d all learned over the past few years. It was something he wished Hydria didn’t need to see for herself.
“Okay everyone, let’s move out. We need to be in position by dark. Watch for any booby-traps. Cory spotted a trip wire last time we attempted that ridge. I’m sure they’ve got more the closer we get,” Renzo said, his eyes briefly meeting Hydria’s.
As the Omega team grabbed their gear and headed to their position, Renzo’s gut was tight. He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake by sending her with Cory. He was a damn good man, an exceptional soldier, and his advice before was spot on. These days, more and more women were in combat situations, and men had to adjust the way they worked in some situations. He didn’t doubt Cory’s abilities. In fact, Cory could be right. He might be the one who puts her in danger. But no one will protect her like I will. No one has the same reason as I do.
When the Omega team was out of sight, Renzo grabbed his gear and led his Alpha team. It was going to be one heck of a hike, and they needed to make double time since they had double the ground to cover. They needed to make sure they were in position before Omega team arrived. They were going to need the snipers watching their backs. More now than ever.
Chapter Ten
‡
Her heart was racing as the bullets whizzed by. Hydria did exactly as she was told and stayed by Cory’s side. It was shocking because Cory was like her and didn’t sit back waiting. He was leading the Omega team for a reason. And Renzo put me with you for one as well.
As they made their way closer, she realized why. Alpha team, Renzo, had the higher ground and anything that the Omega team missed, their team took out. There were a few close calls, but they continued moving forward. It was evident they were vastly out-manned. Don’t think about it.
She stepped from behind the tree and got off two rounds. Hydria hit her mark, and a man dropped to the ground. She felt the sting of a bullet graze her left thigh. It burned, but not enough to stop her.
“Fall back, Vose,” Cory ordered.
“I’m okay,” Hydria responded. “Just a flesh wound.”
The front door flung open, and she aimed. She wished to God it would be one of the family members, but instead, it was yet another of their captors dressed all in black. He carried an M-16 and immediately fired randomly into the woods. She instinctively knew to duck and take cover. So should Cory. Alpha team wouldn’t have a shot from their position. It was up to Omega to stop him.
Hydria emptied her clip with her attempts, but missed her mark. She didn’t have a clear shot through the trees. But at least it kept that ass at a distance, and hopefully Cory’s location offered a better view. She leaned back against the tree and laid her gun down. Her leg was burning like she had a fire poker stabbing it. She didn’t believe the wound was serious, but she could feel warm blood running down her leg. She pulled the camo T-shirt over her head to use for a bandage. Normally she carried a knife strapped inside her boot. Instead she’d replaced that with a pistol. Right now she needed both.
She struggled, trying to tear a strip of the T-shirt off. It had no give so she was forced to roll it up the best she could and tie it around her left thigh as tight as she could. It wasn’t ideal, but it would do short-term.
She put in a fresh clip and watched for a clear shot. Before she could pull the trigger, she saw Cory step out from behind the tree that had been riddled with bullets. He was only going to have a few seconds’ window before the bullets flew back in his direction. Hydria watched the man who had emerged from the house jerk once then twice, as Cory’s shots made contact. She couldn’t believe he didn’t go down; instead he kept shooting and moving forward. She was beginning to think nothing was going to stop him as his gunfire once again turned in their direction, and both Cory and Hydria ducked for cover. They needed him to step a few feet closer. Once he cleared enough distance from the house, the Alpha team would finish what they had started. Just a few more steps.
His gunfire continued but didn’t get louder, so she knew he must’ve stopped. It was like he knew exactly where to stop. Hydria needed to do something. She saw a half-crumbled wall a few feet to her right. If she timed it right, she’d be able to bolt and dive behind it before he could turn his gun back to her. From her new location, he’d need to step into the line of fire to take her out.
She held her breath and said a silent prayer. Then, without approval, she gave the only advance warning she could. “Three. Two. One. Now!” She made her move and hoped Renzo had figured her counting was for his benefit. As soon as she was out in the open, she held her breath and focused on one thing, getting behind that wall. Her body hit the dirt hard, and she rolled, pulling herself into the fetal position. As she’d hoped, Hydria had caught the man’s attention, and he turned his M-16 on her. Chips of stone flew above her head as he blasted the wall with bullets. Hydria didn’t move from her spot. She was safe there, but if she rose even an inch, she’d be making her head a target.
“Hold your position, Vose, I’m going in,” Cory ordered.
She wasn’t about to disobey this one. “Roger.” The gunfire escalated, then abruptly all went silent. Forcing herself to stay still, she waited for Cory to give her the all clear. None came. What she did hear was crying. Only then did she peek over the wall and look toward the house. Even through the bloodbath, there was a beautiful sight, the family was alive, and by all accounts, well. If her leg wasn’t aching, she would’ve pulled herself from the ground and gone to hug the two little girls that looked both scared and relieved. But two of the other men on the team were already approaching the family.
That gave Hydria a chance to settle down. This time she leaned her back against the wall and stretched her legs out in front of her. Once again she tightened the T-shirt. She could feel it was sticky with blood. Hers. “Damn it.”
“What’s
wrong?” Renzo asked.
She wished she would’ve removed her earpiece. “Nothing. I’m only—” The next pain she felt was in her gut for lying to him again. The last time she had no choice. I can’t do it twice. Because this time I won’t forgive myself. Even though she knew he’d be angry, she needed to tell him now. Not like I’ll be able to hide it anyway. “Renzo.”
“Here.”
“I . . . it’s just a flesh wound. But I—.”
“Cory, where the fuck are you?” Reno barked. There wasn’t an answer.
She was just about to move from her position when she heard Cory’s faint voice. “Medic.”
“Ria, stay, where you are,” Renzo ordered, but there was no way she would leave someone in need alone. He sounded in bad shape. Hydria pulled herself off the ground and scanned the area again to confirm all was clear. “Sit your ass down. The medic is coming.”
Even though she couldn’t see Renzo, he obviously had been watching her through the scope on his rifle. I don’t need watching any more than anyone else on this team. Hydria was frustrated and in pain, and she understood Renzo’s position and orders. Renzo obviously had her in his scope, so would cover her. If for some reason there was still an insurgent alive or hiding in that house, Hydria knew the Alpha team would be on it.
She also knew her experience in first aid could help Cory, and in a crisis, seconds could mean the difference between life and death. She didn’t want to undermine his authority and hoped he’d understand her decision to go to Cory. Hydria limped her way over to where she’d last seen Cory. At first, she didn’t see him. Then she noticed his boots behind the brush. She pulled back the branch and saw Cory lying there, trying to hold pressure on his right side of his chest. Quickly she assisted him in applying direct pressure.
“It’s okay, Cory. Help is on the way.” She wasn’t in the medical field, but it seemed to have punctured his right lung. Her assessment was strictly based on seeing a fellow officer suffer the same injury and that had been his diagnosis. Consider yourself lucky that it wasn’t the left side. Cory rested his head on the ground and mumbled something. “You’re going to be okay. Don’t try to talk. Just hold on.”
She had no idea where Renzo had come from or how he made it down that hill so fast, but he arrived at the same time as the medics. As the medics tended to Cory, Renzo scooped her up into his arms.
“I thought I told you—”
“Renzo, I’m okay. It’s barely a scratch.” She wasn’t positive of that, but compared to Cory she was in great shape.
“I’ll believe it when I see for myself.”
Hydria looked back in the direction of Cory and could see the medic already had him on the stretcher. He was being carried the same direction as Renzo was carrying her. “Where are you taking me?”
“A chopper is on its way. We’re getting you to the hospital.”
She knew the chopper wasn’t that far off, and Renzo had planned a quick evacuation if needed. He’d been sure to point out the rendezvous spot if anything went down and they couldn’t make it back to their vehicles. Cory needs the chopper, not me. “Renzo, I can walk. Please put me down.” She had yearned to be in his arms, but not now. The team would never look at her the same after this.
“You can walk, but you can’t follow orders.” As he continued to carry her, he added, “That could be you instead of Cory.” She felt his muscles tense as he spoke.
Hydria knew his anger was out of fear. She’d been scared as well. But it was over. They were both alive and for the most part, okay. She wasn’t sure if it was from the lack of blood or the adrenaline wearing off, but she suddenly didn’t care who was watching. As he carried her, she rested her head against his shoulder. Softly she said, “Then I guess next time I’ll have to be on Alpha team.”
Renzo grunted. “Not funny. Not funny at all.”
He was right. There was nothing humorous about what had transpired. That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to savor the moment. Even, through the pain in her leg, she didn’t want this to end. Why can’t he want me for who I am instead of a woman who needs his protection? He adjusted her so he carried her even higher in his arms. She could hear the chopper approaching, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before he put her down. Closing her eyes, she nestled into his neck. Why can’t a moment last a lifetime? I hope I don’t have to find out.
Renzo couldn’t forget the look in Hydria’s eyes as he placed her in the chopper and kissed her goodbye. It was as though her heart hurt more than her leg. There was no time to explain anything to her. Every cell in his body wanted to board that chopper and be by her side at the medical center, but she was in good hands, and he had a job to do. He couldn’t forget that was why he was here.
They’d made some headway, but the price was two of the team were injured. He took a good look at Hydria’s thigh before the chopper took off. The bullet had grazed her outer thigh, and she would probably require stitches, he knew she would be okay. Cory, on the other hand, was going to need surgery. The bullet seemed to have punctured a lung. There also wasn’t an exit wound, so they needed to find that bullet.
A few years ago, they’d both be in trouble. But the Hendersons had improved the medical facility, and Logan was there. He was confident Cory would be okay, just like they heard Tony was.
It sucked, but each of them knew the risk when they came to Tabiq. They were fighting for human rights, and there was always a price to pay. As he watched the chopper lift off with Cory and Hydria aboard, he was thankful it wasn’t worse.
Renzo jogged back to the path leading to the home to talk to the family and search the area for clues. They were instructed to take those bastards alive. It didn’t go down that way. Those men were willing to fight with everything they had. That meant they weren’t getting paid until the job was done, and that payment must be substantial. He hoped Bennett was having better luck than they were.
When he arrived at the house, the mother was sitting on a bench, her daughters hugging her tightly. The father was off to one side, talking to one of the team members. This hellhole wasn’t the States, but this scene was all too familiar to him. As a SWAT member, he’d been called to many hostage situations. Usually, it was one crazed person who demanded something ridiculous. There were times they’d been successful, and it ended peacefully. Most often not.
Renzo never thought this family would make it out of that house alive. Once the gunfire started, it was evident those guys weren’t going to surrender. So the question was, why didn’t they harm the family? He stood back, watching the father carefully. His body language was off, considering what they’d just been through. He was stiff and unshaken, unlike his wife and daughters.
What am I missing? The family confirmed no one was inside. Cory’s team did a quick look inside and came out empty-handed. Could there have been a person hiding who had been overlooked? He needed to get into that house. Renzo noticed the father’s eyes were on him as he went to the front door. What are you afraid I’m going to find? Renzo spoke softly to the team through the earpiece, “Keep your eyes open. Something’s wrong with this picture.”
Renzo pulled his gun from its holster and took off the safety. If there was anyone still inside, it wasn’t going to end well for them. The wooden door creaked as he opened it a crack. Renzo stepped aside in case there was anyone on the inside ready and waiting to take a shot at him. He heard nothing but needed to proceed with caution. Kicking the door open wider, he entered with his gun ready as he scanned the room. No one was there. He made his way through the rest of the house, using the same maneuvers. Renzo thought he would have found someone.
If it wasn’t a person the father was worried Renzo would find, then what was it? They didn’t have any jurisdiction to search a property, but in Tabiq the law was a gray area, and for now, Hendersons held power.
Renzo started opening drawers and searching through papers. Nothing seemed to be out of order until he opened a closet and found it wasn’t filled with clothes. T
here was a shortwave radio inside with a stockpile of guns. Why the fuck would he have these here?
He turned up the sound on the radio and could hear chatter between what sounded like several different Tabiqian men. Renzo never picked up on the language and needed to call for another member of the team to come in. They’d been in Tabiq longer than he had and might be able to figure out what the hell was going on.
When Lee Carter came in, he listened and started to translate. It was all starting to make sense. This wasn’t a hostage situation. They’d been set up. Bennett wanted one alive. He just got it.
Storming out of the house, he rushed up to the father with his weapon drawn and knocked him to his knees. Pointing at the man’s head, Renzo said, “Unless you want to die in front of your wife and kids, I suggest you tell us where the next attack is.”
The man’s hands were up in the air, and he said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We are a peaceful family who—”
“I found the radio and the guns. We know you’re with the rebel forces. We’ll deal with that later. Right now, I only need to know what’s next.” Renzo could hear the wife pleading with her husband to tell them what they wanted to know. The children were crying hysterically. This day would traumatize those kids, but there were lives, hell a country, at stake. In a low, threatening voice, Renzo growled, “You have no idea what I’m capable of, and you don’t want to find out in front of your family.”
The man nodded and started rambling off locations of the other rebel leaders. It looked like they hit pay dirt by nabbing this guy. He wasn’t only one of the rebels, he was high up on the chain of command. Having him behind bars would shake up the others.
Renzo pulled out a map and showed the guy the location Bennett’s team was supposed to check out. Renzo found it odd that it hadn’t been mentioned. The man once again got quiet and Renzo used his threatening manner to get him talking. It’s what he said that sent panic through the entire team.
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