by Anna Hackett
All his team and Brooks called in their checks. He pushed open the door, helping Rowan out of the backseat. His team moved in around him, keeping their bodies relaxed and casual.
“Keep a low profile.” They didn’t need the warning. His team knew the drill. They were used to operating under the radar, and in unique circumstances.
He looked down at Rowan who was eyeing the running crowd with concern.
Lachlan looked over at Callie. “Callie, you stay with Rowan. Stay back, and only come in if I call for you.”
The woman looked like she wanted to argue, but then nodded. Lachlan knew all his team preferred action over playing bodyguard, but they also took orders when they heard them.
Lachlan gripped Rowan’s arms. “Stay with Callie. Be safe.”
She nodded. “You, too.”
Fuck. His team was watching him, but he ignored them and leaned down and brushed his lips over hers.
With a smile, Callie took Rowan’s arm. As the rest of the team jogged into the casino, Callie pulled Rowan away from the panicking crowd and toward the restaurants.
When Lachlan turned to the others, Blair, Axel, and Seth were grinning at him, and even Smith looked like he was fighting a smile.
“Not a word.” Lachlan strode forward and out into the replica of Venice’s St. Mark’s Square.
More panicked, fleeing people. The screams grew louder.
Together, his team rushed over the bridge that spanned the artificial lake. Then he glanced down, and his gut tightened.
Half of the lake was frozen solid. A gondola was caught up in the ice, pointing straight up.
Shit. “Fan out.”
They crossed the bridge, and on the other side, still more people were pushing and stumbling as they tried to get away.
That’s when Lachlan saw the figure scaling one of the faux Italian-building façades. A large figure that looked like it was wearing white body armor.
Someone had activated the artifact.
He pulled his SIG, and saw his team do the same. He gave a hand signal, and they moved over another bridge.
The creature spotted them and jumped down. It landed, cracking the travertine tiles, then rose slowly.
Fuck. Lachlan took in the brown hair framing the distorted female features.
“Airman Kowalski,” Blair murmured.
The woman had to be at least a foot taller than usual and far bigger. The artifact rested on her chest.
Lachlan touched his ear. “Callie, we need the tranqs. Get in here.”
“On my way,” Callie responded. “I’m sending Rowan back to the SUVs.”
As they waited for Callie, they moved in slowly, circling Airman Kowalski. Suddenly, the woman let out a growl. Then she charged.
Lachlan dodged. He got a clear view of the artifact on the woman’s chest.
Airman Kowalski swung a clawed hand at Seth. He jumped up and kicked her. She staggered backward, then she bent her knees and jumped up. She leaped over their heads.
“She’s getting away,” Smith barked.
Lachlan sprinted after her, his team right behind him. Airman Kowalski ran through a door, and into the casino.
Inside, there were startled screams as Airman Kowalski crashed through the crowd. Team 52 followed her erratic path, dodging blackjack tables and slot machines. Suddenly, Callie appeared, holding the tranq gun.
“Take her down,” Lachlan ordered.
Callie steadied herself, taking aim at the fleeing woman.
The medic fired, then cursed. “Missed.”
“Take the shot again,” Lachlan said calmly.
He saw Airman Kowalski knock through a group of tourists, sending them toppling. He ran forward, Blair at his elbow.
“She’s going to hurt someone,” Blair yelled.
Lachlan lifted his weapon. Airman Kowalski turned and their gazes met. She let out a wild roar, then crouched and touched the floor.
A web of ice formed at the airman’s feet. It rose up from the floor like some kind of reverse waterfall.
“Callie. Now!”
Callie fired again. “I think I got her.”
But the ice reached the ceiling, looking like a wall of glass, cutting them off.
Lachlan hammered a fist against the ice. It was rock hard. He flipped his SIG around and thumped the butt against the frozen wall.
Too thick. Fuck. “We need to get around. Now!”
Chapter Thirteen
Rowan sat anxiously in the SUV’s passenger seat, hoping Lachlan and the others were okay.
She drummed her fingers against the dash. People were still fleeing the Venetian, and she kept her gaze trained on the casino, hoping to see Lachlan and his team come out soon.
As people ran screaming past her vehicle, she saw a small boy stumble and fall, tears streaming down his face.
Screw this. Rowan pushed open the door and scooped the boy up. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
“Ryan!” a woman yelled.
Rowan handed the boy over to the hysterical woman. More people staggered past and she had to force herself to stay where she was and not run into the casino.
Then she saw the creature rush out of the casino entrance.
Rowan sucked in a sharp breath. Big, with white frost slicked over its body, and ice forming on the ground where it walked. It got closer, and that’s when she saw its face.
No, not an it. A she. This had to be Airman Kowalski.
The mutated woman reached the sidewalk, looked confused for a second, then turned and loped off down the road.
God, they couldn’t lose her. Rowan still didn’t see Lachlan or the others. She dived back into the Suburban and climbed into the driver’s seat. She started the engine and pulled out onto South Las Vegas Boulevard.
She peered at the sidewalk ahead, trying to keep Airman Kowalski in view.
She stabbed the buttons on the dash. “Brooks? Can you hear me?”
“Rowan?” Brooks’ startled voice. “Where are you?”
“I’m in one of the SUVs. I’m following Airman Kowalski.”
Brooks sucked in a breath. “Lachlan is going to lose his mind.”
Probably. But Rowan couldn’t worry about that right now. “Can you patch me through to him?”
“Sure thing. Give me a sec.”
Airman Kowalski turned down a side street and Rowan cursed. She swung the wheel to follow, tires screeching. From somewhere behind, a horn blared. “Sorry, sorry.”
“Rowan.”
Lachlan’s voice came through the dash and she winced. He was not happy.
“I’m in the SUV. I’m following Airman Kowalski at a distance. Uh, she took off down South Las Vegas Boulevard, and we’ve turned onto…” Shit, she had no idea what street they were on.
A strangled noise came through the line. “Stop the vehicle, Rowan.”
“No, Lachlan. We’ll lose her and the artifact.” Rowan saw Airman Kowalski turn again. “Hang on.”
She was on a smaller street now, moving into a more industrial area.
“We’re in the other SUV and tracking you,” Lachlan said. “We’re just a few minutes behind you. Do not get out of the car.”
“Okay—” Rowan slammed on the brakes and gasped.
She stared through the windshield, her mouth going dry.
“Rowan?”
Ice slid through her veins. Airman Kowalski, looking huge and menacing, stood in the center of the road, staring through the windshield at Rowan.
“Ah, we might have a problem.”
“What?” Lachlan snapped.
“She spotted me.”
“Hang on, Rowan, we’re almost there.”
Airman Kowalski leaped into the air, and Rowan’s hands clenched on the steering wheel. The changed woman landed on the hood and set the SUV rocking. Metal crumpled and the engine cut out.
“Lachlan? Brooks?” The comm line had cut off.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Rowan yanked her seatbelt off.
Airman
Kowalski took a step closer, the hood crunching under her large feet. Rowan gripped the door handle.
Then suddenly, Airman Kowalski’s big body started shuddering like she was having a seizure.
What the—? Rowan frowned. There were wires embedded in Airman Kowalski’s side. Rowan swiveled her head and watched a team of soldiers wearing dark-gray uniforms moving in on her vehicle.
One soldier was holding some sort of weapon, and the wires were coming from it. It had to be some sort of high-tech, heavy-duty Taser.
Then, Airman Kowalski roared, tearing the wires free. She leaped off the hood. When she landed, she sent soldiers scattering. But some stayed on their feet. They converged on Airman Kowalski, firing their weapons.
Come on, Lachlan. Rowan had no idea who these people were, but they were clearly after the artifact.
Suddenly, Rowan’s door was yanked open. A hard hand wrapped around her arm and wrenched her out of the vehicle.
She looked up into the impassive face of a bearded soldier.
Shit.
Lachlan tried to control his rage.
“Sorry, Lachlan, we’ve lost comms,” Brooks said. “I’m pulling up satellite feed now. Give me a minute.”
Rowan might not have a minute. His hands clenched on his CXM7 rifle now resting in his lap. The little fool.
“Hurry up,” he barked at Seth.
“Going as fast as I can.” Seth took the corner fast, the back end of the SUV swerving.
Once again, cold, hard fear splashed over Lachlan. Come on.
“Okay, I have images,” Brooks said. Then the sound of him sucking in a breath burst through the line.
Lachlan’s heart hit his ribs. “Brooks, talk to me.” He leaned forward, willing the cars in front of them to get out of the way.
“The SUV is wrecked. A military team is attempting to contain Airman Kowalski.”
Fuck. “Rowan?” They screamed around another corner.
“Fighting with a soldier.”
“These guys any of ours?”
“Negative.”
“We’re going in hot.” Lachlan checked his rifle. “Seth, get us as close as you can.”
The man nodded. In the seats behind, he heard everyone checking their weapons. They’d all donned Kevlar vests.
They turned another corner, and he spotted the black SUV ahead, Airman Kowalski struggling against several gray-clad soldiers.
Seth sped up and then jerked on the brake. He slid their SUV to the side to give them cover. The vehicle screeched to a halt, rocking slightly.
Lachlan shoved his door open and leaped out. As he lifted his weapon, Blair and Axel flanked him.
He sighted the first soldier and fired. He heard Airman Kowalski roar, but blocked it out. The soldiers had her trapped under a net and she was fighting it.
He dropped down behind the hood of their vehicle. Bullets slammed into the metal. He caught Blair’s eye. She nodded and they popped up again, firing.
Lachlan spotted Rowan off to one side. She was struggling with a soldier who was trying desperately to subdue her.
Screw this. He reloaded. “Cover me.”
“Lachlan, wait—”
Ignoring Blair, he leaped out of cover and ran toward Rowan. He pulled the trigger. Bam. Bam. Bam. More soldiers fell.
Several soldiers scattered for cover. Airman Kowalski managed to get free, tearing the net off. She let out an ear-splitting roar and charged at the nearest soldier. She grabbed the end of his rifle in a massive fist. With one crunch, it was nothing but a length of twisted metal.
The man staggered back, wide-eyed. Airman Kowalski grabbed him, lifting him over her head. The man screamed.
Even from a distance, Lachlan felt the blast of cool air. The screams cut off and he watched the man literally freeze.
Fucking hell. Lachlan ducked, racing closer to Rowan, but keeping his eye on Kowalski. He touched his ear. “Callie, take her down.”
Bullets whizzed past Lachlan and he dropped down behind a parked car. Airman Kowalski roared again, and when he peeked around, he saw the bright-red feather of the tranq dart against her neck.
She staggered, tearing at the tranq. Suddenly, a soldier rounded the car and Lachlan leaped upward. He kicked the man’s weapon out of his hand and fired his own.
The man fell with a cry, clutching his shoulder.
Lachlan touched his earpiece. “Contain Airman Kowalski and then round up these assholes.”
He scanned around and saw the man who had Rowan dragging her down an adjacent alley. They disappeared from view.
Shit. “I’m going after Rowan.”
“Wait!” Seth called.
But Lachlan wasn’t waiting. He ran for the alley.
As he turned the corner, there was a volley of gunfire. He felt a burn on his arm and ducked back. Shit. He pressed his back to the wall.
He glanced at his arm and saw where the bullet had grazed his bicep. It was bleeding, but it wasn’t a life-threatening wound.
“Come any closer and I’ll kill her,” a gravelly, French-accented voice shouted from the alley.
Lachlan crouched, and pulled a small device off his belt. He flicked open the small mirror and turned it around the corner. The guy had a gun to Rowan’s head. Of course, she didn’t look afraid, but instead looked angry.
“You aren’t after her,” Lachlan called out.
“I wasn’t, but now she’s my way out of here.”
Lachlan tried to calm his pulse and pulled in a deep breath. Usually, it was easy to find the combat calm he’d perfected over the years. But now, that feeling eluded him.
Rowan’s life depends on you, asshole. Lachlan gripped his weapon and stood. He counted to three, then spun around the corner, raising his weapon.
The bearded soldier holding Rowan narrowed his gaze. “Merde. Stay back!”
Lachlan fired.
At the same time, Rowan yanked down hard and kicked her captor’s shin.
Lachlan’s bullet hit the man between his eyes.
But the soldier’s weapon discharged as well. Right at Rowan’s head.
Chapter Fourteen
Rowan staggered dizzily. Her ears were ringing.
God. She was so mad. Clutching her head where it burned, she spun, and saw her captor was down on the ground.
And very dead. Her stomach rolled.
“What the hell were you thinking?”
Lachlan’s roar made her ears ring even more. She turned back to face him, and relief ran through her. She stepped toward him and saw his eyes widen as he took her in.
His face changed and he cupped her head, tilting it to the side.
“Fuck. Fuck.”
“Lachlan?”
“It’s only a graze.” He yanked her close and pressed her face to his chest. “Just a graze.”
Then he pulled back and kissed her.
Rowan forgot everything—the artifact, the bad guys, her aching head. She opened her mouth and kissed him back, her hands gripping him hard.
Lachlan kissed her like she was air and he needed her to breathe. Warmth flooded her.
It was the sound of running footsteps that made them pull apart. Lachlan kept her pressed close to his chest.
Seth appeared and lowered his weapon. “Shit. She okay?”
“Graze.” Lachlan’s hand slid into her hair. “Don’t want to lose you, sweetheart. Can’t lose you.”
God. God. Her heart was beating so hard, emotion choking her. She curled her fingers into his vest.
The rest of Team 52 sprinted into the alley.
“I’m fine.” Rowan reluctantly stepped back, looking at them. “I think I need a drink, and chocolate isn’t going to cut it this time. Maybe tequila.”
The team all sucked in shocked breaths and stared. She took in their serious, grim looks and reached up. Her hand came away, sticky with blood.
She winced and looked at Lachlan. “It looks bad, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah.” He pulled her close again.
“Airman Kowalski got away,” Blair said. “The tranq wasn’t strong enough to stop her.”
Lachlan cursed. “Smith, can you track her?”
“I can try,” the big man said.
Lachlan nodded. “Do it. Axel, go with him.”
The pair swiveled and were gone. Lachlan took Rowan’s hand and led her out of the alley.
“SUV’s down that side street,” Blair said. “Police are en route. Figured just one of us can deal with them.”
Rowan blinked and saw the soldiers who’d tried to capture Airman Kowalski all sitting in a bunch, their hands and feet zip-tied. Callie was standing watch over them.
“You got this?” Lachlan asked.
Blair huffed out a breath, her gaze skating over Rowan’s head. “Yeah. You get Rowan cleaned up.”
“I’m fine,” Rowan said.
“I’ll stay with Blair,” Seth murmured. “You take care of Rowan.”
“I’m fine,” she repeated.
They’d just reached the SUV when Rowan heard the sirens and the screech of cars pulling up. She looked over her shoulder. Blair’s stance was strong and defiant.
A tall man, wearing jeans and a black, button-down shirt, swung out of the lead police vehicle, a badge clipped to his belt. His gaze locked on Blair and he started walking toward her.
“Who’s that?” Rowan asked.
“Detective Luke MacKade,” Lachlan said. “He’s our contact at the LVMPD. He’ll help smooth things over.”
Rowan had the vague idea that Blair and the detective looked like two gunslingers meeting down a dusty street. Then Lachlan opened the SUV’s back door and nudged her in.
Before she knew it, he had a first aid kit out and was pressing some antiseptic wipes to her temple. The sting made her hiss.
“You were lucky, Rowan. Another inch…”
She nodded. “I really am fine, Lachlan.”
When he pulled back the wipes, she saw they were soaked with blood. Oh. God. Her stomach pitched. “Wow, that’s a lot of blood.”
“Head injuries bleed a lot,” he told her.
“Jeez.” She glanced down at his shirt. It was covered in blood, as well. “That’s all from my head?”
“Yep.”
Dizziness hit her.