I unscrew the cap, tilt my head back, and force the whole dose down. A fist of fire slams into my gut. I double over, groaning. The nausea grips me hard. Worse than any flu or hangover, I retch, puking all over Scowlface’s shoes.
The mercs recoil, horror-struck by the putrid stench.
Just as planned, my lover rises to his knees, holding back my hair. His voice is hoarse, but at least his hands are steady. “Babe, you okay?”
Nodding between gut-wrenching gags, I slip Dante’s weapon to his chest.
Hunt’s brows rise, but he slides it into his belt without missing a beat. “You’re insane.”
His hiss catches the leader’s attention, but thankfully, he misses the G-man’s sleight of hand. “No talking, you two.”
Not empty yet, my insides churn as my body violently rebels against the poison. The gross vomit turns the newbie green. Slapping his hands to his mouth, he bolts out the door. The other two stare as if they’ve never seen a woman throw up before.
“Take her outdoors and shoot her.” The leader’s order should terrify me, but I’m so wretched, it sounds like a mercy killing.
When an older guy reaches for my arm, Hunt shoots him between the eyes. The bossman drops next, but the other two dive out the door.
“Don’t worry about me. Go get those bastards.” Snatching an abandoned rifle, I check for ammo, then slap the side.
After a sharp nod, Scott cups my cheek, grabs a gun and barrels after them.
The moment he’s gone, my knees give out.
Damn, that was close.
Chapter 34
Hunt
I can’t believe my woman deceived a group of trained mercenaries. Damn, if I hadn’t fallen already, her cunning bravery would’ve sealed the deal. Admiration set aside, I concentrate on the imminent threat.
Two sets of footprints lead downhill. Too risky to track them, I gamble. Ignoring my blinding headache, limping from my fall, I scramble to the first lookout point.
You got this, Marine.Belly to the ground, I shove the long gun to my shoulder. Exhaling, I steady my aim and—
Bang!
When a spray of red stains the pristine white, I grit my teeth, racing forward. Another killer’s still out there. No way in hell will I let him call in reinforcements.
The deep snowbanks challenge the last mercenary. Taller, stronger, my only mission is to overtake him. My legs scream. My lungs burn.
Then—click.
I throw myself sideways as his rifle misfires. His massive body slams into me, and we hit the ground. I roll. Fists slam. Razor-sharp metal glints. He lunges. Somehow, I catch his wrist as he’s about to bury a knife in my eye socket.
The blade vibrates, its tip a hair from my iris.
Not today, motherfucker.My knee rams into the paid assassin’s groin.
Protected by layers of outer gear, he doesn’t go down, but he flinches.
With adrenaline ripping through me, I clamp my legs around his waist. Flipping so I’m on top, I yank his wrist back—hard.
His bones crack, his weapon falls, but he’s not done. His arm wraps around my neck, crushing my larynx until black dots dance in my vision.
My fingers claw and my fists hammer but—He. Doesn’t. Budge.
“Fuuuuck!” I snap my head back.
