Hallelujah, the plow came through.
Down the road a piece, a car engine roars. Hoping for Gina, Kade, or Jeremy, I brace to jump in front of it. Mr. Cautious, however, yanks me back into the forest. “Let’s see who it is, first.”
Hell, I’d invite Detective Barbie to the party, if she was armed.
A flatbed rumbles to a stop in front of us. My pulse skyrockets as the driver drops the ramp and a tank-like snowcat coughs its way to the road. When a second truck rolls into view, carting two snowmobiles, I moan.Holy crap, we’re dead meat.
Scott’s face tightens. He taps my shoulder, points two fingers at himself, then aims toward the newcomers. I nod, signaling I’ll take care of the others.
While we wait for the right moment, a burst of wind shrieks through the trees. Hunt’s jaw tightens as he counts down on his fingers. Clouds move. The sky darkens.
Three, two, one—
Our gunfire tears through the silence. Blood sprays. Bodies crumple and twitch before going still.
“We did it.” I skip two steps—then freeze.
Where’s Hunt?
Whipping around, my heart slams against my ribs.
Pale, brows furrowed, Hunt collapses against a tree. Beneath his coat, dark liquid drips to the snow creating a puddle of red by his feet.
“Fuck,” he rasps, sliding to the ground. “I’m hit.”
Chapter 36
Hunt
Kelly squats by my side, unzipping my coat. “How bad is it?”
“Well, I’m not dead.”Yet. Teeth clamped, I embrace the excruciating burn as she cuts away shirt fabric, then yanks off her hat.
“Dumbass.” Her hands press into my side so hard I see stars.
Not too far away snowmobiles rev their engines. Those hungry wolves will be upon us in minutes. Useless, I can’t let her die trying to save me.
“Me and Betsy will be fine. Leave.” Leaning back against the tree, I pat my weapon.
“Like hell, I will.” Voice firm, she slides her arm around my waist.
A fog settles, turning the forest to boot camp. Sergeant Lewis crosses his arms, face fierce. “On your feet, soldier.”
Standing, I stumble toward the trucks. “Yes, sir.”
His angry spit hits my face as he shouts, “Are you a Marine or a wuss?”
“Marine, sir.” While I wobble, he morphs into Kelly, who points at the Skidoo seat. “You’re hallucinating. Sit.”
A stinging slap to the cheek wakes me from a blessed blackness. “Dammit, Scott Hunter. Stay awake.”
Nose inches from mine, her steady green eyes narrow. “There’s a ranger station a few miles away. We’ll hole up there. No more sleeping.”
“Miles? I’ll never make it.” I can barely remain seated, and the vehicle isn’t moving yet.
“You fucking will, you hear me?” She pulls a stapler from an orange medic kit.
My skin pinched between her fingers, she clicks until the bleeding stops. Without warning, a needle sinks deep into my thigh. The sharp sting is followed by a wave of cold sweats.
