Wide awake, my heart jackhammering, I catch the roll of gauze thrown at me. “An EpiPen? What about painkillers?”
“Wrap it up, Wildlife. We leave in two.” She dashes off to the flatbed’s cab.
By the time she’s returned, I’ve bandaged my wound. After she ties a canvas sack to the rack behind me, I grab her hand, pointing to one of those we shot.
“Grab his comm unit.”
“Good idea.” She digs it from his ear, then snatches loops of plastic from his utility belt. As I clamp my arms around her waist, she makes a long string of zip-ties, belting me to her.
No way. If I tumble, I’ll take her with me. She’s signed both our death warrants.
When I struggle to break free, she swivels her head, handing me the tiny listening device. “My mission. My call. Put that in. Keep me apprised.”
The snowmobile rumbles under my ass as she puts it in gear. A second later, we lurch forward. Eyes closed, face pressed to her back, I concentrate.
Stay on the damn seat, soldier.
Every so often, the mercenaries looking for us check in. Nothing like kicking the nest to piss off the hornets.
Time slows. An eternity passes. I can’t drift off. I can’t let go.
When she shuts off the engine, a wave of relief engulfs me.We’re alive?
Cutting the plastic ties, she glances over her shoulder. “I knew you could do it.”
Unable to speak, I nod. Babe, for you, anything.
Arm over her back, I lift my feet and drag myself inside the ranger’s shack. No longer cold, sleep beckons while O’Malleywatches out the window. It would be so easy to simply shut my eyes…
No. Not a coward, I force my brain awake and drink from the straw she places in my mouth.
Still alert as the sun starts to set, some part of my mind registers the wop-wop of Black Hawk blades. No doubt, another hallucination, I decide to keep quiet.
“Helicopters!” The border guard sprints outside.
When she doesn’t return, I pick up my weapon, clutch the windowsill, and pull myself vertically. What if those birds belonged to the mercenaries?
Trembling, I take two shaky steps.
“They’re here.” Face bright, she bursts back in, carrying a ringing package tied to a parachute. After extracting the SAT phone, she answers and switches it to speaker.
“What took you so long?” My face breaks out in a grin. I can’t believe they found us.
“You missed me, sweetheart?” Wulf’s chuckle makes it official. We endured, we never gave up, we survived.
Grabbing my brave woman’s arm, I tug her to my lips. Lightheaded, half-frozen, I hold on until nothing else matters. I almost lost her. Now, I’m never letting go.
Chapter 37
Kelly
Ribs, head, everything throbs as I pace the surgical wing’s waiting area. I’m not sure what’s worse, the fluorescent lights or the cloying scent of antiseptics. As they have since landing on the roof, Hunt’s friends huddle nearby.
I’m so grateful for their rescue, I don’t know what to say. While dangling from a rope hundreds of feet above ground was not my favorite exfil, it was way better than what those mercenaries had in mind.
I jump when my phone pings.
Kade: Any news?
