“I’ll be fine,” I say with more conviction than I feel. “You must help get the rest out safely. Promise me.”
Shaking his head, he tugs me to his chest. “Not until I know more. Go down. I’ll be right behind you.”
Unable to leave him, I lace my fingers behind his neck and pull his lips to mine. The kiss sends threads of desire to my clit.As my tits harden, he moans. Cupping my butt cheeks, he yanks me against his hard-on. Too soon, we break apart. Reality back in focus, I descend the ladder.
At the bottom, I stand close to him while Dolly gathers us into a circle. “I’ll take you to the exit. From there, you’re on your own.”
While we talk, an explosion nearby knocks me off my feet. My ears ring as a loose rock tumbles from the ceiling. It would’ve killed me if not for my husband shoving me aside.
Slate and Suds share a worried glance. “I think our friends are tired of waiting for our signal.”
“Fucking SEALs and their C4.” The Patten lead’s mouth forms a tight line.
In contrast, his southern pal chuckles. “Damn straight. Best you git, Ms. Dolly. I don’t fancy bein’ stuck down here any longer than needs be.”
As we trace the same path as before, my next-door neighbor hangs back so she can whisper in my ear. “Give me the damn dot.”
“I don’t have it. Nevertheless, once my cohorts are safe, I promise to show you where it is.”
“Like hell, you will.” Baring his incisors, my wolf steps between me and the fake cat-lover.
“Dolly—if that’s even your real name—I know you didn’t ask for our help, but everyone here is at risk because of you. No one takes another step until you explain why.” Axel raises a fist, causing the group to halt.
As a breeze blows through the mine shaft, the woman who started this mess stands. She scowls in the scant light behind her, then whistles through her pursed lips. “The dot containsencrypted codes to an electromagnetic explosive. The one which happens to be missing from the US arsenal.”
Daaammmnnn.My heart thumps so loudly, I can barely hear my thoughts. “Are you saying someone has one of our nuclear devices?”
“No, but other than radiation released, the result would be similar. The bomb would disable everything electronic. I’m talking internet, power, mobile phones, cars, and freshwater supplies. How long before people descend into a post-apocalyptic, survival-of-the-fittest mentality? A day? A week? Dr. Lewis’ assumptions are spot on. Those having no tribe will die.” The picture she paints sends a chill down my spine. I don’t want to believe her, but I do. I must help in any way I can.
No longer arguing the stakes, Axel squeezes my hand. “I can hear you thinking. You are not returning to the compound, especially not as Dolly’s sidekick. You can tell her where it is and let her handle it.”
“Agreed.” Cupping his cheek, I reach for a quick kiss.
While we rush to catch up, natural light brightens the mine. Freedom remains just a few feet away.
When the exit comes into view, Lilac gasps and stares at her wet jeans. “Oh fuck. My water just broke.”
Slate pales as he lifts her into his arms. He races the final distance carrying her. “I got you, honey. We’re almost there.”
I follow them into the fresh air, then stop abruptly.No, no, no.Lewis leads six armed men toward us.
Swiveling in the opposite direction, Axel grabs my hand. A few yards later, my heart sinks to my stomach. Others approach from inside the tunnel. We’re surrounded. We didn’t make it. We failed.
“What the hell happened to our backup?” Suds mutters under his breath.
James Lewis must’ve heard the comment because a huge grin breaks across his face. “Sorry folks, the cavalry is not coming. Want to know why? They’re dead.”
“No.” Wailing, Callie drops to her knees while the sobbing two sisters hug each other.
Arm around my husband’s waist, I pray the survivalist is playing mind games. But what if he’s not?
Lordy, what have I done?As I attempt to digest the news, Lilac screams, “The baby, she’s coming.”
Slate kneels and sets her down. With every eye turned toward the woman in labor, I formulate a goal, the risks, then the actions to achieve a successful result.
Confident, I hand Wulf my RF lipstick weapon, raise my arms, and step forward. “We’re unarmed. Don’t shoot. I will tell you what you want to know.”
“No, Gwen. Don’t do it.” My darling husband tries to pull me back, but this is the only way to make things right.
