“Gone. You’re the priority now.”
“Specs—”
“Chatter in my ear is that Specs, Jupiter, and Lief are on their way. Jupiter called in a helicopter ride out. Thor, Moose, and Sloan are securing a path to the checkpoint. Right now, it’s you and me, Strattan.”
Gunfire cracked overhead. A chunk of adobe exploded behind them.
“Move!” Thor’s voice barked over the radio. “Rendezvous at chapel parking lot.”
“What’s my best route?” Kawan ducked his head and half-dragged, half-carried Lark out the back of the building, into the narrow alley.
“East road’s the cleanest,” Moose said.
They bolted—Kawan shielding her as they zig-zagged between buildings. The air stank of cordite and sunbaked stone.Distant screams echoed behind them. Rounds punched into walls. Somewhere, a child cried.
As they neared the chapel, three men in matte black tactical gear turned the corner, rifles raised.
“Down!” Kawan shouted and shoved Lark hard to the ground.
He pivoted, raised his weapon, and fired. One, two—center mass. The third ducked behind a barrel and returned fire.
Kawan turned to shield Lark and?—
Pain tore through his left leg.
“Fuck—”
He dropped to one knee, teeth clenched, blood already soaking his pant leg.
“Kawan’s hit.” Lark dragged him toward the side of the building only one block from the burning chapel, her injured arm trailing.
“Got em’ in my sights,” Moose said. “Stay where you are.”
More gunfire. More shouts.
“We need to move,” he gritted. “I’m fine.”
“You’re bleeding.”
“Not the first time.” He groaned as he pulled himself upright. He glanced at his side. Blood creeping across the fabric of his clothing. “Talk to me, Moose.”
“Assholes are staying put, but we’ll cover you,” Moose said.
“Let’s go. Just don’t pass out on me,” Lark said in that commanding tone Kawan both loved and hated.
“It’s not that bad.” But it wasn’t that great, either.
Behind them, Sloan laid down cover while Thor and Moose sprinted to intercept. More bullets flew. A grenade arced overhead—but exploded short, sending a wall of dust into the air.
Kawan and Lark stumbled around the side of the chapel where one of their SUVs idled, engine humming.
“We’re in,” Sloan called. “Second vehicle coming up now. Chopper en route.”
Kawan shoved Lark as she dove into the back seat of the SUV. She turned, reaching for him. He groaned, catching it as he heaved himself into the vehicle.
Thor jumped into the passenger seat, and Moose climbed into the back, pulling the double doors shut. “Go, go, go,” Moose yelled.
The SUV tore through the outer streets, tires screeching, Sloan gunning the engine like a man possessed.
