Tucker rested his cheek against the stock of his weapon.
Kowalski dropped to a knee, preparing to shoot low, while Tucker rained hellfire from above. He continued to stare upward.
C’mon...
Tucker finally gave a small nod.
Upon that signal, Kowalski leaned out with his weapon extended. He immediately got a bead on a target and fired. The man flew back. From on high, Tucker unleashed a merciless barrage. Another three men dropped under the assault.
But the element of surprise was over.
Return fire forced Tucker off the balcony. The remaining men took shelter: flattening behind low walls, ducking near trash barrels, retreating to the far corner of the alley.
Kowalski fired at one man who was too slow, felling him with a leg shot, then sending a second round through his throat. He had no time to target another combatant.
Bullets peppered into the trash bin, sparking off the rusted metal.
He ducked back for a breath.
Tucker took over, strafing toward one of the assailants hidden behind a low wall. Kowalski had no view, but he heard the man’s cry, followed by a death rattle.
Another down... two to go.
The odds had evened out.
Kowalski allowed himself a glimmer of hope.
Stupid mistake.
Elle clutched his elbow, while holding fast to Marco’s collar. “Behind us.”
Kowalski swung around. A large truck veered into view at the other end of the alley. It braked hard. From the open rear passenger window, the black tube of an RPG launcher shoved out.
Not again...
His head still pounded from the last rocket attack.
Kowalski gained his legs and fired at the truck. The rounds spidered the driver’s side window and ricocheted off the metal. He knew he couldn’t do any real damage—only buy time.
But would it be enough?
10:34P.M.
Concentrating on the two targets still in the alley, Tucker had failed to identify the new threat—not until the gunmen burst out of hiding and fled away. He heard Kowalski’s Eagle booming below. But it wasn’t his gunfire that had driven the pair off.
A glance back revealed a Russian truck blocking the far end of the alley. He also spotted the RPG launcher. Below, Kowalski dragged Elle up. The big man fired blindly at the vehicle while rushing out of hiding.
Tucker twisted around and strafed at the truck, but he had a poor angle upon it. While the RPG launcher bobbled under his onslaught, it settled quickly again.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Kowalski clear the bin—but rather than running past it, he flipped its heavy lid, which banged openagainst the brick wall behind it. He picked up Elle and threw her inside, then grabbed Marco. The dog, not understanding, struggled in his arms.
Tucker continued his barrage at the truck, knowing that what was coming was inevitable.
Move it, Kowalski...
The big man leaped headlong into the bin, rolling sideways with Marco in his arms. They hit the cushioning trash that filled the space. A large arm reached up and yanked the lid closed with a resounding clank.
Just in time.
