Toward the lake,Tace mouthed.
Sami ducked low and crept along an overgrown trail, heading closer to the mansion beside the lake. The water lapped against rocks, and somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted impatiently. Tace followed her with Barbara bringing up the rear. The brunette kept pace easily, her movements sure and smooth.
Sami enjoyed working with another woman. They’d have to scout together more, especially now that Barbara was with Derek and Sami didn’t feel guilty about Tace.
They reached the next shack, and she yanked open the door. Water jugs were piled high. Man, they needed those. Not as badly as they needed explosives, but it was tempting to go back for the truck.
Barbara shook her head, and Sami sighed, carefully shutting the door.
A gun fired, arcing a red flare above the lake. The water glowed as if an inferno burned beneath the surface. Shrill and loud, an alarm suddenly pierced the night. Gunfire pattered, and an explosion ripped through the air, sending smoke and fire flying high.
“Shit,” Tace said, running ahead of her toward the next shack. “Get your gun out.”
Sami followed him, tucking her knife away and drawing out her weapon. There was no need for stealth, as the sound of guns and men fighting overtook everything else. Her heart pounded, and adrenaline shot through her veins, bringing the night into focus.
Barbara followed her, gun ready.
Three men rounded the curve ahead.
Tace shoved Sami out of the way and fired.
She rolled and came up firing, hitting one of the guys in the leg. He cried out and dropped, shooting toward her at the same time. She scrambled behind a tree.
Three shots echoed, and then Tace dropped into a slide to land next to her.
Barbara took cover on the opposite side, carefully aiming and hitting one Elite soldier between the eyes.
Sami sent her a thumbs-up.
Barbara nodded, her jaw set. She crouched low, her gun aimed toward the threat.
“She’s a great shot,” Sami whispered.
Tace nodded. “One more of them to bring down.”
Raze rounded the nearest tree. “The shack to the left about fifty yards from here has explosives. Go get the truck, and we’ll defend the position.”
Tace nodded and grabbed Sami’s arm, jerking her to her feet. He motioned toward Barbara. “Run.”
Raze fired toward the threat, and Barbara ran across the road, coming alongside Sami. “Let’s go,” she whispered.
Sami launched into a run, ducking debris falling from the sky. What the hell had blown up? Her breath panted out, and she ran faster, skirting a stand of trees to reach the bike. “Where’s the truck?”
Tace turned left and ran down a dirt road, his stride easy and fast.
Sami ducked her head and increased her pace, turning the corner to find the truck hidden among some trees. Barbara stopped short on her heels, her breathing smooth. The former paralegal had been working out.
Two Elite soldiers barreled around the front of the truck, already firing.
Barbara yelled and tackled Sami to the ground. Tace partially turned and fired twice, hitting the soldiers center mass. He followed up with head shots, and the bodies thumped against the ground.
Sami struggled beneath Barbara. “Barb?” She shoved the soldier off her, and Barbara rolled onto her back. Blood welled from Barbara’s neck, and her eyes bugged out. Her mouth moved, but only a gurgle came out. “Tace!” Sami yelled, her breath heated.
Tace ran over and slid onto his knees, his hand going to Barbara’s neck. He winced. “Hold on, Barb. You’ll be okay.”
The soldier’s eyes softened.
Tace slipped a hand behind her neck to support her head.
