“ATV in the woods. Engine’s warm. Site is clear.”
PJ provided the update, and the back of Ben’s neck started to itch. They were close.
“Target’s running. No sign of hostage.” Cutter’s voice was low over the comms.
Despite his impulse to charge in and put an end to Paige’s nightmare, Ben forced himself to remain calm and methodical. Her safety depended on all them being in control and smarter than her captors.
The bunker appeared in front of them. Cutter was right. They would have missed it if the hatch wasn’t wide open like an X marking the spot.
“Rabbit is two clicks to your west,” Cutter reported, and Jackson, PJ, and a couple of others from Atlas double-timed it in that direction through a thicket of trees.
“Follow my lead,” Ben said just as two forms appeared from the bunker.
“Paige,” he breathed, watching her move unsteadily on her feet. She looked ready to collapse, but she was alive.
His eyes narrowed, his gun poised, Ben positioned himself to take down the man who had taken his Paige.
Luke called out. “Stop! You’re surrounded, so you might as well let her go.”
Mars jerked Paige in front of him, his hold tight and awkward enough to make her cry out.
“He’s got a blade,” Cutter informed, his view sharper through the scope on his sniper rifle than what the team on the ground could make out.
“Stay back! I’ll drop her right here!” Mars shouted at them.
“And we’ll drop you,” Easton retorted. “You’re not getting away, man.”
Paige struggled against him, but Mars only tightened his hold. He started backing away, holding Paige like a human shield.
“No shot,” Cutter reported.
“What’s the play, brother?” Easton asked Ben in a low voice.
Before Ben could answer, gunshots rang out. Mars broke out into a run, dragging Paige behind him. She stumbled to keep up, crying out in pain as they moved. She slowed him down, but he kept his grip on her and made sure she was positioned between him and their gunfire.
Ben began his pursuit, not wanting to lose sight of Paige. He doubted Mars would lead him on a merry chase without an end game in mind, and the man would sacrifice Paige without hesitation. Ben’s speed and long strides closed the distance quickly.
Placing his gun in the side holster, he pitched himself forward. The bulk of his weight hit the man’s waist. The force of the hit caused Mars to release Paige, and she collapsed to the ground with a scream that stopped Ben’s heart.
His tackle sent him and Mars barreling across the rough terrain. Adrenaline kept Ben from feeling the hits to his body against the ground. He let go of his target when their momentum slowed. Ben propelled himself to his feet, squaring off against Mars.
Ben had some height and considerable muscle on the other man, but that didn’t stop Mars from fighting to the bitter end. Pulling a gun from his waistband, Mars aimed at Ben’s center mass.
The gunshots echoed through the valley in quick succession. One. Two. Three.
Then it was over.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“No!” Paige screamed, trying to push herself up from the ground.
Her battered body wouldn’t cooperate. Boyd and Mars’ abuse did a number on her. She could barely move, and after running to keep up with Mars, her legs no longer supported her. But her body wasn’t the only thing that couldn’t keep up. Her mind also struggled.
Only minutes before, she had been in the middle of praying for death when a faint beep sounded in the room. Boyd froze with his fist in the air as he was about to bring it down on her head. Mars held his knife, waiting for his turn to cut her skin once more. With a curse, he moved away to check his phone. Then he swore again.
“We have company. They’re at the primary location.”
“Well, who the hell is it?” Boyd screamed, and Paige winced as the sound pierced her ears.
