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We take off to the opening as the ground rumbles aggressively with the detonation of more explosives. Bodies are scattered throughout the compound as we launch ourselves through the tunnel door and down the stairs. It’s dark and my eyes have a hard time adjusting. I’m stumbling, knocking into Havoc but Riot steadies me as we follow the person in front of us, searching for the next white flag that will lead to the exit away from the bombs.

“Up ahead,” I hear someone say.

A bright light shines up ahead as we get closer. The moment we come up from underground and into a canopy of greenery, I breathe in the fresh air. Black smoke has consumed the area behind us but a military truck barreling toward us has our attention. We have our guns drawn and ready for another fight but Dash sticks half his body out the passenger window waving his hands.

“Cuttin’ it close, brothers,” he greets and helps everyone in the back.

“Where’s Ryder?” I ask after sitting down on the metal bench.

“Brass took him with a group of brothers back to the planes.” Stone presses on my wound, making me grunt and flinch. “Take care of the trash?” he looks from me to Havoc.

I nod. “Won’t be a problem anymore.”

“Good.” Stone switches out my gauze, then wraps some tape under my arm and around my shoulder to hold the pad in place. “Got a Doc on the plane waiting to patch you up.”

The ride back to the plane feels like it takes forever. We watch the first of the jets ascend into the sky in the distance. Once we hit the clearing, the second aircraft lifts off from the man-made airstrip. The last plane waits with the steps open. Our truck pulls up and we pile out of the back.

“Let’s get this bird up in the air as fast as possible,” Stone says.

I couldn’t agree more. I hop down and follow my brothers to the opening of the plane. The need to see Remi and my son has me anxious and vibrating to touch and feel them. To be next to them and not let them out of my sight. My mind starts replaying everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours and self-doubt hits me like a tidal wave.

When we hit American soil will Remi take Ryder and leave me after everything they’ve been put through? Would it be better for them to go and steer a wide path away from me and the danger that comes with being part of our club? Will Remi look at me with disgust now that she is fully aware that her father isn’t the only person I’ve killed?

I swallow hard and an ache in my chest joins the throb in my shoulder. Taking the first step, I brace myself for what’s to come on our long journey home.

Ithink I’ve gone through an entire booklet of emotions since Cole escorted me off the compound from hell. I’ve cried, screamed, bargained; then came fear, confusion, sadness and now my anxiety is through the roof. The minutes keep ticking by but they feel like hours droning on and on as we wait for the others to come.

“First plane is leaving,” I hear over my shoulder as I watch out the window from the seat they planted me in. My eyes keep scanning the area but still no movement.

“I’m not leaving as long as my family is here,” I firmly say to Cole as I give up watching to get up and pace the aisle instead.

“They’ll be here,” he assures, pulling me into his arms when I pass by him on a loop from front to back of the cabin.

I start to push him away when explosions come from the direction we just left. One right after another boom in the distance. It has me pulling out of Cole’s hold to see what the ruckus is all about.

“What was that?” I can’t take my eyes off the black smoke billowing up to the sky.

“Hawk?” I hear Cole call out.

Before he gets a response, a cargo truck comes into view. My legs take off for the front of the jet and I’m down the steps before anyone can stop me. Men in black tactical gear file out of the back and I see Stone and Brass hop down. They reach up and help my son down.

“Oh my God! Ryder!” I race over to the group.

“Mom,” my son says and I engulf him in my arms on a sob.

I’ve never been so relieved in my life. I should’ve let him go through that window first but I was scared of what was out there. When I was grabbed, panic set in but was short lived when I realized Rhett had me in his grasp. I knew he’d come for us. It had only been a matter of time.

I saw the flash of fear in Rhett’s eyes when Ryder was taken by those men in camo but there was something else hovering under the surface. Almost a darkness that cast a shadow over him. I wanted to stay and help get our son back but something told me that Rhett needed his undivided attention to bring him back to me.

“Can’t breathe,” Ryder chokes out and I loosen my hold.

“Are you okay?” I ask then see his arm bandaged with blood staining through. “What happened?” It’s hard to keep the horror out of my voice.

“Reaper tried to shield him with his body but the bullet went through his shoulder and grazed Ryder. He’ll need a few stitches but will be fine,” Stone tells me as he swings an arm around my shoulder and starts to usher us towards the plane.

“Oh my God. Wait,” I halt making everyone stop. I didn’t even realize they have circled Ryder and I in a barrier. I look around and can’t help starting to panic. “Where’s Rhett?”

“He’ll be here soon,” Brass grunts. “Had to take care of a few things.”