Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“This is insane. Seriously, Ethan. Completely daft.”
Phoenix nodded at her, aware there wasn’t anything he could say or do to make her feel more comfortable with the plan.
Not when she had viable concerns. He glanced at Relic, but the man simply stared at him.
He wasn’t backing Phoenix, but he wasn’t bowing out.
Whatever Phoenix’s decision, Relic would have his six or die right along with him.
Which seemed more and more probable. And not just because Relic was bleeding, again.
Looked several shades paler than when they’d started—which had been damn near ghost white.
Regardless, he was conscious. Would go into battle until they either won, or Phoenix ran out of saves.
And with his plan, that seemed a likely outcome.
But they might never get this close, again.
And, if he didn’t try, Smyth could send someone to hurt Olivia.
Phoenix was good. Better than most. Was pretty certain he could eliminate any threat—just like he’d been thinking before when he’d told Olivia this op wasn’t worth dying over—but there was always that wildcard.
That one time he might fail, and Olivia would pay the price.
He’d never survive that. Knowing he’d had a chance but hadn’t taken it because, for the first time in his life, he wanted to live. Really live. With Olivia for as long as she’d have him.
Phoenix shuffled closer. She’d managed to park the chopper on an outcrop of rock, but hadn’t turned it off, worried it might decide not to start, again, with the worsening weather.
He reached out—brushed his knuckles along the side of her helmet, wishing he could feel all that smooth soft skin. “I’ll be okay. Cannon and the others will be there to back me up. I won’t pull into the airport until I know they’ve arrived. And I’ve got you and Relic as air support—”
“Screw that. Olivia’s going to double back to where you hit the driver instead of the machine, and I’m going to grab that sled.” Relic drew himself up, paled further, but he held his head high. Shoulders pressed back. “We’ll go in together.”
Phoenix scoffed at his buddy. “You’re in no condition to ride tandem on a freaking snowmobile let alone drive one. Stay with Olivia.”
Keep her safe because if anything happens to her, it’s going to kill me, and I’ll really have to walk into the ocean, this time.
He couldn’t say it, but he prayed Relic got the message.
That she was worth so much more. Relic eyed him, slid his gaze over to Olivia, then back before huffing but nodding.
Not that Phoenix had been lying. The man was barely conscious.
Wouldn’t likely last more than ten minutes in the freezing cold having to battle the weather.
He nodded at Relic. “Besides, you need to keep an eye on Parker.”
A snort as Relic glanced at the man in question.
The one he’d knocked out after Phoenix had attempted a conversation.
Parker hadn’t said much, but Phoenix had known by the shift in the man’s eyes, the way his body had tensed, that Smyth was waiting at the airfield.
What might turn out to be their one, big break.
Relic arched a brow. “Asshole won’t be waking up for a while, if he’s smart.”
“Regardless, I don’t trust him. And since Olivia will be busy flying...”
“Fine. But I swear, Phoenix, if you don’t wait for Cannon...”
“Patience is one of my best virtues.”
“Only when you’re sighting down a scope. Everywhere else it’s complete crap. If they figure out you’re not Parker too quickly...”
Game over. Phoenix knew that going in. But he also knew he had to try. To give him and Olivia a fresh start, wherever that was. Anything for her.
“They won’t.” He gave them both an encouraging smile. “You sure the weather’s still okay to fly? It’s getting worse by the minute.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Like I’d leave you to travel on the sled without an overwatch. I’ll have your back until we get close enough they’ll either see or hear me. But we’ll be standing by with whatever’s left in that assault rifle Relic has. You got Parker’s weapons strapped on?”
“Guy was packing way too light. Just the pistol and a few frags. At least, Relic brought the Havak along. I doubt anyone will question me wearing it. Not when most of those other men had some sort of rifle. And since I have to leave mine behind...” Phoenix looked at Relic.
“Remember, my baby’s set up for me so, you’ll have to fire left-handed if you need to use her. ”
“And have you whine about it for the foreseeable future? Not a chance. I’ve got what I need.” Relic pinned him with a hard stare. “You wait for backup.”
“Stay safe. And if it gets too crappy to fly, for god’s sake put it down. I’ll come for you once it’s done.”
Olivia punched him in the shoulder. “You just worry about staying alive.”
He nodded, wanting to say so much more, but knowing now wasn’t the time. He blew her a kiss as he patted down his vest one more time. Checked his weapons.
Olivia grabbed his arm when he went to remove the headset. “In case things go pear shaped—”
He silenced her with a finger against her helmet, wishing he could reach her lips. That he could have kissed her like he’d been doing all along to interrupt her. “Tell me once this is over. When it won’t be a veiled form of goodbye.”
“Like the one you just gave me before damn near getting yourself killed?”
“That was long overdue. And a thousand percent sincere. I’m sorry I never called you. It’s my biggest regret. I never should have let you go.”
“Ethan...”
“Don’t take any chances you both can’t walk away from, okay? You can’t finish that sentence if you’re not breathing.”
“Wanker.”
“That nickname, again. It had better not stick.”
“Make it out of this alive, and I’ll consider changing it.”
With that, he was gone. Out of the helicopter and over to the snowmobile. Because if he stayed one more minute, he wouldn’t be able to drag himself away. Be the soldier instead of the man.
But, this was going to work. He felt it. Like knowing when a shot was going to hit home the moment the bullet left the chamber. He’d capture Smyth and spend the next sixty years with Olivia. Seventy if he could manage it.
That had him moving. Revving the engine then striking off across the snow. He had a general idea of where he was going. Had looked on the map to see if there were any pitfalls he should be aware of, because the chances of seeing anything in the near blinding snow were next to nil.
How the hell did Olivia fly in this? He could barely see thirty meters in front of him.
Was relying on her spotting anything potentially fatal on her screens and warning him over the walkie-talkie Relic had given him—the set they’d found in the chopper.
Thankfully, the units had a vibration feature, so all Relic needed to do was hit the button—let Phoenix know he needed to be wary.
That, or Olivia would swoop in low over top.
Either way, he owed her. For having his back. Never letting him down.
She probably saw it as payback. For having to leave him. But it meant more than that. It meant she understood him on a level only his team ever had. That she’d been destined to be at his side since they’d first met. The reason she’d crossed the line, to begin with.
Fate. And, for once, it might actually be on his side.
And just like that, he was all-in. Completely focused.
At one with the machine as it plowed through the snow, dipping and rising over the uneven terrain.
There were a few near misses. Some large rocky sections that appeared out of the darkness and blowing snow he almost drove into.
One extra deep section that bucked him off.
But after another forty-five minutes of traveling, the airfield appeared in the distance, a couple of lights punching a hole in the night.
Phoenix stopped the machine, then glanced at his watch.
Cannon and the rest of the team should be closing in on the airfield from the road.
Would probably park a way off then hoof it in the rest of the way.
Typical stealth maneuvers. All Phoenix needed to do was wait about five minutes, then continue in.
Pretend to be Parker just long enough to locate Smyth. After that...
His actions would be dictated by Smyth’s.
How many men the bastard had with him. If Phoenix could eliminate enough of them before he’d get shot.
Assuming he didn’t out himself the moment he climbed off the snowmobile.
He planned on leaving the helmet on as long as possible, but that might not be enough. And he’d end up adapting.
Or getting himself killed.
Which was why he had backup coming. He’d do his best to pass on how many men there were via the walkie-talkie.
Pray Relic could get that intel to Cannon, seeing as the comm Gibson had given Phoenix wasn’t working.
He just hoped there wasn’t another squadron of mercenaries down there, or things might get messy.
He’d deal with it. One way or another because Smyth was not going to get to Olivia.
A deep breath, another check of his watch, and he took off. Driving slowly, but not to the point anyone would question him. Wonder why he wasn’t racing to the extraction point. Especially when he showed up alone. Mostly likely behind schedule.
Two sentries greeted him at the perimeter of the field. Waved him in without hesitation before returning to their rounds. Not that there was much to see other than endless blowing snow.
Phoenix clicked the walkie-talkie twice as he drove toward the aircraft parked on the runway.
Some type of Gulfstream. No registration, just like Becca had said.
The team of armed men gathered around it dispelled any lingering doubts that it might be someone else or that this was a sanctioned mission.