Chapter 13 #2
Kash grabbed a frag off his vest — tossed it toward the pier. It clicked along the pavement, vanishing into the swirling vapor. Someone yelled as everything froze, just that clicking in the background. The smoke circling as the other guy scrambled to his feet.
The grenade exploded.
More lights and sound rumbling through, knocking Zain on his ass. Kash tumbled down beside him, Nyx in his arms. Jordan covering her ears from the resulting concussive shock.
The boat revved, tipping left and right as the captain hit the throttles… got it underway.
Zain’s cue to move.
He clawed his way to his feet and took a few staggering steps toward the open water, when movement caught his attention.
He turned as a truck barreled down the road, hitting the parking lot going way too fast. Some asshole in black tactical garb leaned out the window, another missile launcher grasped in his hands.
Zain raised his weapon. “Incoming. Water. Now.”
He fired, despite the shitty angle, but he needed to do something.
Buy them a bit of time as he retreated the couple steps and bodily lifted Saylor.
She got most of her weight under her, tripping along beside him as he gave Kash and Jordan a shove.
They stumbled toward the ocean, laying down cover fire.
Pelting that truck with everything they had.
Clipping a tire and punching a few rounds through the windshield.
The vehicle kept coming, swerving to a stop with the asshole’s side facing the building.
Zain managed to clip the bastard’s arm a second before the guy fired, knocking off his aim.
Not that it mattered with the truck only fifty feet away, the missile still punching through Saylor’s loft instead of hitting the office.
Blowing the whole place into a fiery ball as Zain tossed Nyx into the water behind Kash and Jordan, then jumped off.
Saylor inhaled, plunging beneath the icy waves still encircled in Zain’s arms. Their combined weight took them down several feet before he eased her free.
He gave her a shove, kicking to the surface, already sweeping the area with his Sig once he’d crested the choppy water.
Ready to down any threat if someone so much as presented a hint of a target.
Flames clawed at the sky, only half a wall visible amidst the blaze. Sirens wailed in the distance, the shrill sound drawing closer.
Zain swam to the edge of the pier, gun still covering the area as he climbed out — took point. Taillights gleamed in the distance as the truck bounced up the road, skidded around the corner, then vanished.
No men, just the fire crackling in the background. His ears still ringing.
He kept his focus, scouring all the shadows as Greer’s SUV pulled up followed by two fire engines.
She jumped out, shaking her head as she jogged over to them. “I leave to track down one damn lead, and all hell breaks loose.” She waved the paramedics over. “I called Foster. He and Chase are on the way. Is anyone hurt?”
Zain scrubbed a hand down his face, giving the others a thorough sweep. “Just the fatal hit to my pride. Unless we don’t get out of these clothes before hypothermia sets in.”
“Based on the carnage, I think no serious injuries is damn impressive.” She backed up as medics swarmed them.
“I’ll let them take a look. Once you’re cleared and into some dry clothes, we’ll talk.
Because this isn’t pirates seeking revenge.
This was a damn hit, and I’ll be damned if I stand by while some group of highly trained assholes threatens my family. ”
Zain nodded, batting at the medic. “I’m fine. Saylor and Jordan, first. Chase can clear me and Kash.”
Saylor opened her mouth to argue, but the medic shuffled her over to the back of the ambulance, Jordan cursing all the way beside her.
Kash stumbled over. “I’m officially pissed.”
Zain stared at the fire as the crew doused it with water. “Jordan okay?”
“Other than wanting to hunt down whoever’s behind this? Possibly bring Ember back to life? She didn’t get a scratch.”
Zain sighed, motioning to the patches of blood on Kash’s clothes. “You did.”
“Have you looked at yourself? You’ve got a chunk in your side that should have its own zip code.”
“Compared to Saylor’s place…” He’d let her down. Ag ain. A habit that ate at his conscience. Had all those voices in his head yelling at him.
“Zain. There’s no way we could have known they’d lure us here just to blow it up. With a fucking rocket launcher, no less. I get she lost everything, and I’m not brushing the immensity of that aside. But you kept her safe. She didn’t have a scratch, either.”
“Just keeping her safe isn’t enough. We’re missing something.
If we don’t figure this out soon, I’ll fail because the next attempt won’t allow for any mistakes.
Any chance at her slipping through the cracks.
They’ll throw everything they have at us, and we won’t be prepared if we still don’t know who’s targeting her. Why this is all happening, now.”
“Like I said the other day, if you fail, it’s because you’re dead.” Kash gave Zain’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’d hate to have to train another best friend this late in the game.”
“Your concern is truly touching.”
Kash blew him a kiss. “Anything for you, brother. C’mon.
Let’s go stop Jordan from drop kicking the paramedic until Foster and Chase get here.
Then, we’ll change. Regroup. Haul our asses over to Bodie’s until we have this figured out.
You’re not the only one who’s done treading water. It’s time we went on the offensive.”
Zain nodded, trailing behind as he glanced back at the rubble.
At least, her two Zodiacs had come through unscathed.
He sighed. Or no worse than they were before.
He wasn’t sure if that was enough, but he’d take whatever win he could get.
Kash was right. It was time they turned the tables.
And Zain wouldn’t stop until he’d silenced all those voices in his head.
Until he’d saved himself by saving her.