Chapter 7 #2
“Liam, you’re awake!” Raven’s voice pierced his temples.
He grimaced.
“Sorry. Sorry.” Raven softened her voice.
He still couldn’t open his eyes, but at least he could respond. “Kinda…” His voice cracked.
“Come on, Liam, open those eyes. Let me see them,” Xander commanded.
Liam struggled and pried his lids open. Thank heaven they’d dimmed the lights in the room. He stared at Xander through the slitted openings. “Get… Raven… out of here.”
“We’re on it, buddy. We’re packing as we speak.
Rafe is breaking down the computer gear.
Dax has perimeter patrol. Boone is sweeping the barn where the jet’s stored.
” Xander crouched closer. “As soon as you let me check your pupils and take a look at that head, I’ll pack up the med kit and go preflight the plane. ”
He cringed at the idea of a light in his eyes.
Xander laughed. “I saw that thought run through your head. It’ll only take a second.”
“Please, get Raven out of here.”
“Not without you.” Raven’s no-nonsense tone stopped his further plea.
“Xander, how are we getting Liam to the plane?” Raven asked.
“He’ll have to get off his lazy duff and walk.”
Liam groaned. That idea stunk like rotten eggs.
“Sorry, man, but you’re too big to carry.”
“Fine, but Rafe better catch me when I fall.” It felt good to banter with Xander even if his head pounded and his words dragged a bit.
The pen light flicked across his vision, sending ice picks through his skull.
“All done, buddy. Get some rest. Rafe or Boone will come get you and Raven once the plane is fired up.” Without an acknowledgement, Xander disappeared from his sight.
Liam squeezed Raven’s hand. “Are you really okay?”
“I am. I’m only worried about you. You took a bullet meant for me.”
“Hard head. I’ll be fine.” A full conversation was beyond his abilities right now.
Raven lay her head on his chest. The move was intimate and promising. He brushed his hand over her hair.
“Charlie Two, Charlie Three. We have company.”
“How did they find us?” Liam attempted to focus, but the effort was useless.
“Good to hear you, Charlie One. Now move.”
Liam struggled to sit up and moaned. “Raven, help me up. We have to get you to the plane.”
He swung his legs off the couch, and Raven supported him as he sat upright. Nausea swirled in his belly. He closed his eyes, letting the world settle.
“Charlie One. Charlie Two. You need to move it now!”
Raven offered her hands and helped him stand. “I’ll help you up, but there’s no way I can hold your weight to walk. Rafe will have to do that.”
“Be there in a minute,” Rafe hollered from the other room.
However, Liam had no idea why since the team was still on comms. When Rafe jogged in, he handed Raven her purse.
“It has your passport, wallet, and phone—the important stuff. I’ve secured your suitcase in the storage room.
Sorry, we can’t bring it, but we have to move. ”
“Thanks.” Raven slung the small bag over her shoulder and across her body.
“Coming in,” Boone called on the comms. The door opened, and he strode in. “I’ve got Liam. Rafe, you’re in charge of Raven.”
Rafe lugged the gear bag onto his shoulder and raised a brow.
“Oh, give it a rest. You have the electronics, and the big guy here will require a lot more help than Raven.”
Liam’s second in command nodded. “Raven, jog if you can, but we have to go fast.”
“I’ll keep up.” She pivoted to face him. “You make sure you get on that plane. No more bullet holes. Let’s go, Rafe.”
The pair vanished out the front door.
“Come on, Liam. Lean on me as much as you have to. We’ll move faster than if you try to muscle through on your own.” Boone wrapped his arm around Liam’s waist. “Your chariot awaits.”
“Why did I hire you guys?”
“Because you love us. Now, move it.”
“Charlie Four, SITREP.” Dax’s voice boomed over the comms.
“Enroute.”
“Double time it. We have tangos approaching at a rapid clip.”
“Be there in two.” Boone tightened his grip. “Gotta pick up the pace, boss.”
The exertion had Liam wanting to curl up on the ground and let the enemy have him. But thoughts of Raven’s safety kept him going. Besides, he was Delta Force. Giving up wasn’t in his vocabulary.
At the plane, Dax and Rafe practically threw him on board. Boone jumped in behind him.
Dax closed and secured the door. “Hit it, X-Man.”
The plane lurched forward and sped down the runway.
Liam stumbled down the small aisle and collapsed in a seat. Forget buckling his seatbelt. He’d left his energy somewhere between the house and the makeshift hangar.
Gunfire cracked and struck the fuselage, but X-Man continued down the runway.
Liam gripped the armrest. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His vision tunneled. He struggled to stay conscious.
Strapped in the seat across the aisle, Raven’s jaw tightened. Her eyes locked on him—the worry palpable.
The nose of the plane lifted and climbed, leaving the spray of gunfire behind.
Liam’s eyes closed. The last thought before he allowed the darkness to drag him under—how had these men found them?