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It doesn’t take me long until I’m directly across from the helo. With zero hesitation, my feet practically fly across the lawn. When I reach the back of the bird, I slip along its side and jump right into the open door. Pistol pointing at the back of the pilot’s head, I yell, “Out!”
The pilot swears, yanks off his headset and throws himself out his door.Easy peasy.Climbing into the seat he just vacated, I set the gun aside and take a moment to familiarize myself withthe controls and gain my bearings. Although I’m much more familiar with fighter jets, I do have stick time in helos. Just have to figure out where all the controls are located because each bird differs. Once she’s in the air, though, they all pretty much fly the same.
After strapping in, I hit a couple of switches and begin to crank the turbine engine which brings the engine, the generators, the hydraulics and the rotor RPM all into the green. Once Knox and the others climb onboard, it’ll be sixty to ninety seconds from rumps in the seats to skids in the sky.
C’mon, guys. Let’s go.Glancing out the windshield, watching the battle raging, I don’t hear anyone enter the helo. It’s loud and I’m distracted. But the feel of cold steel against the back of my neck gets my attention fast.
“Get me out of here. Now!” Torres orders. He grabs the gun Knox gave me and throws it out the open door.
Shit. The last thing I want to do is help this asshole escape. But I don’t have much of a choice.
“I have no idea how they got you out, but now you’re going to get me out,” he declares, shoving the pistol’s barrel harder into my neck. “With my prize.”
My heart sinks when he lifts the emerald, a smug smile on his face.
“Let’s go!” He shoves the emerald back into his jacket.
Dammit, this is not how things were supposed to go. Drawing in a breath, I flick another switch and prepare for immediate takeoff.I’m sorry, Knox.I screwed up and now Torres is going to escape with the jewel. And me? I’ll probably wind up with a bullet in my skull once we’ve landed safely.
Maybe there’s still something I can do. A way out of this seemingly bleak situation.
Think, Hunter.
First, I’m going to make Torres think he’s free and clear. Let him get comfortable. Because comfortable people get complacent. Then I’ll figure out a way to stop him from escaping.
From the corner of my eye, I see Torres has positioned himself in one of the middle seats. There are four passenger seats in the back, three in front, and he’s right behind me, his gun pointed in my direction. I have a feeling this is going to be a very bumpy ride, but I have no idea just how dangerous it’s about to get.
I take one last look at the controls.
All systems go…
Stand by to engage…
Execute.
Grasping the cyclic stick, I send up a quick prayer as we begin to lift off the ground.
Chapter Nineteen: Knox
No!The moment I see Torres running for the helicopter, I take off after him. He has the lead, racing across the lawn, while I’m relegated to the tree line, trying to stay out of the line of fire.
Torres leaps into the helicopter and I push myself, my arms and legs pumping hard.
The helicopter lifts up. I’m not going to make it.
Bursting out of the trees, I make a mad dash forward, not caring that I’m now in the open, a moving target.
I can’t lose Hunter. I absolutely refuse. My gut is screaming to get onto this bird or else that monster is going to clip my Sparrow’s wings.
Over my dead body.
With a burst of speed fueled by pure adrenaline and an even purer love for Hunter, I launch myself up and make a grab for the closest skid. My weight causes the helo to dip slightly, but we keep rising until the ground is a blur below. Gathering my strength, I pull myself up onto the landing gear and reach for the door. Fortunately for me, Torres is an idiot and it’s still open, which works in my favor. Not so much in his.Fatal mistake, fucker.
Staying down and out of view, I pull the knife from my boot. Then I stand up and start to haul myself into the cabin. At the same time, Torres spins and fires off a shot in my direction.Shit!I duck back down, barely avoiding a bullet in the face, and my cheek stings. I swipe a shaking hand over it and see blood.Not cool. If I fall now, it’s game over.
Maybe I didn’t think this out very thoroughly. My charming personality isn’t going to get me into this helicopter, so I’m going to have to rely on my wits and strength. I can’t hear anything over the loud spin of the rotors, and I know I need to get inside before Torres leans over the edge and starts shooting.
Without thinking too hard, knowing I have no other option, my feet push against the skid and I leap inside. At the same time, I launch the knife in Torres’ direction and hope for a lucky hit as I roll, doing my best to stay low. Hunter must’ve known I needed help, and the moment I land in the helo, she unexpectedly tilts us. The sharp, fast move throws Torres off balance and he falls sideways, his gun flying.