Page 7
CHAPTER 6
Nova was late, and Cooper had a bad feeling it wasn’t because she was standing him up.
He looked through his scope, again, scanning the area around the lot. While he thought she’d likely be traveling on the access road just east of the highway, he wasn’t discounting that she’d busted through a gate and was barreling across some private track. Or maybe making her own trail, assuming her vehicle could handle it, which was definitely a concern.
He should have insisted she take his truck. Not that she would have accepted it, but he should have tried. Anything to ease the guilt burning in his gut. That he’d known something was up and had simply let it slide.
His comm buzzed a moment after Whiskey nudged his leg. “Coop, I’ve got a vehicle coming in fast on the southeast access road. And with the amount of damage, I’m surprised it’s even running.”
Rusty and the man sounded more animated than usual. What seemed to be the guy’s default setting regardless of how intense the situation was.
Cooper clicked his mic. “Gray sedan?”
“Bingo.”
“That’s Nova. Anyone else?”
Ethan snorted into the comms. “You mean like the heavily tinted SUV trailing behind her? With what looks like bullet holes through the chassis?”
“Something like that.”
“Then, yeah. She’s bringing company. And there’re more a few minutes behind them. I can’t see anything other than a dust cloud, but…”
“But there’s little chance we’ll get out of this without having to engage whoever’s tailing her.”
“Unless you’ve got a predator drone we’re unaware of that can take of the situation, then no. Your girl’s fit but even she won’t be able to get to the top before those assholes are out of their vehicle. And none of us can outrun a bullet.”
Cooper nodded, ignoring Ethan’s dig about Nova being his. “I’m thinking four inside that SUV.”
Rusty chuckled. “Not even a pause at the your girl comment. Interesting. And you always were the optimist, Coop. That baby’s riding as low as can be. She’s full, which means either five, large, heavily armed mercs or they’ve got some serious firepower in the back weighing it down. Neither is in our favor.”
Bellamy grunted. “Stop worrying about whether we have to engage and focus on keeping Nova out of the line of fire. We said we’d have your back and that doesn’t change because the situation might get messy.”
Cooper knew Bellamy wouldn’t back down. “If anyone’s going to end up in jail for this, it should be me.”
“Us, buddy. We’re a team. Besides, you’d be lost without us to keep your pretty face from getting all the attention in the clink. We’ll each take a target. And because I’m feeling generous, you can have two, Coop. Watch for crossfire from those trailing SUVs if they manage to catch up. And once you’ve got Nova, we’ll run shotgun for you — meet back at Hawk’s. Ride or die, brother.”
Ride or die.
That was always Bellamy’s way of thinking. Ethan and Rusty, too. Which meant Coop would have to be damn careful not to get any of them killed.
He checked his weapons one last time then started down the trail, keeping Whiskey close. He’d branch her off once he had a bead on the mercenaries hunting Nova — have the canine flank them — but until then, he wanted her guarding his ass.
She moved with him, scenting the air whenever a gust blew across the hill. He’d just reached a small outcropping when the dog froze, her hackles raising along her back.
Coop crouched low, edging forward until he had a clear view of the lot. Not that it made him feel any better because Rusty had understated how wrecked Nova’s sedan was. Only one of the headlights was working with multiple dents and holes across the panels. And the back… Either she’d crashed into a pole or she’d attempted to take out one of the other vehicles because the trunk had been pushed halfway into the rear seat.
The vehicle limped into the lot, chugging out smoke from beneath the hood before shaking to a halt. One front tire flat against the rim.
Nova was out and heading for the narrow path seconds later. Not quite running. More of a fast stagger. What looked like her favoring her right side. She reached a bend in the trail just as the first SUV barreled into the lot, busting right through the short posts at the far end and onto the path. It bounced across the rocky ground, skidding to a halt where a couple of scrubby trees blocked its path.
Five men poured out of the vehicle, AR-15s slung across their chests. Cooper couldn’t tell if the vests they were wearing were Kevlar or simply to hold extra mags and a spare pistol, but he made a mental note to aim accordingly.
One of the men made a twirling motion with his left hand and the two guys on his right broke off toward the opposite direction — started hoofing it through the brush.
Ethan clicked his mic. “We’ve got the assholes on the right. That leaves the other three for you and Bellamy. The trailing vehicles are about two minutes out so let’s wrap this up before we’re facing ten more.”
Cooper acknowledged with a single click then picked his way down the hill. Whiskey stayed low, hugging his side as he made his way over to the ridge just above the path. A lone figure moved along the trail, her auburn hair just starting to show in the breaking dawn. Not enough to put her in a spotlight, but it would only get brighter. And once the sun was fully up…
There’d be nowhere for Nova to hide.
All the more reason to get her ass in his truck and someplace safe. Not that he was convinced he and his team wouldn’t have to break ranks and move on from Hawk’s ranch — that Emery wouldn’t try to arrest Nova once they’d had a chat — but he’d worry about that later. After he’d taken care of the mercs.
Nova must have heard the men trailing behind her because she froze, glanced over her shoulder then veered off into the brush. None of it thick enough to fully hide her but it beat being out in the open.
Cooper moved, covering the next section of the path in record time before sending Whiskey off to his right. The dog shadowed him, staying low until he raised his hand — had the canine poised to strike.
Only one of the men rounded the far bend, studying the ground then continuing forward. Likely following Nova’s footprints. Cooper didn’t know where the other two were. If Bellamy had already eliminated them or if they’d separated in order to cover more ground. Were trying to circle around and cut Nova off. A damn uncertainty that was liable to bite him in the ass.
Regardless, Cooper was going in.
He started forward, weapon trained on the guy as he slowly closed in on him. While he could have dropped him with a single shot, the noise was bound to bring the others running. And the last thing Cooper wanted was to screw up whatever his team had set in motion. Which meant, taking the bastard down by hand.
A twig snapped off to the right and the mercenary jerked to a halt, aiming his weapon toward the area Nova had darted into. What could be her final few moments if the creep started firing — threw enough bullets at the spot that she’d eventually get hit.
Not on his watch.
He signaled Whiskey and she was up and running. Nothing but a black blur against the shadows as she raced for the perp. Body streamlined. Barely a hint of dust kicking up. The guy didn’t even know the canine was there until Whiskey leaped — caught his arm in her jaws as she bowled him over. He cried out, writhing on the ground as Whiskey yanked him sideways, eliminating any chance he had of surging to his feet.
Footsteps pounded in the distance, a few shouts sounding farther down on the path.
So much for maintaining the element of surprise.
Not that it mattered when the guy reached for something on his vest. What Cooper knew was a knife.
Cooper simply pulled the trigger — dropped the guy a heartbeat later. “Nova. Move. Now.”
No sense worrying if the others heard. He’d already outed their location. That Nova wasn’t alone.
Nova stumbled onto the path, weapon in hand as she cleared the area than started running. Not as fast as before but decent considering the terrain. That she was gaining elevation.
Whiskey stayed on Nova’s six, dividing her attention between the path and Cooper. Ears twitching as she looked back down the trail. Cooper shifted his focus, narrowing in on another figure hovering on the edge of his sightline. Large. Rifle notched in his shoulder.
Cooper aimed, but the asshole flew backwards a moment later, a loud report echoing across the ridge. He looked over at Nova. She had her left hand extended, her weapon aimed at where the guy had dropped. She glanced Cooper’s way, checking her six one more time, then took off running. Picking her feet up a bit higher.
He started toward her when that asshole she’d downed staggered back onto the trail. Dazed but standing. His weapon not quite on target but close. What could still kill her if the creep managed to stay upright long enough to sweep his arm across the path.
No hesitation. Cooper simply aimed while still moving, dropping the guy with a head shot a second later. Nova paused to gaze down the path before doubling her efforts — scrambling up the last of the trail.
Cooper’s comm chirped, Rusty’s voice sounding in his ear.
“I don’t know who the hell Nova pissed off, but a second car’s here and there’re still more on the way. You need to get her ass in your truck and fucking fly. We’ll make sure you aren’t followed, then meet up in thirty. And Coop… Ignore the posted speed limits.”
More on the way?
That didn’t bode well. And Cooper knew this was far more than some cartel running drugs. The kind of trouble that smelled like a double cross with Nova caught in the middle. Not that he had time to worry with his buddies running interference and more tangos in the mix. If his team got hurt…
“Then you, Ethan and Bellamy better keep your asses in one piece, or I’ll be kicking them.”
“Like we’d let ourselves get capped by some no-neck cartel thugs after all the missions we’ve made it through. We’ve got this.”
Cooper headed for his truck, holding his door open as he whistled for Whiskey. She raced ahead, jumping onto the seat then into the back as Nova circled around to the passenger side. She yanked open the door, practically falling into the truck as he revved the engine then peeled out, dirt and gravel shooting out from his tires.
“Buckle up. Rusty said we’ve got more company between us and that access road out of here.”
She nodded, clipping in as he cleared the ridge, paralleling the lot. And Rusty hadn’t been exaggerating. That second SUV was idling in the lot, another racing toward them on the road.
“You’re popular.”
“If only it had been like this when I’d needed a date for prom.” She inhaled, pointing at some asshole running away from her car. “Did that bastard just?—”
It exploded, flames shooting twenty feet straight up as pieces of metal and glass flew through the air. One of the tire rims bounced in front of Cooper’s truck, rolling over the roof as Cooper veered left, cutting across the scrubby landscape toward the other road.
“They blew up my car!”
Cooper chuckled. “It was already dead on arrival.”
“Still…” She huffed. “It’s a rental.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I doubt that extra insurance was going to cover all the bullet holes, so… Shit. Hold on.”
Cooper made a hard left, busting through the end of a chain link fence then down the side of a ditch and onto a dirt road when a couple of black trucks swerved onto the gravel track, quickly accelerating toward them.
Nova glanced over her shoulder then lowered the window, releasing her seatbelt and hanging half her body outside. She didn’t ask him to hold it steady just aimed then fired. The lead truck veered off for a few moments, the windshield looking like a spiderweb of cracks before it stabilized and settled in behind them. A series of pops filled the air, Cooper’s truck lurching forward from the impact.
“Christ, Nova, get your ass inside before you get it shot off.”
She snorted, grabbing the handle above the window when she nearly toppled out. “You worry about not crashing and I’ll worry about my ass.”
“We’re definitely having a conversation about your stubborn streak once we’re clear.”
He wove along the road, dividing his attention between the series of potholes and the bastards following them when one of the trucks surged ahead, flanking on their left. The driver turned into them, skidding Cooper’s truck sideways before he managed to counter — straighten it out. But it was enough the other vehicle gained on the right, wedging them in.
Cooper grabbed Nova and yanked her inside before slamming on the brakes — sending the other trucks screaming past him. Nova muttered something then leaned out, again, clipping the one on her side in the rear tire.
The truck shimmied, then shot off, bumping down a ditch before crashing into a small tree. Steam billowed from beneath the hood, the tires spinning uselessly when the driver tried to reverse.
Cooper hit the gas and the vehicle surged forward as the other truck skidded to a halt, half spinning to face them. Some asshole hung out the side, rifle aimed their way. Nova managed to send a few shots just shy of his head, encouraging him to duck and giving Cooper enough time to race past them — regain their lead. Not that it lasted.
Less than a minute, and the creep was tailgating him again, jerking them forward whenever he managed to connect with Cooper’s bumper. Nova changed out her mag, shaking her head when it slid into place. What Cooper assumed was her way of indicating it was her last.
She’d been carrying three plus the one in her pistol. And by the looks of it, she’d already switched to her spare Sig. None of which boded well for her catching a break. What was bound to be her shell casings all over the DEA office and the path from there to here.
Nova glanced at him, firing off another round. “These bastards have run flats. I’ve put more than a few through the rubber but no luck. And they’re sticking too close to get any quality shots at the grill or the driver.”
“Guess that means we’ll either have to lose them or spin this baby around.”
“Cooper…”
“Hold on.”
She slipped inside as he hit the gas, taking the next corner way too fast — turning into that spin when his rear tires inevitably fishtailed. He managed to slow it for a split second with his door facing the tangos. It wasn’t much, but he got off a round — hit the driver in the shoulder.
The vehicle banked over, swerving back and forth across the road before the driver jerked forward, collapsing over the steering wheel and sending the truck careening off the road and into the ditch — tipping the whole rig on its side. Cooper chanced a glance over his shoulder, grinning when Bellamy and Rusty’s trucks appeared behind him, Ethan just settling back into Rusty’s passenger side with his rifle.
Of course, now he’d owe the jackasses.
Cooper slowed down a bit. Not to the point he wasn’t still going some insane speed, but enough he wasn’t worried he might hit a rut and roll his truck. He gave Nova’s thigh a nudge, motioning for her to buckle up, again. “We’re clear.”
Nova maintained her vigil for another minute before finally settling into her seat and clipping in. “You’re all crazy, you know that? You should have let me take care of those assholes. Done all the shooting. There’s no way we can hide the fact you and your buddies dropped those guys.”
“Was that before or after they killed you?”
Nova huffed. “Let’s hope you’re still joking when your photo is beside mine on the wanted poster.”
“Better than just yours on an obituary. Which brings us to the part where you start talking and you don’t stop until I know everything. Preferably before the sun rises and we’re all exposed — so I know if it’s safe to take you to Hawk’s.”
Nova glanced at the horizon, a hint of red starting to claw its way across the sky before she rested her head against the seat back — closed her eyes. “Can I just catch my breath for a minute? It’s been one hell of a night.”
Cooper frowned. While he didn’t doubt she was exhausted, there was a tightness in her voice he hadn’t heard before. “Hey, are you okay?”
She didn’t even open her eyes. “Aces.”
Was she breathing rougher than before? Shallower? And was her skin paler or was it a trick of the gray light.
He glanced at where her hand rested on the console, her weapon on the verge of slipping free. “What’s on your hand?”
She cracked an eyelid, but didn’t answer, grimacing as she took a labored breath.
Cooper reached for her, cursing the watery slide of his fingers across her skin. “You’re hit? Shit. Why the hell didn’t you tell me? This changes everything.” He hit the accelerator. “Did it just happen, now, or have you been bleeding since your showdown at the office?”
She snorted as if her dying was remotely funny. “Let’s just say that the showdown with Simmons wasn’t my finest hour.”
“Is that your way of saying Simmons shot you?”
“He didn’t even yell freeze, just barreled in guns blazing like some old Wild West movie while I was giving Paulin CPR. I’m just lucky he doesn’t log that many hours at the range.”
“Not funny. Show me.” Cooper reached for her side, hit something hard, then removed a notebook, the front covered in her blood.
She inhaled, eyes rolling slightly as she gave him a weak nod. “Don’t lose that.”
“Is this why they’re after you?” He placed it on the console and grabbed her shirt, again, cursing when the right side squeezed a puddle onto the mat. “Your shirt’s soaked. Have you even tried to stem the bleeding?”
“I was a bit busy.”
“Yeah, bleeding out. I’ll pull over…”
“No.” She made an effort to glance at him, only getting her head partway in his direction before giving up. “Just… drive, Coop. Okay?” She wet her lips, her eyelids slowly closing. “Just drive.”
“Nova. Nova!” Cooper grabbed his cell, hitting the Brotherhood number.
Hawk answered on the first ring. “Talk to me Cooper. And it had better start with, I have Nova .”
“Oh, I’ve got her but we’ve got a bigger problem. Call Kian and have him bring all his medic gear and as much bagged blood as he can get his hands on. This rescue mission just went seriously sideways.”