Page 25 of Gone (Gray Wolf Security #23)

“I think we have to face the facts that our little holiday is done,” said Erin, looking at all the other women.

“I hate to admit it, but I think she’s right,” said Lauren. “Maybe we should start packing up and head to a hotel. Code and Sly can notify the guys.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Lena.

“Ladies, I know that you’re incredible and certainly capable of more than many women I’ve known,” said Peter, “but this is a lot of equipment to haul out of here. We’re happy to help, but it’s going to take several trips to get it to the main parking lot.”

“We’ve got that handled,” smiled Sly. “We’ll have them air-lifted, just like we dropped them in.”

“Sounds like you guys have it covered,” smiled Peter.

He lent a hand where one was needed, but truthfully, the women had everything under control. The tents were easy to take down, the equipment packed in bins or large backpacks, and magically, the entire area was suddenly exactly as they found it.

“You all are simply amazing,” said the agents.

“You should see them at the holidays,” smirked Sly. “It’s like watching a million tiny elves bursting at the seams. It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year.”

“I can only imagine,” smiled Peter. “The holidays haven’t been much for me lately.”

“That makes me sad,” said Grace. “Maybe you should come and see all of us this year.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea!” said Suzette. “There’s always room for one more, and Mama would love to see you again, Peter. We all would.”

“I just might have to do that,” he grinned. Peter stayed back with Sly, Erin, Sophia, and Faith, waiting for the Osprey to haul the equipment away. When it finally arrived, he looked up, then back at Sly, then up again.

“It’s our own design,” smiled Sophia.

“I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. I damn sure have never, NOT heard anything like that before. It makes almost no sound at all.”

“That’s what makes it so special,” said Faith. As the cargo was hauled up into her belly, they waved at their pilots and began walking toward the parking lot.

“Oh, damn! I forgot that I put my jacket on the tree back there,” said Erin. “Wait right here.”

She ran back down the trail, and Sly looked at Peter.

“I’ll follow,” he grinned. “Y’all go on ahead.” Peter turned to head back up the trail, finding Erin standing at the very tree where she’d hung her jacket. She seemed frozen, as if something were holding her there.

“Erin?” Swiftly turning to face him, he realized that someone was forcing her to face him. His hands were covered in blood, and Peter reached for his service weapon.

Frank fired at him, hitting him in the abdomen.

“No!” yelled Erin, running toward Peter. “You didn’t have to do that! Peter? Peter? Stay with me.” She pleaded with him over and over again as Frank gripped the back of her head, yanking her hair.

“Do you have a car?”

“No. We hiked in. He’s, he’s my son,” she lied.

“How sweet for you, but you’re lying. You couldn’t have hiked all the way in. Where’s your vehicle?”

“I don’t know. He knew, and now he can’t move.” Erin just stared at the man, watching him slowly bleed. She couldn’t care less if Frank died, but something deep within her wanted to save Peter.

“Leave him. We’re hiking out.”

“Shit,” muttered Sly, hidden behind the tree. Frank was standing over Erin, Peter’s head in her lap. His weapon was pointed directly at her forehead, and the stubborn-ass woman was shaking her head, refusing to move.

“Team? How far out are you?” asked Sly into comms.

“Twenty minutes. Maybe fifteen. Why?” asked Gaspar.

“You need to make it fifteen.”

Sly could hear the cursing and yelling on the other end, then heard rustling behind. Lena, Faith, Grace, Lauren, Tory, and Sara were standing there staring at him. He held his fingers to his lips, and they frowned, then looked up.

“Oh, hell no,” said Sara, charging forward.

“Sara!” he whispered, trying to reach for her arm.

“I’m not waiting,” said Lena.

“Me either,” said Lauren.

The six women charged ahead, Sly holding back with his own weapon, wanting to make sure the man didn’t see him. He might hesitate to kill women, but not to kill him. All he could hope for was that he could get a shot if he moved toward the women.

“Erin, what’s taking so long? Oh, you have company,” smirked Tory.

“Who the fuck are they?”

“My friends,” smiled Erin. “Lena? Peter’s been shot. Can you help him?” Lena kneeled beside the man, and Frank pointed his weapon at her.

“You shoot me, and this man dies. You’ll be charged with murder, as well as whatever else you’re running from.”

Frank was breathing heavily, then realized if she were a doctor or nurse, she might be able to help him.

“Fine. Look at him, then help me,” he said.

“In due time,” said Lena.

“Listen, bitch,” he started. Sara, Lauren, and Grace stood in front of him, blocking his path to Lena.

“You call my friend a bitch again, and you and I are going to get to know one another real well,” said Sara.

Frank stared up at the woman, realizing that she was nearly six-feet tall. He was only five-ten, and it felt as though she towered above him.

In fact, other than the doctor or nurse kneeling, all these women seemed bigger than they should be.

Lena dug out her medical kit from her backpack and tore open Peter’s shirt. She pressed the gauze to the wound, instructing Faith to firmly hold it in place.

The perspiration on Frank’s forehead told them he was losing strength. And patience.

“Leave him!” he yelled. “He’s fine. Help me.” Lena stood, staring at him, the other women doing the same.

“No,” she said confidently.

“I’ll kill you!” he said, pointing the gun with a shaky hand at her.

“You kill me, you really won’t have a chance. Put the gun down, and I’ll take a look at your wounds,” she said calmly.

“Bitch, you can’t tell me what to do,” he smirked.

“You call my wife a bitch again, and I’ll snap your nasty body into little bitty pieces.”