Page 25

Grease

We are currently on the east end of the compound where our women are being held. We’ve checked the GPS repeatedly, and they haven't been moved from this location in a few hours. If Ghost's intel is correct, and I know for a damn fact it is, there is nothing but this unmarked dirt road and woods for miles ahead and behind us. Meaning there are only woods separating us from our women, and I’m ready to burn this fucking forest down just for the chance to lock eyes with my Toots. How the fuck did I just get her back… all to lose her again? This won't be the end.

“Alright, we barely know the compound's layout, much less how many bodies they got in there, so I think it's best if my team takes point,” Ghost starts. Swift opens his mouth, my guess to argue, but Devin continues.

“We are trained for far worse than this. I know it's your wife, the mother of your kids, but she’s my daughter, and I taught her everything she knows. My guess is she’s already found a way to escape, so in the case of not accidentally shooting one of the women. Please, son, I’m asking you to trust me and let my team take point,” he pleads with Prez, something I’ve never seen either of these men do before, but they both have something to lose today. We all do. Finally, Swift nods, and Ghost turns back to his team.

“Ok, everyone understands their part, yeah?” Ghost directs toward us. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear what he said. I know I’m not in the right state of mind to be doing this, but ask me if I fucking care? No one on this planet could keep me from storming through these trees to get to her.

“Just remember, when we reach your women, you get them….” He stops as the world behind us explodes.

We hear gunshots ringing out, and we take off at a dead run through the trees, plan forgotten.

“Should have fucking known those damn women wouldn’t wait for backup! I’m going to spank Piper's ass for this!” Swift yells.

As we make our way to the clearing, we are all not thinking rationally.

“Shouldn’t we assess the situation before running into the gunfire?” Omen calls out, but none of us stop, even at the opening of the tree line.

“Fuck yeah! We're in a real-life shootout! Just like one of them old westerns, Taz!”

“Just call me Gunsmoke, Mania ‘cause I’ll be your huckleberry!” Taz ends his sentence with a howl, and we burst through the tree lines.

I first notice all the women running straight to us; the men are racing toward their women, and I’m still searching for mine. I see Piper look back and then stop. As she shifts to the side, I see why. It’s Lyra, and she’s holding a gun, shooting back toward the mansion. She’s not running our way, just firing the damn gun.

“LYRA!” I scream as I race toward her. All I can see are bullets hitting the ground all around her.

I see her step back and limp on her left leg. Looking down, I notice blood dripping from her calf. She’s already been hit, and yet she’s still not making a run for it. Instead, she’s giving the other woman enough time to get to safety. She’s going to get herself shot, and that can not fucking happen. I can’t let it happen.

My lungs burn as I push myself harder than I ever have before. I can’t seem to get to her fast enough. I’m only five steps away from her when I hear her scream and watch her arm fly back. I catch her before she falls to the ground, covering her and using my body to block her from the bullets.

“Tootsie, it’s okay, I’m here. I’m right here. You're safe!” I whisper to her, looking around me and trying to get my bearings.

I have to get her back to the tree line. I look up and see Ghost and his team moving fluidly through the field in a straight line. They have their weapons raised and are firing all in sync, taking shots, and I notice there is less and less return fire.

“I’m going to pick you up and get you back to the trees. Hold on tight,” I tell Lyra as I pick her up in my arms. She whimpers in pain, and the sound kills me. I failed her and didn’t protect her. This is on me.

“I’m not leaving her! Either she comes back with us, or I’m going in to get her!” I hear Piper yelling.

“I’ve got her. Come on, we need to get out of here!” I yell, racing past.

“Take the women, and you and your men get out of here. Get back to the chopper,” Ghost yells, turning and firing another shot.

“What about your team?” Swift asks Ghost

But he gives us a chilling smile.

“It's time for my team to go to work. This is what we are good at. This is what we do.”

“Be careful, Daddy. Please. I still need you,” Piper says with tears in her eyes as Swift tugs on her arm, trying to get her to safety.

“You are well taken care of, baby girl. You went out and found more in your life than I could have ever hoped for. Keep holding onto that and to them tight, baby. Death grip.”

“Death grip,” Piper repeats as Ghost turns back to face the property.

“Wait! Someone in there helped us! They shouldn't have to die after setting us free,” Lyra protests softly from my arms. She’s breathing hard, and I know I need to get her to Grim.

“I know who it was, and I can tell you they are no longer in that house. My guess is he’s already off the property. I watched him sneak through a side door as we started running.” Halle shrugs.

“One of my contacts mentioned a secret takeover might be going down in this organization, but the boss is in there now. We confirmed it with the drones Rasputin sent out earlier. He had the nerve to take my baby girl, my family. He won't live past the night. Time to clean up.”

I don't stick around to wait for what comes next. I race toward the trees and back toward the extraction point. I watch as every one of my brothers makes it to safety, holding their women in their arms, Swift being one step in front of me. I don't know who all is hurt. All I know is I feel warm blood sinking through my shirt, next to my heart, and down my arm.

As we make it through the clearing, I notice Grim checking over every inch of Jade. When he seems satisfied she wasn't hit, he turns back to the group.

“Who’s hurt? We need to access the wounded, get what we can bandaged up. Does anyone have fatal injuries?” He’s yelling to be heard around the chaos.

“Where are you hurt, Toots? Please, lord, be okay.” My voice breaks on the last sentence. Lyra raises her bloody hand to my cheek, cupping it and staring into my eyes. Then her eyes roll back in her head, and she promptly passes out.