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Bodie snorted as he arranged some of his supplies.

“She took one of my semi-automatics, two handguns and three smoke grenades. Then I locked her in what’s likely the most secure building in town with a buddy of mine arriving as backup within the hour.

I think she’s good for now. I assume this involves Striker, and he’s got leverage. ”

Chase clenched his jaw, glancing at Foster. “Kash, Mac and Nyx. Kash has a head injury, and Mac’s got a GSW to her upper left shoulder. They’re both still alive, but time isn’t on their sides. We didn’t see any sign of Nyx, but I swear if they hurt her…”

Bodie looked over at Foster, then nodded. “Then, what are we waiting for?”

Bodie grabbed one line and tossed it onto the deck before heading for the second.

He waited for Saylor to give him the go-ahead then launched the line before jumping onboard.

He didn’t ask any other questions, just moved up beneath the canopy as Saylor hit the throttle, deftly maneuvering them out of the secure harbor and into the raging ocean.

Water sprayed over the bow, the wind howling around them as she checked her instruments then gunned it. The boat nosed up, plowing through the white caps at some insane speed, each bounce into the next trough threatening to tip them over before the vessel finally leveled out.

Saylor headed south, keeping the boat angled into the large swells. “I really hope you boys have a plan because this inbound system is going to sink us if we don’t play this right.”

Foster held out his phone, showing them the flashing blue dot, before spreading out the map Saylor handed him.

“There’s a beach, if you can call it that, north of where they’re waiting.

Assuming you can get us remotely close, I was hoping Bodie could jump out there.

It’s going to be a beast of a scramble up those rocks to a heavily wooded plateau, but it should be close enough you can reach us in time, but far enough away they won’t spot you, even if they have some kind of overwatch.

” Foster arched a brow. “You are skilled with a sniper rifle, right?”

Bodie scoffed. “Now, you’re just being mean.”

Zain gave Bodie a slap on the back. “No worries, Beckett, because I’m definitely skilled with a sniper rifle and I’ll be backing Bodie up.”

Bodie motioned to Zain’s arm. “With that arm in a sling?”

Zain merely grinned then slipped his arm out before tossing the material onto a spare seat. “What sling?”

“Zain.” Beckett shouldered up beside him. “I appreciate what you want to do, but I’m not willing to trade your life for Mackenzie’s. Mine sure, but that’s different. And no, you don’t get to challenge that.”

“I’m not trading my life. I’m doing my job.

” He waved off Foster’s attempt to correct him.

“I’ve rescued entire squads hurt worse than I am, now.

So, stop arguing, and lay out the rest. Because, brother, we’re gonna need one hell of a Hail Mary to walk away from this.

Assuming we don’t die before we even get there. ”

Saylor gave Zain a not so gentle shove. “Piss off. I’ll get us there in one piece. Anything after that is up for grabs, but one way or another, we’ll get there.”

Foster smiled his thanks. “Then, listen up. Because we’ve only got one option, and it’s going to be one hell of a ride.”

“Hey.”

Mackenzie blinked, finally bringing Kash’s face into focus as he kneeled in front of her, that huge medic bag opened beside him.

His hands were zip tied together in front of him, though whoever had bound him hadn’t been very thorough, leaving enough room he might be able to break them given a chance.

She frowned, glancing at the blood still dripping down his cheek. “Jesus, Kash, your head.”

He gave her a small smile. What she assumed was his attempt to reassure her he was fine.

Though, judging on how much his hands shook, he wasn’t close to being fine.

“Just a love tap. Unlike your shoulder. I need to put on some Quick Clot before you pass out from blood loss. But it’s not going to be fun. ”

She looked over at Striker. He had his gaze focused on them, avidly scrutinizing every move Kash made. “I’m surprised Voss allowed it.”

Kash merely shrugged.

She grunted as he cut away part of her sweatshirt. “He needs us alive until Foster gets here, right.”

She hadn’t posed it as a question, and Kash simply nodded. “How the hell is he even going to make it? The weather’s closing in, and?—”

Kash silenced her with a gentle finger over her lips. “You worry about staying conscious. Foster’s far more resourceful than Striker thinks. And that’s why the bastard’s going to fail.”

She clenched her jaw, somehow swallowing the scream tearing at her throat when Kash pushed on the wound. Hard. “Do you think Striker knows Foster was Flight Concepts?”

“I doubt it. That kind of shit is generally scrubbed from anything he could get his hands on.”

She nodded, closing her eyes as pain shot through her shoulder then into her chest, stealing whatever breath she’d had.

Kash sighed. “I know. It hurts like a son of a bitch.” He poured on the clotting powder, then applied more pressure, finally wrapping it all with a few layers of gauze. “It’s not perfect, but it should buy you enough time until Chase gets here. The guy’s a wizard.”

“I hope so. But I have a feeling even he has his limits.”

“Then, let’s stay within them.”

Mac nodded at his head. “Let me clean that wound?—”

“I’m good.”

“All right, that’s enough chit chat.” Thompson grabbed Kash’s shoulder. “Get back beside the chopper.”

Kash knocked off Thompson’s hand. “If you want her to stay breathing, you’ll let me keep an eye on her.”

Thompson snorted. “You’ve done all you can. Now, sit your ass down. Unlike Striker, I don’t have any issues with killing any of you.”

“I’m okay, Kash.” She motioned for him to sit beside her, glaring at Thompson as he smirked and ambled away. “I really hope I get to shoot at least one of these assholes before this is over.”

Kash chuckled. “Spoken like a true warrior. Now, do us both a favor, and be ready. Because if I know Beck, he’ll be coming in hot. Which means, you hit the ground when the bullets start flying.”

“Just like you’re going to do?”

Kash laughed, again. “I’ve got a reputation to uphold. And know this. Nyx won’t hurt you, no matter what you see or hear. Okay?”

“That’s reassuring.”

“She can be downright scary when she’s fully engaged. But she’s the smartest dog I’ve ever worked with. And she’ll have your back.”

Mac nodded, fading a bit before jolting back when Kash gave her arm a squeeze. “I’m sorry I got you into this. You were right. I should have been better prepared. Hell, I should have questioned the damn orders.”

“Why? It came from emergency dispatch. Your father authenticated it, himself. No reason to think it was a setup. And I’m just naturally paranoid.”

“Foster questioned it.”

Kash smiled. “Trust me. Foster’s reluctance had nothing to do with suspecting this was an ambush and everything to do with the fact he’s crazy in love with you and can’t stand the thought of not being your first line of defense — whether the situation warrants it or not.

So, stop beating yourself up for doing your job. ”

Her chest eased a bit at Kash’s words. “I think you might be exaggerating just a bit.”

Kash turned to meet her gaze. “No, I’m not. The guy’s a goner. He just needs more time to work it all out. Allow himself to be happy because he still doesn’t believe he should have been given this second chance.”

“Because of Sean.”

“Sean might have saved Foster’s life, but Beck’s the only reason the rest of us made it back alive.

What he did that night…” Kash leaned against the chopper.

“He thinks Zain and I don’t remember too much, and we choose to keep it that way.

But I remember everything. The storm. How screwed his shoulder was, not to mention the extreme blood loss.

I still don’t know how he kept flying. Kept breathing, really. ”

Mac swallowed, wondering if the temperature was dropping or if it was just her feeling the cold. “I need to tell you something.”

Kash shook his head. “You can tell Foster you’re stupid in love with him, too, once you see him.”

“It’s not for him. It’s for me. I need to say it out loud, just once. To someone else. So I know it’s real.”

Kash stared at her then nodded. “Then, tell me.”

“I love him. A frightening amount, if I’m honest. He makes me feel whole.” She groaned against another stab of pain. “But if you tell him before I do, I’ll kick your ass.”

“Did you seriously just give me something to blackmail you with?”

“I guess so. Though, I could always just tell Jordan you’ve got the hots for her.” She grinned. “No one needs that much coffee.”

“Busted. Stay awake. I really need you to stay awake.”

She nodded, though she wasn’t quite sure if she actually moved her head or just jerked it once as her chin drifted down to her chest, the world slowly fading to black.