Page 10 of Storm Warning

Grant threw open the door, hauled Christopher out of the SUV, and together they raced across the few feet to the jet stairs as Seth’s team laid down cover fire.

Riley and the rest of her teammates bailed from their SUV and added to the barrage of bullets. Through her earpiece, she heard Noah say, “The package is on board. Violet and Rayne, go.”

Once the two women were safely on board, Noah said, “Andre and Riley, go. Cover us at the entrance.”

“Copy that, sir.” Andre pivoted. “Go, baby.”

Riley spun and sprinted for the stairs, trusting her teammates to keep the enemy off her long enough for her to climb on board the jet. She didn’t have to turn around to know Andre was right behind her, covering her back.

She raced up the stairs and into the cabin and aimed her rifle at the terrorists surging onto the tarmac. Riley and Andre fired round after round, picking off the enemy and laying down cover fire so their teammates could board the jet.

Seth and Noah were the last operatives to race up the stairs. “Secure the door.” Seth called out to the pilot. “Jordan, go, go, go.”

Once Andre secured the door, he and Riley hurried to the nearest seats and strapped in as the jet raced faster and faster down the airstrip. Seconds later, the jet was airborne.

When the jet leveled off, Seth unbuckled his safety belt and stood. “Anybody hurt?”

Andre raised a hand, and so did Noah.

“Violet, you’re up.”

She grabbed her mike bag. “With me.”

“Need help?” Riley asked.

“I could use another pair of hands.”

Riley followed Andre down the aisle to the back bedroom, where Violet set up a triage area.

“Let me see your injury, Andre.”

He turned his left side toward her so she could see the bullet wound in his arm. “Just a scratch.”

Even Riley could see the injury was far worse than a scratch. “I don’t think a Band-Aid will take care of this.” Although she didn’t have as much training as Violet, even she could see a bullet might be lodged in his arm because there was no exit wound.

Violet turned to her husband. “Let’s see it, babe.”

Noah stripped off his shirt so Violet could examine the wound on his right side.

The medic sighed. “Well, congratulations, Andre. You won the prize for the worst injury again on this mission.”

“What’s my reward, Doc?”

“A delightful visit with Dr. Sorenson.”

He grimaced. “Pass.”

“Sorry. That’s the price of admission, my friend. Riley, get some alcohol wipes and clean around the wound. I need to see how bad this is.” When Riley did as ordered, Violet inspected the wound. “Buddy, I think the bullet is still in there. I’ll have to talk to Sorenson and see what he wants me to do.”

The medic pulled out her phone and placed her call on video.

“Sorenson. This better be good.”

“It’s Violet. I have two injured operatives. A bullet kissed one operative on the side. The second injury is more problematic. He has a bullet lodged in his arm.”

“Show me.”

Violet turned the camera toward the wound in Andre’s arm.