Page 4 of Storm Warning

After a careful scan of the area, he signaled Riley to follow him. They stayed in deep shadows as much as possible on their journey to the back of the compound where Andre had entered. Fewer people milled around the area in daylight. Now that it was full dark, he hoped to encounter even fewer soldiers.

A noise on his left drew Andre’s attention. His heart skipped a beat, then leaped ahead at a rapid pace as adrenaline flooded his system. One soldier rounded the corner of the building they’d just escaped from and began systematically checking windows and doors.

It wouldn’t take long for the soldier to discover the open window he and Riley had climbed through minutes earlier. They were still too close to that window for Andre’s peace of mind. No doubt the soldier would report in and draw more of his colleagues to the area to help search.

Not good. He glanced at Riley and saw she understood the danger they were in. They had to move before the soldier’s backup arrived.

Movement drew attention, though. They’d have to move with caution. Andre motioned for Riley to walk closer to the wall. Taking a chance they wouldn’t draw attention, he made his way deeper into the shadows and followed the concrete wall that encircled the compound.

He bypassed one large tree surrounded by bushes. No way to get through the foliage without alerting everyone in the compound to their escape route.

A shout in the distance told Andre that he and Riley were running out of time. Their escape window was closing fast.

Hoping they had enough time, he ran behind several bushes in a crouch with Riley two steps behind him. When he reached the section of the wall with a large tree limb stretching across from the other side, he squatted and threaded his fingers together to create a cradle for Riley’s foot. She stepped into the cradle, and Andre launched her to the tree limb.

Riley grasped the limb, lifted herself up and over the top, scooted to the concrete wall and dropped to the other side.

Andre backed up a few paces, then sprinted forward and leaped for the limb. He grabbed the limb covered with rough bark, hauled himself up and over the wall and dropped beside Riley, who had her Sig up and ready to protect him.

He drew his weapon and signaled Riley to take the lead so he could protect her better. She wouldn’t thank him for assuming that she needed him to do so.

After a scan of the area, Riley sprinted toward the treeline 200 yards in front of them. Someone shouted behind them, and a barrage of bullets hit the ground near Riley and Andre.

Andre glanced over his shoulder. “Faster.”

She poured on a burst of speed and skidded to a stop when one terrorist stepped from the jungle with the barrel of a rifle pointed at them.

CHAPTER TWO

RILEY RAISED HERhands and held them away from her body, the Sig still clutched in her right hand. This wasn’t good. They needed to make tracks away from the compound before this guy’s colleagues arrived to lend him a hand or before the trigger-happy soldier shooting at them got lucky and hit her or Andre.

The soldier’s mouth curved into a cocky grin. “Drop your gun or I’ll shoot your friend.”

“All right. Please don’t hurt him. I enjoy having him around.” She heard a soft chuckle behind her. Her lips twitched.

“Drop your gun now.” The soldier motioned with the muzzle of his rifle.

Didn’t these guys know rifles weren’t suitable weapons for close-quarters combat? “Just give me a minute. I’m scared, you know?” She slowly lowered her hand and bent to place her Sig on the ground.

As she rose, Riley pressed the mechanism releasing the knife secured at her wrist. With a quiet snick, the blade slid into place against her palm. She adjusted her hold on the hilt of the steel blade and sent it sailing toward the soldier.

The blade sank deep into the terrorist’s throat. He stumbled backward a few steps, then collapsed on the ground.

“Nice throw.” Andre retrieved Riley’s Sig and handed it to her.

As more bullets pummeled the ground near their feet, Riley and Andre raced for the treeline. Seconds later, they plunged into the safety of the dense jungle.

“Take the lead.” Andre slowed to allow Riley to pass him.

She didn’t like it but didn’t waste time arguing. Andre was watching her back and letting her set the pace through the jungle since her running pace wasn’t as fast as his. Needing concessions galled her.

Seth’s voice came through their earpieces. “Team Five, sit rep.”

Andre tapped his comm device. “We’re out of the compound and headed for rendezvous point one.”

“Teagan took care of the shooter pestering you.”

“Copy that. Thanks, T.”