FIRE (Elite Forces #2)(14)
I don't stop to think. I'm aware I'm acting on impulse right now and a sniper shouldn't be running in like this. It's a good thing I'm good at many things. I draw my pistol to the front of my body and aim at the guy I shot in the ass trying to crawl away from Kaleb’s feet. Sending a bullet straight through his head, I scan the other two for any movement, but they're not even trying to move. Good. Rot in hell, you sick f*cks.
My focus is back on Kaleb as soon as my feet come to a stop. My eyes water at the sight of his wounds, and my heart hurts so f*cking bad I can hardly move.
His head hangs low, and if I didn't recognize his tattoos, I'd never know this is him. He's been beaten beyond recognition, and an overwhelming rush of anger flows through my body.
Harris goes straight for Kaleb’s restraints with his knife, working to free him, and I move in to hold his lifeless body. He's so cold. The night is hot, but he's cold. “Kaleb, baby. I'm here.” My eyes race over him for any f*cking sign he's still with me. “Please, god. Please, don't take him from me.” Tears roll down my face, and I blink past them, trying to see him completely. Harris finally breaks the tension of the ropes, and his weight falls into my arms. It takes everything I have to hold him as I drag him a few feet from the bloody, piss-covered flag beneath him. Harris helps me with his heavy, lifeless body, and we both fall to the ground with him at the sound of gunshots at our backs. I check for his pulse on the side of his neck right away, and thank god, I find one.
“Fuck. Elliott. Tell me he's alive. I've got to kill these motherf*ckers.” Harris pulls out his gun and begins to fire toward the house.
“There’s a heartbeat.” My eyes land on his swollen lids, and I let my fingers brush his face. He's covered in mud, blood, blisters, and there are open wounds all over his body. I'm afraid to touch him, but I have to, so I keep my fingers near his neck. It seems to be the least injured, and through the sound of chaos I try to bring calm to him through my touch.
“Kaleb. Don't you dare leave me here. I need you. You promised me that f*cking vacation.” His eyelids flicker slightly, and I wish I could see his blue eyes. His lips move to say something, but nothing comes out.
The air is silent again, and Harris turns to look at Kaleb. He takes his shirt off and covers Kaleb’s body in an attempt to spare him the embarrassment of this situation. Kaleb winces with every touch from us, and I start to worry how we’ll ever get him out of here.
“Stay with me, brother.” Harris runs his hand over Kaleb's forehead, and I hear the rustle of many boots approaching. The team is surrounding us now as they all watch the entire area, guns drawn and ready to fire at anything that moves.
“Fuck.” The word comes out of his mouth as a near growl, but it comes out. Kaleb’s swollen eyes pull together tighter, and I move closer to his ear.
“Please be strong. I promise to make it worth your while. We have so much left to do, Kaleb. Just stay with me.” The guys start to talk behind me, and I catch the end of what they're saying.
“It's not a great plan, but it's a f*cking plan. We need to get him the hell out of Mexico and to a hospital that can take care of him. He's going to need care here though. And probably a few days of recovery before we move him back to the States.” Jackson and Kase crouch down behind me as I'm still lying beside Kaleb. Harris hasn't moved either, and we both work to cover him and protect him in case someone else is alive and tries to shoot him.
“The house is clear.” Steele’s voice rings through the night air, and I feel the guys relax just slightly. “I count twelve bodies. We’re going to need to move now.”
“The truck is five miles out. It'll be a few minutes,” someone rumbles out.
“Stand watch so I can stabilize him.” Bullet moves in and crouches as Harris stands to his feet. His determined eyes scan our surroundings, and I find comfort in knowing they're all on watch, while I focus on Kaleb.
I want to feel relieved I have Kaleb near me, but just looking at him, I can tell he's in so much pain.
“Alright, Ice. Move your ass. I need in here.” I move to let Bullet inspect him. “Fuck.” Bullet practically growls his frustration. The look on his face as he takes in all of Kaleb’s injuries tells me what I already know. This is brutal.
CHAPTER SEVEN
KALEB
“Goddamn it, Kaleb, stay still.” Fucking Bullet. “Where is she?” I cringe and damn near pass out from the pain shooting across my entire body.
“I’m right here.” Jade. Thank f*ck. I wish like hell I could see her clearly, but damn, I’m struggling to open my eyes. My lids are heavy and my vision is blurred. If I didn’t hear my team rustling around, I would swear my head was half hanging off of my neck by the way it feels. I feel like shit. Like I’m halfway to hell and only the sound of her sweet voice is holding me back.
My mind drifts in and out. I’m conscious, then I’m not, but I know Jade is here.
“I’ll carry his ass.” I hear the deep rumbling of Jackson’s voice.
I can’t talk. My throat is raw and dry, and I’m fighting like I’ve never fought before to stay conscious, so I can be alert.
The last thing I remember before the beautiful sound of her voice and the sweet smell of gunpowder were my brother’s threats.