Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(50)

Lee’s shadow blocked out the sun. “You all right?”

“No, I’m not all right, Lee,” I complained as he hauled me out of the wreckage. I screamed as he pulled me out. “I have a freaking bullet in my shoulder that someone’s going to have to cut out. Just as I get used to that horrible pain, some * hits the car I’m in and I took a gun to the head.” I pointed to my bruised forehead with my good hand. “And I touched a dead guy.”

“Only one?” Lee asked, surprised.

“I showed remarkable restraint,” Dev pointed out as he crawled out of the wreckage.

“You always do, sir,” Zack said with a grin. Zack gave me a wink. “I’ll be more than happy to cut that bullet out for you, Zoey.”

“Don’t you even think about it, Zack Owens,” I shot back as Dev was reaching back into the car. There was no way I was letting Zachary anywhere near me with a knife. He would enjoy his work far too much.

“And Zoey, that’s one more in my column,” Zack pointed out as he slid back into the driver’s seat of the Jeep.

He was talking about the fact that he’d saved my ass on several occasions but I hadn’t managed to return the favor. Zack liked to point it out at every given opportunity.

“One of these days,” I grumbled to myself as Lee helped me into the Jeep. Except for some weapons, the Jeep was empty. “Where’s Neil?”

“I stashed him after we took care of the soldiers,” Zack explained. “He’ll be out for hours. I’ll go back and get him when we’re safe.”

“But what if those soldiers wake up first?” They might take out their anger on Neil.

“Uh, Zoey…” Zack began.

“They’ll sleep for a while, Zoey,” Lee interrupted, giving Zack a pointed look. “Neil is way stronger. He’ll wake up first. Trust me. We would never leave him in danger.”

I guessed it made sense. Even without Daniel’s blood, Neil was still a wolf.

Dev pulled an unconscious Terry out of the wreckage. He patted the Aussie down and got rid of his weapons. He would never make the same mistake the soldiers had with us.

“Hostage?” Lee picked up the heavy soldier with absolutely no trouble. He tossed him in the back of the Jeep.

“I have a few questions,” Dev admitted. “And I’m sure Daniel would like to have a word with him.”

“Hey, guys, we have incoming.” Zack pointed to a place behind us.

I heard the heavy thud of a helicopter and several cars rushing toward us.

Dev hopped into the front seat of the Jeep and hit the side twice to let Zack know he could take off. Dev reached a hand out to Lee. “Give me the rifle.”

“And I’m supposed to?” Lee asked, gamely passing the rifle to Dev.

“Take any bullet that comes her way.” Dev stood up and started to fire at the helicopter.

Unfortunately, it fired back and I found myself thoroughly covered by Lee. I tried not to complain about the pain in my shoulder. It wouldn’t do me any good. Dev would try his damnedest to make me comfortable even in a situation like this. Lee would tell me to suck it up and take the best defensive position he could find. It was probably why Dev had given the assignment to Lee. My faery was a man who was willing to admit his flaws. Lee wouldn’t give a damn about my comfort. He only cared that I was alive at the end of the road.

Zack swerved mightily and we were lucky we were on a deserted road. From my vantage it looked like we were still in the country, but we were headed toward some sort of civilization. In the distance, I could vaguely see buildings, but for now we had very little cover and the only thing keeping us from getting hit was Zack’s crazy-ass driving.

Though Lee covered my body, I could see that Dev stood up in the passenger seat and he was facing backward. He must have been a huge target, and it terrified me. I hunched down and prayed to whoever listened to such things that Zack continued to dodge those bullets meant for Dev.

Dev fired again and then there was the terrible sound of metal screeching. It filled the air and sounded like an enormous monster roaring its rage to the world. There was the sound of rushing air and then a loud crash. Heat splashed against my skin.

Lee looked up, unable to ignore the fury going on around us, and then there was a righteous boom and I felt the heat from an explosion.

“Motherf*cker,” Lee breathed in awe.

“My brother is not the only one with good aim,” Dev said and I knew he was satisfied with the destruction.

My faery prince had a preoccupation with explosions. He ducked suddenly as a large piece of the helicopter’s blades flew overhead. Dev had to hold on for dear life as it landed in front of us and Zack narrowly avoided it.

“Are we good?” Zack yelled the question.

“Not yet,” Dev responded, getting back into position. “I count four Humvees. I think we’ve managed to piss them off, Zack.”

“You always do, sir,” Zack yelled and I heard the laughter in his voice. I was glad Zack and Dev were getting off on our near-death experience. “It’s a special talent of yours. Hold on, sir. I’m heading into town. Maybe it will make them think twice.”

“It seems to be,” Dev replied. “They’re pulling back.”

I felt the car turn and then heard Zack yell. “Shit!”