Mission: Her Protection (Team 52 #1)(49)

The soldier near her cursed, then turned and ran for the truck. Rowan raised her rifle and fired. She peppered the truck, aiming at the tires.

Soldiers at the back of the truck returned fire. Rowan swallowed a scream and saw Team 52 dive for cover.

Except Lachlan. He strode forward, continuing to fire his weapon. God. He moved with sure, fluid steps, like he was bulletproof.

His team moved in around him, weapons up.

With a squeal of tires, the truck and SUV screamed off. Team 52 walked out onto the street, firing at the fleeing vehicles.

Finally, they lowered their weapons. Rowan straightened and watched Lachlan walk toward her, his finger pressed to his ear.

“Brooks, track the vehicles,” Lachlan ordered. He looked at Blair and Seth. “You’re lead on finding those assholes.”

The pair nodded, swinging their weapons onto their shoulders and taking off at a jog.

Lachlan zeroed in on Rowan.

She froze, and suddenly wished she could run away, as well. He reached her and took her stolen rifle. He shoved it at Smith.

Then Lachlan grabbed her and started patting her down.

“Lachlan—”

“Quiet.” He checked her over, his face intense.

Satisfied she wasn’t hurt, he looked at her face. “Fuck.”

She winced at his tone and cleared her throat. “I’m okay.”

“You fell off a building!”

“Again,” Axel added unhelpfully.

She shot the man a glare just before Lachlan yanked her to his chest. She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.

That’s when she realized his big body was shaking.

“I’m really okay,” she assured him. “Aimee—Airman Kowalski—broke my fall.” She looked up. “Lachlan, she asked me for help, and told me her name. I don’t think she can control herself, but she’s in there and wants help.”

“Forget about Kowalski for now.” He pressed his cheek to the top of her head.

She held on. Absorbing the heat and strength of him.

“Lachlan.”

Rowan turned her head to look at Axel, standing beside them. “Brooks lost the truck. They went into a warehouse in an industrial area nearby, and then disappeared.”

Lachlan cursed. “We need to find them.”

Smith stepped forward. “I’ll join Blair and Seth. We’ll find them.”

“Go.”

Rowan found herself loaded into the back of one of the Suburbans with Lachlan, Axel, and Callie. Soon, they were back at Lachlan’s apartment.

Rowan made coffee, while Lachlan and the others worked. They had various maps and satellite feeds up on the television screen.

Blair and the others kept reporting in. No sign of the truck or Aimee Kowalski.

Everyone was tense, and feeling useless, Rowan kept serving refills of coffee. The minutes ticked by, and Rowan kept hoping Aimee was okay.

Suddenly, Brooks’ face flashed on the screen. He was flanked by an unhappy-looking Ty and a man so handsome he made Rowan blink. He had silky black hair, high cheekbones, and an air of unshakable authority.

“Jonah,” Lachlan murmured.

So this was Jonah Grayson. Holy cow, the man would just have to crook a finger and the women would come running.

“We have some news.” Jonah’s green gaze moved to meet Rowan’s.

Unease slithered over her. Jonah Grayson had the same kind of look in his eyes that Lachlan did—scary. But his actually scared the crap out of her. Her hindbrain was telling her to run.

“Lars is awake.”



*

Lachlan saw Rowan tense. He reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing her fingers.

The screen changed, and showed the image of a pale, shaky-looking Lars propped up on pillows in his hospital bed.

“Rowan?” The man’s face lit up. “You’re okay?”

“I am.” She leaned forward. “How do you feel?”

Horror filled the man’s face. “My memories are foggy, but…but I killed them.” A sob tore from the man’s chest. “I killed our friends.”

Lachlan felt a rush of sympathy for the man. He’d been through hell and had a lot to come to terms with.

Rowan shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault, Lars. It was the artifact we pulled from the ice.”

The scientist gave a sad nod. “Dr. Sampson and Dr. Blackwell explained, but I remember, Rowan.” His voice cracked. “I remember their screams, and I’ll always remember.”

“We need your help, Lars.” Lachlan kept his tone crisp and commanding.

Lars straightened, swiping the tears from his face. “Okay.”

“Lars, this is Lachlan,” Rowan said. “He’s the leader of the team who rescued us from the base.”

“Lars, another person is under the influence of the artifact,” Lachlan said. “We need to find her and help her.”

Lars’ hands twisted in the sheets. “I just remember overwhelming feelings. Urges. I needed the cold, needed ice. I wanted to…hunt.” He shook his head. “I don’t really know how to describe it.”

“You’re doing fine,” Lachlan said. “That’s good.”

“Anything will help, Lars,” Rowan said.

Lars’ brow creased. “I remember I was looking for Rowan.”