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

*

Lachlan kicked the soldier in the gut, watching him fall. Once he was down, Lachlan slammed the butt of his weapon into the man’s face, knocking him out.

Nearby, Blair was fighting hand-to-hand with a young soldier. The man was dancing around, and Blair was clearly out of patience.

She stepped in, slammed a hard jab into the man’s face, then hooked her foot around his ankle.

She slammed him to the ground. “Stay. Still.”

From nearby, Axel chuckled.

Suddenly, Airman Kowalski roared. There was a loud crash as a storage shelf toppled over. Then another. And another.

What the fuck? They all spun, and Lachlan instantly looked for Rowan. The spot where he’d left her was empty. Dammit.

He turned again. Airman Kowalski was loping into an aisle between the shelves, dragging Rowan behind her.

“Fuck!” Blair kicked a shelf.

Airman Kowalski’s restraints were broken, and the twisted, broken body of a man lay near the shelves.

“After them!” Lachlan yelled.

He raced between the shelves. But Kowalski was fast, and he couldn’t see or hear them.

“There!” Seth cried.

Lachlan saw a trail of water leading off down another row of shelves.

“Brooks, be advised that Airman Kowalski is on the run and has Rowan.”

“Shit,” Brooks answered. “Acknowledged, Lachlan.”

Lachlan bolted, pumping his arms, his team just paces behind him. They reached the end of the row, and before them stood the metal exterior wall of the warehouse.

There was a huge hole torn in it, like a large creature had burst through it.

“Fuck.” Lachlan jumped through the opening. He spun, seeing no sign of Kowalski or Rowan on the street.

“Axel and Callie, get the vehicles.” The pair immediately ran off. “Everyone, spread out, and let’s try to pick up the trail.”

They fanned out. Lachlan tried to stay calm, his hands tight on his weapon. He should never have fucking let her talk him into this.

“Here,” Smith yelled.

He pointed to a faint trail of water that led down the street. They broke into a jog.

“Kowalski’s moving fast,” Smith said.

They turned down another street, and then crossed a parking lot.

“She’ll be fine,” Blair said. “She’s tough.”

“I’m locking her up after this,” Lachlan growled.

“Good luck with that,” Seth said.

Lachlan scowled at his friend. “One day, you’ll see.”

“Shit, you’re in love with her.” Seth blinked.

Love. That word was like a kick to Lachlan’s gut. He loved his mom, hell, he’d even loved his dad. But what he felt for them didn’t come close to this big, chaotic, warm feeling he felt for Rowan.

He’d give his life for Rowan. For the girl who distracted him from his father’s rages as a child. For the woman who was sexy, smart, courageous…and his.

“Lachlan?” Brooks’ voice came through his earpiece.

“I’m here. Go ahead.”

“There’s been a disturbance reported at Desert Springs Hospital.”

Damn. “That where Kowalski’s daughter is?”

“Yes, that’s where Jenny Kowalski is being treated.”

The SUVs roared up beside them. Lachlan yanked open the door, and glanced at Axel as the others piled in.

“Desert Springs Hospital. Now.”

As the SUV sped off, a muscle ticked in Lachlan’s jaw. Hold on, Rowan. I’m coming.





Chapter Eighteen





She was cold. So cold.

Rowan stumbled down the hospital corridor, watching people screaming and running to get out of their way. Aimee was still holding Rowan’s arm in a fierce grip, and she knew it would be bruised. The woman’s touch was also freezing cold.

“Aimee, please—”

A rough jerk and a growl. Whatever the Legion de Mer soldiers had done to Aimee Kowalski had caused the woman to withdraw.

On their way into the hospital, Aimee had incapacitated the security guards who’d tried to stop them. Rowan saw doctors and nurses cowering, trying to protect the patients in the adjacent rooms. But Aimee wasn’t paying any attention to them as she powered down the hall.

Rowan’s teeth started to chatter. “Aimee, you’ll frighten your daughter.”

The woman paused, head tilted.

Rowan looked at the artifact on the woman’s chest. God, Rowan wished they’d never pulled the damn thing from the ice.

But right now, the most important thing was to contain it. To let Lachlan and his team lock it away so it couldn’t hurt anybody else.

Lachlan. Rowan trembled. She knew he and the others would be on their way. She also knew she’d endure his anger if it meant she was back in his arms. God, she was head over heels for that man.

Suddenly, she saw Aimee stiffen.

Rowan turned, expecting to see Team 52 coming toward them.

Her stomach fell. Instead, it was a group of men in red balaclavas holding weapons, slowly making their way down the hallway. Oh, no. The Red Wolves. Dammit to hell.

Aimee started backing up, but there was a whooshing sound from behind them. Rowan turned, just in time to see a net engulf Aimee. As the woman flailed, she knocked into Rowan, sending her crashing to the floor.