Ruthless Game (GhostWalkers, #9)(61)

“My boys can keep the peace,” Kane said with absolute confidence.

The Humvee limped over the pitted terrain heading doggedly toward the east and freedom. The first helicopter had circled and was coming in for another try.

This an exclusive party, or can anyone join?

Mack McKinley’s voice filled his mind.

A second helicopter burst out of the night sky, silent and lethal, no running lights. From the open door, a rocket streaked through the darkness, trailing vapor, seeking a target.

The enemy’s helicopter tried to maneuver, but it was far too late; the rocket was on top of them. The helicopter burst apart, spilling wreckage and flames in every direction.

“Find us stable ground in an open area,” Kane yelled, fending off the soldiers with his heavy caliber weapon.

“I’m doing my best,” Rose shouted back. “There aren’t a lot of open areas here; that’s why we chose it, hoping for cover. There’s the creek bed, but I’m not certain we can trust the surface.”

Can you spot an open area, Mack? We’re a little pushed for time down here.

Creek bed is the only area possible for us to drop down to get you. You’re nearly past the sinkhole. We’re coming in.

“Get down into the creek, Rose. It’s our only option.”

She turned her head. Her dark eyes met his, and there was stark fear there, not for herself but for their child. She resolutely turned back and took the Hummer bumping and bouncing back into the creek bed. She drove a few yards to get as clear of the trees as possible and then abruptly leapt up to crawl back to the baby.

Kane fired repeatedly, cutting a wide circle around them. From above, he could hear covering fire as well. Once Rose made up her mind to do it, she was all business, paying no attention to the battle taking place outside. She gathered up the baby, strapping him into a front pack in order to leave her hands free. It took a few minutes to wrap the large bulletproof vest around both of them.

Kane paused just long enough to make certain it was secure. She leaned down and caught his face in her hands. “You’ll be right behind us, right? Right behind us. No hero crap. You’ll get into that helicopter no matter what.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Promise me. Say it. I promise, Kane. I need to hear that.”

He leaned forward and kissed her mouth, uncaring that bullets were flying. She needed reassurance, and he was giving it to her in the only way he knew how so that she could read his honesty. “I promise.”

We’re in position, but we’re sitting ducks. Get moving. Mack’s command was a definite order.

Kane put his hand where the baby’s head was hidden by the vest. “Go.”

He went back to giving covering fire, trusting his men to do the rest. Gideon Carpenter had eyes like an eagle and could shoot the wings off a fly. Javier Enderman—well he just looked where he wanted to shoot, and that was as good as pulling the damned trigger.

Rose pushed open the heavy door to the roof and cautiously put her head out. Once she caught that rope, she would be committed. Kane expected hesitation. She didn’t know the men in the helicopter the way he did, but there was no vacillation, and that told him a lot about her. Once she made up her mind, she followed through. She’d pulled on thin gloves, and she caught the rope, one foot looping it.

She went up as fast as possible. She was strong—after all she was a GhostWalker—but she was a sitting duck and expecting someone to shoot her at any moment. The backwash from the helicopter blades was hellacious. The rope spun a bit, and that made it difficult to keep Sebastian facing away from the biggest threat. They were using a pulley system as well, which helped move the rope up even faster.

She was halfway up the rope before she realized the night had gone eerily silent. No one on the ground fired at them. Not a single soldier—as if a cease-fire had been declared and everyone was abiding by it. She climbed faster, afraid the silence was the lull before the storm.

A man caught her around the waist and hauled her into the helicopter, dragging her deeper inside, not letting go until she was steady. Barely glancing at him, she unstrapped the baby as fast as possible, looking around for the safest, most protected place she could find. She used the vest to construct a barrier around him. She was quick, her movements efficient as she turned back, pulling her automatic rifle back around her neck to the front by the strap, and stepping to the entrance to provide cover for Kane.

“Ten o’clock, your side, Gideon,” someone barked.

Gideon fired without hesitation, the shot ringing out in the night. “He’s down, Top. We’re ready.”

Her stomach tightened. Everyone was going to be shooting at Kane. These men and she would have to keep the shooters off him. She put the rifle to her shoulder and looked into the night scope. Only seconds had gone by, but it seemed an eternity.

Climb fast, Kane. She tried not to allow her fear for him to show in her mind. We’re waiting for you.

Just waiting for Top to give me the okay, sweetheart. I’ll be right there.

His voice was steady, but she knew it would be. Very little seemed to shake the man.

Has to be easier than delivering a baby, right? he teased, laughter in his voice.

The knots in her stomach tightened with dread. Her mouth went dry. She was rock steady in combat as a rule, nothing fazed her, but deep inside she felt jittery.