Ruthless Game (GhostWalkers #9)(50)
Author: Christine Feehan

Where the hell are you, Mack? Because if his team hadn’t gotten the message loud and clear that he’d left for them in the desert, he and Rose and Sebastian were bound to have to dig in and hold off Whitney’s little army. They had enough water and ammunition to last for a time, but they needed reinforcements—and soon.

Mack had to have sent out a couple of birds to look for signs, and he’d left an abundance of them each night. The last sign had been unmistakable: Come now. They had to have seen his messages, and he’d pointed them back to the ravine. Surely …

The ground around them exploded. Rose swore louder this time but kept the Humvee moving forward. One tire dropped into air on the passenger side, so that they tilted ominously. They kept moving forward relentlessly. Trees were thicker now and much larger than the saplings and thin round trunks they’d encountered, presenting an additional problem.

“Kane.” Rose’s voice shook. “In the air, coming at us. Three o’clock.”

Two helicopters were coming toward them fast, just above the tree line, swooping in low, racing right for them. “Are they yours?” she asked.

Her voice was strictly neutral, but he could see hope flare in her eyes. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, they aren’t.”

She took a breath, her knuckles white as she gripped the wheel hard, guiding the Humvee around a large tree, rolling over two smaller ones. “If this goes bad, Kane, you take the baby and get out of here. He has a better chance with you. They want me alive, and they’ll try to be more careful. They don’t know he’s born yet.”

“Not a chance.” He was already lining up his shot, the first helicopter in his sights, as it came right toward them. He could see the grim faces, the heavy artillery they carried. They planned on hitting the Hummer, knocking it out of commission and forcing it to halt where they could surround and control it. Most likely, they planned to drop their men on the roof.

“They think I’m Carlson James, Rose. He’s disposable. Whitney’s pissed at him. They’ll try to kill me, believing I’m him. I don’t want Sebastian anywhere near me. If it really comes down to it, I’ll buy you enough time to get him away.”

He took the shot just as the helicopter peeled off. He caught it on the tail, throwing the bird into a spin. Smoke trailed it. The pilot fought hard, but the helicopter began to spin out of control. He took it down as close to the ground as he could, allowing the men inside to bail and run. The helicopter dipped, pitched, rolled to the left, and slammed into trees, sending orange flames and black smoke shooting into the air. The pilot’s screams were cut off abruptly as the helicopter came apart, pieces of metal flying in all directions.

“You can’t play the hero trying to save me, Kane. This has to be about keeping Sebastian out of Whitney’s hands. That’s the only thing that matters.” She glanced back at him, a warning in her eyes. “You know I’m right.”

Kane continued firing now, as Whitney’s men advanced, trying to ring them in. The second helicopter showed a little more respect, but they were taking heavy fire. The .50-caliber tore up everything in its path, and Kane used the weapon liberally, pounding the ground to keep the soldiers from advancing.

“It’s bullshit to even talk about, Rose. We’ll make it. We just have to hold on until Mack gets here.”

Damn it, Mack, you’re late. Kane sent the distress call, feeling trapped.

He wouldn’t leave Rose behind. He couldn’t do it. He had to find a way to save both Rose and the baby. He knew he could make a stand and buy her enough time to make a run for it, and if Mack and the others were on the way, she’d have a decent chance. They had to be on the way.

The Humvee suddenly ground to a halt, sliding slightly toward the upper edge of the sinkhole. They hadn’t covered much ground, and the soldiers were shooting at the tires. If the tires went, they would have the runflats to depend on, but it wouldn’t get them very far or very fast.

Mack. What the hell are you doing?

Damn, Kane, try to live without your daddy for a few. I’m just finishing up my dinner here.

The instant relief was overwhelming. “They’re coming for us, Rose. Mack and my boys. They’re within telepathic range.”

“Helicopter coming in ten o’clock,” Rose said, her voice grim. “He means business, Kane.”

The helicopter filled his screen, and he saw the grenade launcher aimed at them. The first grenade hit just in front of them, and the world seemed to explode. The large tree blocking their escape to their left was blown into the air, splintered, raining branches and leaves all around them. The Hummer lurched as Rose kept it moving straight into the crater the explosion had made. The gunner had inadvertently aided them, clearing the path and at the same time, forcing the soldiers closing in, trying to surround them, to pull back.

Rose bulled their way through the debris and smoke, getting them back on the path, driving straight toward the nearest group of vulnerable soldiers. Kane pounded them with heavy rounds, forcing them to give way.

We’re coming in fast from the east, Kane, Mack advised. ETA, three minutes.

Be advised there’s a bird in the sky.

Roger that.

“They’re coming in from the east, three minutes,” he repeated aloud to Rose. “We’re almost there, sweetheart.”

“How the hell are they going to get us out of here?”

“We’re going to climb out. Straight up, honey. Whitney’s boys aren’t going to shoot you or Sebastian.”

“Are you out of your mind? We’re going to go up a rope into a helicopter with the backwash from the blades, sharpshooters taking potshots, and a baby?”

He grinned at her. “Sounds like a fun date, doesn’t it?”

She shook her head, a small, answering smile curving her soft mouth. “You really are nuts. You’d better hope Whitney wants us as bad as you think.”

“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.