Chapter 7

Lucky. Not that Kian really felt that way, but he had to admit. If Hawk hadn't asked Blake to fly the supplies out to the clinic, she might have bolted. Hopped into her helicopter and disappeared.

He knew it.

Sensed it.

Whether it was the haunted look in her eyes or the way she'd been checking her phone every five minutes since leaving the ranch, Kian wasn't sure. Only that if he didn't figure out how to get her to confide in him — trust that he could handle whatever had her running scared — he'd lose her.

And maybe not just from his life.

If her reaction to the photograph and video were any indication of the kind of trouble shadowing her, he could only assume her life was on the line.

Organized crime.

That had to be what she was running from. Whether it was a genetic association, a previous love connection or someone she'd crossed, it was the only threat that seemed to tick all the boxes.

Blake had tried to brush the whole thing off as shock. Kept insisting she was fine now that the images were gone. But Kian knew her better than that. Even with her keeping her past vague, he'd gotten around enough of her defenses he had a genuine idea of her personality. And Blake Garrett wasn't the kind of woman to run from a fight. Not with how she'd handled herself that first night. Or any of the rescues, since. She was steadfast. Tough. And oozed honor as much as his team did.

Which meant, she wasn't afraid for herself.

She was worried her newfound friends would suffer some sort of collateral damage.

That he'd get hurt.

Which seemed almost comical after all he'd faced in the Teams. The missions that never quite went as planned. The endless near-misses he and his buddies had dodged.

That fate had brought him through so he could be the force standing between her and whoever was hunting her. And it was time she realized that.

Kian straightened, smiling at one of the nurses when she thanked him for helping. They'd arrived at the clinic three hours ago, and he'd been immersed in endless assessments since.

Which was why he'd insisted Lane accompany them. Blake hadn't been happy, mumbling something about weight and space, but Kian had simply crossed his arms and dared her challenge him.

She'd relented, mostly because she'd been bluffing. But all that really mattered in the end was that Kian had backup. Had asked Lane to do continuous perimeter checks while Kian had been busy helping out. Not only to ensure a group of tangos didn't somehow slip past him while he was focused on stopping a guy from bleeding out, but to ensure Blake didn't ditch him.

Which was definitely a possibility. All she had to do was wait until he was concentrating on a patient, before slipping back to her chopper and taking off. Even with the noise and the short amount of time it would have taken her to ready the machine, Kian doubted he could have stopped her. Not alone.

Blake obviously knew he hadn't brought his buddy along for companionship, and she'd been brooding ever since. Not always in his sight line, but he'd been able to suss her out whenever he'd gotten a tingling down his spine. That scratching between his shoulder blades that warned him everything was about to go sideways.

Like now, packing up his medic bag, half a dozen people blocking his view of Blake. He zipped it shut without worrying if everything was in the usual place, stepping around the small crowd as he scanned the room. She'd been standing by the vending machines for the past half hour, so finding them empty turned that inkling into more of an omen.

He rolled his shoulders, reminding himself he would have heard the chopper taking off. And there was no way she would have left it behind. Not when he suspected it was one of the few tangible links to whatever secrets she was hiding.

Her one constant in what he could only imagine had been a tumultuous past.

He walked down the hallway, spotting her leaning against a pillar near the back of the room. One of the emergency exits within sprinting distance.

She barely gave him a passing glance before continuing to scan the crowd, though, what or who she was looking for, was a mystery.

Blake clenched her jaw when he moved in close. Not as close as before this whole shit show had started back at the helicopter. When she'd teased him about having something dangerous on her mind. And she'd been right. Too bad it had morphed from what he suspected was them finally tumbling around on his bed to her catching the next flight off the island.

The slip she'd made earlier. About how thinking about leaving was gutting her. But he knew she'd walk away if she was convinced it was the only way to keep everyone else safe.

A disgruntled huff, then she was meeting his gaze. Giving him some kind of stink eye. "You ready to go?"

He shuffled until he was leaning on the side of the same pillar, trying to read if she really was pissed or if she was putting on a show. Hoping they'd get into a fight, so he'd let her storm off.

Not a chance.

He motioned toward the nursing station. "They seem to have it under control, now. I'll call Lane?—"

"No need." She turned until she was staring him directly in the eyes. "He's on his, what… two hundredth perimeter check. He should be back within the next five minutes. And he always makes sure he has a visual on me before he heads out for the next one. You know… in case I try to sneak out the back while you're busy. The reason you brought backup on a medical run."

She was definitely pissed, though, it didn't hide the fact she was scared, too. Terrified judging on how pale she was. The increased flutter of her pulse.

Kian took a breath, reminding himself to stay calm. Speak softly. "I didn't bring Lane solely to stop you from ditching me."

"But you thought I would, right? Because I obviously have no sense of honor."

"This has nothing to do with honor and everything to do with the fact that you've been practically crawling out of your skin since you saw that video. Look at you. It's only been four hours since Presley shared that link, and you look exhausted. The circles under your eyes, the ever-present tension in your muscles. You're primed for a fight. You think I haven't noticed how you've changed your position with every passing hour? That you went from attentive to concerned to stake-out level? Like now. You've claimed the one location that gives you a perfect view of anyone entering or leaving the facility but provides a decent amount of cover. The same spot I'd pick if I was waiting for a group of tangos to ambush the place."

Kian shifted on his feet, trying to pull himself back, but now that they were actually talking, he couldn't seem to reel it all in, again. "You'd lost that, by the way. The haunted look in your eyes you've had since we met. The guarded glances you give everyone. Sticking to the shadows. Over the past few weeks, you'd actually started to relax."

She snorted, inching closer. "I think the phrase you're looking for is that I got complacent. Careless, even."

"Or maybe you knew you were safe. That if anyone came gunning for you, they'd have to go through me, too." He paused to tuck a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. "We make one hell of a team, sweetheart. And your subconscious knows it."

He took a breath, wondering where all that calmness had gone. The easy voice he'd reminded himself to use. "So, yeah. I was slightly concerned you'd fly off and try to face this on your own. But I mostly brought Lane along because as good as I am, even I can't watch my own six. And I have absolutely no idea what kind of men might walk through that door."

Blake stared at him, mouth slightly open, eyes wide. She glanced at the entrance, her breath coming in short, sharp spurts before she closed her eyes. Let her shoulders droop as her head fell back, turning to brace her weight on the post. "No one good."

He froze. Fucking froze because of all the replies he thought he'd get, some semblance of the truth wasn't one of them.

Kian moved in front of her, taking her hands in his. "Blake. Please, talk to me."

Tears pooled in her eyes, her chin quivering as she glanced at the door, then back to him. "Don't you think I would if I could? But I can't."

"Why? I'm not afraid of whoever's chasing you?—"

"Then, you're beyond crazy because you should be." She untangled her hands from his, then took a step away. "These people don't fight fair, Kian. They don't care about collateral damage — if they end up at the top of every agency's most wanted list." She pointed at the main lobby. "They'd rather send a freaking RPG through the hospital window than let me get away. Those are the kind of men who are going to walk through that door."

"Then, we'll keep you someplace safe until we get a handle on this. Deal with it."

"Deal with it? I've spent the past three years dealing with it. I've watched good people nearly die because they thought they could deal with it, too."

She shook her head, her hair bouncing wildly about her shoulders as it released from the clip. "This isn't a war you can win because it doesn't matter how many you eliminate, there's always more. They have endless resources. And they'll never stop hunting me. Ever. Not as long as he's alive."

Kian reclaimed his position, taking her hands in his, again. "As long as who's alive? Who's hunting you?"

That simple question seemed to snap her back and she inhaled, as if just realizing what she'd said. How much she'd let slip.

She tugged against his hold, huffing when he refused to let go. "It doesn't matter. Christ, I've told you too much already."

She tried, again, cursing this time. "Damn it, Kian, we need to go. There're too many people. It's not safe. I never should have said yes…"

Her eyes widened a moment before she wrapped her hands around his wrists and yanked him behind the post. Shoving him off to her right as she made herself as small as possible, her gaze fixed on the door.

Kian moved in closer, waiting until a nurse walked in front of them, heading for one of the back rooms, before chancing a quick peek. Three men stood off to the side of the entrance, their button-up shirts, pale skin, and long pants clear indicators they hadn't been on the island long. But it was more the way they studied the room, pausing on every face as if searching for someone. They didn't even try to hide it, grabbing the odd person in order to get a better look.

He slipped his medic bag off his shoulder, undoing it enough to slide his hand inside — retrieve the gun he kept hidden in a pouch for emergency purposes. And based on how the men were working their way through the crowd, this was shaping up to be one hell of an emergency.

Blake tapped his thigh, shaking her head before pointing to the exit. A logical plan except where they'd be out in the open for a few seconds before clearing the door. Not to mention he had no idea if there was any cover beyond the exit.

He should have done his own perimeter checks, instead of relying on Lane. Not that he didn't trust the man, Kian just hated not knowing which strategy would garner him the best results. If they should dart across the room, or try to blend in so they could head out the front.

Whatever they chose, they needed to act quickly, before those assholes decided for them.

Having someone start screaming because they'd noticed one of the men carrying a gun was just the distraction they needed. Had Kian grabbing her arm, then pushing her behind him. He mouthed at her to wait, then darted out — waving Blake ahead of him as he blocked her from view then followed behind her. Both of them sprinting for the door.

They hit the exit still running, the door bouncing off the wall with a loud thud. Someone yelled her name behind them, but Kian already had Blake heading for some trees — ducking in behind them just as the men barreled out of the exit. Sweeping the area — guns at the ready. Faces twisted into snarls. They took a couple steps toward the tree line when Lane walked around the far corner of the building. And with how the exit was positioned, Lane wouldn't see them until they were face-to-face.

One second flat, and Blake was up and racing toward the other man. Either oblivious or unfazed by the bastards standing at the back door. That they'd see her pop out of the trees long before she'd reached Lane. What would likely get her killed.

Not happening. Not while Kian was breathing.

He pushed to his feet then took off after her. And he had to admit. She was fast. Arms pumping, feet flying — she'd covered nearly the entire treed area in a matter of seconds.

He caught her just as she cleared the small copse, matching her stride as he made eye contact with Lane. "Three tangos. Eleven o'clock."

That's all he got out before he had Blake in his arms — had her snugged beneath him as he took them both onto the grass.

Lane didn't disappoint. Had fired twice as he dove for cover, popping up close to them. The men shot back, clipping the tree next to Lane's head. Sending bits of bark spraying across the ground.

Kian managed a couple trigger pulls, as he jumped to his feet, Blake still in his arms. She didn't speak, running with him when he headed for the side of the clinic, Lane covering their retreat.

His buddy joined them a second later, dirt and grass staining his shirt. He changed magazines, nodding toward a long outbuilding at the edge of a larger stand of trees.

Kian gave Blake a quick once-over, then they were off, again. Staying low and over to the side in the hopes of remaining hidden. They reached the edge of the large outbuilding then dodged behind it, following it around toward the far parking lot.

Lane stopped them at the other edge, peeking around the corner. "I know I clipped at least one."

Blake moved in beside him. "There's bound to be more."

To his credit, Lane merely nodded. "There always are. So, who are we up against?"

Blake's mouth pursed as she looked them both in the eyes. "Does it matter?"

"I'd like to get a sense of the kind of skill we're facing."

"I highly doubt any of them will be ex-military. Their loyalty only goes as far as the money."

"So, mafia, then?"

She paused, eyes darting back and forth. She glanced at where they'd left the men, cursing quietly under her breath. "Mafia. Hitmen. Disgruntled family members. Take your pick."

"Your family's trying to kill you?"

"Not mine, Lane. And now's not the time for questions. I'll explain later… If we're still breathing."

As if on cue, footsteps pounded the pavement off to their other side. Lane shoved Blake behind his back, covering one side as Kian guarded the other. They weren't quite boxed in, but it wasn't ideal.

Blake held out her hand. "I need one of your spares."

Lane looked at Kian then arched his brow. "You know how to shoot?"

She simply stared at him.

Kian nodded when Lane silently asked him what he thought, then the guy handed her the weapon from his other holster.

Blake took it, checked the clip, cleared the barrel, then cycled a round, and damn, she looked way too comfortable with it. "We need to get to the helicopter."

"They'll hear us the moment you fire up the engines."

"Machine's still warm. I only need a minute."

Lane scoffed. "That might be thirty seconds more than we'll get before bullets start flying. I'll lure them off. You two head for the machine. Just… Don't leave without me."

Blake gave him a swat. "Like I've ever left a crew member behind. And you should take Kian with you. I'll be fine."

"Right. Leave the target without backup." Lane held up his hand. "Nothing I haven't faced before. Go. I'll be right behind you."

Kian grabbed Blake's hand then darted out, weaving through the trees toward the far side of the area. Just their luck, the building was backed by highway on two sides. Not exactly prime cover.

Lane snuck out to their right, back toward the first group. He fired twice — downed one guy, and clipped another — then he was running. Drawing the rest of the men in his direction.

Kian pushed down the guilt. If anything happened to Lane because of a risk Kian should be taking…

Blake obviously shared his sentiment, mumbling under her breath as they headed for the helicopter. Kian stopped them once they reached the end of their cover, scanning the area then waving her ahead. It didn't look as if the men had found her machine yet. Though, having them show up explained why Blake had parked in the back corner of the property instead of the cleared area next to the parking lots. She must have been worried someone might find her and had hidden the chopper as best as she could.

Kian stood guard as Blake jumped in. She did a few preliminary checks without making any noise then looked up at him. He nodded, staying vigilant as the helicopter sprang to life, the telltale whine of the engines likely to bring every tango right to them.

Ten seconds in, and shots sounded off to the right. Not so close Kian saw who'd fired them, but close enough it was only a matter of time before they were charging at him and Blake. Another ten, and Lane came racing out of more trees, hoofing it toward them. Kian fired off a few rounds when two men tried to follow Lane, sending both guys diving for cover.

Lane continued to the chopper, jumping in the back as Kian climbed in beside Blake. He didn't know if she was ready, but they were already out of time.

Whether she'd skipped some of the steps or had managed to get everything online, quicker, Kian wasn't sure, but she had the bird airborne a moment later. A tilt of the rotors and they were screaming toward the men pushing to their feet.

They dove, again, barely rolling clear before Blake soared over them, then banked it hard to the right. Kian swore the skids hit the trees before they were climbing, a couple shots pinging off the back end.

Blake followed some dry riverbed, heading for the water, when one of her instruments chirped. She glanced at the panel, touching a couple of the screens before keying up her mic. "Looks like we've got company."

Kian twisted in his seat, scanning the horizon until he zeroed in on a dark silhouette not too far behind them. "They have a chopper?"

"I doubt it's theirs. More likely some lowlife smuggler on their payroll. Not that it matters."

She tapped another screen, moving the display a bit before she smiled — glanced at Lane, then over to him. "Buckle up, boys. This is where it gets interesting."