69. Garrett

69

GARRETT

Kristina was trying to do up the straps on her body armor, but her hands were shaking. I reached down, gently moved her hand out of the way and did them for her. But the truth was, I just wanted to tear the goddamn thing off her, pick her up and lock her in a room at the embassy. The idea of her walking right into danger terrified me.

But I couldn’t see another way to do this. We needed her there, at the TV station, to speak to the people. I’d just have to keep her safe.

And that was another problem: was I up to this? I was worried I was going to have another flashback and if that happened, I’d be useless. This wasn’t like the shootout on the highway, or seeing the blood seeping through the towel in the motel room. This was actual combat and I hadn’t been in combat since I was discharged. Plus, I had a head injury. A medic at the embassy had unwound the duct tape from my head, taking off some hair in the process, cleaned me up and bandaged it. But he’d been very clear that what I really needed was some time in bed, not to go into action.

The leader of the marine squad, Master Sergeant Hadley, came over. His black hair was shaved in the classic Marine “high and tight” and he was tall, towering over Kristina. Given that he wasn’t in the best mood, the effect was... intense. “Your Majesty, I want you to understand: we don’t have the time or the manpower to hold that TV station.” He was polite but his voice was tight with worry. “We’re massively outnumbered. This is going to be an insertion, nothing more. We get you in there, but you have to work the magic once we do because we sure as hell aren’t getting out again.”

I understood that he wasn’t being an asshole: he was just worried about his men. I turned to Kristina but she was already nodding. “I understand, Master Sergeant” she said. “And thank you and your men.” She said it with such sincerity that Hadley nodded and calmed a little. I’d met two-star Generals who couldn’t talk to the soldiers as well as she could. She was a natural.

Eight marines, Emerik and Jakov, Kristina and I all took our places in the back of a truck. Kristina looked tiny crammed between two marines. They’d found some military fatigues that just about fit her and a pair of boots, but by the time she’d strapped on the body armor and the helmet, it looked like the uniform was going to swallow her. I reached across the aisle and squeezed her hand. “You’ll be okay,” I told her.

She nodded, her face pale. I swore I’d protect her, whatever it took.

As we neared the TV station there was a rumble of aircraft engines above, heading towards the border with Garmania. We peeked out of the back of the truck and saw a formation of bombers, high overhead. I looked at Kristina, who was already doing the math in her head. “We’ve got twenty minutes,” she said. “Maybe less.”

Master Sergeant Hadley leaned over and showed us his phone. It was a live news feed, and Aleksander and General Novak were on screen, making the speech they’d wanted Kristina to make: the one declaring war on Garmania. “ Hurry!” I said tightly.

The TV station was one of those super-modern places, all glass and white stone. We went around the back first, to drop off Emerik and Jakov. They had their own, separate job and it was crucial to our success.

Seconds later, we pulled up outside the front of the TV station. As we’d thought, there were soldiers guarding it: Aleksander knew the power of the media and he didn’t want anyone telling the people the truth.

One by one, the marines jumped down from the truck and started shooting. I spun around and took Kristina’s face between my hands. It made my chest ache to see her so scared. “Stay low,” I told her, shouting to be heard over the gunfire. “Stay in the middle. Stay with us. I WILL protect you.” She nodded. Then she grabbed me and kissed me hard, and the press of those soft, sweet lips made me light up inside. We took a second to enjoy it: both of us knew it might be our last chance.

Then we jumped down from the truck... and entered hell.