Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JAKE

J ake stirred awake to the soft sound of footsteps in the hallway. His instincts kicked in before his mind fully registered his surroundings. His arm tightened reflexively around Lyndsey, who was curled against his chest, her breathing soft and even in sleep. The warmth of her body against his and the serenity of the moment tempted him to stay put. Jake covered Lyndsey’s mouth to keep her quiet.

Reyna was low, beside the bed. “We’ve got company.”

He was on his feet in an instant, his movements fluid and silent. Lyndsey blinked awake, her brow furrowed in confusion as she sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice quiet and still held traces of sleep.

“Movement in the trees,” Reyna said, her tone clipped. She handed Jake a small tablet displaying one of the perimeter camera feeds. On the screen, shadows shifted between the dense pines surrounding the cabin. “Three, maybe four. One of them is Lang’s guy. I’d bet my paycheck on it. I’ve seen him before.”

Jake’s jaw tightened as he studied the feed, his mind already mapping out potential moves. “Weapons?”

“Armed,” Reyna confirmed. “Standard rifles, nothing heavy, but they’re moving like they know what they’re doing. We’ve got maybe five minutes before they hit the perimeter.”

Jake turned to Lyndsey, his expression serious. “Get dressed. Now. Mercenaries,” Jake said flatly. “Lang’s people, by the look of it. We need to move.”

Lyndsey’s eyes widened, but she didn’t argue. She slipped out of bed, grabbing her clothes as Jake pulled on his pants and boots in record time. By the time they both emerged from the bedroom, Reyna had the cabin’s security feed pulled up on the main monitor in the living room.

“They’re circling,” Reyna said, gesturing to the screen. “Trying to get a read on the place. My guess is they’re looking for weak points.”

“They won’t find any,” Jake said, his tone hard. He checked his Glock, ensuring the magazine was full, then holstered it at his side. “We need to get Lyndsey to the safe room.”

“No way,” she said, her voice firm despite the fear flickering in her eyes. “I’m not hiding while you two risk your lives for me.”

“Damn it, Lyndsey, this isn’t a negotiation,” Jake snapped. “If they get inside, the safe room is the only place you’ll be protected.”

“He’s got a point, Lyndsey,” Reyna interjected, her tone annoyingly casual given the situation. “If they get past us, they’ll tear this place apart looking for you. On the other hand, Jake, they will find her. They won’t stop until they do. At least if she’s where we can see her, if we decide to bug out having her closer at hand will be helpful.”

Jake shot her a glare. “This isn’t the time, Reyna.”

“When is it ever the time?” Reyna countered, shooting him a sharp grin. “Look, we’ve got two choices: dig in and defend, or sneak out and try to lose them in the woods. Personally, I vote for kicking their asses. What about you, Lyndsey?”

Lyndsey swallowed hard, her gaze darting between them. “I want to give us—all of us—the best shot at staying alive, but you’re the experts, not me.”

Jake’s hand landed on her shoulder, steadying her before turning back to Reyna. “We hold them off long enough to make an escape. You and I take the lead. Lyndsey stays behind cover.”

Reyna grinned. “As long as I get to shoot bad guys, I’m in. And if this goes sideways, I’m blaming you.”

The first shots rang out as Jake and Reyna moved to the front of the cabin. Jake crouched behind the reinforced wall near the front window, his Glock drawn and ready. Through the trees, he caught glimpses of the mercenaries moving closer, their movements deliberate and coordinated.

“Lang doesn’t send amateurs,” Reyna muttered, her rifle trained on the tree line.

“Neither does Cerberus,” Jake replied. He caught movement to his left—a shadow breaking from the trees—and squeezed the trigger. The crack of his Glock echoed in the still light of dawn, and the figure dropped.

“Nice shot,” Reyna said, firing off two rounds of her own. Another mercenary fell, clutching his leg as he went down.

Lyndsey had taken on the task of watching the security feed. “Two more coming in from the east. One of them has what looks like a grenade.”

“Shit,” Reyna hissed, adjusting her aim.

“I’ll handle it,” Jake said, already moving. He slipped out the back door, keeping low as he circled the cabin. His heart pounded in his chest, but his focus remained razor-sharp. The pale light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows that danced with every movement.

Ahead, he spotted the two mercenaries. One held an M4 carbine, scanning the area, while the other carried a grenade launcher slung over his shoulder. Jake crept closer, his movements silent, until he was within striking distance.

With a swift, practiced motion, he grabbed the mercenary with the grenade launcher, pulling him into a chokehold. The man struggled, his hands clawing at Jake’s arm, but it was no use. Jake tightened his grip until the mercenary went limp, then lowered him silently to the ground.

The other mercenary turned just in time to catch the butt of Jake’s Glock to the side of his head. He too crumpled without a sound.

Jake tapped his comm. “Two down. Grenade launcher secured.”

“Good,” Reyna replied. “But we’ve got more company. Lyndsey, can you?—?”

The sound of glass shattering cut her off, followed by a sharp cry from inside the cabin.

“Lyndsey!” Jake barked, sprinting back toward the house.

He reached the cabin just as a third mercenary dragged Lyndsey into the main room, a knife pressed to her throat. Her eyes met Jake’s, wide with fear but brimming with defiance.

“Drop your weapon,” the mercenary ordered, his voice cold.

Jake froze, his mind racing. Slowly, he lowered his Glock, setting it on the ground. “Let her go,” he said, his voice deadly calm. “She’s not your fight.”

The mercenary smirked. “She’s exactly my fight. And now, she’s my leverage.”

“Wrong move,” Reyna’s voice cut through the tension as she appeared at the side of the man, her rifle trained on his head. “Let her go, or I’ll paint the walls with your brains.”

The mercenary hesitated, his grip on Lyndsey faltering just enough. Jake lunged forward, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting until the knife clattered to the floor. With a swift, brutal punch, Jake sent the mercenary sprawling.

Lyndsey stumbled back, her hands trembling as Jake pulled her close. “You okay?” he asked, his voice rough.

She nodded, her breath hitching. “I am now.”

Reyna lowered her rifle, her grin sharp. “Told you we’d kick their asses.”

Jake didn’t respond, his focus entirely on Lyndsey. Her hands clutched his shirt, her eyes searching his. “I thought...” she began, but her voice broke.

“You’re safe,” Jake said, his tone soft but firm. “I’ve got you.”

As the adrenaline began to ebb, Lyndsey sagged against him, her relief palpable. Jake held her tighter. Lang had made this personal, and Jake wasn’t going to stop until the man paid for every threat, every danger, and every moment of fear he’d put Lyndsey through.

Reyna’s sharp eyes scanned the security monitor feeds, her rifle held loosely in her grip. “Well,” she said with a cynical laugh, “looks like our uninvited guests invited some additional friends to the party.”

Lyndsey peered over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of the monitor. Figures moved through the trees, their silhouettes dark and ominous against the dimly lit forest.

Jake’s jaw tightened, his Glock already in his hand. “They’re gearing up for a full assault. We can’t hold them off here.”

Reyna glanced at him, her voice edged with urgency. “We need to move now. If they get any closer, we’ll lose our window.”

Lyndsey swallowed hard. “Where do we go?”

Jake turned to her, his expression unreadable but calm. “We stick to the plan. Get to the SUV and head for the secondary safe house.”

Reyna stood, slinging her rifle over her shoulder. “You sure? They’ll expect us to run.”

“They might,” Jake said, his voice hard, “but they won’t expect us to make it out alive. All we need to do is get to the SUV in the shed.”

Lyndsey forced herself to nod, steeling her resolve and grabbing her laptop. “Then, let’s go.”

The forest around them was alive with danger as the trio made their way to the shed where the SUV was parked. Jake moved like a shadow, his every step deliberate, while Reyna covered their rear, her sharp eyes scanning for movement. Lyndsey stayed between them, clutching the key fob tightly in her hand.

When they reached the shed, Jake motioned for silence. He opened the door slowly, his Glock raised, but the space was clear. “Lyndsey, you’re driving.”

She froze, staring at him. “Me? Are you sure?”

Reyna’s head snapped around. “What? She’s not...”

“She did great yesterday,” Jake cut her off, his tone brooking no argument. “Better she drives while we cover her.”

Reyna’s lips twitched, but she didn’t argue further. “Fine. But if she crashes and we all go up in flames, I’m blaming you.”

Lyndsey didn’t have time to feel insulted. “Ignore her,” said Jake. “You’ve got this. Stick to the shoreline until I tell you to head for the main road.”

Her hands trembled as she slid into the driver’s seat, but the force of Jake’s confidence in her steadied her. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

They got inside the SUV and with a nod from Jake, Lyndsey started the engine, and it roared to life, shattering the forest’s quiet. Lyndsey’s heart pounded as she guided the SUV out of the shed and onto the narrow dirt path leading to the lake. She flicked her gaze to the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Jake and Reyna in the backseat, their weapons ready.

“Movement to the left,” Reyna called, her voice sharp.

“I see it,” Jake replied, his Glock already aimed out the window.

The first shots rang out, cracking through the air like a whip. Lyndsey’s grip on the wheel tightened as bullets pinged off the SUV’s reinforced frame. She swerved hard to the right, narrowly avoiding a fallen tree.

“Keep it steady!” Jake barked, firing out the passenger-side window.

“I’m trying!” she snapped, her knuckles white as she wrestled with the wheel.

Reyna laughed, the sound almost manic. “She’s got a little bite, huh?”

“Focus!” Jake growled, taking out one of their pursuers with a well-placed shot.

The shoreline came into view, the water glinting under the quiet light of dawn. Lyndsey veered onto the sand, the tires slipping before gaining traction. The SUV jolted violently as they sped over uneven ground, but she kept her foot on the gas, her mind racing as fast as her heart.

“Three more on your six!” Reyna shouted, leaning out the back window and letting off a volley of shots. “They’re not giving up.”

“They won’t,” Jake said grimly. “They’re too close to whatever Lang has planned.”

A vehicle pulled up alongside them, a black SUV with tinted windows. Lyndsey’s stomach flipped as the passenger leaned out, aiming a rifle directly at her.

“Jake!” she screamed.

He didn’t hesitate. With lightning precision, he fired through the open window, hitting the rifleman square in the shoulder. The man fell back with a cry, and his SUV veered off course, crashing into a cluster of trees.

“Nice shot,” Reyna said, ducking back inside.

“Eyes forward!” Jake snapped at Lyndsey. “Main road coming up.”

She nodded, her focus narrowing as she spotted the turnoff. The sound of tires screeching behind them filled the air, and her pulse spiked. They weren’t out of danger yet.

The SUV hit the main road with a lurch. Lyndsey pressed the accelerator to the floor, her eyes darting between the road and the rearview mirror. Another vehicle appeared behind them, gaining fast.

“Reyna!” Jake barked.

“On it,” she replied, leaning out the back window and firing in quick succession. The pursuing vehicle swerved but kept coming.

Lyndsey stepped on the gas, speeding toward a sharp curve ahead, flanked by a steep drop-off to the lake. Jake hoped she knew what she was doing. “Hold on!” she shouted.

“Lyndsey, what are you...” Jake began, but she cut him off.

“Trust me!” she called back over her shoulder as she jerked the wheel hard to the left, sending the SUV skidding around the curve. The pursuing vehicle tried to follow but couldn’t match the maneuver. Its tires screeched before the entire vehicle slid off the edge, tumbling into the lake below.

“Holy shit,” Reyna breathed, sitting back down. “She’s got moves.”

Jake turned to Lyndsey, his eyes intense. “You okay?”

She nodded, her breath coming in ragged gasps. “I’m fine. Are we clear?”

Jake glanced out the window, his expression unreadable. “For now.”

Lyndsey exhaled. She kept her eyes on the road as they sped toward safety, but Jake was sure her mind was a whirlwind of fear, relief, and something she probably couldn’t name.

Jake leaned back against the passenger seat, watching as Lyndsey gripped the steering wheel like her life depended on it. Her knuckles were white, and her jaw was set in a determined line. She’d held her own during the escape, managing to keep them one step ahead of the pursuing mercenaries. Still, the stiffness in her shoulders told him that the adrenaline hadn’t worn off. Not yet.

“You did good out there,” Jake said, his voice low and steady, cutting through the hum of the SUV’s engine.

Lyndsey didn’t look at him, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. “We’re not safe yet.”

Jake allowed a faint smile to tug at the corner of his mouth. She was right—they weren’t safe. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t acknowledge her courage. “True but getting this far took skill. You’ve got more of it than you give yourself credit for.”

From the backseat, Reyna laughed softly. “Listen to him, Doc. That’s the closest thing to a compliment you’ll get out of Jake Sands.”

“Shut up, Reyna,” Jake muttered, though there was no real heat in his voice.

Lyndsey’s lips twitched into a faint smile, but she didn’t ease up on the wheel. Jake admired her focus. The road ahead wound through the trees, which seemed to be closing in like soldiers from either side. Every shadow could be a threat, every curve a potential ambush.

“Take the next left,” Jake instructed. “We’ll follow the road that heads off into the woods. Reyna mentioned a hunting cabin we can use. Cerberus has used it as a secondary safe house. It’s remote enough to give us some breathing room.”

Lyndsey nodded, her hands steady as she turned onto the narrow dirt road. The SUV bumped along the uneven ground, the dense forest swallowing them whole. Jake kept his Glock within easy reach, his eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement.

After several tense minutes, the cabin came into view. It was small, almost invisible under the dense canopy of trees, but it was the kind of place Jake preferred—unassuming, out of the way, and easy to defend.

“Lyndsey, circle round the cabin. If there’s a back door, park by it.”

Lyndsey came to a halt right outside the door. Jake and Reyna exited the vehicle first, sweeping the area while Lyndsey waited in the SUV. When they returned, Jake opened her door and extended a hand. “All clear. Let’s get inside the cabin.”

Lyndsey stepped out, clutching her laptop bag like it was a lifeline. Jake’s hand brushed her arm as he guided her toward the cabin, and the brief contact sent a jolt through him. He’d felt that spark before, but here, in the stillness of the woods, it felt sharper, more real.

Reyna was already setting up inside, pulling out equipment and connecting her laptop to a portable power source. “This place is a dump,” she muttered. “But it’ll do for now.”

Jake chuckled softly as he locked the door behind them. “Welcome to the glamorous life of black ops.”

Lyndsey settled into one of the chairs, setting up her laptop, her fingers immediately flying over the keys. “I’ll start combing through what we have. Maybe there’s something we missed.”

Jake knelt beside her, his gaze fixed on her face. “Take a breath first.”

She glanced at him, her eyes flashing. “There’s no time for that.”

“You’ll think clearer if you do,” he countered. “Five minutes, Lyndsey. Then we dive back in.”

She hesitated but finally leaned back in the chair, exhaling slowly. Her eyes met his, and the energy between them shifted.

“Jake…” she began, her voice softer now. “Do you wonder if we’re in over our heads?”

“All the time,” he admitted. “But it doesn’t stop me from doing what needs to be done. And it won’t stop you, either.”

Her lips curved into a faint smile. “You really think I can do this?”

Jake’s expression softened. “You’re already doing it.”

Reyna’s voice broke the moment. “Hate to interrupt your bonding session, but we’ve got a problem.” She turned her laptop toward them, the screen displaying a live feed of shadows moving through the trees. “Looks like someone managed to follow us.”

Lyndsey’s stomach dropped. “How many?”

“Enough to make this interesting,” Reyna said, her tone grim. “And that’s not all—it looks like Lang is still involved.”

Jake straightened, his hand going to his weapon. “We’re not staying here. Lyndsey, grab your gear. Reyna, pack up the essentials. We’re moving.”

As Lyndsey scrambled to collect her things, Jake’s mind raced. Whoever had found them wasn’t here by accident. This was calculated, deliberate. And it meant they were running out of time.

They piled into the SUV, Lyndsey sliding into the driver’s seat. Reyna started to protest, but Jake cut her off. “She did fine before. She’s driving. You and I need to focus on covering our backs.”

Reyna raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue, taking the backseat and readying her weapon. Jake settled into the passenger seat, his Glock already in his hand.

“Lyndsey,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “Follow the route I showed you on the map. It’s programmed into the nav system. Stay steady, and don’t panic.”

She nodded, her grip on the wheel tightening. “Got it.”

The SUV roared to life, tearing down the dirt road as shadows emerged from the tree line behind them. Jake rolled down his window, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the vehicles in pursuit.

“Here we go,” he muttered, raising his weapon.

Gunfire erupted, shattering the stillness of the morning as the chase began. The roar of engines filled the air, mingling with the sharp crack of bullets. Jake kept his Glock steady, leaning slightly out of the open passenger window as he scanned behind them. Flashes of muzzle fire lit up the forest like fleeting sparks, and every instinct in his body screamed to stay sharp, stay alive.

Beside him, Lyndsey gripped the wheel tightly, as she maneuvered the SUV along the narrow dirt road. Jake could see the set of her jaw, the determination in her eyes as she pushed forward, keeping her focus on the road despite the chaos erupting around them. She was scared—hell, they all were—but she was holding it together.

“Stay steady,” Jake barked, his voice cutting through the deafening noise. He aimed at one of the pursuing vehicles, firing off a shot that shattered a headlight. “You’re doing fine.”

In the backseat, Reyna worked with practiced efficiency, her rifle poised as she fired through the open window. “Got one of them,” she called, her tone sharp and focused. “Two more closing in. Doc, keep this thing moving!”

Lyndsey didn’t respond, but her actions spoke louder than words. The SUV barreled through the forest, weaving through the trees with a precision Jake hadn’t expected. They were in this together—the three of them—and somehow, she was holding her own.

They weren’t out of danger yet. Not even close. Jake’s gaze flicked to the side mirror, catching the glint of another vehicle headed their way. Their attackers weren’t giving up. If anything, they were closing the gap.

“Lyndsey, sharp turn ahead,” Jake warned, his voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through his veins. “On my mark.”

He watched her nod, her eyes darting to the path ahead. She trusted him—trusted him to guide her through this, to keep them alive. It was a trust he didn’t take lightly, and he wasn’t about to let her down.

“Now!” Jake shouted, bracing himself as Lyndsey yanked the wheel to the left. The SUV skidded, the tires kicking up dirt and gravel as they veered onto a narrower, rockier path. The sudden turn sent one of their pursuers into a tree with a sickening crunch, but the others adjusted quickly, bouncing through the dense forest as they pressed on.

“Nice move,” Jake muttered, glancing at Lyndsey. Her jaw was clenched, her eyes locked on the road ahead, but he caught the faintest flicker of a smile.

The chase was far from over, but for the first time in the chaos, Jake felt something more than the pounding of his pulse or the sharp edge of danger. They were a strong team. And as long as they kept moving, he was damn sure they’d make it out alive.