shimmy. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!”
Shit. We were hit. “Just keep it going.” I moved back into position, firing off as many rounds as possible.
The hard thunking noise coming from underneath was one bad sign. As the vehicle began to slow, I shot off one last round, taking out at least one more of their SUVs.
“I see the plane. It’s going to be tight. Get ready to run as fast as you can, Lindsey,” Diego instructed.
She moved to a crouching position, her breathing ragged.
I glanced in her direction, able to see the fear in her eyes. I was also able to see her same defiance. She wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
“We’re getting ready to lose steering,” Diego announced. “I’ll get us as close as I can.”
Diego managed to maneuver the Jeep within a few hundred feet. When he jerked to a stop, immediately cutting the engine, I reached for Lindsey, dragging her out through the open window while Diego yanked the duffle, charging toward the plane.
The plane was waiting as promised, the engine running. As soon as someone inside the plane noticed our arrival, he opened the door, tossing down a set of portable stairs.
I grabbed her hand, pulled her in front of me as we raced forward. Within seconds, the sound of gunfire seemed to be coming from all around us.
She threw a look over her shoulder, a squeal erupting from her throat.
“Go!” I hissed, pushing her forward. We had one hundred fifty feet. One hundred.
Pop! Pop!
The instant blast of pain as the bullet struck was blinding. I stumbled forward, dropping the rifle, the wind knocked out of me.
“No! Jack’s been hit,” she screamed, her voice barely audible over the roar of the plane.
“Go without me!” I managed, stars floating in front of my eyes.
“We’re not leaving you. Never,” she insisted. “Diego.”
“No, Lindsey. Don’t. You need to…” The anguish crawled up my arm, yanking at my breath. The sound of gunfire continued, although every sound was now muffled. I tried to crawl forward but could no longer feel my legs.
“Jack. Jack!”
The sound of her voice was beautiful but as she dropped onto her knees beside me, I used the last bit of strength to push her away. “Get… her on… the… plane.”
“Go, Lindsey, goddammit. Go!” Diego roared as he yanked me into his arms, tossing me over his shoulder. “Go. Go. Go!”
Pop! Pop!
I heard the ping of metal as several bullets hit the aircraft, could feel the vibrations as the troop of soldiers made their way toward the plane.
“You’re not going to die on me, buddy!” Diego insisted, stumbling forward as he raced toward a chance at survival.
No. No… this wasn’t the way it was supposed to end. This couldn’t be happening. I lifted my head, catching sight of the bastards racing toward us, could still hear Lindsey’s screams as she continued to try to get to me. I knew… There was no doubt in my mind that we’d failed our mission.
“We’re not going to… make…”
Chapter 15
Lindsey
A doctor.
All I’d ever wanted since I could remember was to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a surgeon. I’d been tested before, including the year of one nasty internship as well as the few months of work I’d been able to perform in the jungle.
This was entirely different.
I was treating a dying man and one I’d fallen in love with.
The realization that I could lose him had been debilitating and if it hadn’t been for the man on the plane who’d help Diego drag me to safety, I doubt any of us would be alive. While the plane had taken off safely, Diego continued to pace the cargo-style airplane, the weapon still firmly planted in his hand.
“Fuck. Fuck,” he snapped for the tenth time. “How could this have happened?”
The foreign-looking man stood guard, also carrying a weapon. I could tell he didn’t have any more trust in us than we did for him.
Now I was terrified. I had to save Jack’s life and I wasn’t entirely certain I could do it. “I need you, Diego. I need help here.”
Snarling, Diego jerked in my direction. “Can you save him, Doc?”
“I need towels and whatever medical supplies you have on this plane.” When no one responded, I snapped my head in the oblivious soldier’s direction. “Can you understand English? Do you have anything on this steel piece of shit that can help me?” I was exasperated, blinking away tears from hearing the wheezing sounds in Jack’s breathing.
As Diego walked closer to the