That’s because the SOB got in during the dark hours before dawn. He left Roman out of commission. Let the falling snow cover the tracks. And I’m betting he left us a surprise behind.
Holding Lacey, Dex raced for the back of the cabin. He knew there was another door back there. Another way out.
“Dex, talk to me!” Lacey raged. “Tell me what’s—”
The door wouldn’t open. Someone had nailed the fucker shut. He wants us forced out the front. Because their enemy had another plan of attack waiting near the front of the cabin? Because he’d left a deadly surprise there?
Not happening.
Dex kicked at the door. Once. Twice. He had to let Lacey go so that he could use all of his strength on that door. On the next kick, the door flew outward. He caught Lacey’s wrist. “Stay low and stay with me!”
“Why are you running out there?” Roman had surged toward them. “The shooter is waiting! We need to stay in here until your team arrives! I know you have a damn team out—”
“Get your ass out, too,” Dex thundered at him. “Because if we stay here, we’re dead.”
Roman shook his head.
Your choice. Dex focused beyond the back door. There was a line of trees about thirty yards from the rear of the cabin.
“Run like hell,” Dex ordered Lacey. “Don’t stop. Don’t look back.” He would draw the shooter’s fire. He would make himself the target so she could get clear.
“We’re safe here.” Roman lumbered closer. “Don’t you get that?”
“Not if there is a bomb here, jackass!” Not if the bastard left one here because he knew he could force us all into this cabin. Herding us. Like sheep. There was no time to waste. Dex ran out with Lacey. He wanted to hold her tight and never let go, but he needed to protect her. He needed to draw the fire if the shooter was still close.
Be gone. Larry said you were retreating. Fucking be gone.
Dex made sure that when Lacey left the cabin, he was beside her. He shielded her body as best he could.
“This doesn’t make sense! Why are you protecting me?” Her question huffed back at him.
He looked toward the tree line and saw the glint of light. A gun. Pointed at them.
***
The shooter’s breath slid out on a soft sigh. A change of position had been necessary when those prick agents of Dex’s had managed to return fire.
But this was better. This was perfect. Odds had been high that once he’d sought shelter in the cabin, Dex wouldn’t then immediately run back out the front door. No, a rear exit had been expected. The nails had even been put in the door so that Dex would think the intent was to force him out the front. Or to keep him in the cabin.
Wrong.
Dexter Ryan had been studied carefully. This plan was perfect.
Lacey was in the scope. So close.
Right to the heart.
The shooter squeezed the trigger.
***
Lacey didn’t have a chance to cry out. One moment, she caught the glint of light in the woods. And in the next—a fist punched her in the chest.
Her breath caught in her throat and the impact sent her staggering back. Her boots slipped over the snow, and she stumbled. She hit the ground and that fist kept burning against her. Her hands flew toward her chest.
“Lacey!” Dex was over her. Staring at her with wild eyes. “Oh, God, baby, you’re hit.”
Chapter Ten
Why was Dex looking so crazed? His eyes were wild and his face had contorted into lines of fury.
“Bullet…proof vest,” she gasped. He knew she was wearing one beneath the puffy coat. He’d insisted she wear the thing. Extremely grateful for that insistence right about now.
But he covered her chest with his fingers. “No! Don’t do this to me!” he roared.
Um, what?
His gaze cut to her face. “Play dead,” he whispered.
Again, what?
Footsteps scrambled near them. Her eyes drifted closed.
“She’s hit?” Roman’s voice, and he sounded gutted. Why would he be so upset by her wound? The man didn’t even know her.
“Stay the hell away from her or I will shoot you where you stand!”
She didn’t move.
“I didn’t do this! I wasn’t involved!” Roman’s voice was still all gutted and desperate. “I swear it!”
“I want a chopper here now,” Dex blasted. She knew he was talking in his comm link, and since she had her earpiece in place, too, she heard the reply.
“They’re en route now. I’m in the woods about twenty yards from you. Shooter is moving. Fuck.