Chapter Three
Rory
I was the last to jump from the helicopter. My position was almost always in the back or middle of any formation. It meant that I was safer than the others, but they needed me alive in case one of them got hurt.
The wind rushed up to meet me as I stepped off the chopper and fell into the night. I spread my arms and the suit slowed my descent. In moments, it went from feeling like I was free-falling to feeling as though I was flying. If it weren’t for the danger ahead, it would have almost been fun. Gliding to the ground amidst the neon lights and music of the city at night was exhilarating nonetheless.
We landed just outside the perimeter Black Sun had set up around the building. It was less than a block away but it was a long way to go to get inside. It would have been damn near impossible if not for Aden. He took a position inside the building next to the black site. The doors were unlocked. How the Army had cleared the way for that, I didn’t know. But I was glad they had. We were always safer with Aden at our backs.
Captain Mayfield, Kali, and I waited. Moments later, Aden took out all of the men on the outside. In the confusion, they weren’t even able to get a shot off before Aden killed each one with a quick, precise shot to their hearts.
Aden joined us again and we made our way to the entry point quickly. It wouldn’t be long before Black Sun sent men back up to replace the men Aden had killed. We had to act fast and stay under the radar as much as possible.
Once inside, it became evident that most of the manpower had been outside. They hadn’t counted on us getting in. Kali had a map of the building, and we made our way down to the basement lab where intelligence suspected they were holding the hostages.
There were less than half a dozen armed men between us and the stairwell. Kali and Captain Mayfield took each one down with a clean shot to the head or chest.
We made it to the outside of the room where we believed Black Sun held the hostages. A Chinese scientist came out of an adjacent lab. He was an Omega and was shaking with fear.
Kali asked him in Mandarin if there were any more Black Sun thugs. The Omega pointed at the room we were set to charge into, and when he was done speaking with Kali, he ducked back into the lab for cover.
“He said there are two Alphas and two Omega Black Sun soldiers in the room. Can you believe that? These BS assholes are calling themselves soldiers now and terrorizing the population into believing it.” Kali let out a loud sigh. “He did tell me there are four hostages in the room. Three scientists and Mr. Raoult. He said he heard screaming a few minutes ago.”
“Let’s get in there then. Everyone, stay calm and keep your heads on.”
“You don’t have to tell us, Boss,” I said.
“I know, but this is urban warfare in a tight space. Our objective is to keep Damien Raoult safe at all costs. Remember that when the shit hits the fan.”
Captain Mayfield gave Kali and nod and Kali proceeded to kick the door down. I stayed back with Aden to provide cover fire if needed while Mayfield and Kali swept the room. Fortunately, the Black Sun thugs were standing and the scientist hostages were huddled together on the floor.
The terrorist pigs were dropped in seconds but I’d only counted three Black Sun and three hostages. We all heard the sounds of a beating coming from the next room and breached the distance in a flash.
Mayfield went in first and trained his gun on the Alpha standing over Damien. His gun lay on a table next to them so Mayfield and Kali didn’t shoot.
I looked down at Damien, and he was half naked. His face was beaten in so badly that it was hard to recognize it as a face at all. That’s when I smelled it. His Omega sent overwhelmed me and seeing my mate that way sent me into a rage. Kali sensed it.
“Rory, don’t. You can’t,” he commanded.
It took all of my strength to hold back my fury but the Alpha who had brutalized my mate gave me a gift. He reached for his gun. Without hesitation, I put two in his chest and one his head.
With the threat neutralized, I did the only thing I could. I dropped to my knees next to Damien and opened my med kit. I’d seen soldiers die of less severe wounds but he was still there. Damien was a fighter. I was near tears, and in my head, I begged him to stay with me.
On the outside, I stayed calm and professional. The only way I could save his life was if I separated myself from my emotions. My hands worked as if he were any stranger that needed rescue. Calm, detached, and completely determined, I kept him alive and stable long enough for us to get him out to a medical evacuation.
We hadn’t been prepared to have to do a med evac but that’s how important Damien was to the Army. They got a helicopter in and got us out before Black Sun could send more guns to kill us.
All I could do was hope that I’d done enough.