Chapter Sixteen

Tanner

“Where the fuck are they, man?” Bubba said through gritted teeth, his face white as a sheet of paper as sweat pooled and ran down his forehead.

After a fierce battle in the stairwell, he’d taken a hit to his right shoulder. I was holding pressure, but he was losing a hell of a lot of blood and fast, and we were stuck in a broom closet with barely any ammunition and little hope, our only light from my cell phone.

“On their way,” I said. “They’ll be here in a minute.”

God, I was a liar. I had no idea where they were, or if they’d even be able to get back inside the casino. For all I knew the cops had the place blocked off.

But at least Tex and the guys had gotten Rebekah to safety. I at least had that.

I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed harder on Bubba’s mangled shoulder, making him grimace.

I also had no idea where the sicario was at this moment. As soon as Bubba took the hit, I got him as far away as I could, as fast as I could, and tucked him away while I called for backup. I was a Maverick, but I wasn’t a fucking idiot. I couldn’t take on an entire drug cartel and hitman alone with a wounded partner and low ammo. I would just have to sit tight.

In the meantime, I shot off another one-handed text to Lucky to check on things back in California.

Me: Status?

Lucky: Fucked but nothing we can’t handle. You?

Me: Bubba’s been hit.

Lucky: How bad?

Me: Not sure. No medic. Right shoulder, through and through, losing lots of blood.

Lucky: Where the fuck is the team?

Me: Got Rebekah out.

Lucky: ???

Me: They’re coming back.

Lucky: Call me as soon as you’re out. Tell Bubba to hang in there.

Me: Roger that.

Hot blood seeped through my fingers. I pressed harder as Bubba wilted beneath me, his eyes growing heavy and unfocused, his breathing shallow. My heart thundered in my chest as footsteps pounded beyond the door. This was it.

I sent off one more text to Tex then pocketed my phone and picked up my gun, my eyes homed in on the door in the darkness.

It suddenly dawned on me that I could die here. Tonight. I’d never given much thought to my mortality, preferring to live life on the edge, throwing caution to the wind, marching to the beat of my own drum. I was all about doing what I wanted and asking for forgiveness, rather than permission.

But something about these past days, back in my hometown, had opened my eyes. My heart. For the first time, I had something to live for other than my career and my team.

Rebekah.

A woman. Who would’ve thought?

If there was even the slightest chance I might not make it out of this alive, I had to tell her. She needed to know.

I took a few seconds and tapped out one more quick text, hoping it would be enough.

Thank you for sharing your light with me. This time with you has meant everything…xo

My head snapped up as the footsteps and voices grew closer. I swallowed the thickness from my throat.

Closer.

Then a sudden burst of gunfire and shouting. Spanish. English.

Commotion and more gunshots blazed right outside the door. I was tempted to peek, but I couldn’t abandon Bubba or let the pressure go on his shoulder and let him bleed to death. I’d just have to wait . . . and wait . . .

Then it all stopped.

~ ~

Everything went silent, but for my heart, beating steadily behind my ribs. Adrenaline sat acidic on my tongue. Every muscle in my body coiled, ready to strike.

Bubba lay limp on the ground, the puddle of blood now alarmingly wide and thick beneath him.

Suddenly, the door to the closet flew open.

I raised my gun, safety off, finger on the trigger. One hair from the pull, I recognized Tito’s face and dropped my weapon, relief literally making me shake.

He inched inside, Wolf right behind him, Tex in the rear.

“Fuck, man.” He crouched down and checked Bubba’s carotid pulse.

“Took y’all long enough,” I grumbled, hefting myself up as they took over bandaging up Bubba’s shoulder. I moved toward Tex, who was guarding the door. “Rebekah?”

He shot me a look. “At the police station, stalling for time. She’s good.”

I nodded and glanced out at the dead bodies littering the ground, grateful this shit storm was over. At least for now. “Thanks, man.”

“Don’t thank me. It was the job and, more than that, she’s family. We take care of our own.”

“I know that, but still, I appreciate it.” I shifted on my feet. “She’s special, Tex. Really special.”

Now his gaze grew assessing. “I may have just met her, but if you hurt my cousin, I will fuck you up, Maverick.”

“I hear you, man. I’d never hurt her.”

“See that you don’t.”

We both turned when Wolf and Tito hefted Bubba on a makeshift gurney.

Wolf nodded toward the exit. “Lead the way, gentlemen.”

I took the lead as we inched our way down and out, still on the lookout for any stray tangos. As soon as we got Bubba back to the Hummer, Tex contacted the police and updated them on what they could know of our operation and the mess we’d left them, while we sped to the hospital.

I checked my phone, my heart falling when I didn’t find a response from Rebekah.

I tried again. You OK baby?

She responded immediately. Yes. Are you?

I’m fine. Bubba was shot. We’re taking him to the hospital now.

Oh no . . . is he OK?

Not sure yet.

I’m sorry, Tanner.

I frowned down at her words. I didn’t want her sympathy. I wanted a reply to my first text message. Why was she avoiding me? I would get to the bottom of that, but not by text. I glanced up as Wolf turned into the ER.

Sit tight…I will come pick you up as soon as he’s settled, I shot back before jumping out of the Humvee to unload my friend without waiting for her answer.