CHAPTER TWENTY
Tanner had the copter up in 2 minutes flat. He’d already primed it and warmed it up this morning.
Noah checked all the weapons. His mind was in the game, but his heart wasn’t. He knew the minute her fiancé appeared on the screen that it had all been a dammed fantasy. Obviously, the man still loved her and they had still been together.
He would do his best to save the dumb fucker’s life. After all, it took guts to be a noncombatant—a fucking lawyer for fuck’s sake—then take a trek like this, just to save your girl.
His fists clenched around his AK. His girl. Not mine.
“Dumbass Groves coming up,” Tanner announced over the headphones. “Shots being fired.”
Noah grabbed the rope ladder, tested the anchor of it on the metal of the wall and readied himself. He could see the man below dressed in heavy outerwear ducking by a boulder as shots ricocheted off the stone.
Tanner lined them up.
Noah unrolled the rope and descended.
Adam gazed up in shock. He had dark eyes and a handsome face. Like some male model.
Noah ignored his gut feeling of wanting to punch the guy in his good looking face as he descended. Despite bullets hitting his armor, he lunged down and grabbed the startled man from his hiding spot. Tugging him, he made his way back up. Yes, he could hold a full man’s weight and do this. Training and strength had been just the first hurdle years aback in the SEALS. It was second nature. Yes, his arms strained and his lungs began that familiar burn, but he never stopped.
“Hurry dammit!” Tanner yelled in his helmet. “They’re scoping the chopper!”
Noah grunted as he moved up faster.
“Hang on!” Tanner spoke. “Gotta swing for cover.”
Noah did just that as the little bird turned around and moved back.
“Ahhh!” Adam yelled as they both swung around like pendulums in the air.
Noah rolled his eyes. “Civilians,” he grumbled in disgust.
The chopper leveled out as Noah made it up and shoved Adam in.
The man rolled over and just laid there stunned. Staring up at Noah in his body armor.
“Ducks in a row, Harris!” Tanner yelled through the comm.
Noah grabbed a rifle and clipped grenades to his belt next to the ammo already there.
Adam gaped up at the warrior in full gear. “What the fuck is happening?”
“A party dude. My kind of party.” Noah stepped to the open copter door.
“5 O clock,” Tanner instructed through his helmet.
Aiming his scope, Noah saw what he meant. He began firing rapidly.
“One, two, three… damn four,” Tanner cheered as men went down like dominoes in the snow.
Now the rest hauled ass for cover along the trail.
“Swing to my 80, Tanner!” Noah yelled.
The copter swung around in a circle.
“FUCCCK,” Adam yelled from behind him while trying to hang onto anything he could.
“Dumbass,” Noah muttered as he again lined his scope up.
The chopper pinged with bullet hits. It was bullet proof, but not completely invulnerable.
Noah picked off three more.
“Half done!” Tanner maneuvered around again.
Noah picked off two more. He spotted Faulkner and winged him.
“Dammit you missed him,” Tanner called.
“I never miss and you know it. I want him alive. I want the truth.”
Tanner remained silent.
“What the fuck is happening?” Adam called from the floor where he hung onto the metal of a seat leg.
“Just hang on. Dumbshit, it’s about to get real bumpy now.” Noah grinned. He loved bumpy. “Tanner, 50 degrees south.”
The copter swung around again.
Pulling out grenades, Noah pinpointed hiding spots. He dropped one, then called to Tanner, “Now to the back 30!”
The bird again swung the other way.
Noah dropped another.
“I think that’s eleven!” Tanner yelled.
“Yeah, but I can’t get the two by the trees.” He hit a button on his helmet. “Sweet Cheeks?”
A few seconds went by.
He rolled his eyes. “Tap the yellow button Ridge!”
“Um, yeah Harris?”
God her voice made his skin sit up on edge with an actual tingle. “When I say tap the red button.”
“O-okay. God, you killed all those men!”
He nodded but had no time for chit chat. He watched the trail below and spotted the pair moving along the trail. Just about there. Yes, come on dick heads, just a bit more.” Okay Ridge, hit it!”
He stared below and the mine went off tearing the men into pieces as the snow turned a bright red while body parts landed in all directions like it was raining meat.
“Ohhh.” Her voice could be heard over the comm.
“It’ll be ok, Ridge. It had to be done.”
No response.
He knew she was probably upset that she just killed two men.
“They are toast!” she cheered back over the comm.
Noah’s head snapped up. Was that a cheer in her voice? He chuckled a bit. Damn woman never failed to surprise him.
“Okay, back to back-stabber,” Tanner cut in, meaning Faulkner. “You gotta pick him up.”
“He may not come easy,” Noah replied.
“Fuck easy!” Tanner exclaimed. “Make that wound bleed Harris!”
Noah smiled. “My Pleasure, buddy.”
“Who the hell are you people?” Adam asked from behind him.
“Later man. I’m busy,” Noah called back to him. He spotted Faulkner holding his shoulder while heading back down the trail. “Oh, you ain’t leaving the party, asshole.” He gazed back at Adam. “Hang on Groves.”
The man stared at him, eyes wide, his face white and pinched. “W-what?”
“Swing another 50, Tanner!”
The copter started into a turn.
“SHIIIT!” Adam yelled in panic as they whirled around.
Noah gauged it just right. “Hold it there!” he called to Tanner.
“God, be careful, Harris,” Ridge spoke over the comm.
He smiled but gave no response. Yeah, she could see it all from where she was. He headed down.
He trained his rifle on the man in one hand and swooped close to him.
Faulkner peered up and panic rolled over his features. He raised a pistol.
Noah let off a shot and took out his hand.
Faulkner dropped to the snow and grabbed his bleeding hand. Two of his fingers lay there beside him as red splattered the snow. “AHHH!” he screamed like a baby.
Noah laughed evilly. “Hurts don’t it fucker?” He grabbed the squirming man and headed up. Blood coated his armor as the man fought. “I’m going to drop your sorry ass,” Noah threatened.
The man stilled and went limp.
“Good boy.” Noah grunted as he made it to the copter and tossed the trash into the pit.
Adam sat up and stared at the new man that rolled in beside him. “General Faulkner?” He looked pale and shaky. His gaze rose up to Noah covered in blood. “What the hell?”
Noah ignored him. “Home, Tanner.”
“Dammed straight,” came the reply.
The flight home took 5 minutes.
Faulkner remained passed out and Adam had his eyes closed.
Noah looked closer at Groves. He didn’t look so hot. But that would be normal. Climbing the mountain, being shot at, then being picked up by a specter in full armor. The copter ride. Explosions. He needed to cut the guy a break. OR NOT. His eyes narrowed. The man was here to take Ridge from him. He gritted his teeth. It would be up to her.
The little bird landed on its pad.
Ridge came running from the trail.
“God dammit, can’t she ever stay put?” Tanner yelled.
Noah smiled. No. She can’t.
She ran up and waited till the blades stopped. Gasping with her face pink from the cold, she rushed to the door. “Harris!” she yelled and jumped up on him through the door.
He caught her. Fuck, she felt good and even with all the metallic smell of blood all around him, he caught her scent instantly.
She stepped back and stared at him, her gaze dropping as her face paled. “Blood…”
He peered down. “Oh, it’s not mine.”
Her lips trembled. Her stunned gaze swung to the occupants in the chopper.
Tanner stepped into the pit and grabbed Faulkner up. “Move out of the way sis!”
With wide eyes, she stepped to the side.
He carried him down and disappeared around the trail.
Her gaze swung over to Adam. “Ohhh.” She stepped over kneeling down next to him.
Groves opened his eyes. “Riley?” he gasped her name out.
She nodded and touched his face. “What’s wrong with him?” She glanced up at Noah.
Noah shrugged. “Shock I imagine. He just got a helluva ride.”
She pressed his cheek with the back of her hand. “He feels cold and clammy.”
Noah wrinkled his brow and stepped closer. “Move over,” he ordered brusquely. He unzipped the man’s jacket and opened it up. Blood soaked his shirt.
“Oh, my god!” Ridge yelled in panic.
Sighing, Noah scooped the man up. “Move, Ridge.”
She stepped back looking upset. “What happened?”
Noah carried him out and down to the cabin trail. “Fucker got himself shot trying to rescue his girl.”