Operation Zulu Redemption: Out of Nowhere - Part 2 (16 page)

“Hey,” someone said just before Sam was guided to the right. The engine noise quieted some more, both as they cut it off and as the distance grew.

The hood was yanked off, along with a clump of hair that felt like fire prickling his scalp. Sam winced and cringed, then immediately devoured his surroundings. Yes, it was dark. Sun had gone down. Lights on the tarmac revealed things that stepped into its beams but shadowed that which stood between Sam and the source. Taking in everything, he did his best to gain orientation. In the distance a smattering of multistoried structures stuck out of a semi-mountainous terrain. Thick copses of trees lined the hills. Far away but still visible, a hillside was lit up with golden lights. Sam’s gaze rose to the top of the mountain that towered over the rest to the ruins.

No way.

~

“I can’t leave him here, Noodle.” Her words hardened her resolve. “Help me get him up.”

“What? No!” Nuala knelt opposite her. “Are you insane? We leave him.
Now.
”

“No.” 

Nuala tugged her back. “John. We have to find John. Remember? And we have to get out of here. It’s almost dark.”

“If he dies, his life is on my conscience. His blood on my hands.” Téya flashed her eyes at her friend. “You realize what that means? How many people will be after me
now
if he dies?”

“We have no car, no way to get him out of here.” The voice of reason, Nuala only told the truth, but it angered Téya that her friend wanted her to walk away. “And think about it—Trace will kill you himself if you take him back to the hotel.”

Right. So not back to their hotel. That shortened the distance necessary to transport him. She had combat medic skills, so. . . Téya scanned the buildings beyond the ten-foot fence. Barely visible was a store of some kind. Next to it loomed an office building. Behind it, another building peeked out, its brick darker, older. Fire escapes. A blinking sign hung on the corner, flashing a price and T
he
A
egean
H
otel
.

Perfect.

“Help me get him up.” Téya moved to his head.

“Are you
insane
?”

“Yes,” Téya said.

~

“I have another name for you.”

Frankie arched an eyebrow and huffed. “You gave me Sam and he knew nothing.”

“He knows more than he realizes.”

“Doesn’t matter now, does it?”

“Find Boone Ramage.” He tapped the table. “Find him and you find a tenable trail that will lead you right back to Weston and this mess.”

“Are you—” Frankie bit down on the tongue lashing she wanted to unleash. She’d had Boone on her radar since day one. “He’s a dead end, Varden. I’ve tried—”

“Seems to me you talked to a good-looking EMT in Lucketts.”

Unease slithered through Frankie’s belly. She should know better than to be surprised by anything Varden said or did. But she suddenly felt like she had strings attached to her arms and legs and should start talking to a cricket.

~

Legs weak, she stumbled. Pitched forward into the grass and rocks.
Just want to sit. . .for a minute.
She slumped against the ground, breathing hard, her pulse whooshing across her eardrums.

Keep going. She had to keep going.

Annie pushed herself up.

A bark trumpeted success. He was close! Too close.

Tripping over a gnarly root system, Annie whimpered. Pushing up on all fours, she glanced over her shoulder. Saw something moving through the dark shadows. Dogs. They were right on her.

On her feet again, she ran. Dodged fallen trees. Avoided root systems. Rocks that threatened to snap her ankle.

But she heard them. Heard the dogs’ barking and snapping. She looked back. Saw them. Springers. Labs.

Panic stole her breath.

A dog flew from the side, a blur of glowing eyes and fangs. She scrabbled backward, terror ripping through her as she saw the powerful jaws dive at her.

~

Boone sprinted through the warehouse, his face pale.

Heart in her throat, Nuala rushed after him. “What’s wrong?”

But he said nothing, only sprinted out and up the darkened steps out of the bunker. Nuala turned, searching for an answer.

“Houston,” Téya barked as she stalked toward him. “What happened?”

The geek lowered his head, his mouth set in a grim line. “The hospital called. Something’s wrong. Keeley’s vitals are all dropping. Her organs are shutting down.”

~

Operation Zulu Redemption: Collateral Damage – Part 1

Operation Zulu Redemption: Out of Nowhere – Part 2

Operation Zulu Redemption: Hazardous Duty – Part 3

Operation Zulu Redemption: Act of Treason – Part 4

Overkill: The Beginning – Available Now!

Part 1: Collateral Damage – Available Now!

Part 2: Out of Nowhere – Available Now!

Part 3: Hazardous Duty – Coming August 1, 2014

Part 4: Act of Treason – Coming August 8, 2014

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She and her hunky hero hubby have a fun, crazy life with their children, their Maltese Menace, and a retired military working dog in Northern Virginia. Author and speaker, Ronie loves engaging readers through her Rapid-Fire Fiction. Ronie can be found at
www.roniekendig.com
, on Facebook (
www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction
), Twitter (
@roniekendig
), and Goodreads (
www.goodreads.com/RonieK
).