Page 100 of Still See You Everywhere

I promised I would save him. I cursed at the universe, screamed that it owed me that much. But the universe just didn’t care.

A moan from Marilee’s dangling form.

Another form bursts from the bushes up ahead. Charlie races into view, shotgun in hands.

“Move, move, move,” he shouts at me. “Got you covered.”

Then he’s scrambling into flanking position, a wild vision of bloody bandages and battered visage as he waves his shotgun at the space behind us.

Ronin hits the path, moving at a light jog even with Marilee slung over his shoulders. Vaughn’s on his heels.

At the last moment, Vaughn turns toward me. “Now, Frankie.”

Then, when I still can’t seem to find my feet, he takes three long strides in my direction, grabs my hand, and pulls hard.

“Whatever the fuck it is, let it go. There’ll be time enough later. Now, go!”

Then we’re running, Charlie bringing up the rear.

Another gunshot, this time from behind the plane. A startled flock of seabirds takes flight while white-shelled hermit crabs scatter at our feet.

And I catch, just for a second, another face peering at us from the jungle.

Keahi Pierson.

The Beautiful Butcher gives me a wink.

Then she fades once more into the lush greenery as I sprint in earnest.

CHAPTER 30

MACMANUS IS ALREADY BARKING ORDERS by the time Vaughn, Charlie, and I careen through the rear doors of the mess hall.

“On the table. Everyone, clear space!”

It takes me a moment to realize he means for Marilee, whose prone body Ronin is depositing on the closest table, face up. Trudy is already scrambling for a first aid kit.

“Elias, rear doors.” MacManus points in the direction from which we came. “Ronin, right side door.” He pauses, glances up at our chaotic arrival. “Why does that man have a shotgun?” He stares at Charlie.

“Because I gave it to him.” Vaughn is equally curt.

“What the fuck is your play?” MacManus is still staring at Charlie, while Elias lingers in the middle, hand on his own weapon.

“Get us off this atoll safely. Sir.” Charlie drawls the last word with just enough attitude to make me and everyone else want to hug him.

“Fine, you get the left side door.”

“No. I’ll take the rear, seeing as I’m the one with the shotgun. Your man should take the east position, which has the second-most access. Ronin, your thoughts on rifles?”

“I don’t do guns.”

“I’ll take it.” Aolani steps forward.

Charlie nods at Vaughn, who produces a bolt-action rifle from the shelf above the sink. Clearly, these two had coordinated efforts before all hell broke loose.

“West door. Bear in mind, while we have two long guns, ammo is limited. You there.” Charlie turns to Elias. “What’d ya have?”

“CZ seventy-five SP zero one Phantom. Plus two magazines. Total of fifty-five rounds,” he rattles off. The rest of us stare at him wide-eyed.

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