Page 78 of Duty Bound

Blade reached for the trigger.

CHAPTER 28

Blade was about to pull the trigger, when he heard a familiar voice yell, “Get down!”

He threw himself hard to the ground.

A volley of shots from behind drilled into the two guards, sending them flying. The next minute, an arm reached out and grabbed him.

Stitch.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he snarled, grimacing at the pain in his side. “You’re supposed to be with Lily.”

“Relax. Lily’s fine. She’s on her way to Kabul.”

He crumpled, leaning against his friend.

“Christ, they’ve done a number on you.”

He grunted in response.

“Let’s get you out of here.” Stitch helped him back to the Land Rover parked around the corner, out of sight.

“You crazy bastard, you were going to go for it, weren’t you?”

Blade gave a snort. “Always wanted to go out in a blaze of glory.”

Stitch shook his head. “Get in, this isn’t over yet.” Shouts and gunfire sounded behind them. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

Stitch put his foot down, nearly flattening two Taliban fighters in the process. They dived out of the way just in time.

The Land Rover raced down the suburban street, spraying their pursuers with dust and pebbles. Blade turned and saw the two soldiers pick themselves up off the ground. Soon, they were joined by two more. All four raised their weapons and fired at the speeding Land Rover. The back window exploded, shattering glass fragments over the back of his head.

He ducked, groaning at the pain in his rib and shoulder. His left arm hung limply at his side. Stitch gave a cackle and gave them the finger.

“Thanks, pal,” Blade said, once they'd put some distance between themselves and the house where he'd been held captive. “I owe you one.”

“Don’t mention it. You’d do the same for me.”

It was true, he would. In a heartbeat.

“How's Lily getting to Kabul?”

“I've arranged for another ride.” Seeing Blade's concerned look, he explained further. “I paid an Afghani couple to take her. It's safer this way. They won't draw as much attention as an American SUV barreling down the road.”

Blade gave a gruff nod.

“Don’t worry, I gave them more than enough so that they wouldn’t turn her in.”

“Thanks, I’ll pay you back.”

He waved a hand in the air.

“How'd you track me down?” Blade inquired.

“I figured they'd stash you somewhere close until the security services could pick you up, so I doubled back and tailed them to the safe house then waited for the perfect chance to make a move.”

“I had it handled,” he said through a grimace.

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