Page 121 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Linc insisted.”

“Thank God. Take me home, Mason.”

“After a trip to the hospital.”

“I hate hospitals.” She lifted her head from his chest. “If I have to be checked by a doctor, so do you.”

“Deal.” Whatever it took to persuade Nicole to let a doctor look her over. Mason worried she had internal injuries in addition to bruises.

Alex spoke over the comm system. “Linc, go. West side. Dawn’s on the run with Patton on her heels.”

The PSI instructor was up and sprinting for the trees before Alex had finished his sentence. In the woods, a woman screamed.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Linc raced into the trees. “Direction?” he demanded of Alex.

“Six hundred yards ahead. Move it, Linc.”

Another scream ripped through the night.

Linc put on another burst of speed, thankful the moon was bright and full.

“Movement to your left on an intercept course.”

“Copy,” he whispered, slowing his speed a fraction, using techniques he’d learned in Delta Force to mask his approach. The guy heading his direction wasn’t a Fortress operative. He sounded like an elephant rampaging through the woods. No Special Forces operative would approach a quarry like that unless he had a death wish.

A branch snapped to his left. He shifted into deep shadow and waited. A minute later, one of the gang members hurried closer to Linc on his way toward the sounds of a struggle up ahead.

A loud crack sounded in the night, followed by Dawn’s cry of pain.

Linc’s target pivoted that direction and started forward to either assist Patton or watch. Either option was the wrong choice for the sake of his health.

Linc slipped out of cover and, with soundless steps, caught up with the thug. He wrapped an arm around the man’s neck and squeezed. Although he struggled, the gang member was unconscious in seconds from the sleeper hold.

Lowering him to the ground, Linc took a few seconds to bind his hands. He didn’t want this guy to blindside him while Linc tangled with Patton.

“No,” Dawn screamed. “Stop.”

Another loud crack. “You heard those gunshots. That’s my buddies drilling holes in your boyfriend. He’s dead. No one’s going to save you now.”

Linc ran in the direction of the voices. “Sit rep,” he whispered to Alex.

“Only Patton and Dawn. You’re clear.”

“Copy.” One hundred yards later, he crested a ridge.

Patton straddled Dawn whose shirt was ripped in half. Her captor fumbled with the zipper of her jeans. Dawn reached for a nearby rock, but couldn’t stretch far enough to grip it.

Linc sprinted across the clearing and launched himself at Patton, forcing him off her. The construction worker cursed and threw punch after punch while they rolled on the ground, each determined to gain the upper hand. Linc blocked and countered with his own roundhouse punches.

Patton shoved him aside and scrambled to his feet. He circled just out of reach, motioning for Linc to come and get him.

Linc waited, his attention focused on the other man despite a driving need to check on Dawn. Patton wasn’t patient and would soon make his move.

The construction worker swung a roundhouse punch at Linc who shifted enough to throw Patton off balance and leave his side open to attack. Linc kicked him in the ribs. More curses poured from Patton’s mouth. He threw another punch. Linc blocked and landed another strike, this time to the temple. Dawn’s attacker dropped to the ground and lay still.

Not willing to chance the other man regaining his senses and threatening them, Linc restrained Patton’s hands behind his back. He stripped a knife and Sig from him and tossed them under a bush before he turned to Dawn. She’d scrambled away from the fight and located a sturdy stick that she held in her hands like a baseball bat.

---