Page 134 of Don't Look Back

She knew how to fight, but the person was probably armed, while she wasn’t. Flight was the only option. Maybe she could escape out the balcony door.

But she didn’t even make it to the bedroom before hands grabbed her.

So it was to be a fight.

Ashrill scream broke the night air, and Chris launched himself up, over the railing, landing on the balcony with a thud. Collins was right behind him.

He yanked the doorknob. It was locked. He kicked at the glass pane inset in the door, and it shattered. He reached in and flipped the lock, then he and Collins entered, Chris on point. The bedroom was empty, door to the hall closed.

Silence in the wake of Diana’s scream was unsettling. She’d been close. In the hall?

He and Teague crossed to the door, which would be harder to clear as it was a pinch point in a door-width alcove.

He nodded to Collins, who yanked the door open so Chris could pass through.

The upper landing with its long hall was empty. Down below, Burns and Kramer would be clearing the floor.

A muffled sound behind the guest room door was followed by a curse.

Diana yelled, “Chris!”

He kicked the door open and there she was, fighting with Maxim in front of the window. The man wanted to use her as a shield, but she wasn’t cooperating.

Diana, more than anyone, knew when it was time to be a meek hostage, and when it was time to fight, but even when she chose meek, she was the one in control.

Chris stalked forward. His gun lowered; he’d never aim a gun in her direction. Fortunately, she’d managed to disarm Maxim, who groped for his weapon as he tried to hold her off.

Chris kicked Maxim’s gun to the side and reached down, grasping him by the throat. He lifted the man by his neck, freeing Diana from grappling limbs.

Behind him, he heard Burns and Kramer enter the room.

Collins stepped forward and faced one of the men who’d helped plan the attack that had killed the rest of his Fire Team and left him for dead in the forest.

Collins punched the man in the gut while Chris held him by the neck. Chris squeezed harder, stopping the man from making a sound of pain.

Then he met Diana’s face and saw the shock—even horror in her eyes.

He dropped Maxim to the floor. Collins stepped forward to kick him in the ribs, but Burns and Kramer caught him.

Collins breathed deeply as he fought the same demon that haunted Chris.

He knew Collins wanted to argue. To justify. All the others were dead. What was one more?

Chris sympathized. But once that threshold was crossed, there was no going back.

He pulled out his cell phone and called their commander. “Sir, we got him. Alive.”

ChapterSixty-Four

The gate opened without Rand needing to slow the SUV. It appeared the Kuliks were expecting him once again. They’d gone to the unnecessary effort of hiding Kira, who had tucked down in the well of the front passenger seat, covered by papers and Rand’s coat, while two SEALs crouched in the back and two rode in the cargo area.

That both Kuliks were lax in their security was a very good sign.

“Sorry, guys,” Rand said as he parked in front of the fountain, knowing they had to be uncomfortable crammed in the space as they were.

The SEALs grunted. Like Rand, they were used to the discomfort of covert insertions. Kira, the smallest and easiest to hide, was more vocal about how uncomfortable the ride had been with her bruised ribs.

He placed his cell phone to his ear so anyone watching would think he was on the phone. He grinned at Kira. “How about I go in alone and you and the guys follow a minute or two later?”

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