Page 12 of Claim

Yea, it was tight as shit for me too. The heavy uniform helps to not get scratched up.

When I climb into the cockpit, I let off one quick light to signal to Drago, while Alexei gets his friends loaded.

“Who are you?” I yell back.

At this point, I don’t really care, but I have to keep up charades.

“This is Ben, and his brother Sven.” Alexei points to each. “They saved my life in there.”

All their extra weight is going to make this a rough take off.

“Hold on!” I call, jamming down the throttle.

The small plane barely crests the trees when I hear the first ping of a bullet.

Right on time.

Then they start getting more rapid.

“Fuck! They’re shooting at us!” Alexei shrieks.

Another shot hits something in the engine, sparking a sputtering fire that lights up the cabin.

But one comes up through the floor, hitting me in the side.

With a groan, I try to stem the blood through the thick jacket hiding my parachute.

I can hear Alexei talking to his buddies in a hurried tone.

They better know how to jump.

The propeller sputters with another hit.

It’s time.

“Alexei? You gotta get out!” I need him out of here. I wish I could say goodbye. Knowing he’ll be going home helps. Lara needs him.

Enzo is ready to pick him up.

He’ll have to make sure they’re safe.

Within seconds, they’re all gone.

More bullets rip through the thin metal skin, one catching me in the shoulder.

Fucking hell, Drago, stop!

Fighting the yoke, I try to keep the altitude high enough that I’ll have time to deploy.

Just a few more seconds.

Heat from the fire pours through the broken glass making my eyes cloud.

I can’t hold it any longer.

Pushing out of the seat, I jump to the back, and let myself fall out the door. The rushing wind deafens me as I leap into the pitch black night.

One.

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