Page 73 of Alien's Love Child

"You're impossible." I can't help but smile, even as bullets ping off the railing beside us.

"That's why you love me." She fires again, and a guard clutching a grenade launcher drops. "Now go get them."

I vault over the railing, using a chain to slide down to ground level. The impact rattles through my boots as I land behind a stack of crates. A bullet whizzes past, splintering wood near my head.

"Left side!" Jesse's voice crackles through my PerComm. A shot rings out, followed by a thud. "You're welcome."

Two goons rush me from behind machinery. My military training kicks in – duck, weave, strike. The first one's nose crunches under my elbow. The second swings wild, leaving his ribs exposed. One quick jab and he's down.

"Watch the door!" Jesse calls out.

I spin, catching a third man trying to flank me. His weapon clatters across the floor as I slam him into a support beam. "Getting sloppy up there?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Another shot, another body drops. "Did you want to handle all twenty by yourself?"

More guards pour in through the side entrance. I take cover behind an overturned table, trading shots. "Twenty? I count fifteen, max."

"Bet you dinner I'm right."

"Deal." I roll to new cover as bullets pepper my previous position. "But no counting the ones from upstairs."

"Spoilsport."

Three more rush my position. I catch the first with a leg sweep, use his momentum to throw him into his buddy. The third backs up, fumbling with his reload. Amateur. One quick shot ends his participation.

"That's twelve," Jesse announces cheerfully.

"Eleven." I duck under a wild swing, countering with an uppercut. "The big guy counts as two."

"Does not!"

A grenade arcs through the air. I dive behind a pillar as it detonates, showering the area with debris. Through the smoke, I spot movement – the boss making a break for the emergency exit.

"Jesse—"

"I see him." Her rifle cracks. The boss stumbles but keeps running. "Damn, vest. He's all yours, love."

I sprint after him, vaulting over fallen bodies and scattered crates. Behind me, Jesse continues picking off stragglers, covering my pursuit.

One more step, one well aimed shot, and just like that.

It's over.

CHAPTER 27

JESSE

Through my scope, I track Davin as he sprints after the boss. My finger rests steady on the trigger, ready to take out anyone who threatens him. The warehouse echoes with gunfire and shouting.

"Come back here, you coward!" Davin's voice carries across the space.

The boss ducks behind a shipping container. Bad move. Davin's military training shows as he predicts the exact moment the boss will peek out. One clean shot rings out. The boss crumples.

"Nice shot, love," I murmur, sweeping my rifle across the remaining threats. A flash of movement catches my eye – someone trying to flank my position on the catwalk.

The rifle won't work at this range. I drop it, letting it hang by its strap, and draw my pistol in one fluid motion. The goon charges around the corner, weapon raised.

"Surprise," I say, squeezing off two rounds. He staggers back, shock written across his face before he topples over the railing.

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