Page 14 of Zero Visibility

“Find a spot to hide the SUV. They’re not going to stop coming after us. We’ll need to deal with them before we go any further.” Ben dreaded the inevitable gunfight to follow.

“Copy that.” Peter slowed his speed and eased from the road into some trees near the side.

Peter, Will, and Tegan jumped out and grabbed the ARs from the back while putting on their Kevlar vests.

Ben faced Jen. “Stay here and stay down. If we don’t come back in twenty minutes, get out of here.” He handed her one of the vests. “Put this on.”

She shook her head. “No, Ben, you can’t go out there. They’ll kill you.”

He handed her Will’s phone. “Watch the time. Twenty minutes, Jen. Then leave and call the number for Cole Hernandez. He’ll help you get out of here.”

“I’m not leaving you, Ben. I’ve done that already, and it was the biggest mistake I’ve ever—”

He didn’t let her finish. He leaned over and kissed her tenderly. “It’s my job. I know what I’m doing. Promise me you’ll do as I ask.”

She stared into his eyes for the longest time before finally nodding.

He forced a smile he didn’t feel. “Remember, stay down and out of sight. Twenty minutes.” With one final searching look, he got out and put on his vest, then grabbed his weapon.

Ben crossed over to where his team waited for him. There was so much at stake. Jen. The baby. Legion would stop at nothing to take them all out. Even if it meant killing them and Jen. His gut knotted at the thought. They’d just found each other again. He couldn’t let that happen.

He pointed to a high spot in the road ahead. “We can use those trees over there as cover. When they get near, aim for the engine and tires. If possible, let’s take them alive.”

His men confirmed before taking cover. The vehicle came into view. The driver edged along the road as if expecting trouble.

As it rolled past their vantage point, they opened fire. Several shots hit the engine, immediately rendering the vehicle unusable. Others took out the tires. The vehicle swerved. The team raced toward the injured it. Five men jumped out and opened fire, backing them into the trees and into a firefight.

Ben returned shots. One of the men screamed, his body riddled with bullets. He fell to the ground.

Will eased up next to Ben. “They’re not giving up. They’ll fight to the death.”

As much as he hated taking lives, the enemy they faced wouldn’t give them any other choice. There would be no prisoners taken. Just a life-and-death fight with only one winner.

Tegan motioned to a densely wooded area up ahead. “If I can make it over there without being spotted, we have a chance of cutting them off.”

It was a long shot, but one they’d risk. “Do it,” Ben told him. “Peter, go with him. Both of you, wait until they make a move.”

To protect his men while they were vulnerable, Ben and Will opened fire on the SUV while Tegan and Peter ran for the group of trees that would allow them a better view of the vehicle.

Once they were in position, Ben tucked behind the tree and reloaded. At this pace, it wouldn’t be long before they ran out of ammo.

Ben glanced over to where Tegan and Peter were hiding. An eerie silence followed. What were the men waiting for?

“Anything?” Ben mouthed. Tegan shook his head.

“They have a man down. Maybe they’re considering giving up,” Will whispered while keeping a close eye on the vehicle.

Possible, but Ben’s gut feeling wouldn’t let him go there.

“They’ve called for backup.” The realization hit him hard. “We’ve gotta get out of here now before others show up.”

Ben leaned past the tree and mouthed, “We go on my count,” then waited for Tegan’s and Peter’s confirmation. He counted down from three. They charged the SUV from both directions. The men realized they were about to be stormed, and opened fire.

With bullets flying far too close to their heads, Ben and Will ducked behind the side of the SUV. Someone screamed in agony.

“That’s Tegan,” Will said in horror. One of their own had been hit. They needed to get him help.

Ben ducked low and spewed bullets beneath the vehicle, hitting his mark. He and Will raced to where Peter had dragged an unconscious Tegan behind a tree.

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