Page 58 of Cooper's Command

CHAPTER 18

She was out of time.Cooper knew it. He felt it soul deep. That undeniable connection they’d shared since the day they’d met. Fate, he guessed.

And it was quickly counting down.

Blake and Kian had picked them up just before Flint had needed to cut across on some insane looking dirt track. What Cooper suspected was really an animal path masquerading as a trail. Flint had agreed to keep going with Emery. What would have them arriving at the DEA office about five minutes after Nova’s ETA. Close but likely not close enough. Though, that one concession had allowed Cooper’s team to take the remaining seats in the chopper.

Emery had emphasized how they needed Cartwright alive. That he was still an assistant director of the DEA and killing him would not be easily brushed aside, despite being dirty. Cooper and his buddies had agreed to leave the dogs kenneled in his and Bellamy’s trucks on the premise that the rest of Flint’s team would take them back to the ranch. Whiskey had already gotten hit once. Cooper couldn’t chance her reduced reflexes would put her at a higher risk of getting hurt again. Or worse. Especiallywhen he knew she’d never back down. Never hesitate to heed a command or defend him even if he couldn’t voice one.

And there was the fact where he wanted to take Cartwright out himself.

He hadn’t said that to Emery. That he didn’t give a shit about the consequences. Not when he knew she would have insisted he and his team stay behind. And he’d try to take Cartwright in without killing him. But if he threatened Nova…

Fog hung over the island, only the odd patch of foliage punching through the thick bank. A flash of green amidst the oppressive gray. Whether the clouds helped amplify the light beneath or Blake truly had made a deal with a demon as her nickname in the Coast Guard implied, Cooper wasn’t sure. Either way, he owed her because…

He couldn’t see a damn thing. Just darkness, glowing patches of fog and more darkness. Those green areas as black as the night. He’d given up trying to follow any kind of pattern, praying she wouldn’t plow them into the side of a hill or worse — decide it really was too much and simply land. Because there wasn’t a Plan B. Hell, there was barely a Plan A. Nothing more elaborate than racing to the office and stopping Cartwright from killing Nova.

The bastard planned to. Cooper knew that, too. The only ending that made sense. The creep would play it off as Nova going rogue, again. Claim she’d been the one running the drugs. That Paulin had wanted to come clean so she’d killed him to save her own ass. Cooper was positive Cartwright had enough circumstantial evidence hanging around that he could sell it long enough to jet off to some non-extradition country. Or maybe he planned on joining the cartel in Columbia or wherever they were from. Not that it would matter. Nova would still be dead, and Cooper would spend the rest of his life knowing he’d failed her.

Failed them.

His headset chirped as Blake glanced back at his team over her shoulder. “We’re coming up on the office. I’ll have to set her down far enough away the sound won’t carry over that slight rise in case they’re already on site. But I’ll keep her running…”

She didn’t finish but she didn’t need to. Cooper knew what Blake was implying. That she’d be ready to fly Nova to the hospital if they didn’t reach her before it all went sideways. Why Kian had ventured along instead of Flint or Emery riding shotgun.

Cooper hopped out of the chopper as Blake settled it on the ground. He raced forward, going to one knee as he scanned the area. Not that he expected anyone to be waiting for them, but he wouldn’t risk it. Cartwright could have a contingency of mercenaries backing him up. Though, Cooper’s gut told him the man had come alone. Probably hoping to sneak in and out without anyone knowing he was there. But Cooper would be ready if an entire squad of assholes suddenly appeared out of the brush.

Bellamy tapped his shoulder as he darted past, all but sprinting across the scrubby landscape. He’d owe his best friend for that. For moving faster than was probably wise when they had no idea what they’d be facing. Essentially risking his own life to save Nova’s. Not that he expected anything less but Cooper wasn’t the only one in love. Octavia was counting on Cooper getting Bellamy back in one piece, and he didn’t want to let her down, either.

Rusty held up his fist as they neared the top of the hill, covering the last few feet of elevation slowly. Pausing for a moment before popping up and surveying the other side. He peered through his scope, scanning left to right when he froze, adjusting the lens a bit. Cooper was just about to go up and slap the man to see if he’d passed out or something, when Rusty signaled them to move.

Cooper didn’t waste a second, jumping up then running full out up over the hill and down the other side. Jumping over brush and rocks and chunks of old lava rounded from years in the wind and rain. He’d gotten halfway down the embankment when he saw their silhouettes over by the fountain. Nova off to his right while Cartwright hung back to the left. Maybe five or six feet away.

The guy was armed. His pistol like a black omen against the glaring headlights. Most likely a Glock. Hell, the guy was so cocky it was probably his damn service weapon. Some story he’d concoct about Nova trying to kill him so he had to shoot her in self-defense. And at that range, it didn’t matter if he was skilled or not. He simply had to aim in her general direction and he’d catch some piece of her.

At least she was still wearing her vest. Not that it would save her from a head shot, but it would give her a chance if Cartwright missed. Or went center of mass out of sheer habit.

Which the fucker did a second later. No warning, no aiming, just him suddenly lifting his weapon and firing. Twice. Nova shot backwards, landing on the gravel surface in a spray of dirt and mud — a shower of stones arcing through the air. She hit hard, barely moving as Cartwright darted over to the fountain.

Dead.

That’s what the bastard would be in about ten more seconds. Cooper just needed to get a bit closer…

Was that where Nova had hidden the ledger? Because the asshole definitely had something in his hand when he straightened a few moments later. Whatever it was, Cartwright tucked it into his shirt then walked over to Nova, standing above her as he turned his weapon over in his hand.

This was it.

Cooper stopped, and went to his knee, again, lifting his rifle to his shoulder.

“Jesus, Coop, we’re still too far away.” Bellamy went to his knee beside Cooper. “You could hit Nova.”

Bellamy had a point. Cooper wasn’t a sniper, despite being an excellent marksman. And itwason the edge of his effective range. But if he didn’t try, Nova was dead.

Cooper lined up the target, released his breath, then fired.

Cartwright jerked, staggering back several steps before regaining his balance. The bastard was obviously wearing body armor. Either a soft vest like Nova or maybe something more robust. Which meant, Cooper needed to change his tactics.

He fired, again, dropping the guy when he caught him in the thigh. He stayed vigilant, prepared to land the next round in his head if he so much as twitched before one of his teammates reached him, when Rusty gave him a twirl of his hand. Already closing in on the bastard, Rusty’s rifle notched in his shoulder as he slowed enough to keep it aimed at Cartwright.

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