Page 72 of Blackstone's Heart
Krista smiled softly. "Gage, I know what people see when they look at me, especially men. They see the pretty, pampered princess. You're not the first man to make that mistake. I am girly, but I can also stand up for myself. My parents and brothers made sure of that."
Gage nodded. He then surprised her when he took her hand, lifted it and kissed the back of her hand. "You truly are a rare woman. Don't take too much shit from boss man."
Ethan flipped him off, slipping his arm around Krista. "She doesn't take my shit Gage. Now stop touching my fiancée."
Tony and Gage stared at the couple in shock. Tony found his voice first. "Whoa! Wow, congrats brother."
Krista felt her heart melt as Ethan's men shook his hand and gave him those one-armed man hugs. This was his family. Just as strong as the family he was born into. Over the weeks she had witness what the term "brothers in arms" truly meant. The men of Blackout's Alpha team were brothers in arms. No matter what, those five men would always have each other's back.
"So, when did this all happen?" Tony asked while the four climbed out of the ring.
"The night we got back. He took me to Lake Travis and just popped the question there at the lake's edge." Krista shrugged.
"Nice. Always knew you were a closet romantic." Tony teased.
"Fuck you." Ethan laughed punching Tony in the arm.
"I'm guessing you have told your families?" Gage questioned as they gathered their things and headed for the exit.
"That night we told my folks. Of course mom went nuts. I'm surprised you didn't hear her scream when we told her. After we told her she immediately called Debbie in Dallas. My Dad agrees that maybe me and Krista should just run off and elope, and Nick agrees with him." Ethan groaned good naturedly thinking about that night.
"Actually it was MY idea that we steal the jet and run to Vegas. I have a friend who eloped in this beautiful garden there. I also tossed in the whole being married by Elvis thing if he wanted that." Krista laughed elbowing Ethan.
The four had just stepped out the back doors of the gym building to head for the main building when the first shot rang out. Ethan grabbed Krista and dove behind the half wall that surround the small courtyard between the office building and the gym. He looked to his left as both Gage and Tony rolled over the wall, Tony was clutching his arm.
"Damn, I'm hit." Tony gritted.
"We're pinned." Gage growled as another shot echoed in the air hitting the building.
"Fuck." Ethan cried.
Krista started digging through her bag. A second later she pulled out her SIG P239 Scorpion and faced the open courtyard. Before Ethan could object, Krista rose up over the small wall protecting them and squeezed off a round to the upper left side of the main office building of Blackout. A cry was heard followed by the clattering of something hitting the sidewalk. Moments later they could hear someone running on the concrete rooftop. Gage and Ethan leapt over the wall and ran at full speed into the building. Krista moved to Tony just as men started pouring out of the gym.
"Someone call Lance now! Ethan and Gage ran after him, that way!" Krista barked as she pressed her towel to Tony's arm.
Morton knelt next to her. "One of my guys is on it, the others are going after Ethan and Gage."
She nodded. "I think it's a through and through."
Lance chose that moment to burst from the office building with his med kit. "What have we got?"
"I think it's a through and through." Krista answered.
"It hurts like a bitch Hawk." Tony groaned.
Carefully Lance pealed the blood soaked towel from the wound. Tony bit back a cry as his teammate lifted his arm and turned it slightly. "You're right Krista, it's a through and through." Lance nodded, then faced Tony. "Think you can stand buddy? I need to get you inside and get this cleaned up before I start stitching."
"Yeah, I think so." Tony hissed.
Lance and Morton helped him to his feet. As they headed inside, Krista ran to the corner where she heard the clatter. There on the ground was a 17 HMR rifle. She pulled off the t shirt she had thrown on over her sports bra and carefully picked up the rifle. Holding it she followed Lance, Morton and Tony inside. As Lance and Morton took Tony toward the infirmary, Krista stopped when she saw Ethan, Gage, and the others walking back inside. Ethan was holstering his weapon when he spotted her holding the rifle.
The look on his face had Krista forcing her mouth to stay closed. He looked pissed. She swallowed harshly as he stalked toward her. She clutched the t-shirt that was holding the rifle. Before Ethan could speak, Gage beat him to it.
“Where did you find that?” Gage asked, pointing at the rifle.
“I…I found it in the courtyard. I went to look there while Lance and Morton got Tony to his feet. I had heard something fall after I fired.” She stuttered, but kept her eyes on Ethan.
“I’ll take that and call Harker and Fortner to come get it.” Gage said.
