A hand rested on his back, pulling him from his runaway thoughts. “Stop blaming yourself for something that wasn’t in your control. You didn’t decide to go in without intel. Command owns that mistake. You did your best. I understand that the loss of one man is too many, but the rest of your team made it out alive on a mission failed from the start.”
“I might be demanding, but I refuse to make those same mistakes with Charlie Team,” Liam said for his team. They heard him through Raven’s comms, of that he was sure.
“I’ve worked with a lot of teams. I can honestly say that Charlie Team is the most well-prepared, effective unit I’ve had the pleasure of operating with. You’re a great CEO and Charlie One. You know that, right?”
Liam turned to face her and wrapped his arms around her waist. This woman had blasted through his barriers and given him the dose of confidence he’d been missing. “Thanks to you, I do now.” The urge to kiss Raven overwhelmed him. He lowered his head, asking for silent permission.
She raised up on her tiptoes, closing the distance.
“Charlie One, Charlie Three.”
Liam straightened at Dax’s serious tone. He tapped his comm, unmuting it. “Go.”
“Reflection spotted from the south. It could be nothing.”
“Or it could be something. Check it out.”
“Almost there.” Dax’s heavy breaths come over the comms.
“I’ve got your six.” Boone cut in.
A crack split the air, and a searing burn sliced across his temple. His head jerked to the side, and a round exploded against the bulletproof glass of the window behind them.
“Get down!” No time to worry about her ribs, Liam shoved Raven to the floor and covered her with his body. His head throbbed, and blood trickled into his eye, but he had to protect Raven.
“Charlie One, report.”
“Liam? Liam!” Raven’s frantic voice registered, but his body refused to respond. “Charlie Team, Raven. Charlie One is down.”
He opened his mouth. At least he thought he did, but nothing came out.
God, protect her.
Eyes closed, he drifted into the abyss.
CHAPTER 7
Timber Ridge, Colorado – Safe House
Friday – 0730 Hours
Code Name: Raven
Liam’s weight pressed down on Jade. The man hadn’t moved since he’d thrown her to the porch floor. Hot white bolts of agony shot across her ribs. She’d take that over the bullet that narrowly missed her and hit the window. Well, she assumed she hadn’t been hit, but with the pain flowing through her, she wasn’t sure. She jostled Liam, but he didn’t move.
“Liam?” she whispered.
His ragged breathing brushed against her neck. He was alive.Thank you, God.
“Raven, stay down.” Rafe’s demand came over the comms. “I’m coming out.”
“I couldn’t move if I wanted to.” The snark slipped out. Her go-to when hit with work stress.
“Once I open the door, I’ll drag him inside. Can you get in on your own without standing up?”
Could she? Who knew. But, at the moment, what choice did she have? “I’ll do what I have to. Just get him to safety.”
“That’s the plan.”
