“Nah, we can have our fun. Sargeant Ford will let us know when they take the team down. Fuckin Cole Martin, I knew he’d screw this up,” Billings said. “He always wants to play the good guy.”
“Oh, did he hurt your feelings?” Sparky asked, distracting them. “Maybe he watched his brothers’ six like you’re supposed to do.”
“This pays better. Soon you’ll be dead, and we’ll pin it on Miller. He gave the wrong information to his team, and they got slaughtered.”
Sparky froze. “My team will be back any minute.”
Hayworth laughed. “I’m afraid not, honey. They’re about to perish right after the ridge. You see, the unit leaving today is mine. They get paid to stand aside while the rebels take what they need. Your team screwed it up.”
“You’re sick,” Sparky shouted. “You killed innocent people and K-9s.”
“Don’t forget you,” he said as his hand whipped out, grabbing her by the throat. Ice jumped up, barking as Sparky twisted, slammed her elbow down, and rushed him, as Leo taught her.
Not expecting her to fight back, Hayworth lost his footing and fell to the ground. Another man grabbed her arm, and Sparky turned, smashing his nose and holding her hands out, listening for their next move. She heard the click of the gun and froze.
“I suggest you move away from her,” Sergeant Taylor growled. “Jones might lose his head if you don’t.”
The men turned to see her holding a gun on their friend.
“We threw you in the trash,” Jones whispered. “You said she died,” he said, turning to Hayward.
“Guess what, Jones, he’s fucking stupid,” Sergeant Taylor said. “It’s not like I’m the first girl to play dead to keep him from pawing me. Now, nice and easy, put your weapons on the floor.”
Jones slid his gun from his holster and slowly knelt to put it on the floor. Hayworth grabbed his weapon and fired, making Sergeant Taylor dive for cover in the small space.
Sparky fired her weapon and heard someone hit the floor. Her friend scuffled with one of the men on the floor as another rushed Sparky. Taking her weapon, she swung, hitting him in the head.
“Damn it. She shot me. I’m bleeding everywhere,” Billings said, desperately. “Get her.”
“Come near me again, and I’ll shoot,” she threatened. Someone threw something across the room. They didn’t count on the team to teach her to listen for the footsteps. One of the men took a step toward her, and she turned her head toward the thrown item and shot the weapon straight ahead.
Another gun fired as Sergeant Taylor yelled, “Get down.”
Dropping to the floor, Sparky’s heart raced as bullets flew. A thudding of racing footsteps came from the entrance as men entered with guns, shouting, “Get down on the ground with your hands up.”
“Ice, Ice,” Sparky called. Her hand reached for her dog, but she felt only air.
“I’m getting up. I’m Sergeant Taylor. She’s blind, and these men attacked us. She has a service dog who needs medical care. Call for a Medvac team,” she ordered.
“We can’t do that for civilians,” the guard said.
“He’s to your right, Sparky,” she directed her. “You’d better order one. Four men from the US Army shot her dog while she and I fought for our lives. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. They knew she stayed in here and planned to attack. Move it.”
Tears streamed down Sparky’s face as she felt Ice’s soft fur. “How bad is he hit?” she asked. “Someone help him, please. I have to call my team. My com flew out of my ear. I need one,” she said desperately.
Sergeant Taylor stood and searched the floor. Locating the earpiece, she helped Sparky place it in her ear.
“Leo, it’s a trap. They know you’re coming. It’s Hayworth’s team. The entire unit’s in on it.”
* * *
Leo heardthe desperation in Sparky’s voice. “Copy that,” he said, jumping up from his position and heading for his team. “What’s your position, Sparky?”
“On the floor, sir. I think I’m getting arrested. They shot Ice,” she sobbed.
“Call Rebecca Rhodes. Don’t say a damn thing until we get back. She’ll know who to call,” he said as he ran down the hill.
Seeing Shadow do the same, Leo watched Hollywood step out of the vehicle as one of the other handlers said something to him.
