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They took off running and when the youngest little girl had trouble keeping up, Ryder picked her up again, rushing to the stairs first. He settled the whimpering girl in a seat as far away from the bleeding Hansen as he could, shouting orders as hewent.
"Everyone get buckled in. I'll go open the door to the warehouse and be back to take off." He stopped to shout into the cockpit where the pilot and co-pilot were completing pre-check. "I'll be back in one minute to close the hatch. Beready."
Making another trip down the portable steps, Ryder now rushed to the heavy sliding door. He knew they didn't have much time. If Burke had known where to ambush Hansen, chances are others would be following him in. His suspicion was confirmed when the door slid open and a half dozen fast-moving vehicles could be seen weaving through the industrial park, several with police lightsflashing.
Once the door was open wide enough for their departure, Ryder dashed back to the plane, hustling up the stairs two at a time and throwing the stairs back away from the door as soon as he was onboard. "We're about to have company! Let's get out of here!" he yelled to the pilots as he pulled the cabin door closed, latching it tight before leaning down to look out the smallwindow.
It's gonna be fuckingclose.
The aircraft was mid-sized which meant it was slow to build speed. He rushed to the cockpit to strongly encourage the pilot to step on it when the first bullets hit the hull of the aircraft. They were takingfire.
"Step on it boys, or we're donefor."
"Yeah, I'm sensing you really pissed someone off tonight,Helms."
Despite the danger, Ryder chuckled. "Yeah, you might say that. I have a feeling there's gonna be hell to pay when the dustsettles."
It was a race to see if the advancing cars could arrive in time to block the runway. When one car went across a grassy berm in an attempt to block their departure, the pilot pushed the plane faster, pulling back the stick and lifting the wheels off the ground just in time to sail over the vehicle below. Several more bullets ricocheted off the fuselage, but luckily didn't do enough damage to down theplane.
"Nice work, gentlemen," Ryder added, patting each of the nervous pilots on the back. "Stay on your toes. I'm not sure if the Volkovs have the connections to scramble a military intervention, but I wouldn't relax until we're out of Russianairspace."
"Roger that. I saw you board. Please tell me that's the missing Marshall family backthere."
"Yep."
"Holy shit, Helms. You have someballs."
"Yeah, well let's try to keep my balls intact long enough to get back to Langley where I'll be sure to get my ass chewed for burning years ofwork."
By the time Ryder returned to the main cabin, Mrs. Marshall was leaning over Hansen, applying pressure to his wound to help stop the bleeding. He went to her to takeover.
"You should go be with your girls. I'll handlethis."
She straightened, reaching to hand him the bloodied shirt. Their eyes met and he saw such relief and gratitude pouring from her expression, it almost made the burn worthit.
"I think it's time you tell me your real name, don't you?" sheasked.
"Does itmatter?"
"It does to me. You saved my family. I'd like to know who I'm giving thanks for when Ipray."
Ryder snorted. "No one's ever prayed for mebefore."
"Well then, there's a first time foreverything."
"Ryder." He reached out to offer his hand, but she instead rushed into his arms to give him a big hug, finally letting her emotions go, dissolving into a sobbing mess. He finally had to help her take a seat between her frightened children so he could get back to caring for his handler bleeding out on thefloor.
"It's all going to be okaynow."
He sure as hell hoped he wasn'tlying.
Chapter 4
"Khloe!"Finally. The voice she'd been waiting for cut through the chaos swarming aroundher.
Guards at the door prevented Trevor from coming in. He stood a few inches above most men in the room. His buzzcut hair, broad shoulders, and visible tattoos gave him an air of danger, and the police were not inclined to allow entry. She was forced to push to her bare feet and head for thedoor.
"Please, Miss Monroe." The rookie who had been assigned to protect her in the lobby requested. "You're supposed to stay seated here until the captain gives us new instructions." She heard the pleading in his voice as he reached for her arm to stopher.
