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Tackled to his knees, Gray rolled onto his back and looked up into black eyes filled with bloodlust. The soldier’s eyes seemed to glow red and then he lifted a sharp knife and slashed downwards. Gray instinctively lifted his hand to block the attack and the blade sank into his forearm, slicing downward.
Just like it had one year ago.
With an angry roar, Gray managed to kick the man off, rolled sideways and fired his weapon. Blood poured down Gray’s arm as the asshole went down, but then another soldier appeared out of nowhere, lifting his automatic rifle and firing.
The bullets tore into Gray, shredding his protective vest, sinking into his chest, shoulder, stomach and thighs.Fuck.His world blurred as he dropped to his knees, stunned, the life draining fast from his body.
“Gray!”
Gray’s eyes blinked open as Beck, his commanding officer, came in through his earpiece, loud and clear. “Where are you? Gray, report!”
Staring straight up through the jungle canopy, Gray was surprised to still be alive. Other than the voice in his ear, everything had gone quiet. No more guns shooting. Just the sound of birds chirping above. With a groan, Gray pulled himself up into a sitting position and scanned his surroundings. All appeared eerily quiet.
“Beck?” Gray asked, slowly standing up. He looked down at his shredded vest covered in blood. But he didn’t feel any pain. Confused, he ran a hand over his chest. Was he dead?
“Gray, we’re surrounded. Timber, Jock and me. The rest of the team is dead. We need help. Can you get to the evac?”
“I-I don’t know.” Gray made a slow, confused circle as the fog seemed to curl into finger-like tendrils…reaching for him…
He stumbled back a step as a snake slithered over his boot. Then the ominous sound of machine gun fire blasted through his earpiece. It was quickly followed by the horrific cries and pained screams of his team. They were dying and there was nothing he could do. He didn’t even know where they were.
A heavy sense of dread settled over him and Gray spun around right as a rebel jumped out of the brush, launching himself into Gray with a roar. They fell back on the soft ground and rolled. Gray managed to get on top, straddling the asshole, and he wrapped his hands around his throat, squeezing hard.
The rebel’s dark eyes glowed red. Gray’s fingers tightened, determined to snuff out that horrible hellfire staring back at him with so much hatred.
Chapter Eleven
Rolling onto her back, unable to sleep, Aubrey sighed. She wasn’t tired and she couldn’t stop thinking about Gray. Every time she was on the verge of dozing off, his haunted amber eyes filled her head.
She’d enjoyed spending most of the day with Harper and Inda, but she would’ve loved to have had some more alone-time with Gray. He’d stayed close to Zane and Ryland, yet there was no mistaking the way he watched her. No matter where she went, she felt his attention on her.
Her rational side said there was no point investing energy in each other when she was on the verge of leaving. Her irrational side wanted to stay longer and get to know him better.
Silly woman, she scolded herself. Ever since Scott’s blatant rejection, she’d been gun-shy about even considering another relationship. But, now, her heart seemed to have other plans. Gray intrigued her on every level. He was so big and gruff, but underneath all the growl and grunts, she sensed a sensitive soul unable to heal from past trauma.
And, God, she wanted to help him. Maybe it was the healer in her or maybe the insane attraction she felt toward him. Whatever it was, Gray just became her new person to save. But how could she do that from Indiana?
Aubrey let out a soft exhale, glanced over at the clock, which read three in the morning, and slipped out of bed. She needed a glass of water and also wouldn’t mind a quick glance at the golden-eyed lion who slumbered in the living room.
Tiptoeing out of the bedroom, Aubrey made her way down the short hallway, past Zane’s closed door, and then paused on the threshold of the living room. She zeroed in on the giant man lying on his back, legs far too long and hanging over the edge of the couch.
For a long moment, she stood there, watching him. His chest began to rise and fall faster and he jerked in his sleep. He mumbled something and she realized he was dreaming.
Aubrey walked closer and saw his body twitch, hands clenching. He let out a soft sound that was a mix between a moan and cry, and Aubrey’s heart constricted.
“No…” he whimpered.
He was having a nightmare, she realized. Letting him continue to dream didn’t seem right, so she went over to him. She’d have to gently wake him up. “Gray?”
Instead of calmly waking or settling back into a restful sleep, Gray bolted upright. His large hands circled her throat, squeezing, and she let out a strangled cry. “Gray!” she choked, fingers clawing at the back of his hands. “Stop!”
Gray’s eyes snapped open, his focus pinned to his hands around her throat. Letting go, he jerked back, amber eyes wide.
Aubrey touched her neck, shock catching her off guard.
Breathing hard, Gray jumped from the couch and backed away from her. “I-I’m sorry.” His gaze dropped to her throat and horror flashed across his rugged face. “I didn’t mean to…”
“I know. It’s okay.” When she took a step toward him, he moved backwards, bumped into the glass sliding door then spun around and threw it open. Aubrey watched him storm outside, not sure what to do. He was broken and hurting and a part of her was on the verge of running after him, when a deep voice startled her.
