The helicopter pitched and dropped toward the ground. What the hell? Movement showed through the windows, and the nose dipped down. Greg came into view, fighting furiously with the pilot while hands grabbed him from behind.
Ryker and Matt launched into motion at the same time, running full bore for the landing skids. Ryker jumped on one while Matt caught the other. The helicopter swayed and spun. Ryker’s wounded shoulder protested in agony. From the corner of his eye, he saw his other brothers crouching and taking aim. Nobody would fire with Greg in the aircraft.
Screaming came from inside.
The side door opened near Ryker. He pulled himself up…right into the barrel of a gun.
“No!” Greg yelled, shoving Madison to the back and then throwing himself at Ryker.
The kid hit him in the face, and Ryker let go of the door to clamp Greg in a bear hug, protecting him as he fell backward. They landed in the snow with a loud thunk.
Gunfire erupted around them, and he scrambled to cover the kid.
Matt landed over to his left and rolled, coming up already firing.
The helicopter banked a hard left and swerved out of the way, quickly rising into the sky. A frustrated scream came from within.
Ryker leaned back. “You okay?” he grunted, shaking snow from his eyes.
Greg, his eyes wide, nodded. “Yeah. You?”
“Yeah.” Everything fucking hurt beyond belief, but nothing was broken. Zara skidded in the snow next to him, reaching for his head. “Are you all right? Both of you?” Tears were streaming down her face. “I love you. God, don’t do anything like that again.”
He smiled. Love. She loved him. Then he passed out cold.
Chapter
40
Ryker awoke with a jolt and sat up on a leather sofa. Mini stars detonated behind his eyes, and pain threw nausea into his gut. He groaned.
“You’re all right.” Zara sat next to him on a coffee table.
He blinked several times and sucked down air. “Where are we?” he croaked. Was there anybody he needed to fight?
“We’re safe. A very nice safe house outside of Hot Springs that Heath said you guys own,” she murmured, pushing hair back from his face.
He looked around a gathering room complete with plush furniture, smooth wood floors, and a climbing brick fireplace. “Oh yeah. South Dakota. I almost forgot I bought this place.” He gingerly tapped a bump on his forehead. “Jesus. How long was I out?”
“Long enough,” Matt said, striding in from the outdoors. He shook snow from his coat. “Where’s Greg?” he asked Zara.
“Here.” Greg loped in from the kitchen. “Hey, Ryker. You’re alive.”
Ryker nodded. “Somebody catch me up to speed, please.”
Matt shoved snow out of his dark hair. “We loaded everyone up in the SUV and drove for about an hour until some of our men picked us up in a helicopter. They flew us here, and now we’re waiting for the crew from Montana to show.”
Ryker threaded his fingers through Zara’s. “You okay, baby?” He should’ve asked that first thing.
She smiled, her pretty face still bruised but her eyes clear and sparkling. “I’m fine.”
“Greg?” Ryker asked.
Greg grinned. “I landed on you, dude. I’m great.”
Kids. Ryker studied Matt. “You’re fine.”
“Yep.”
Wait a minute. “Where’s—”
Matt kept his gaze. “Your Cisco offices and apartments are busted. Madison and Cobb know where they are, so you have to relocate.”
“Madison lost more than half her Protect troops in the little battle we just fought,” Ryker said evenly. “We had to have taken out some of her personal soldiers, too.”
“Yep, but that doesn’t mean she won’t keep coming. And she’s with Sheriff Cobb, so you have to vacate, brother.” Matt eyed the softly falling snow outside. “We’re the only ones left here. Our brothers went to move all of your stuff to a different location. Probably Montana.”
“No.” Ryker stood. “Not Montana. Not now.”
Matt’s jaw clenched. “We’ll talk about it later.”
The whir of helicopter rotors broke through the storm.
Greg paled. “They’re here. My brothers. Um.”
Ryker crossed the room to stand by the kid, taking Zara with him. “I’m taking it you called your brothers.”
“Yes,” Greg whispered. “Matt called them, and they jumped on another helicopter.”
Ryker held him close. “They’ll be so happy to see you.” He eyed Matt. “What’s the plan?”
Matt rubbed his chin. “We told the kids. Couldn’t keep it a secret. So as soon as they arrive…”
Greg moved toward the wide patio doors, and Ryker stopped him with a hand on the shoulder. “Reunion happens inside, Greg. Just wait a couple of minutes.”
Matt nodded. “I think the place is secure, but I agree. We all stay contained inside while we’re here.”
“It’s my fault,” Greg whispered, his gaze wide on the doors.
Ryker frowned. “What’s your fault?”
“Failing on the mission. Getting left behind.” Greg’s voice cracked. “Having them think I’m dead. It’s my fault.”