Page 26 of Booker's Mission
Two steps, and he had the glass already cracked — was lining up the best route. A few more, and he was hoisting Callie into his arms as he launched them at the window, using his shoulder to take the brunt of the force as they crashed through, landing in the mud with a dull thud.
He rolled, pulling her with him when he stumbled to his feet. She slipped, nearly taking them both back down before she managed to catch her balance — head for the trees. Shots erupted behind them, pelting the ground as they dove for cover, Callie rising up beside him and laying down more rounds. Sending what looked like a damn squad of men ducking behind the building.
No way they’d make it to the chopper without getting shot. Which meant going with Place B. Or maybe it was C. He pointed to a break in the trees, then took her position, going through a full mag while she made a dash for the trail — returning fire when he hoofed it after her.
He shoved her ahead of him, trying to block any shot as they raced along the muddy path, pushing through the overgrowth without stopping. The wind whipped branches in their face, more lightning and thunder crashing around them. That tropical storm Charlie had been concerned about rolling in.
Not that they had time to worry about the weather with a dozen mercenaries following behind them. Five minutes in, and the assholes were gaining. Getting off the occasional shot. Not that Callie wasn’t sprinting like the wind. But between the gusting rain and the mud, it was hard to get any traction, both of them slipping sideways every other step. Not to mention how hard it was to navigate the trail in the dark. What was likely the other men’s advantage. Knowing the terrain. Where all the twisting side trails led to instead of blinding barreling through the undergrowth like a couple of gorillas.
Booker was working on another plan. On how to send Callie off in one direction while he flanked around — killed as many as he could in order to give her a fighting chance — when she screamed as she dropped out of sight. Literally several paces ahead of him one second, nothing but inky forest the next.
He slid to a halt, cursing the line of mud snaking its way down an embankment where the edge had given way, taking Calliope with it. What looked like one hell of a ride with god knew what at the bottom. Not to mention that the initial fall, alone, could have injured her, leaving her in a heap at the bottom.
Now Booker understood why Wyatt was always telling him how adapting was a bitch. Sure, Booker had often altered his plans while flying, but he’d always had control. Had known the risks, the possible outcomes, and had acted accordingly. This…
This was just a giant black hole.
Not that it made a difference. Two deep breaths, then he was down on his ass, holstering his weapon then giving a shove to get himself going. A few seconds in, and he was flying down the mud, trying to use his upper body to steer — avoid crashing into trees and rocks. He’d traveled for what felt like a few hundred feet when the ground dropped out from beneath him. Solid one second, nothing but air the next. Him hanging for a moment, the rain and wind pausing before he was rushing toward the emptiness.
Hitting water instead of a bunch of rocks was the one lucky break he’d caught. Had him kicking his feet until he broke through the surface, gasping in a much-needed breath. Just like that night of the crash. Water spraying across his face. Nothing but darkness and the unrelenting current trying to drag him down. He squinted to see if Callie was ahead of him, but it was useless, the eerie gray blending in with the churning water.
A sound. Off to his left. Not much. More of a hushed whimper, but he managed to focus on the area — spot Callie’s head bobbing in the water.
That’s all Booker needed to strike off. He wasn’t the accomplished swimmer Wyatt was, but Booker could hold his own. Wyatt had seen to that. Had been borderline sadistic in ensuring Booker was as close as possible to being SEAL proficient in the water without actually undergoing BUD/S. Which meant Booker would have to thank the jerk if he actually made it out of this damn mission in one piece.
Took him longer than he’d anticipated to reach her, fighting that current the whole way. Seeing blood dripping down her face nearly unhinged him. Had him upping his pace — putting every last ounce of strength into each stroke. Cutting through the white-tipped waves as quickly as possible. Having her go under while he was still several feet away flipped a switch in his head. Or maybe it was his heart. Either way, it gave him an added boost. Had him diving under — eyes wide, trying to see anything in the murky depths.
Catching her hand just before his air ran out was his second lucky break. The best one so far because it meant he hadn’t lost her. Hadn’t broken his promise. That he could still be the man she needed him to be.
Callie was spiting up water as they crested the surface, the current still pulling them along. The bank rushing past in a dark blur. He wrapped his arm under hers and around her chest — just like Wyatt had done to him. Used the connection to steady his nerves.
This was way outside his wheelhouse. Flying in a thunderstorm had been familiar. Comforting, really. The kind of threat he’d dealt with for the past fifteen years. What he was good at. Exceptional, if he was being honest. Dealing with armed mercenaries had been a bit more of a stretch. Not something he’d done a lot of, but he’d trained. Hard. Had enough encounters under his belt he hadn’t been worried he wouldn’t measure up. Would miss his target or freeze under pressure. But all this water shit?
There was a reason he’d always stuck to the air. Why he hadn’t ventured outside his vocation like Xavier. Booker was a pilot, through and through. Had been born with hollow bones, according to his mother. One of the only memories he had of her. So, knowing Calliope was counting on him not to let them both drown…
He’d man up. Push past his limits, but he definitely owed the rest of his crew a healthy dose of respect because if this was the kind of shit they’d done day after day, he’d greatly underestimated their prowess.
The fact Callie was still conscious — kicking and trying to swim with her other arm — definitely helped the situation. Got them within reach of the bank quicker than if Booker had been dragging her. Trying to swim against the current on his own. Actually finding sure footing and hauling themselves out took several tries, including one where they slipped and were swept out, again. But with steady persistence and that luck he’d been pushing, they made it onto the shore.
Callie collapsed beside him, her chest heaving, limbs shaking. Whether from the cold or exhaustion Booker wasn’t sure, but there was no denying they were both riding the edge. Were close to all those limits he’d been surpassing. He was just about to roll over — see if she was okay or seeing double from the obvious head injury — when she bolted upright. Gave his arm a firm tug.
He levered onto one hand, scouring the area. “God, please don’t tell me there’re alligators or something in this river because I really don’t want to have to wrestle one, right now.”
“No alligators. Though, I think there might be some caimans or something…” She grunted, giving him a shake. “Mercenaries, remember?”
“Hard to forget, but if they chose to follow us down that embankment, they’re crazy. And probably dead because I’m fairly certain we just used up all nine lives.” He nodded at her head. “You okay? Seeing double? Feel like you’re gonna puke?”
“Yes, to all three.” She shivered, though he wasn’t sure if it was because she was cold or from everything else. “When that damn ledge gave way… I can’t believe you followed me. You’re crazy. You know that, right?”
He grinned. “Just about you.”
She swatted him, again. Harder.
He grabbed her hand, bringing it to his mouth for a soft kiss. “When you disappeared…” Christ, he’d thought he’d lost her.
“Sorry, but you’re not getting rid of me that easily. You promised me bacon, remember?”
“You’re the one who’s frying the bacon, sweetheart.” He shivered as more rain pelted his face. “We need to find somewhere to wait out this damn storm, assuming it doesn’t become a full-fledged hurricane. I don’t suppose you know where we are?”