Page 78 of Red Zone Awakened

Not acceptable.

With dizzying speed, he turned his back on the giant and ran for the stairs.But he only managed to take two steps before a huge, meaty hand settled on his shoulder and spun him back around—just in time to see a fist come straight at his face.

Mace dodged.Not fast enough.The blow hit the side of his head, making him stagger back.There was ringing in his ears, and it took him a second longer than he could afford to fight the dizziness that overwhelmed him.

As soon as he shook it off, he looked up to find the giant bearing down on him.There was no getting away from the man.His bulk practically filled the corridor, and from the look on his face, he was eager to rip Mace limb from limb.

There was nothing he could do but send his bat after Keiko.At least then he’d have eyes on her and be able to follow.Once he’d dealt with Godzilla.

Follow Keiko,he shouted at his other half.Find her.Stay with her.I’ll come for you both.

There was a snapping sensation on his shoulder blade before the bat shot out from under his shirt and flew away.A second later, the moving mountain descended on Mace, raining blows he barely managed to dodge.

Door’s shut.There was panic in the bat’s words.

Mace risked taking his eyes off his opponent long enough to glance behind him.The door was a few steps away.He spun and kicked the Freedom fighter, sending him staggering backward and buying himself precious seconds.He lunged at the door and threw it open—the few scant inches needed to let the bat slip through before it slammed shut.

His opponent took advantage of his lack of focus and landed a blow between his shoulder blades, sending him to his knees.With a roar of blind rage, Mace sprang to his feet and launched himself at the guy.He needed to end this.And fast.

Behind the giant, the dazed man Mace had thrown at the man-wall staggered back into the elevator and disappeared.Seemed there was no honor among terrorists because Mountain Man’s backup had fled.

“You don’t want to do this,” Mace said to his opponent.“You’ll regret it.”

The guy smirked.“I’m undefeated.”

“Really?So am I.”

He eyed the guy.He had an inch or two on Mace and definitely more muscle.But he wouldn’t have Mace’s speed.It was a gift from his freaky other half.One that allowed him to read air currents and anticipate movements almost before they happened.

“I’m Rock,” the guy said.“It’s only right you should know the name of your executioner.”

Mace barked out a laugh, throwing his opponent for a second.“Hate to tell you, bud, but that name’s already taken.”Well, it had been, a lifetime ago.

The mountain opened his mouth to argue, but Mace was done talking.He plowed his fist into the Freedom fighter’s jaw.The blow made them both shudder.Rock shook his head, narrowed his eyes, let out a war cry, and threw himself at Mace.

* * *

Keiko tore down the stairs, the air ripped from her lungs in desperate gasps.She’d left Mace to face that monster.She shouldn’t have left him alone.Mace was huge, but that guy was something else.He was what happened when good sense was replaced by muscle enhancers.Her steps faltered.She could help.All she needed was a gun.Right?She spun on her heel and ran back up the stairs.

There was a crash as the door above her slammed open.

Keiko stilled, her heartbeat so loud she could barely hear anything else.Was there someone there?She listened hard, straining to hear the faintest sound, but all she heard was the door creaking closed.

She didn’t speak.There was no point in calling out for Mace.If it had been him, he’d have made himself known.Which meant they’d found her.The door slammed shut, locking her in the stairwell with whoever was chasing her.There was no time to see how many were after her.She turned and ran.She had to hide, to wait for Mace.He’d come for her.She knew he would.Or there’d be hell to pay when she saw him next.

Footsteps echoed through the concrete stairwell.Whoever it was could move much faster than she was able.They were gaining on her.She risked a glance behind her and gasped.

Not Mace.

Definitely not Mace.

There was a terrorist behind her, mere steps above and gaining fast.He held a gun in his hand, his face a mask of menace and determination.Keiko screamed with frustration and fear as she fought for any extra speed she could muster.It was pointless.He jumped the last few steps, wrapped an arm around her, and lifted her from her feet.

“Put me down.”She swung her arm and caught him in the face with a satisfying smack.

“Stop it, bitch, or I’ll knock you out.”

“Don’t.Call.Me.Bitch.”She bit his arm until she tasted blood.