Page 3 of Breached

“She caught one just as she hit the steps…” Everything else he said faded away as I watched him pack the wound.

“I’m fine,” she struggled to say. “It’s just a nick.” She yelped when he applied pressure.

“Don’t speak.” Cat shifted Chase in her arms. “Save your energy.”

I clicked into gear and handed Zack supplies. It was as though we were back on a battlefield. Then I heard Chase cry, and the fear hit me. I fought to keep my focus. Chase built up steam and began to scream for Nicole, and my heart squeezed, knowing how he felt. Losing Nicole wasn’t an option. I couldn’t lose another person I loved.

Nicole reached out and snagged my wrist. “Paul,” her eyes wild and scared, “I need you to promise me something.”

“No. You’re going to be fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “You’re going to be fine.” I saw her flex her jaw and she looked up at me. I could see she was fading. “I thought you were gone—I was so afraid to look.” I spoke more to keep her attention focused. “You got out. I can’t believe you’re both still alive.”

“—sticker,” she murmured. “Paul, I saw the sticker, the red one with the dragon—had to see who was driving.”

I shook my head. “Like the one on the car that killed June?” She nodded, and I saw sweat break across her forehead—she was as white as chalk. “We found that car, remember? Hush, you need to save your strength.” I continued to work with Zack. Once he had done all he could, he sat back and wiped his forehead. I shouted over my shoulder, “Are we okay?”

“Ten-four!” John assured me. “Mike and Keith have cleared the area with the police. They seem to be gone.”

“Okay, I need to get her out of here.” I leaned over and gently scooped her off the floor. Her small frame went limp in my arms, and I knew the movement had made her pass out. “Cat,” I grunted, and she knew I needed to know she was good with Chase.

“I’ve got him,” she answered quickly, and I glanced at Zack, who nodded and began giving instructions. Everyone moved back.

“Go, Paul,” Zack demanded.

We headed upstairs, and as I left Zack’s with Nicole in my arms, I glanced quickly around. The scene was heartbreaking. I saw the blackened SUV, and a tarp covered the body of Daniel. I tried not to picture those in that car. The captain of the Redstone Police Department was talking to Mike. People were being escorted out of Zack’s. I knew statements would have to be made.

The medics rushed forward and took Nicole from my arms.

“You want to ride with her?” one asked, but I pulled my weapon and shook my head. I had to be with the rest of the guys. I hated to leave her, but duty called, and we were down a man now that Cole had left.

“How is she?” John asked as he came rushing toward me.

“Fighting,” I managed to get out.

I spotted the crushed tracker that Olivia had shown me earlier in his hand.

“Do you know what the fuck that is?” he asked me.

“The tracker that led them to us.”

“What the fuck?”

Mike came running over. “We got one. He was over by the trash cans.” He looked at me with a ghost of a dark smile. “You shot him in the leg, and they left him behind.”

“Where is he?”

“In a squad car. I got a call through to Frank—he’s arranging pick-up for the bastard. He’s on his way. We’ll get a chance to talk to the SOB later.”

Talking is not what I have in mind for him.

I scanned the tops of the buildings, then the windows, and wondered if they were watching. “They want a war. They’re about to get one.” I looked at John—my words were a promise.

“Damn straight.” He nodded.

Six weeks later

Saturn, by Sleeping at Last, flowed softly from the speakers as I stood at the entrance of the large Anglican church. None of us were happy about holding the service in Redstone, but we thought it was only right to give the locals a chance to grieve as well. Sue and Daniel had lived in the town, and they and Abigail had many friends there.

Frank had sent over some guys from Washington to help the local PD patrol the funeral. He had been severely shaken by what had happened to us, and I could see it in his face and hear it in his voice. His age showed, but I had a hard time showing him any sympathy.