Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Understood. We’ll be ready,” Gray said quietly.
He glanced at Darius, who was scanning the nearby surroundings through the monocular.
Too curious to know how the rescue was going, Gray tapped the button on his earpiece till he was on the first group’s line of communication, and he was immediately greeted by the sound of rapid gunfire.
“On your two o’clock, Quinn.”
“All exterior cameras down.”
“Greer, behind you!”
“I think they’re awake now.”
“Jesus, there goes my hearing.”
“Second detonation in three, two, one.”
“Get down, get down, get down!”
Holy fuck. Gray flinched at the loud blast.
It was impossible to tell them all apart, but safe to say, the rescue team was busy.
“Four incoming from the residence.”
“Backup ETA sixty seconds.”
Oh. They must’ve contacted the perimeter watch for backup.
“We have eyes on the hostages.”
“Crew!”
“Holy shit, Dad? Dad!”
“Third detonation in three, two, one.”
Gray recoiled at the next blast too, but he couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. Cullen had been reunited with his son.
“Move out, move out, move out!”
“Get the fuck outta there. We gotta go!”
“Backup’s cleared the front gate.”
“Motherfucker!”
That last one made Gray go rigid. He knew the sound of someone getting hurt by now. Only question was, how badly? And, well, who? Reese, Ryan, Greer, or Cullen? Technically, it could be Crew, his partner, or the guy they’d been sent to extract too.
“I’m okay, I’m okay—go help your brother. We’ll meet at the front gate.”
Too many voices at once. Gray almost got dizzy. But it was Ryan, wasn’t it? Ryan and Greer were the snipers of the squad, so it made sense for them to remain outside while Cullen and Reese freed the hostages.
Part of taking on a smaller responsibility during this operation was receiving less information. Gray and Darius were on a need-to-know basis and had arrived in Mexico four days ago, along with River and Shay. Meanwhile, Greer, Cullen, and Reese had been making plans and getting their hands dirty for the past nine days.
They’d been here, in Belize, when Reese had called Darius for help.
Gray switched back to the second line of communication and released a breath.
“Two minutes,” River said.
Darius grunted and pushed the last ATV back onto the dirt road.
Gray hurriedly lined up the medical supplies he needed right there on the ground. Two gunshot wounds, one twisted knee, a shrapnel-type injury, and plenty of cuts and scrapes appeared to be the result of this mission.
“Update on injuries?” Darius asked, out of breath.
“Hold,” River responded. “No change, but Ryan and Cullen are still losing blood.”
Darius looked to Gray, who nodded. They’d do what they’d agreed to mere minutes ago. It’d been a possibility they’d been prepared for from the beginning either way.
Considering they had three extra people now, the rescue team would have to take the last ATV. Gray and Darius would cover them from behind and run to the beach, flanked by the perimeter watch, who were also on foot.
“Estimated four hostiles in pursuit,” River said, which was better than the previous six. They must’ve dealt with the other two on the way down the mountain.
“We’ll take care of them with the third group,” Darius replied.
They heard the distinct rustling of an approach seconds later, and Darius jogged up to the tree line to meet the teams. At the same time, River said, “First group inbound.” And right after, Gray spotted the first three men—and one gangly-looking teenager. Reese and Greer were acting as support for Cullen, who’d been shot in his thigh on the way out of the compound.
“Gray, you ready to be our medic?” Reese panted.
“Aye, sir.” Gray attached his clip-on flashlight to his beanie and patted the seat of one of the ATVs. “Bring him here. Hey, kid—catch.” He tossed a bottle of water and an energy bar to the guy they’d rescued. He looked like he needed it.
Listen to yourself. “Kid.” He’s almost your age.
Christ.
Well, Gray had lived a hundred lives.
With a shake of his head, he concentrated on Cullen instead.
He hadn’t begun his studies to become an EMT yet, but he’d crossed off two private courses in field medicine from his list, so he was ready for his first thirty-second patient.
Cullen hissed and threw off his combat helmet as he slid onto the seat, and Gray wasted no time. He got down on his knees, grabbed the shears, and cut open the pants where the man had been shot, and he quickly examined the wound. The bullet was still lodged inside, and blood was gushing out. Not fucking great.
“Get Ryan on the next ATV when he arrives,” Gray ordered. He helped Cullen straighten his leg before he strapped a tourniquet around his upper thigh. As close to the groin area as possible, so he could cut the blood flow. “Try to even your breathing. And you know this is gonna be painful, right? I mean, you Marines get hurt all the fucking time.”