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“Don’t you need to help your teammates?” Although she wanted him by her side, Wolf Pack would be shorthanded without him.
“Texas came with us. The Montgomerys are protecting Amy and Eric until Texas returns. My job is to take you to safety.”
“But Wolf Pack and Texas will be outnumbered.” She’d lost count of the number of men milling around the mansion and the grounds.
“They can handle themselves,” he said, sounding confident in his teammates’ abilities.
They probably could handle Hale’s men without too much difficulty. Still, unexpected things could happen.
Rachelle did her best to keep up with Cal’s fast pace, but his long legs left her taking two strides for every one of his. When the pain in her ribs became unbearable, she tugged on Cal’s hand. “Wait,” she whispered, her free hand pressed to her ribcage. “Sorry.”
“We’ll rest a minute. I could use the break.”
She rolled her eyes. “Liar. You haven’t broken a sweat, and I’m all but a puddle on the ground.”
“You’re doing great, sweetheart.” He wrapped one arm around her waist, allowing her to rest against him. “Did Hale hurt you?”
Rachelle shook her head. “He was waiting for Wolf Pack to arrive. He planned to kill us.”
“Not going to happen.”
A familiar voice chuckled as two men emerged from the shadows of the trees with weapons pointed at her and Cal. “You shouldn’t lie to the lady, Taylor.” Russell Stokes strode into a beam of moonlight with Hale at his side.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Cal tightened his hold on Rachelle. He figured Stokes had been covering for Hale but had underestimated his involvement. No wonder Stokes was hostile toward him and Rachelle. “Stokes.”
“Surprised?” A smile curved his mouth. “Some detective you are. You and your pretty girlfriend have been nothing but trouble to our operation. I’m looking forward to getting rid of our problem.”
Rachelle’s breath caught. “You’re part of the human trafficking ring? How do you look at yourself in the mirror?”
Stokes shrugged one shoulder. “It’s business, not personal.”
“I’m sure the women and kids you victimize feel differently.”
Hale gestured with his weapon. “Throw down your gun, Taylor, or I shoot your lady and rid myself of a problem now instead of waiting until later.”
Cal calculated the distance between him and the two men. Not close enough. He released Rachelle and laid his Sig on the ground. When he straightened, Cal shifted to put his body between Rachelle and the two men.
He wrapped one hand around his wrist and pressed the side of his watch to signal Fortress to send assistance. If one of his teammates was free, he’d have help soon. If not, he’d find a way to save himself and Rachelle. On his own, Cal wouldn’t hesitate to take on the two men. With Rachelle in the line of fire, his options were limited.
Stokes snorted. “A big, bad Navy SEAL, huh? I always thought those men were extraordinary. You’re anything but extraordinary. You’re a coward hiding behind a title.”
Cal ignored him. “What now, Hale?”
“We kill you before we dispose of Ms. Carter.”
“What about his friends?” Stokes demanded. “We can’t leave them alive.”
“My men will kill the remaining four.”
When Cal felt the slight vibration from his watch, he relaxed and released his grip. Help was coming. He spread his hands. “You plan to shoot us?” His lips curved, mocking their choice. “That will draw too much attention.”
“Get real.” Stokes scowled. “Listen to the gunfire from our men. What’s one more gunshot?”
“The shots aren’t coming from the woods.”
“Doesn’t matter, does it? Your buddies won’t be alive long enough to save your worthless hide.”
