Page 88 of Fighting for Family

Leo lay there, staring up at the men he dreamed about daily. “I’m dead,” he said, his voice sounding strained.

“You’re very much alive,” Doc assured him. “It’s damn good to see you,” he said, his voice full of emotion.

“Doc?” Leo asked, his voice sounding scratchy and raw.

“Yeah. Can you move?” he asked.

Leo struggled to sit up, and a large hand helped. He glanced up, seeing Saint, Shadow, and Taco.

“Eagle One, you need to get a move on. We have company,” Knight warned them. “They came⁠—”

“What the hell happened?” Saint asked.

“They must be scrambling the signal. Our comms went dead,” Shadow replied, tapping his ear.

A blast from the right side of the cave spurred them into action. Saint grabbed Leo’s arm and tossed him over his shoulder.

“Shadow, lead the way,” Saint commanded.

Another blast shook the walls as they moved through the tunnel. Dirt fell around them, making it difficult to see.

“Help, help,” Amena cried out.

“She’s to the left. Taco, can you reach her?” Saint called out.

“I see her. Rayven’s with her,” he reported. “What happened?”

Rayven glanced down, where a metal stake pinned her to the dirt wall. “Amena, go with them,” she ordered.

“No. I’m staying to help you,” she said stubbornly.

“Doc, I need a hand,” Taco shouted. A minute later, Doc found them. “We can’t remove the stake,” he said. “Taco, use your hand and start shoveling the loose dirt around the rod. Amena, I need you to hold Rayven so she doesn’t move forward.”

The trio worked as blasts surrounded them. When the rod moved, Taco gently pulled her from the wall, and Doc helped him put her over his shoulder.

“Amena. Go with these men. My team will find you. They’ll keep you safe until then,” Rayven said sluggishly.

“She’s in shock,” Doc said. We can’t do anything about it. How will we make it across? The rest of the team won’t hear or see us.”

Shadow helped Saint climb the wooden steps from the tunnel to enter the cave. He reached down, helping Amena through the opening, and then Doc maneuvered Taco with Rayven.

“We’re pinned in. They know about the tunnels. It’s only a matter of time before they start coming through the hole or into the cave,” Shadow said, making his way toward the front. “We can’t get out. They’re coming up the mountain.”

* * *

Jake and Joe watched the scene below. Fires burned everywhere and the sound of human misery filled the air.

“Where are the boys?” Jake said, annoyed. “These dang earpieces aren’t working.”

“Maybe they can’t reach us, and they’re waiting,” Joe suggested. “I’m going up the mountain a little ways. Maybe I can get a better signal.”

“Be careful,” Jake said as he kept his eyes on Knight and Ragu, who seemed as flustered as they felt.

Joe climbed the rocky terrain and took out the satellite phone Victoria handed him. He pressed the first number, not knowing who he called.

“Victoria, what kind of trouble did you land yourself in now?” the voice asked.

“Victoria gave me this phone. I’m Joe. Our boys are in trouble, and we need help.”