Page 26 of Her Faithful Protector

“Obviously, we’re not dealing with Boy Scouts, because nobody taught them how to police their area when they left,” Cullen said. He was trying for humor, but it fell flat.

Ding Dongs. How many times had he watched Cami bite into one of those tasty chocolate cakes and sigh with bliss?

“Zed,” Nic called out. “Is this from last night?”

He shook his head. “Night before last. We’ve got to get a move on.”

“First, I want a better headcount of what we’re dealing with,” Max ordered. “Anybody who fucked up the tracks near the Jeeps answers to me.”

Nobody rolled their eyes, but it was clear that the entire Night Storm team felt like doing it. They all knew the drill. Raiden took one Jeep, Asher another, and Leo the third. Meanwhile, Zed tried to determine just how many distinct prisoners there were.

It took forever for the team to come up with answers as far as Nic was concerned.

“I’m pretty sure there are three on this Jeep,” Raiden said.

“We’ve got two on this Jeep, and one of them is tiny or it’s a woman,” Leo yelled out.

“I’ve got four on this one,” Asher shouted.

Everyone waited to hear what Zed had to say. “I’m pretty sure that eleven people bedded down within this small perimeter here,” Zed said. He indicated a small space that was circled by the three Jeeps.

“That would mesh with the fifteen people, minus the four dead from the bus.”

Nic felt his entire body tremble. Thank you, God.

“Let’s move out,” Max commanded. “We’re burning daylight.”

* * *

Every step was agony. Fire raced through her body, and Camilla couldn’t even see the person in front of her.

“We’ve got to stop, Doctor Ross.”

“No, Travis,” she gasped out. “Have to keep going.” Camilla shook her head so she could actually see. She gave a little shriek when she did it, as another bolt of agony hit her hard. Travis stopped moving. and so did she. She had no choice since he was practically carrying her along beside him. They were bringing up the rear.

“I don’t think your shoulder’s broken. I think it’s dislocated. I know how to fix it.”

“We can’t stop.” Camilla tried to start walking on her own.

One step. Two steps.

I can do this. I’ve got this.

Three steps.

“Ahhhh.” She tried to muffle her scream.

Pain like she never imagined flowed through her body. She’d hit her forehead, landed on her breasts, and jarred her shoulder, all spots injured from her time with El Jefe at the Jeep.

Travis rolled her over.

“Doctor Ross?” Travis’ voice was filled with tears. “I shouldn’t have let you try to walk. I’m so sorry.”

Camilla bit her lip so that she wouldn’t cry, but she tasted the salt of her tears. So much for that.

“Just lie there. I’m going to try to put your shoulder joint back into place.”

“Don’t,” Camilla begged. “Just help me up.”