Rebecca Zanetti - Sweet Revenge

Nate nodded and grabbed the sawed-off shotgun he’d placed on the tiny counter. “If you need a lift, just holler.”

Matt winced. “I don’t need to be carried. Just go.”

Laney peered closer at his arm. While the duct tape around the bullet wounds in his other arm remained dry, that artery couldn’t start bleeding again. “I need to make sure your artery is still clamped.”

“I’m good.” Matt grasped her arm to follow Nate. “Let’s go.”

Laney’s mind swirled as she headed back into the storm with a soldier in front of her and the man she loved behind her. Their chances weren’t good, and she had so much to say to Matt. While he remained conscious. But, as he nudged her with a push to her lower back, she lowered her head against the driving wind and followed Nate into hell.

Matt tried to concentrate on remaining upright by putting one boot in front of the other, like he’d done so many times in his life. Each step was sucked into the mud while wind and sleet attacked his bare chest and arms with a vengeance. The tape pulled against is injuries, and more liquid than just rain coated his skin. He could control the pain until sensation didn’t exist, but blood loss? Yeah. Even the genetically engineered needed blood for strength.

But if Laney could conquer her fear of blood and operate to prevent him from bleeding out, he could suck it up and walk to safety.

If they found safety, he would even wait until tomorrow to beat the shit out of Shane for flying a helicopter by himself into the deadliest storm Matt had ever seen. It was as if even the gods above wanted him dead.

Fuck the gods.

Matt had his brother and his woman in front of him, and if he had to beat the gods to get them to safety, he’d damn well succeed.

The forest pressed in on him, and he tried to tune in to the world beyond the nearest trees. Not much permeated the roaring in his head, but every instinct he’d honed whispered the commander was closing in fast. But the speed with which Nate rammed down the nonexistent trail, he felt it, too.

Had the commander found Emery’s body?

Matt stumbled and quickly righted himself. He’d killed someone he’d known as a kid. True, they’d never been friends. But they’d shared a childhood that had shaped them differently. Even being raised by monsters, they’d had choices in life. He’d chosen his brothers and loyalty.

Emery hadn’t been strong enough.

Doubt had often assailed Matt that he could be as bad as Emery… that maybe they were alike. But his brothers made him human and kept him from evil.

He owed them for that, and he’d save them if it was the last thing he did.

He would’ve given almost anything to have saved Emery from the demons possessing him. But the man had tried to kill Laney. He died for that choice.

Still, a surprising sorrow welled in Matt’s chest.

Laney slipped on pine needles and yanked his attention to her. He rushed to catch her, but she hit the ground before he could get there.

“Ouch.” She shoved to her feet with mud covering her butt.

“You okay?” he asked.

She shot him a look. “You’re bleeding again.”

“Well, at least you’re not passing out.” His vision wavered. “Get moving, baby.”

“Okay.” She slipped her hand into his. “We can walk together, right?”

Since his senses currently sucked, there wasn’t a reason to keep her at arm’s length. He wouldn’t know anybody was upon them until they came into sight. “Sure.”

She tightened her hold and moved into a quick walk. “What are our chances here?” Her hip touched his, keeping them close enough she didn’t have to yell.

Not good. “Great. We’ll get to Shane, head home, and have breakfast.”

“Right.” She edged her shoulder into the undamaged side of his body. “I want you to know… The time we’ve been together? It’s been the best of my life.” Her head remained down, and wet hair covered her face.

Matt tucked her closer. “Me, too. What do you say we make this permanent?”

Her head shot up, her eyes glowing emeralds in the darkness. “Permanent?”

“Yeah.” His gut lurched. Now probably wasn’t the time. “I love completely, Laney, and I’m sure it’s a pain in the ass.” He stumbled and she helped him to right himself. “You have my heart and always will.”

She caught her breath. “You know we’re not going to live through the night, right?”

“So say yes. What do you have to lose?” His vision kept graying, damn it.

“Yes to what?”

“Me. Marriage. Life.” His right leg was beginning to go numb. This had to be the worst wedding proposal on record. But Nate had been right. Matt had found happiness, and he needed to hold on with both hands. No matter what happened. “We need something to live for, don’t you think?”

She smiled and shook her head. “You’re crazy. Definitely crazy.” Taking a deep breath, she snuggled closer. “I say yes.”

His head snapped up as his chest filled. Love. She’d said yes. “You’re the crazy one,” he said with a smile. “I’ll keep you safe, baby. I promise.”

“How about we start with breakfast?” she asked, peering ahead into the storm. “We lost Nate.”

“He’s scouting ahead.” Matt’s head wanted to fall back on his neck. How long would his artery hold out, anyway?

Nate brushed leaves aside and appeared in front of him. “This way. Forces moving in on all sides. Shane is setting down in one minute, and we need to load before he hits the ground.” Urgency cut lines into Nate’s face. “You up to it?”

“Of course.” Matt blinked to clear his vision while he released Laney and followed Nate to the edge of a small clearing. A very small clearing. “How close are the forces?”

A man leaped around a bush and tackled Nate, sending them flying across muddy grass. The gun spiraled out of his hands.

Matt shoved Laney behind him and dropped into a slide to grab the gun. Coming up firing, he hit first one and then a second soldier coming from the east. Two shells only. He was out of ammo.

Helicopter blades rose over the sound of rain pelting the earth.

He glanced up, and the black bird wavered in the dark sky, bouncing dangerously.

Nate and the guy grappled on the ground, and three more soldiers rushed from the north.

Matt swung with the gun, hitting one guy in the neck. He went down, out cold. Dropping into a stance, Matt waited for the other to strike. The third man went to assist against Nate, kicking him in the temple as he arrived.

Nate snapped the guy’s neck on the ground and rolled over to kick the newest threat.

Matt struck fast and hard, not having the energy or strength for finesse. He aimed for the jugular and eyes, taking the guy down and rendering him unconscious. Matt tried to regain his feet and fell back.

Laney instantly appeared at his side and clutched his arm. “Get up.” She pulled, her arms straining with the effort.

Matt wavered, his head bobbing. “What?”

“Now, Matt,” she ordered, falling back. Mud, debris, and blood coated her face and hair. She was too pale, her skin almost blue, and fear had widened her pupils. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

He wouldn’t fail her. He couldn’t. So he shoved to his feet and slid an arm around her shoulder.

The helicopter plopped down with a loud thump, and the side door slammed open.

Matt turned as Nate finished off the final soldier and then pushed to stand. Blood ran down Nate’s face, and he turned to heave into the bushes. Pivoting, he made it two steps toward the helicopter.

And fell.

“Nate!” Laney cried, trying to drag Matt toward his fallen brother. “The blow to the temple was a bad one.”