Flint’s Battle (Team KOA Bravo #3)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Flint resisted the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth when Emery rolled her eyes, then struck off. Back stiff. Shoulders back. That sexy air of confidence mirrored in her stride. He’d meant what he’d said. She was tough and skilled and had more honor than most. But going up against three or four armed men alone? Even he wouldn’t want those odds if he had a choice.

Not that Henry had said they were armed, but Flint knew a damn drug or weapons drop when presented with the facts, and this seemingly innocent frat theory had ruthless mercenaries written all over it.

Emery knew it, too. That’s why she’d resisted letting him back her up. Not because she didn’t want help but because of his current status. Being active military definitely made the situation tenuous if he was forced to react to a dynamic situation. And jail might be the least of his worries.

He’d just have to ensure things went smoothly. That regardless of how the situation played out, he didn’t put her in a delicate position. One where she would lie to keep his ass out of the fire.

Emery stopped short of the main door, bouncing her flashlight beam around the lot. A lone hatchback was parked off to the right, a sticker just visible on the windshield. “Well, crap.”

He moved in beside her, giving her a gentle tap. “That car mean something to you?”

“I don’t know who owns it, but that sticker is from the university. Which means there might be some college kids in here, after all.”

She scoffed when he arched a brow. “What? You think I don’t know this is likely a drug or weapons deal? Coolers don’t take two grown ass men to carry in. And Henry wouldn’t get that detail wrong. Which is why you’re so intent on shadowing me, and why I’m so resistant to let you. But it also means we might be facing armed assholes and frat kids.”

“You can call for backup.”

She glanced at the car, again, then the door. “Let’s see what we’re up against, first. Who’s actually in here and how we think it’ll play out. We don’t want to turn this into a possible hostage situation before we have all the facts.” She raised a brow. “I assume you’ve faced far worse than this.”

Emery hadn’t really asked.

He nodded. “Far worse. But every situation has its own unique challenges. And I usually have my entire team backing me up. With just the two of us, we might have to get creative.”

“God, I’m regretting this already.” She rolled her right shoulder, as if trying to loosen it before shifting her head to either side. “Remember your promise to stick to the shadows. The last thing I need is some college kid blabbing about the Navy SEAL I had tagging along.”

“They won’t know I’m a SEAL.”

“Oh, trust me. I’ve watched you train with Kian’s team. The way you move… The skill… Everyone will know.”

“That almost sounds like a compliment.”

“It was, jackass. Let’s go.”

She opened the door, cleared the first room then moved inside, sticking to the deep shadows lining the hallway. Nothing sounded in the eerie stillness, not even the crickets Flint knew had ventured inside.

That was never a good sign.

Emery made her way through the first floor, systematically checking each room then moving on. Ensuring they didn’t get waylaid from behind, later. They’d covered half the factory before they finally reached the staircase, the top disappearing into the darkness. She looked at the corridor leading to the other side when voices cut the silence above them followed by the pounding of footsteps racing across the floor.

She glanced back at him then bounded up the stairs, clearing the first hallway before charging down it. Flint stayed on her six, checking for anyone who might pop out behind them, as Emery wove her way toward the rear west side — those windows where the flashlight beams had been.

She slowed when someone shouted what sounded like, “Stop,” carefully side-stepping to the next junction. Lights brightened the room beyond, heavy blankets covering the far windows.

Emery pressed her back against the wall, showing the countdown on her fingers before leaning out — taking a quick peek. Flint followed suit, scanning the room before darting back behind the corner.

And damn, it was exactly what Emery had been worried about. One heavily armed tango wearing body armor with his weapon pointed at two college kids cowering in the corner. No good way to get them clear without challenging the asshole, first.

She checked her weapon — a sure sign she was going in hot — then mouthed for him to cover her. He readied himself, moving to the other side of the doorway when she popped out, gun trained on the perp. Feet planted firmly apart. Her finger already caressing the trigger.

“Police. Drop the weapon and keep your hands where I can see them.”

The man jumped, jerking his head toward her, his weapon not quite pointing in the right direction. The kind of opportunity Flint would have capitalized on to take the fucker out, especially when he knew they might not get another one.

But this wasn’t a covert mission, and Emery had different procedures she had to follow. Which meant, Flint was adapting to her lead. Had that asshole in his sights. Was ready to drop the guy if he so much as twitched. All the while maintaining a vigil in case his buddies showed up. Tried to ambush them.

Emery stood her ground, trusting Flint to have her back. “Drop the weapon, or I’ll drop you.”

The guy glared at her then moved, training his weapon on her. The kind of firepower that could eat right through her vest. Not that he got a chance to fire before she had him flying backwards into the wall, blood seeping out from a shot to his shoulder, just outside his vest. The kind of accuracy he’d only witnessed inside the Teams.

Another two seconds, and she was racing inside the room — had those frat boys up and running. They reached the doorway just as three more heavily armed tangos appeared at the end of the hallway. All wearing that same body armor.

Flint grabbed the students, all but tossing them inside the room across the hall before tackling Emery to the ground. Covering her as a barrage of bullets blanketed the corridor. He got off a few trigger pulls — hitting those fuckers square in the chest and knocking them down — then yanked her up and into that same room, ushering everyone to the back.

He ran his flashlight along the inner wall, focusing on where part of the drywall had rotted away. A few steps back then he was barreling toward it, bracing the impact with his shoulder before carrying on through the wall and into the next area. Landing in a heap on the floor. Dust billowed through the air, chunks of drywall and wood spraying out across the concrete. Pain sparked through his torso, but it beat being trapped.

Emery was at his side a second later, mumbling something about him being insane, as she helped him up. She looked over her shoulder when footsteps echoed down the hall, the men obviously recovered from the hits to their armor. “Stairs. Go!”

The kids took off, sprinting faster than Flint had anticipated as Emery followed after them, popping out from around the corner to fire down the hallway. Someone grunted, her shot obviously hitting home before she was back at his side, matching his strides. They took the stairs two at a time, reaching the main level just as the far doors opened. Two more tangos bustling through from the section they hadn’t been able to clear wasn’t what Flint had been hoping for. Had him adapting, again.

A couple quick steps, and he got in front of Emery and the kids — took a hit to his vest before getting off two shots. One tango dropped, but the other merely jerked backwards, the bullet blocked by his damn armor. But it was enough to get them to the exit and outside.

Emery ushered the kids to the hatchback, covering the entrance as the boys jumped in. “Nearest police station. Now.”

The one kid nodded then took off, spinning his tires and shooting gravel across the road as the car fishtailed out of the driveway and onto the main road. Flint moved in beside her, covering her ass as she retrieved her phone — called dispatch.

“Delta Sierra Two requesting backup. Multiple armed suspects. I need a chopper, the K-9 unit. Hell, send tactical if you can. And I needed them here five minutes ago.”

That guy — Barry — shouted something, but Emery shoved the phone back in her pocket. Had her gun at the ready, again.

Flint gave her a quick once-over. “You hit?”

“Nope. But I see you managed to take one to the vest keeping us clear. Please tell me it held?”

“I’ll be bruised but nothing major. We bugging out?”

“And let those assholes escape? I don’t?—”

An engine revving in the distance drowned out whatever else she was going to say, followed by the squealing of tires.

Flint didn’t wait for Emery to direct him, simply grabbed her arm and took off for the Jeep. His head on a swivel. His gun at the ready. Emery jumped in the passenger side, motioning for him to punch it when a white panel van shot out from the far corner of the building, blowing past them going some insane speed.

Flint leaned over and shoved her beneath the dash when one of the assholes fired at them from the rear of the van, cracking the windshield. Two of the bullets hit the seats, tuffs of fabric billowing through the cabin. What would have caught her in the shoulder if they’d been sitting there, staring.

Two seconds for the gunman to get out of range, then Flint was up and shoving the Jeep into reverse. He flew out of the parking lot, spun the vehicle a full one-eighty, popped it into gear then surged forward, quickly working through the gears.

Emery had the lights and siren on, was updating dispatch on their pursuit. Less than a minute, and they’d closed in on that van, following it as it raced along the highway. The rear doors opened, that same tango aiming at them.

Flint dodged the Jeep off to the right, weaving back and forth as Emery rolled down her window — hung halfway out. Flint yelled at her to get back inside, but she stayed put, firing off a few rounds. The first two hit the bumper, but she managed to catch a tire with the third, careening the vehicle off to the right. It jumped through some wire fencing then down a steep embankment, disappearing from sight onto the rocks below.

Flint pulled the Wrangler over, scrambling out and meeting Emery on her side. But she was already racing for the cliff, following the track the van had taken.

He did his best to shadow her, hoping the van had rolled or was at least stuck. Anything to prevent the perps from staging another assault.

She slowed once they reached the bottom, clearing each direction on what appeared to be some kind of bike path, then continued over to the other side. The van was wedged against some rocks along a stretch of beach, the rear doors still open. Steam poured out of the hood, with pieces of glass and metal scattered across the sand.

Flint pulled in beside her, making a few hand signals. He’d go left as she went right.

Emery nodded, veering off once they reached the rocky section — disappearing around the other side of the van.

He followed suit, edging toward the driver’s side. Gun steady. Muscles primed for a fight. A dark silhouette was slumped over the steering wheel, blood splattered across the windshield and side window.

A quick countdown, and he had the door open — was sweeping the interior. The guy behind the wheel was dead, a single gunshot to his temple. What looked like a hit from his own crew, though why they’d eliminate one of their own was a mystery.

Flint checked what he could see of the back when Emery shouted his name. He backtracked to the rear in time to see her racing along the beach, two dark figures several yards out in front of her.

“Shit.”

He took off, arms pumping. Feet flying. No sense worrying about getting off a shot when they had a healthy lead. Not if he wanted to catch them.

Ten seconds in, and he’d cut the distance in half. Not nearly close enough to help her, but at least he was gaining. Another ten, and he’d cut it down more. Still a fair way back, but he’d increased his odds of getting off a decent shot.

Emery fired a warning round, yelling at the men to freeze. They didn’t even pause, angling toward a small outcrop. That’s when he heard the whine of an engine — spotted the lights bobbing out on the water.

A boat. And it was definitely heading toward them.

Flint didn’t need to see the vessel to know whoever was onboard would be armed. Rifles. Maybe a damn machine gun mounted to the side. And he doubted Emery would pull up when she was close enough to have a real chance at catching them. Not with her adrenaline pumping. Her vision narrowed to the men and how much ground she was gaining. He’d had it happen in battle, and it never ended well.

Which was his cue to double down — find a way to pick up some speed. The men had made their way onto the rocky pier, waving at that boat and looking as if they were ready to dive in.

Emery managed to scramble onto the rocks behind them, gun raised, chest heaving from the exertion. “I said freeze, or I swear to god I’ll just shoot you.”

The men froze, raising their hands as they slowly turned. There was a moment of stillness, water from a wave spraying into the air before they dropped, that boat swinging in close behind them.

No chance for her to take cover as the boat roared to a halt, some asshole standing on the bow pointing a rifle her way.

Flint gave one last push, managing to wrap his arms around her and take her to the ground just as the bastard fired. Bullets peppers the area, a round grazing a path across his arm as he landed on the rocks, one hand cradling her head, the other still holding his weapon. He rolled her beneath him, rising enough to get off a series of shots.

But the men were already hunkering down in the boat as it raced off, those lights quickly disappearing into the distance.

Flint eased back, shaking his head as he stared down at Emery. “Shit. Are you okay? I didn’t mean to tackle you so hard, but…”

But he’d been afraid he wouldn’t make it in time. That she’d die on his watch.

Emery blinked a few times, twisting to stare at where the boat had vanished before squinting up at him. Her eyes rounded a moment before she pushed onto her hands, staring at his arm. “You’re hit.”

He waved it off, wondering how she still looked breathtaking with sand in her hair and dirt smeared across her face. “Just a graze.”

“Which is still a bullet wound. Damn…” She took a few deep breaths, her chest still heaving. “I don’t even know how you caught up. That…”

“I promised to have your back. That’s not something I take lightly.”

“Trust me, you exceeded all expectations. Though, so much for staying in the shadows and not having to defend yourself. God knows how I’m going to spin this and keep your ass out of jail.”

“You’re still breathing, so…”

“Just, do me a favor and let me do all the talking once my captain gets here. And whatever you do, follow my lead. No being a hero and taking the fall. I got you into this. I’ll get you out.”

“Pretty sure I talked you into letting me tag along.”

“Please, you’re charming but you’re not that charming. Besides, you still have to drive me home — get me some coffee. Can’t have Kian coming after your ass, too, if he thinks you bailed on me. Though, I think I’ve proven I don’t have a concussion.”

She smiled, and just like that, Flint knew he’d been a fool to think he hadn’t been falling for her this past month. That there was any chance of reclaiming his heart when she’d stolen it from him weeks ago without him even realizing it.

He helped her up, staring off into the ocean. Anywhere but directly at her when he suspected he had some goofy grin on his face. “Call me crazy but that seemed incredibly organized for some two-bit dealer. You’ve got yourself a major player.”

“That we do. I didn’t see the shorter guy’s face, but he’s got a web tattoo on his wrist. And I’ll recognize blondie the next time I see him, so… it’s only a matter of time before I bust their asses and bring their whole operation down. Now, let’s get back. I’d like to know what’s in those crates, because there’s no way they got rid of the evidence before bugging out. And if it’s what I think it is, it might be enough to keep your ass out of jail.”