Flint’s Battle (Team KOA Bravo #3)

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

Flint clenched his jaw but took off when Quinn tapped his shoulder. All but gave him a shove as he took up point behind Jack.

Quinn would keep them safe. Carry Emery back to the ward if necessary while still eliminating any possible threat. Though, Jack already had her in his arms and was racing across the room as Flint hit the exit, bouncing the door off the wall as he barreled through. He swept the hallway with his weapon then hoofed it down the corridor, senses on alert. His head on a swivel.

The bastard had a good minute on him. Was probably already closing in on the roof, but Flint wouldn’t let that sway him. He was all-in.

He hit the stairway door still sprinting. Using the extra bounce to propel him up the first few stairs. He didn’t need to slow down to track the guy, that graze Flint had landed leaving a steady trail of blood along the floor.

He took the stairs two at a time, grinning when Bowie and Carter appeared in front of him. Guns drawn. Backs pressed into the wall beside the door leading onto the roof.

Bowie turned, gun aimed Flint’s way before he lowered it and nodded at the exit. “We eliminated three others. One might still be breathing, though it’s doubtful. We were heading back your way when we saw another tango dart past the hallway. Carter nearly caught the guy, but he managed to get out and bar the door. We were going to break it down but… Shit. What if Emery and Moana are out there being held at gunpoint? If they have a chopper inbound?”

“The girls are fine, Bowie. Quinn and Jack are taking them back to the ward.”

Bowie stared at Flint for a few seconds, that muscle in his temple jumping before he took a deep breath — turned back to the door. “That’s all I needed to know.”

His buddy backed up then charged, hitting the door with his shoulder — busting through whatever was holding it closed on the other side. The sheer force sent Bowie crashing onto the rooftop, but he simply rolled to his feet, already homing in on the tango racing for the ledge.

Carter lined him up, shaking his head when the guy hit the edge then jumped, landing on the adjacent roof — effectively taking him out of range. “Does he really think that’s going to stop us?”

Carter took off, Flint and Bowie a couple of steps behind him. They picked up their pace, hitting that ledge going full out. Carter didn’t even blink, diving through the air then rolling to his feet on the other side without losing a step. Racing off as if he’d simply jumped off a curb and not cleared a twelve-foot gap.

Flint didn’t land quite as gracefully, slamming his shoulder against the roof before gaining his feet. Needing a few steps to work out the kinks. Bowie stumbled a bit, too, though that probably had more to do with having just broken through the other door than him missing the mark.

But they were sprinting after the other man a couple heartbeats later. Using every trick to close the gap. Carter dove off to one side when that asshole twisted enough to get off a pull of his gun. Kick up some of the dirt on the roof.

But it barely bought him more than a few seconds. Just enough to scramble over the wall of the adjoining building and take off again.

Flint and Bowie caught up to Carter at the junction, all of them vaulting over the wall and continuing on. Tracking the man as he wove through a maze of air conditioning units and compressors. Taking cover whenever they got close enough the bastard fired off a few rounds.

They reached some metal framing, climbing up and over it before doubling back. Skidding to a halt, again, when the guy stopped at the next ledge. What looked like a twenty-foot drop down to the adjoining roof.

He glanced back, chest heaving. That gun clenched in one hand. But he didn’t raise it, focusing on the drop, again.

“It’s too far.” Flint kept the guy in his sights as he slowly inched toward him, Bowie and Carter fanning out on either side. “Sure, you might live, but no way you’re dropping twenty feet without doing some damage.”

The guy crowded the corner, looking at them over his shoulder. “I can make it.”

“If you thought you could make it, you would have jumped already, but..” Flint motioned to the next roof. “Be my guest. It’ll make it easier to grab you when you’re laying on that roof with a broken leg. Assuming you don’t kill yourself.”

The asshole glanced at the other side.

Bowie shook his head. “That’s even farther, asshole. Three stories down onto solid concrete.”

“I’m not going to jail.”

Flint held his ground. “It’s that or the morgue.”

The man glared at them. “I won’t talk.”

“I didn’t ask you to.”

He waved his arms when a sudden gust nearly blew him over the edge. “You have no idea what you’ve stumbled into. The resources they have. They’ve been ringing that factory bell for months, now, and your little detective was none the wiser.”

“Not anymore.”

“She never should have chased us down. She’s dead. Maybe not tonight. But they’ll get her in the end. They always win in the end.”

“Then, I look forward to handing them their first loss.”

The guy laughed. “You think you can beat them because you’re some super soldier asshole? They eat guys like you for breakfast. This…” He waved at the roof. “This is nothing. A half-hearted attempt because it was convenient. Once they realize she’s still breathing… Nothing and no one will stop them. You’re just prolonging the inevitable.”

Flint slid his gaze to Bowie and Carter then back to the man. “I’ll put that theory to the test. Because I promise you, they’ve never faced anyone like us. Now either toss down the weapon, and get on your stomach, or do us all a favor and jump.”

The guy snarled, looking as if he was going to throw himself off or try to gun them all down before he grunted then tossed his gun on the roof. He made a show of holding up his hands as he took a step forward, putting a foot between him and the edge when a loud pop boomed through the air.

The guy arched, blood blossoming on his shoulder before he tipped backwards, hanging in the air for a moment — one arm flailing. Eyes rounded.

Then he gone, a dull smack vibrating through the air a few seconds later.

Flint hit the roof, rolling behind a vent as Carter and Bowie scrambled for cover. Flint did a few rough calculations in his head then narrowed in on the side of the hospital where the shooter must have been nesting. A mental pep talk not to get shot, then he was up and heading for the edge. A quick bypass to check if the other guy had survived the fall all the while doing his best to minimize any feasible shot. Bowie and Carter moved in behind him, all of them taking cover once they’d run out of real estate.

A short countdown, then they were scanning the area. Seeing if they could pinpoint the shooter’s location without giving the sniper a viable headshot. Coming up empty was more an act of frustration than a surprise. Not that it didn’t sting. But the chances of them spotting a silhouette in the dark had been slim at best.

Bowie tapped Flint’s arm then struck off, practically crawling in an effort to stay out of range. They took a chance and scrambled through that metal girding then made a run for the stairs.

Carter slammed the door shut behind them then moved in front, leading the way back down the stairs. They made a full sweep of the wing, making sure they hadn’t missed any tangos hiding in the shadows before heading back to the ward. Milligan met them just outside Emery’s room, back rigid. Eyes narrowed.

Flint curbed his initial reaction to push past the man and straight to Emery’s side. Prove to himself she hadn’t bled out on the way back. But the last thing she needed was more stress because his actions might land his ass in jail. Bowie, Carter and Quinn’s too.

Milligan speared his fingers through his hair, nostrils flaring as he forced air in and out. “I distinctly remember telling you not to shoot any more bad guys, O’Connell. Was I unclear? Did I mumble?”

Flint clenched his jaw, reminding himself the man had a point. That not getting arrested on the spot was about as good as he could hope for. “You didn’t mumble.”

“Then, can you explain why I have four…” Milligan pushed out a rough breath. “Make that five more dead bodies on my hands? One still stuck on the roof?”

Bowie leaned forward. “We didn’t actually kill the guy on the roo…” He let his voice fade as he slowly backed up when Milligan glared at him.

Flint sighed. “I’m not sure what to tell you?—”

“Because they didn’t shoot those men, I did.”

Flint snapped his head around, staring at Jack, the man’s voice still ringing through the ward. Flint hadn’t even realized the guy had slipped out of Emery’s room and joined them on the fringes.

Jack moved forward, crossing his arms over his chest. “Milligan.”

Milligan mumbled something under his breath before staring at Jack. “Seriously, McClane? Now you’re covering for them?”

Jack held his ground. “Somebody has to because if it weren’t for these four men, my sister and her best friend would be dead. No thanks to your man on the door. Where the hell are you getting these new recruits? And why the hell didn’t you have a tactical team patrolling the grounds?”

Milligan closed his eyes, pushing out another breath before meeting Jack’s gaze. “You know I can’t have a tactical team guarding the hospital on the off chance some lone mercenary might take a run at one of my officers. And the fact it happened doesn’t change anything. It was a long shot at best. As for Officer Bates, he played everything by the book. Has a concussion to prove it.”

“And yet, Emery’s back in that room short half a liter of blood. Do you know how close she came to slipping into hemorrhagic shock before I could even get her back here?” Jack took a visibly calming breath. “Do us all a favor. Write this up however you need to in order to soothe your conscience — keep everyone above you happy. I’ll sign whatever statement you need. But Flint and his team walk.”

Jack leaned closer. “That’s non-negotiable. Or the next time you need my station to help out, we won’t be available. And you need our help pretty damn regularly.”

Milligan snorted. “You McClanes will be the reason I have a fucking stroke.”

“Then, you’d better hope I’m working that day.”

Milligan all but growled this time. “Flint. Get your CO on the phone before any amount of bullshitting won’t put out this dumpster fire. Because as sure as I’ll be popping antacids like candy, I know this mission you’re on to keep Emery safe isn’t close to being over. And I’d rather not lose my job because some teenager films you capping a bunch of mercenaries, next time.”

Quinn stepped forward, handing Milligan his phone. “I figured you’d want to talk to Castle sooner or later. He’s already on the line.”

Milligan took the phone, barking into it as he turned away, crossing to the other side of the ward.

Quinn winced when one of the glass panels rattled as Milligan shouted Flint’s name. “Wow. He really does put Castle to shame.”

Flint nodded, twisting to face Jack. “Are you high? Lose even more blood than Emery? Because you just put your ass, not to mention your career, on the line for us.”

Jack waved it off. “I’ve got ninety-nine problems, brother, but Dave Milligan isn’t one of them. Now are you going to get your ass in to see my sister before she manages to stumble hers out here? Or do I have to go to plan B where I just shoot you, myself?”

“Jack…”

Jack’s cocky smile faded. “You took on mercenaries to bring those ladies back in one piece. Fully aware of what could happen. No one’s ever been there for Emery like that, other than me and Clark. Had her back no matter what. That’s worth a leap of faith.”

Flint shook his head. “Nothing you won’t do for family, right?”

“Hell yeah. Now, go before I change my mind.”

Flint gave Jack a pat on his shoulder as he moved to Emery’s door, stopping when Carter, Quinn and Bowie joined him.

Carter waited until Jack had made his way over to Milligan before leaning in close. “You know this confirms Emery’s on some cartel’s hit list, right?”

“Yeah, but we’ll wait until we’re somewhere secure to discuss the details.” Flint scanned the room. “No way that doctor’s name got put on the list Milligan approved. Someone altered it.”

“There’s always a catch.” Quinn motioned to Milligan. “Do you think we can trust Milligan?”

“Normally I’d say no. We know better than to put our faith in anyone before it’s earned. But if Milligan wanted Emery dead, he would have tossed my ass in jail the other night. Especially, when he knew I’d be hanging around. But we’ll only share what’s absolutely necessary until we know who’s pulling our strings.”

Bowie nodded. “Agreed. Now, you better see Emery before Jack changes his mind and shoots you in the ass.”

“I’m betting you’re on the list, too, buddy so don’t get all cocky.”

Bowie snagged Flint’s elbow when he went to open the door. “We need to move her to the ranch.”

“I know. Just let me make sure she’s still breathing, first.”

“I’ll call Hawk. Tell him we need to up security. See if he can have that new K9 team patrol the grounds. Regardless, we’re done playing by their rules.”

Flint nodded, then opened the door and walked through, pausing just inside because… damn. If he’d thought she looked bad before, she was exponentially worse. Every bruise twice as dark, her skin whiter than the sheets. He must have inhaled or made some kind of noise because she blinked, her gaze finding his.

A smile, and he was at her side. He wasn’t sure if he walked or teleported over. Didn’t care because she brushed her hand along his jaw a moment later. Anchored her fingers in his hair.

Flint leaned down, dropping a soft kiss on her mouth. Wishing the small movement didn’t look as if it had drained her. “Shouldn’t you have ten units of blood hooked up and another three IVs? Maybe a shaman chanting in the background because damn…”

She chuckled. “It’s not that bad.”

“The sheets have more color than you do.” He tucked some hair behind her ear. “How’s the shoulder?”

“Sore.”

He arched a brow.

Emery huffed. “It hurts like a son of a bitch. There. Happy?”

“That you’re in pain? Hardly. But thrilled you don’t have more holes in you. That you’re still breathing.”

Those few words set her off. Had tears pooling in her eyes as her chin quivered. She glanced at her lap, closing her eyes as her one good shoulder slumped forward.

Flint placed his hand under her chin, lifting it until she met his gaze. “Emery.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? Impressing the hell out of me? You took on armed mercenaries with zero weapons, zero backup and all while wearing nothing but a hospital gown and socks. Kicked ass, to boot.”

Emery shook her head. “I did have backup and Moana was the one who downed that guy.”

“But only after you’d handed him his ass. Put yourself at risk of getting shot. Christ, I don’t know how you even got out of the wheelchair. You should have been passed out on the floor, and yet there you were, fighting like a damn badger.”

He tucked some hair behind her ear, warmth spreading through his chest. “You scared the shit out of me, but I’ve never been so proud in my life. That was SEAL-worthy.”

“I had to do something after putting us in that position. I never should have asked you to compromise your security plan just so I could feel normal for a few minutes.”

Flint sighed, tapping his chest. “I’m the one who agreed with Bowie. Who wasn’t watching your room through the window like a hawk.”

“You mean stalker.”

“If I’d been stalking you, you wouldn’t have pulled out your stitches.”

Emery opened her mouth — probably to correct him — but she simply blew out a breath, instead. “How about we make a deal?”

“I hope this is better than the last one because we didn’t even make it to breakfast.”

“Wise ass. And yes, it’s better. I promise not to beat myself up about making an epically bad decision that had you riding to the rescue. Again. And you’ll cut yourself some slack and not claim responsibility for every cut or scrape I get.”

“I can certainly get onboard with that first part.”

“Flint. I love that you don’t want anything to happen to me. That you’re protective while still being supportive and respectful. But I’m a cop. Sometimes shit happens despite my best efforts. You can’t spend the next fifty years agonizing over ever bump I get on the job. You’ll drive yourself crazy.”

The next fifty years.

That’s what she’d said, and it made everything else seem trivial.

Emery paused, squinting a bit before arching a brow. “What?”

He brushed his thumb across her cheek, aware he had that stupid love-sick grin on his face, again. “It’s you. Every time I think I’ve got you figured out, you surprise me. And I’ll gladly go insane if it keeps you out of the ER.”

She snorted. “You missed the whole point of that conversation.”

“No. I really didn’t. Heard the important part loud and clear. Now, what do say to me helping you bust out of here?”

“Just hand me some pants because I think I’ve flashed my ass enough already.”

“Sorry, no pants. But I promise to be the only one admiring your ass.”

“God, I leave for five minutes and you’re already scheming how to break more rules.” Jack shook his head as he stood in the doorway. “I can see why Milligan’s worried about having a stroke.”

Emery groaned. “Shit, I forgot all about Milligan and?—”

Flint pressed his finger against her lips, loving how soft they were despite all the trauma she’d suffered. “Everything’s fine, sweetheart. You just focus on healing.”

“I find that hard to believe.” She glanced over at her brother. “And shouldn’t you be home with Leia and the kids?”

Jack laughed. “And give up the chance to be a cockblock? I don’t think so.”

“Seriously, Jack? Like I’m in any condition to pounce on the man.”

“I don’t know. You just went all Rocky Balboa on some creep, and the way you’re looking at Flint…”

“You’re such an ass.”

“I know. Now, are we busting you out or what?”

“We?”

“Someone’s gotta monitor your condition.” He waved off any reply. “Stop arguing, and let Flint help get your butt into a wheelchair before I realize how insane this is.” He held up some keys. “I’ll be waiting by my truck. It’s right outside the main doors.”

Emery huffed as her brother walked out, giving them a hard stare as he passed by the glass wall. “He’s impossible.”

“You’re just upset because you know he’s right.” Flint grinned when she swatted at him. “Let’s get you home, then we can worry about where we go from here. Because like it or not, this is far from over.”