Page 56 of Ghost
“Shhh, it’s okay,” Ghostmurmured, hoping to get out of this with all his body parts stillattached. “It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. Please don’t biteme.” He slowly turned and raised his hand to the dog’s nose. Whenhe didn’t immediately attempt to bite at what was essentially stillthin air to anyone watching, Ghost felt a bit better.
Carefully, he slid the palm of hishand along the side of the dog’s muzzle and down its neck. With asmall whine, the Doberman sat beside Ghost and leaned into him. Hewasn’t sure if he was having an out-of-body experience, but hewrapped his arms around the dog, and they both crouched downagainst the side of the house, trying to avoid straybullets.
What the hell did he donow?
***
Ray
Ray watched the dot on the screen,making sure Ghost was out of the way in every shot. If he wasright, Ghost and the dog were crouching together at the far side ofthe house, staying out of the way. He didn’t want his lover to getcaught in the crossfire.
“I’ve got two coming at twoo’clock,” Gunner announced over the comms from his position in alarge oak tree across the clearing.
Ray turned to see two of Berry’s thugscoming around the house, rifles ready. The moment they took aim atBrick and Stryker, who were making their way behind Jackson’struck, Ray and the rest of the team took them out.
Berry had retreated into his house,leaving his goons to fight his battle. Unfortunately, he’d draggedJake inside with him. Gunner had managed to take Jackson out beforehe executed Jake, but the man was still in danger. He may have beenscum, but he didn’t deserve to die.
“Ghost is good. We need toget inside before Berry kills Jake,” Ray said into thecomms.
“I may not like the man,but agreed,” Brick confirmed. “Move in on the house.”
Using the trees as cover, Ray,Fletcher, Elias, and his deputies moved in from the east, whileBrick, Stryker, Shaw, and Gator came from the west. They took outadversaries as they went, and soon, the gunfire died down aroundthe exterior.
“Move in,” Brickordered.
Ray followed Fletcher to the gardendoors and watched as the big redhead peeked inside.
“Clear,” he announced.“Breaching interior.”
Fletcher turned the knob and slowlyopened the door. When nothing happened, they quickly moved inside,taking up positions around what was the kitchen. It wasempty.
“Coming in the front,”Stryker reported.
Elias motioned with his hand for Rayto start making his way down the hall as they covered him. He didit without question. That was what being part of a team meant. Youtrusted them with your life, and they trusted you with theirs. Inchby inch, they made their way across the house, clearing room afterroom, eventually joining up with the other half of theteam.
They tried the handle of the closeddouble doors at the far side of the house. They were locked. Bricknodded, and Fletcher stepped up quickly, kicking the door open withthe sole of his boot and taking one off the hinges. They moved as aunit and fanned out into the room.
Berry stood with his back against thewall, using Jake as a human shield.
“Don’t come any closer, orI’ll kill him,” Berry yelled, ramming the barrel of his gun intothe side of Jake’s head.
Brick moved forward with his riflepointed directly at Berry.
“You know there’s no wayout for you. Let him go,” he ordered.
“No. If you don’t stay outof my way, I’ll end this asshole,” Berry warned as he inched hisway toward the open back door. “It won’t matter to me whether I godown for another death. Add it to the list.”
“Crazy fucker,” Strykergrowled.
“I don’t have a shot,”Gunner announced over the comms.
Jake looked ready to pass out as thestandoff continued. The team matched Berry’s every move closer tothe door.
“You won’t get away,” Raysaid.
“Fuck you,” Berry growled.“I can be soaking up the sun in some tropical oasis withoutextradition back to the States before sunrise.”
Ray wanted to wipe the smirk off thebastard's face, but there was no way to get to him without riskingJake.
