Zain squinted. “Are you sure? That’s a really bad photo. I can barely make out any details.”
She glared at him, slashes of red creeping up into her cheeks. “I did an entire TACLET tour with the asshole before he pinned me to a damn wall and tried to rape me, so yeah, I’m pretty fucking sure it’s him.”
Zain held up his hands. “Sweetheart. I didn’t mean it like that. If you say it’s Watson, it’s him.”
She turned to Buck. “Is this the guy who hired you to spy on me?”
Buck frowned. “He’s not on your board. He’s part of the coverup.”
“But it could be him, right? They could overlap.”
Buck leaned in, then banged the heel of his hand on his forehead. “I… I don’t know. He’s not on your board!”
Greer held up her hand. “Okay. Let’s all take a breath. We’ll need to bring everything down to the station so we can sort through it. See if there’s anything we can use to track these guys.”
Buck tensed, his gaze flying between them. “I can’t go to the station. You need to take me someplace safe. They said they wouldn’t need me after this week. That the investigation was done. But they’re lying liars. They’re coming for me like they did for Saylor. I know it. They were waiting for me last night. I had to sneak back to my boat — take it out until the sun came up and I knew they’d be gone.”
Greer crowded him against the wall. “Who was waiting?”
“Men. Dressed all in black with guns. There were a couple vehicles sitting down the road.” He shook his head. “No one comes out here. No one.”
Greer glanced at the covered windows, her hand moving to rest on her weapon. “On second thought, we’ll bring the entire RV. Buck, I need you to trust me and hang tight. Zain’ll ride with you. But I swear, if you so much as shift lanes in an attempt to ditch me, he’ll knock you on your ass. Understood?”
The color drained from Buck’s face as he eyed Zain. “This wasn’t part of the deal.”
He bolted, knocked over a garbage can, then scrambled to the door. It creaked, rocking the entire RV as he tossed it open and darted out, heading for the woods. Zain raced after him, vaulting over the bin and flying down the steps before zeroing in on him. He took off, hitting the ground when a shot cut through the relative quiet.
Buck screamed and grabbed his leg as he rolled around on the dirt. “I told you they were after me. Do something!”
The noise scattered a flock of birds from a nearby tree, the sheer number dimming the limited light filtering through the clouds, as the lingering report echoed in the distance. Greer’s voice sounded above the noise, calling out their location — asking for backup.
Zain cursed and pushed to his feet. “Cover me.”
He rushed forward, Saylor and Greer firing toward the areas most likely hiding the sniper as Zain hooked his arms under Buck’s shoulders and dragged the man back behind the RV, more shots ricocheting off the bumper and dirt — one hitting the front panel a second after he’d cleared it. He braced Buck against the side, used his knife to slice through the seam of Buck’s jeans.
Buck stared at the blood oozing from the hole in his thigh. “They shot me.”
Zain nodded, accepted the first aid kit Saylor handed him from the top of the RV stairs. “Guess you weren’t exaggerating. Though, the next time Greer tells you to trust her and hang tight, don’t freaking run.” He pouredon some clotting powder, then tied a few layers of bandages in place. “That should hold for now, assuming we can get you to the hospital.”
Buck fisted Zain’s shirt and tugged him in close. “They shot me.”
“Already established that, Buck.” Zain gave Buck’s arm a pat as he eased the man’s hand free. He glanced at Greer as she scoured the forest. “He’s definitely in shock. Pain hasn’t even touched him, yet, but it will. We need to leave in case there’s more… Shit.”
Tires.
Crunching along the gravel road. Not quite at the driveway but close. Another few seconds, and they’d be rounding the corner — blocking out any chance at spinning the vehicles around and making a break for it.
Greer obviously thought the same thing as she threw open the door. “RV. Now.”
Zain heaved Buck to his feet, ignoring the man’s protests as he carried him up the steps before planting his backside on a thread-bare chair just inside the door. “Keep your ass glued to that seat or so help me God, I’ll toss you out.”
Saylor ripped off some of the foil as Zain slipped behind the wheel. “We’ve got two… no three trucks barreling down the road, and they don’t look like they’re stopping.”
Zain waved his hands at Buck. “Keys or am I just hotwiring this piece of shit?”
Buck grunted. “Ashtray.”
Zain rolled his eyes as he snagged the keys. “How old is this thing?” He tried the engine, cursed when itjust clicked, then tried again, hitting the gas when it sputtered to life. Tires skidded on the gravel behind them, a few rocks pinging off the chassis. “Everyone hold on, and stay clear of the windows.”
