Part 9 (1/2)

Tesla laughed and cried and waved at them. ”Oh thank heavens you're all safe.”

Cooper said, ”She's the one who took down Johann's shooter.”

Mason shook his head.

Cooper nodded. ”And she popped their tire. Honest to G.o.d, she saved my life.”

”Ha.” Tesla laughed. ”You saved mine so we're even.”

Hawk came to the open door and held out his arms. Mason snorted as Tesla fell into them. She appeared to like being carried around at times at least.

”Thank you for being so smart, so talented, and so d.a.m.n capable,” Hawk said and hugged her hard against his chest.

Then he tossed her to Swede.

Chapter 12.

WITH A SHRIEK she found herself midair then suddenly caught up in Swede's huge arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him back. She was so d.a.m.ned glad they were all here with her. He pa.s.sed her over to Shadow and the process repeated itself until Mason was the only man left who hadn't hugged her. Dane held her out to Mason, only she refused to be tossed. Instead, she reached out and smacked Mason across the face.

Instant silence.

Then she got in his face and snapped, ”And that was for sending me off to get shot when you knew I wasn't going to be safe.”

”How the h.e.l.l was I to know you weren't going to be safe?” he roared, rubbing his cheek, glaring at her.

”Because you weren't there to look after me,” she yelled, her nose inches from his.

She snorted and settled back into Dane's arms. And turned away. Only to realize every last one of them were either laughing or grinning at her.

With a narrow gaze she glared at them. Then turned back to Mason. He was staring at her like he had no idea what to do. She gave him a fat smile. ”Time to apologize, Mason.”

”Apologize?” He got a thunderous look on his face. ”For what?”

”For putting me in danger again,” she emphasized.

Swede lost it behind her and backed away guffawing like an idiot. Hawk was bent over and no one dared look at Mason. Well, she had no such qualms. ”You don't scare me,” she scoffed. ”You're a big teddy bear.”

That did it, the rest of the men who'd barely held in their laugher cracked up.

Mason s.n.a.t.c.hed her out of Dane's arms. And kissed her. Hard. Hot and long.

She responded enthusiastically. When he finally came up for air, she sagged against him. He said, ”At least I've finally found a way to shut you up.”

Not knowing where the att.i.tude came from, she smirked and said, ”Never.”

He rolled his eyes, s.h.i.+fted her in his arms, and said, ”I'm sorry for putting you in danger. I thought you'd be safe.”

She sniffed.

He glared.

She grinned. ”Apology accepted.”

He kissed her again.

The others cheered.

d.a.m.n WOMAN. SHE had one job. To stay safe. And what did she do get herself into a gunfight. Then picked up the gun and actively went after the shooter.

And what to do with her now? Cooper was all about getting her to the airstrip. Hawk had tried to contact the helicopter but wasn't raising a response. Dane was currently trying to contact their base.

He gently replaced Tesla on the seat and turned to face Swede. He'd gone back to the flipped vehicle. At his questioning look, Swede shook his head. Well, that was one way to deal with the enemy, wipe them out. Only he knew that they didn't wipe out easy. Every morning he woke up to find they'd multiplied overnight.

Still, he didn't need to let Tesla know she'd killed three men. The accident would be found soon, and they needed to be away. Swede and Shadow had cleaned the house. The Jeep was packed. He didn't ask where it had come from. They all did what they had to do. Hopefully not damaging this one and getting it back to its rightful owners was an option this time.

His team would bring the Jeep. Mason was going to drive the SUV with Tesla and Cooper would ride shotgun. Dane was coming with them. Three men in each.

Cooper held out his communicator to Mason. Still no answer at the helicopter.

d.a.m.n. The landing site had to have been compromised. Still, they had to go check. Swede had a helicopter's pilot license and could fly them out, if it was still there. What they had to do was expect unfriendlies.

At his word, they headed out. The drive was done in complete silence. Mason kept his eye out for any other traffic while Cooper watched for the enemy. Johann's body was in the back, covered with a sheet.

It was Tesla who worried Mason. She hadn't said a word.

After watching the men carry Johann to the back, she'd fallen silent and turned to look out the window. Now she watched the miles drift by but never moved or spoke. Killing wasn't easy for any of them, but they'd adapted out of necessity. For Tesla, this was a first for her and therefore the hardest. She should never have been put into this position. Taking a life was something she'd never forget. And could spend a lifetime adjusting to. Even though her actions had been fully justified...it would hurt for a long time.

The landing site was at an older bushwhacker style landing strip. The trip there was uneventful with the turnoff to their destination nothing but a small dirt road that appeared deserted. But they knew better at this point.

Guns ready, they drove close to the small shack standing at one end and parked. The Jeep hung well back with Swede, Hawk and Dane. Mason explained that they were going to park in the trees and approach the helicopter by foot.

Mason stepped out of the SUV, glanced over at Tesla to see her huge eyes staring at him. Trusting him.

d.a.m.n she was something.

”I'll go look inside.” Cooper headed to the doorway and stepped in. He walked out a moment later. ”It's empty.”

Mason nodded. He'd expected nothing less.

The helicopter sat quiet unattended to the left.

The pilot missing.