| |
Ben Jackson
Pulhapanzak Falls Parking Lot
Honduras
Ben pulled the trigger. El jefe dropped to the ground. Ben watched, making sure his aim was true before taking cover.
Frank dove to the ground and covered his head with his hands, the only protection he had in the open space. Michael took two steps and then leaped into the air. He landed on Regan and used his body as a shield for hers. Guy was pinned down under the weight of both of them.
Ben dropped back down to the ground as el jefe’s men turned to fire in their direction. Liam and Jax fired next to him. The shots, at close range, made his ears ring.
Ben watched a body fall, he assumed Liam’s shot was true to its target while Jax’s missed. One guard provided cover fire while the other dragged el jefe to the nearest vehicle. Ben ran from the woods and opened fire. He pulled the trigger over and over again while the car sped away. Even after the magazine was empty, he pulled the trigger to nothing but clicks coming from the gun.
Movement brought Ben out of his daze. He watched as Gray stumbled out of the woods and toward Regan. Tears ran down his face at her still form on the ground. He scrambled forward as if he couldn’t reach her fast enough. His energy sapped, he fell to the ground. Gray tried to push himself up but fell back again.
Ben ran forward to help pull him up. Another pair of hands pulled Gray from the other side.
Gracie. Gracie and Ben took Gray’s weight and moved him to Regan, his feet dragging on the ground between them.
Gray fell to his knees beside Regan. Her left side was covered in blood.
Please God, Ben prayed, summing it all up in those two words.
Michael moved out of the way as Gray ripped open Regan’s shirt to find the bullet wound. The bullet entered the fleshy part of her shoulder. Ben breathed a sigh of relief as Gray pulled her off Guy and up to look at her back. Michael helped bear the weight since Gray was so weak. He touched Gray’s arms, as if to confirm he was really there, but Gray never noticed him. Gray only had eyes for Regan.
Guy scrambled up and out of the way. He pulled out a cell phone and called for help. The words barely registered in Ben’s mind. Gracie stood next to him, holding his arm. Ben thought she was afraid to let go of him. Like he would disappear again if she broke the physical connection.
Ben relaxed at the sight of Regan’s back. A through and through.
Regan’s eyes fluttered open and Ben’s heart almost stopped in relief. Gray laughed, the tension and stress needing a relief.
Regan reached her hand up and patted Gray’s cheek. Gray held her hand against his cheek. Love passed between them as their eyes locked on each other.
“You’re not looking so good, babe,” Regan said.
“I’m not feeling so hot,” Gray replied.
“You feel like fire, Gray.” Worry clouded her face at the realization he was burning up.
“You always have to have the last word.” Gray smiled at Regan. “You found me,” he said.
“Looks like you actually found me.” Regan smiled and then groaned.
“Help’s on the way,” Guy said.
Ben watched the two, clearly in love and happy just to be together. Ben took a small step back and then another, fading into the woods. Liam and Jax stood hugging, comforting one another as Ben walked by. Neither noticed as he left.
Ben retrieved his bag from the stolen vehicle, taking a moment to wipe down the inside for any fingerprints. He took one last look back toward the parking area before turning and leaving.