Shaw Read online

Chapter Seventeen

  The Hunter bounced as it turned onto the dirt road. Claudia gripped her seat, adjusting to the rough gait. Hell, the Hunter was equipped for off-road. For some of the other convoy vehicles, it was going to be a rough, rough ride.

  She looked out the windscreen. Just a narrow dirt track and trees. Her heart thumped. They’d made it safely out of the tunnel, avoided the raptors, and now they had to reach Yerranderie, and not far beyond that, they’d be out of the mountains.

  It was agonizingly slow going, but they could make it.

  She glanced back, just seeing the lower half of Shaw’s lean body in the autocannon seat. She tapped his leg. “Any sign of raptors?”

  He leaned down and shook his head. “Not even a whiff.”

  “Good.” She hoped it stayed that way. The thought of the Huntsman rose and she choked it off.

  “I like having you sitting at my feet.”

  Shaw’s comment, laced with laughter, made her lips twitch. “This is as close as it gets, Baird. Lap it up.”

  They hit a bad patch of ground that had Cruz muttering in Spanish, then the Hunter settled back into the ride.

  “So,” Cruz called back. “You guys made it official?”

  When everyone in the vehicle looked back at Shaw and her, Claudia felt unfamiliar heat in her cheeks.

  She cleared her throat. “Don’t know what you’re talking about?”

  Cruz laughed and even Reed and Marcus chuckled. Gabe, silent as always, stared at her with a raised brow.

  “You coached most of us through being monumental idiots to win over our women, now we’re helping you out the same way,” Reed said.

  “I helped you because you all had testosterone clouding your judgment. You needed a woman’s perspective. Shaw is not a woman. He’s as easy to read as a giant book in the middle of the day.”

  “Hey,” Shaw nudged her with his boot. “You saying I’m simple?”

  She snorted. “Hardly.” But with Shaw what you saw was what you got. A good man, outrunning a hurt in his past.

  “So, you’ve put him out of his misery?” Marcus said.

  “His misery? The man was working his way through every single female survivor in the base, I don’t think he was miserable.”

  “Yeah, he was,” Marcus added quietly.

  She looked up and Shaw was watching her.

  “I’m in love with Claudia Frost,” he announced boldly.

  She rolled her eyes and the others, their friends—hell, their brothers—all cheered. “And for some ungodly reason, I love him back.”

  More hoots and hollers.

  A faint smile tweaked Marcus’ lips. “You’d better not screw up, Shaw.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Shaw said. “Or you guys will all beat me up.”

  “Uh-uh,” Marcus shook his head. “Claudia will, and she is far meaner than any of us.”

  Shaw’s eyes glowed and his gaze hit hers again. “That’s one of the reasons why I love her.”

  “Idiot.” The word held no bite.

  He winked at her, his grin wide. Damn, she wanted him again. She wanted him naked in a bed for several decadent days, not one stolen night here and there.

  They kept traveling, all of them alert for anything. After two hours, Claudia was feeling every bump in her aching body. The rough ride was taking its toll.

  “Coming up on Yerranderie,” Marcus called out.

  Finally. She knew that beyond the ghost town was their last short push to get out of the mountains.

  Then they’d be home free.

  The eerie abandoned buildings of the old mining town appeared. They were very old, all rusted metal and bleached-gray wood. They sat nestled amongst the trees and small hills. And here and there were a few overgrown dirt paths and some rusted old trucks.

  “Marcus?” Elle’s voice. “I’m picking up some patchy heat signatures heading our way. Waiting for a drone to head in that direction…wait! Oh my God, they’re here! They were hiding somewhere.”

  There was an explosion. Claudia jerked and looked out the side window. Behind them, she could see a convoy vehicle had been blown to pieces, and was now a burning wreck. Her heart clenched for the people inside.

  “Pterodactyl riders,” Reed said. “Three o’clock.”

  She turned her head and spotted the fleet of riders coming in over the trees. The lead rider ignited his flame thrower and she saw the trees go up in one large whoosh.

  Alien vehicles smashed out of some of the Yerranderie buildings.

  They’d been lying in wait.

  The convoy vehicles fanned out, some smashing into each other as people panicked. Claudia clutched her carbine and watched the terrified chaos around them.

  This was her fault. The Huntsman had been watching her, learning. Hell, she’d practically told him to expect the unexpected.

  “Shit.” Marcus was shouting orders at Elle, and ahead of them, a small sedan whizzed past. Cruz slammed on the brakes, and the Hunter skidded to a halt.

  The car hit a tree and flipped over on its side.

  “We need to help everyone,” Marcus said. “Out. Shaw, you stay on the cannon.”

  Shaw’s jaw clenched but he nodded. He looked at Claudia. “Stay safe out there. And kick some alien ass.”

  She lifted her weapon. “Always. And Shaw…”

  He lifted his chin.

  “You stay safe, too, or you’ll answer to me.” She ducked out of the vehicle.

  Outside was like stepping into hell.

  Flames flickered everywhere. Running people and vehicles tore through the smoke. Gunfire exploded from all directions. Screams.

  Claudia, flanked by Gabe and Reed, lifted her carbine and started firing at the raptors spilling out of the alien vehicles.

  They took down alien soldier after alien soldier. She saw the green flash and heard the whirr of an autocannon, and knew Shaw was taking down more than his fair share.

  Then she saw an alien vehicle tear into the clearing, smashing through an old building, splintering the wood to shreds. It pulled to a stop, engine gunning.

  Her heart kicked hard against her ribs and her blood turned to ice.

  Even before the hatch on the top of the vehicle opened and the Huntsman pulled himself out, she knew it was him.

  He stood there, just staring at the turmoil.

  Claudia’s hands clenched on her weapon and time slowed around her. She still heard the shouts and screams. People were hurt and dying.

  They’d been so close to escape.

  The Huntsman raised his voice and called out in the Gizzida language. All around them, the raptors stopped fighting, their weapons still aimed, red gazes glowing. Overhead, the flames were extinguished.

  “Your leader?” the Huntsman called out.

  From behind Claudia, she heard murmurs, and a second later, Holmes strode forward. His face was covered in soot and blood, but his blue eyes were piercing.

  “I lead these people.” Holmes tone was biting. He was volcanically mad.

  The Huntsman studied him for a second. “I will let you and your people go.”

  There were gasps and cries. Claudia started and glanced at Reed and Gabe. The men shook their heads. Yeah, she didn’t trust this raptor either.

  Then without warning, the Huntsman’s red eyes moved to Claudia. “The woman, Claudia Frost, comes with me, and I let you all leave.”

  She’d known it was coming. She closed her eyes, felt the tension pouring off her squad mates. She thought of Shaw. Oh, how she wished she’d had more time with her stubborn sniper. He’d shown her that her heart hadn’t stopped working.

  He’d shown her that love was worth everything. Even your life.

  “Just like that?” Holmes demanded. “One woman for the lives of a convoy you’re obviously hunting?”

  The Huntsman’s mouth moved into a faint smile. “I am a collector of rare and dangerous things. She will be an excellent addition to my collection. Besides, I will give you a head start, but I will al
so continue to hunt you down. The quicker you leave, the longer that lead.” His red gaze landed on Claudia.

  A head start was still a chance. She let her carbine fall to her side and started forward.

  “Frost,” Marcus growled from nearby. “Back in line.”

  “I can’t, Marcus. I’m not letting anyone else die.”

  “Claudia!”

  Shaw’s voice on the comm almost made her lose her nerve. She tried to block him out.

  “Don’t you fucking do it.”

  “I don’t have a choice, Shaw. I’ll do anything to protect these people, to protect you.”

  “Damn you,” Shaw said.

  “He wants me. He’ll let you go. It’s as simple as that. I’m sorry, I can’t let the kids die, or the others who’ve already been through so much to survive.”

  “Damn you for being a hero,” Shaw ground out.

  A reluctant smile on her lips. “I love you. Live for me.”

  He made a choked noise. “I love you, too, Frost.”

  Ahead, the Huntsman watched her coming and bared his teeth in what she guessed was his version of a smile. “Leader of the humans, I will let you leave, give you a…head start. But my superiors want your little band. You’ve proved…problematic. For now, I just want her, but soon, I will hunt you all down.”

  As Claudia walked past the general, he grabbed her arm. She saw the terrible conflict on his face. He was torn.

  She pressed her lips together and nodded.

  Finally, he gave one brisk nod and dropped her arm.

  “No!”

  She heard Shaw’s shout from behind her and it almost broke her. Unable to stop herself, she turned for one last look at him.

  Cruz was trying to stop him and Shaw swung out with a fist and caught the shorter man on the jaw. Then Marcus and Gabe—both bigger and bulkier— grabbed him, holding him back.

  His gaze caught hers.

  Then the Huntsman jerked her closer to his side. He rested a hand on her head. Horrible emotions boiled inside her and she let her gaze drop to the ground.

  She’d go with him to save her friends and the man she loved.

  But she wouldn’t go down without a fight. If the Huntsman thought she was going to be his docile little guard dog, he was very, very wrong.

  ***

  This was not happening.

  Shaw surged against his mates holding him, watching Claudia walk away.

  Marcus leaned closer. “Get it under control, Shaw. Remember, we leave no one behind.”

  The other man’s fierce whisper penetrated the red haze of Shaw’s fear and anger. He met Marcus’ gaze.

  “Got it?” Marcus asked.

  Shaw nodded. “Got it.”

  “Good.” Marcus released him and Gabe did the same. “Now, pull yourself together, and let’s get everyone, Claudia included, out of here alive.”

  Shaw dragged in a deep breath. “You got a plan?”

  “No. But why don’t you do what you do best.” Marcus nodded at Shaw’s sniper rifle.

  Adrenaline flooded his system. “Hell, yeah.”

  “Take the bastard down. Now, go.”

  Shaw ducked low and raced away. He quickly scanned the area, searching for a good vantage point. Nearby, slightly up the hill, he spotted an old, two-story, wooden building with a verandah that wrapped around the upper story.

  He shimmied up the side of the building and settled into a good spot on the verandah. The wood was rotten and falling through in places, so he had to tread carefully.

  Now it was just him and his rifle.

  He looked down the scope, breathing deeply to calm himself. It took a second to zero in on Claudia and the Huntsman.

  She was standing straight and tall, her face stoic. The Huntsman was listening to Holmes saying something, and then he ran his clawed hand over her hair. Patting her like she was a fucking pet. Shaw’s gut hardened. He understood the fascination; Claudia drew attention because she was so different, so tough, so true to herself.

  But she was his. This alien bastard couldn’t have her, and Shaw would do anything to keep her safe.

  He moved the scope until he had the Huntsman in his sights. He wanted to shoot. His finger rested on the trigger, and he wanted to pull it. But he had to wait. He had to factor in the wind, the distance. He had to control the violent urge to pull the trigger.

  He heard engines start up. Down below, the rest of the squads were urging people into their vehicles. The convoy was moving out.

  Shaw slowed his breathing even more. He trusted Marcus. He wouldn’t abandon them. He always came through with a plan.

  The Huntsman began urging Claudia into his vehicle.

  She turned, her face set, and kicked him. Hard.

  The raptor stumbled back a few steps.

  Shit. Shaw moved, trying to get a good shot. She was going to get herself hurt if she antagonized him.

  The Huntsman calmly readjusted his leather bandolier, seemingly controlled. Then he swung out and backhanded Claudia.

  The force of the blow sent her into the side of the raptor vehicle.

  Shaw almost fired. But dammit, it wouldn’t be a kill shot. The bastard was moving around too much. As the Huntsman moved closer to Claudia again, Shaw clenched his jaw.

  He saw the bulk of the convoy was heading off, disappearing along the dirt track into the trees.

  How the hell were they going to rescue Claudia and get the hell out of here?

  “I heard you guys needed a hand.”

  Roth Masters’ voice came across the comm.

  Laser fire peppered the ground ahead, sending raptors scrambling. The Darkswifts swooped down from the sky.

  “And we didn’t want to miss out on the fun.”

  Shaw glanced up. That was Finn’s voice. Above the tree line, four Hawk quadcopters rose up, dropping the shimmer of their illusions. More laser fire joined the fight.

  Somehow, Marcus had gotten these guys to disobey orders.

  As the aliens scrambled to fight back, the Huntsman was still fighting with Claudia. He slapped her again and Shaw forced himself to block it out. To block out the fighting around them.

  He steadied his grip, calmed his breathing. This was for Claudia. But it was also for Krista, for the sister he’d loved and hadn’t been able to save.

  The Huntsman and Claudia were grappling. He couldn’t risk hitting her.

  For a fleeting second, the Huntsman’s ugly face was lined up perfectly.

  Shaw took the shot.

  The rifle jerked in his hands. He saw blood spurt on the Huntsman’s face.

  But in that same second, Shaw knew, with the instinct of a sniper, that it wasn’t a kill shot.

  He saw the Huntsman dive for cover, but his gaze was still on Claudia.

  Shaw leaped up and jumped over the railing. He fell the long drop to the ground, hit, and rolled. He was up and running toward Claudia as fast as he could.

  A raptor appeared in front of him, letting out a deafening roar. Shaw spun and shot him, but never slowed down.

  Ahead, he saw a Hawk spinning out of control. Shit. His jaw clenched he kept running, praying the Hawk pilot could pull up.

  The Hawk hit the trees and exploded in a huge fireball.

  Blocking the loss, Shaw continued on. When he reached the Huntsman’s vehicle, he planted a hand on the hood and leaped over it like a high jumper. He skidded off the other side and paused.

  The Huntsman had Claudia down. He had a strong forearm pressed against her neck, restricting her air. She was thrashing her legs, trying to dislodge him.

  The raptor looked up, his red gaze hitting Shaw. “Don’t.” The word was a guttural growl. “No closer or I will kill her.”

  Shaw froze, his hands tightening on his weapon.

  The Huntsman’s eyes narrowed. “Move the weapon and she’ll be dead before you shoot.”

  Fuck. Helpless frustration rushed through Shaw. He saw Claudia’s face was turning red.

  Suddenly, a sw
arm of insects appeared from nowhere. Shaw cursed and waved his hands. He felt something sting the side of his face. Bees. They were bees.

  Then they were gone. He looked up and saw them swarming around the Huntsman.

  The alien snarled. Forced to defend himself, he released Claudia, slapping both hands at the tiny insects attacking him.

  Shaw had never seen anything like it. Before he could react, he caught a streak of white out of the corner of his eye.

  Selena sprinted past him. She called out something in a musical language, then launched herself at the Huntsman, knocking him off Claudia.

  In one stride, Shaw was by Claudia’s side, pulling her to her feet.

  Selena rolled off the Huntsman and raised a hand. The bees moved in sync with her arm. Shaw’s eyes widened. It was like she was controlling them somehow.

  She said something else in her pretty language and the bees arrowed back at the raptor. This time he let out an enraged shout. His face was covered in swollen, red spots.

  “Selena, get back!” Claudia rushed forward.

  Before Shaw could do more than lift his rifle, Claudia had the Huntsman down. Selena scrambled back and raised both her arms. The bees lifted up like a black cloud. Claudia straddled the raptor, pummeling him with her fists.

  Shaw walked closer, taking short, measured steps. Her face was set in a determined mask, but she didn’t say a word.

  God, she was tough.

  Then he saw what she couldn’t…the Huntsman had just pulled a huge, jagged, black knife from his belt.

  “Claudia. Knife!” Shaw whipped his rifle up.

  Everything happened in a blur. By the time Shaw aimed, Claudia had gripped the Huntsman’s hand. The raptor let out a roar and at the same moment, bees arrowed downward and filled his mouth. When Shaw’s bullet pierced the Huntsman’s brain, Claudia sank the knife deep into his chest.

  She sat back, her chest heaving.

  Shaw moved to her, touching her shoulder. “You okay?”

  She cast the Huntsman one last look before glancing up. “Hell, yeah.” She looked over at Selena. “Selena?”

  The woman nodded. “I’m fine.” Her skin was glowing, her hair drifting out behind her on the wind. She murmured something and raised a hand in a graceful move.

  The bees circled around her once, then as one orchestrated group, flew away.