Undiscovered (Treasure Hunter Security Book 1) Page 15

They walked up the wide, shallow steps leading into the main temple. Each small step felt like agony to Dec but he fought it down. He was going to see Layne’s face when they went inside.

  They stepped into the gloom. Huge columns rose on either side of them in a long row. Walking forward, Dec could almost imagine it was the aisle of a church.

  Shit. When that thought didn’t make him start sweating, he knew Layne was his.

  He pressed a hand to his side and saw the blood welling, coating his fingers. It was going to kill her that she couldn’t save him.

  “Oh, Declan.”

  He raised his head and the air rushed out of him. “Holy hell.”

  The front of the temple was filled with treasure.

  Gold statues, urns, mounds of jewelry, furniture made of gold. It was all laid out with precision, glowing dully in the light.

  “So beautiful. And the historical value…” She shook her head. “This is more than I ever dreamed of.”

  “You found it, Rush. It’ll make your career.”

  She turned to face him. “You think I care about my career right now?”

  He was going to say something, but his left leg failed and he stumbled.

  “Dammit.” She caught him and kept him upright. When she eased back and saw the blood transferred to her shirt, tears welled in her eyes. “Declan, I’m afraid.”

  “Listen. We need to find somewhere for you to hide. I’ll confront Anders when he arrives.”

  “Maybe they won’t make it through.”

  “He’ll be here soon, Layne. In the chaos, you go. Find a way out. The Zerzurans had to have an easy route to the surface somewhere. Use that clever head of yours and find it.”

  Her lips trembled. “I’m not leaving you.”

  Fear spiked. He recognized that stubborn look. “I will not let you die here.”

  “Your gun got wet—”

  He smiled. “Most modern weapons can handle a little water. Now, go.”

  “I’m not letting you sacrifice yourself!”

  “I’m already dead.”

  His harsh words made her head rear back like he’d slapped her. Her cheeks went white.

  He swallowed and lowered his voice. “I’m bleeding out, Rush. I need to be in a hospital in under thirty minutes. Even if you can call in the cavalry, it’s too late.”

  “No.” A tear slid down her cheek. “I will not lose someone else I love.”

  He cupped her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I so badly wanted more. You made me want that. Now, I want you to live for both of us.”

  “I…no.”

  He heard shouts and water splashing. They were coming.

  He yanked Layne close, heedless of the pain, and kissed her with everything he had. She kissed him back, the taste of her salty tears on his lips.

  “Live.” His tone was unyielding. He fumbled and pulled his watch off. “The GPS tracker is in this. Logan and Callum will come. You stay alive until then.”

  She turned the watch over in her hands.

  “Now go. Find a hiding place, and when you get a chance, run.”

  She looked up at him. “Declan—”

  “I know. Me too. Now go.”

  ***

  Dec raised his SIG. He heard the men coming.

  He’d do what he did best and fight. Give Layne the time to hide and then get away. Pain was a living, breathing monster inside him, and he felt the steady trickle of blood down his stomach, soaking into his clothes. But the thought of Anders getting his hands on Layne shoved all the aches and pain away.

  There was no way Anders was touching Declan’s woman.

  He dragged in a breath to steady himself and leaned against the column. He was feeling lightheaded, but there was nothing wrong with his determination.

  The first man came through the temple entrance. Dec took him down with a single shot.

  More came, diving for cover. Dec moved now, but still taking his time to aim and shoot.

  Gunfire echoed amongst the ancient stones. In a place that had never seen modern weapons. Dec had the fleeting thought that Seth might have been pissed off by it.

  A bullet winged close by and Dec flung himself to the ground. As his gut hit rock, the pain was excruciating. He sucked in air, forcing back the urge to be sick.

  He got up and shot again.

  More guys were coming.

  Shit, they were going to overrun him. He couldn’t see Anders anywhere. Coward was probably waiting for his men to take Declan out of the picture.

  Dec moved along the wall, deep into the shadows. If he could circle around…

  A kick hit him in the back and sent him to his knees. His handgun clattered onto the ground. He turned, ready to kick back but then he saw the gun barrel pointed directly between his eyes.

  Dec was already surging upward, even knowing he couldn’t move faster than the bullet.

  Bang.

  Dec froze. He watched the man crumple to the ground. Dec turned his head and saw Layne standing there, a pistol in her hand.

  “I…I got it off one of the dead bodies. I…” She was swallowing convulsively.

  Dec got one foot under himself and gritted his teeth as he stood. Conflicting emotions crashed inside him. Fear that she hadn’t gotten out like he’d ordered, anger that she’d put herself in danger and been forced to kill. Dec knew just how that first kill made you feel.

  He grabbed her. “You saved my life.”

  Some of the horror leaked from her face. “Good.”

  “And you didn’t listen.”

  “I wasn’t really feeling that whole thing where you sacrifice yourself for me and die.”

  He pressed his forehead to hers. “You drive me crazy, Rush.”

  “Well, isn’t this sweet?”

  Anders’ crisp voice made them turn. Dec dragged Layne closer.

  Anders stood, flanked by two men who had their guns trained on Dec.

  “Looks like this job’s become more than just work for you, Ward.”

  Dec didn’t speak.

  Anders smiled. It was cold and mean. “I can understand the charm.” His dark eyes flicked to Layne. “Dr. Rush, thank you so much for leading me to Zerzura.” He lifted his hands. “Your friend, Dr. Stiller, did the best he could, but I don’t think he’s quite as talented as you.”

  “You killed him?”

  Anders smile was sharp. “He was alive when I left him in the tunnels. Bleeding, but alive.” The man looked around, his gaze flaring as it fell on the treasure. “I very much needed to find this treasure.”

  “So you could sell it off,” she spat.

  Anders shrugged. “Not everyone cares about history like you do. To most, it’s just old junk. And to others, it’s wealth.”

  Anders’ gaze skated over her, and then Dec. “I do believe Declan isn’t going to last much longer. That’s a lot of blood soaking your clothes, old friend.”

  “I am not, and never have been, your friend.”

  “Once, we were.”

  “When I thought you were a decent person. Before I realized you don’t have a soul.”

  Anders shook his head. “Declan, you still haven’t realized that life is all about what you can get for yourself. Caring about others…it’s a weakness and a waste of time.”

  “What made you like this?” Layne asked, confused. “What made you so dead inside?”

  “My mother.” Then Anders laughed. “No, my mother was a perfectly boring, good mother, and I had a hard-working, normal father. There’s no great childhood horror in my past, no bullies at school, no traumatic death of a loved one.” He spread his arms out. “I am what I am.”

  He was a born psychopath. Dec knew there was no negotiating with him. The man would never see reason.

  “You’re just fucked up,” Dec said. “Born that way. So what happens now?”

  “Now, Dr. Rush walks over to me—”

  Dec’s hands tightened on her. “No.”

  Anders’ smile was downright ugly. �
�I didn’t say it was a choice.” He looked at her. “You walk over here, Dr. Rush, and my men won’t kill Declan. They’ll unload another bullet in his legs and leave him out by the water.”

  “Then he’ll die anyway.” She was trembling, but her chin was up, her eyes defiant.

  Anders raised his weapon, pointed straight at Dec’s chest. “But he won’t be as dead as if I shoot him right now through the heart.”

  She pulled away from Dec.

  “No.” His hands tightened on her.

  “Yes.” Her gaze clung to his, so much in her eyes. She let go of his hand.

  Anders smiled. “Excellent.” He grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her toward him. She made a small cry.

  “We are going to have some fun.” He stroked her cheek. “This skin. It will look so beautiful with your blood painting it.”

  Dec’s jaw locked. He couldn’t think of a single solution. There was no backup plan. No way to get her away from this sick fuck. He had to stay conscious long enough to see if an opportunity presented itself.

  “I think the god Seth would be happy I’m here,” Anders said. “I think I’m his kind of guy.”

  “You don’t know anything about him,” she said. “Seth was a protector, not a soulless killer. You think his followers built this place because he was mean and evil and cruel?”

  Anders’ smile soured. “I’m going to enjoy hurting you, Dr. Rush. And I think I might make Declan, here, watch.”

  She spat at him.

  He jerked his head back. “Bitch.”

  Dec saw a movement behind Anders. Deep in the shadows. He forced himself not to tense or look directly at it. Had Cal and Logan found them?

  But the movement was down low. He kept his head pointed at Layne, but his gaze on the shadows.

  There.

  Another movement and something skulked out of the darkness.

  Another movement to the left. Another to the right.

  Everything inside Declan went cold.

  They looked like giant dogs. Long, sleek, black bodies, that would come as high as his waist. Pointed ears and long, stiff tails that were forked on the ends.

  Impossible. His chest was so tight he couldn’t breathe. They were set-animals.

  There was a low, menacing growl. The sound raised the hairs on Dec’s arms.

  Anders’ men startled and Anders spun. He opened his mouth to say something…

  But the lead dogs leaped forward, attacking.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Layne jerked away from Anders and stumbled to the ground. She scrambled forward on her hands and knees.

  She could hear the animals’ growling and snarling. She heard Anders’ men screaming. A gun went off, and the bullet hit the ground near her face, sending rock chips flying up. She cried out, covering her face.

  A hand grabbed her arm and a scream built in her throat.

  She saw Dec’s tense face.

  “Declan—”

  “Let’s go.”

  They sprinted away, and behind her, she could hear Anders and his men shouting and fighting. She glanced over her shoulder, just in time to see a huge dog jump on top of one of Anders’ men, taking him to the ground. Then the creature attacked the man’s throat. Blood sprayed.

  God.

  They sprinted down a row of columns and Declan yanked her to the left.

  A huge dog blocked their way.

  Her eyes widened. She hadn’t gotten a good look at the dogs before, but now she had a clear view.

  “Oh, my God, a set-animal.”

  A mythical beast. It was standing there, watching them intently with dark eyes.

  “This way.” Declan darted between two columns.

  She heard the click of claws on rock and a loud growl. She could still hear screams, but they were weaker now.

  Then they cut off. Silence filled the temple.

  Declan cursed. They’d reached the back wall and there was no escape. They turned.

  Three set-animals were moving in on them.

  “Please, we mean no harm.” She held out a hand.

  “Don’t think they speak English, Rush.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “It’s all in the tone of voice.”

  “You ever had a dog?”

  “No. Do you have a better idea?”

  “Hell, no.”

  There was the roar of a gun. The lead dog fell, writhing.

  Anders appeared, moving toward them. He was rumpled, his left arm covered in blood and hanging loosely by his side.

  “I am going to be the one to kill you both, not these bloody dogs.” Anders aimed at another creature. “Get lost you, mutt.” The dog jumped away, pulling back.

  “They’ll never let you leave here,” Layne said.

  “They will if they’re dead.” Anders raised his gun and pointed it at Layne. “I’m afraid the lovely plans I had for you aren’t going to work out, Dr. Rush.”

  Declan moved like a blur. Before Anders could move his arm more than an inch, Declan leaped over a dog and slammed into the man. They both crashed to the floor.

  How Declan was even staying upright amazed her. She watched the men fighting, both of them clearly skilled. When Anders slammed a hard punch into Declan’s wound, making him falter, she knew she had to help him.

  She stepped forward and a set-animal moved in front of her. It was even larger than the other.

  Dammit. She stared at its sharp teeth and intelligent, black eyes. “Please. Help. That man wants to desecrate this place. I want to help.” She shook her head. “God, I’m talking to a dog.”

  She took another step and the creature matched her.

  “You know what, just attack me, then. But I am helping the man I love.” She marched forward.

  The dog looked at her for a second before it sprang into action, heading right toward Anders. It clamped its jaws on the man’s ankle. There was a crunch of bone.

  Anders roared. The other set-animals closed in on the fighting men as well.

  God, Declan would be caught in the mêlée.

  Layne moved closer, desperately trying to find a way to help him.

  Then the dogs attacked. It was vicious. Anders went down under the weight of the animals.

  She scrambled closer, elbowing a dog out of the way, not caring if it attacked. She had to get to Declan.

  Anders screamed. Two canines were dragging him away, fighting over him.

  She dropped to her knees beside Declan. “Declan.”

  He tried to push himself up, but slumped back down. His face was pale. “Layne—”

  No, no. She touched his face.

  “I can’t move, sweetheart.”

  “You don’t have to, I’m here.” She pulled his head into her lap.

  She glanced at Anders and then quickly looked away. It wasn’t pretty.

  “Layne, when the dogs finish with him…” Declan pulled in a shaky breath “…they’ll come after us next. You need to go.”

  She stroked his cheek. “Not going to happen. Haven’t you realized I don’t want to be anywhere but by your side?”

  “Layne—”

  Suddenly, there was silence, except for a quiet gurgle from Anders.

  She looked up, and the dogs were all ranged in a line, staring at them. She looked at the lead dog, the one she’d spoken to. It was larger than the others, and those insanely intelligent eyes were focused on her. Her heart hammered in her chest.

  Then there was a loud crashing sound above.

  Rock rained down on them, and Layne stifled a scream. She shielded Declan with her body. One of the dogs whimpered.

  She looked up…and saw four figures in beige fatigues rappelling down on sleek, black lines.

  Logan O’Connor was in the lead.

  Layne looked back at the dogs. “Go.” Her voice was quiet. “Go before they hurt you. Others will come here, but if you disappear, they’ll leave you alone.”

  She knew they couldn’t possibly understand her, but the large dog just
continued looking at her.

  “Thank you,” she murmured.

  The dog stared for another second, then turned and walked away.

  The other dogs followed it, disappearing into the shadows.

  Layne watched them move out of sight, goose bumps suddenly covering her arms. Never in a million years would she be able to explain this. Nor would she likely want to even try. She turned her attention back to Declan.

  “Looks like the cavalry’s arrived,” she said.

  “Vision’s blurry.”

  She bit down on her trembling lip. Logan was here. They’d help Declan. “Just stay still. Logan and your team are here.”

  A slight smile flickered on his lips. “Told you they’d…find us.”

  She smoothed his hair back. “So you did.”

  “Well, fuck, you’ve made a mess of yourself.” Logan O’Connor loomed over them.

  “He’s been shot, Logan. In the abdomen.”

  “Not the first time.” But Logan’s tone was grim as he took his friend in.

  “Bro, you did this job in style. A lost temple, treasures, wild adventure, Anders dead.” A man knelt down on the other side of Declan. He smiled at Layne. “A pretty lady.”

  She was shocked for a second. The man had a smoother, prettier version of Declan’s face, but blue eyes. His tone and smile were light, but she could see a deep well of seriousness in his eyes. “You must be Callum.”

  “Don’t flirt with my woman,” Declan growled.

  Callum went to work, checking Declan’s stomach. He hissed in a breath. “Made a mess here.”

  “Was the bad guys…not me.”

  “Shh.” She smoothed his hair. “Don’t talk.”

  Callum’s hands were quick and experienced. She saw the same military experience in him as Declan. He yanked off a small backpack and pulled out a field first aid kit.

  The other two members of the team appeared.

  “Place is clear. Bad guys are all dead.” Hale was holding a deadly looking assault rifle. “Either shot or—” he grimaced “—chewed on.”

  “Thanks, Hale,” Logan said.

  “I’ll take a look at the tunnels, see if the dogs missed anyone,” Hale added.

  “My boy, could you not have discovered the temple without getting shot?” The fourth member of the team stepped closer.

  Layne’s eyes widened. It was an older woman, tiny, barely five feet tall, but with a trim, fit body. Her hair was a sleek shade of gray and she had Declan’s gray eyes.