Page 175 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“The man’s tough, a real-life Jack Reacher,” Zane said, a touch of admiration in his voice.

“Yeah, Pops is tough,” Corbin admitted, “but not invincible, contrary to what he believes.”

“I hear ya,” Zane chortled. “Same goes for all of us, brother.”

“Amen.” Corbin smiled at the reference. Things were still tense between him and Zane. After all, Zane was the CO of their rescue mission in the Philippines and took it as a personal insult that Corbin defied his orders. But the fact that Zane had rushed to help and brought in the troops, spoke volumes. Corbin vowed then and there that he’d return the favor anytime it was needed.

The radio crackled. He was about to check in on Sutton’s guys when he heard shots, followed by shouts. “We’re under attack,” a man screamed.

“And so it begins,” Corbin said under his breath. He looked at Cannon who tightened his hold on his assault rifle.

Delaney’s face drained. She was sitting on the floor in front of the couch.Down low and away from the windows.“What’s happening?” she demanded

“Hugh’s here,” Corbin said. “His men broke through the perimeter, as planned. Sutton’s guys know what to do to make it look real.”

She nodded, biting her lower lip.

A series of loud pops sounded through the radio. He heard shattering glass, and explosions bigger than rifles and pistols could make, causing his blood to run cold.

“Take cover!” Zane yelled.

Grenades? Flash bangs? Rocket launchers?

Corbin’s heart dropped. Had they underestimated their opponent? “Zane? Are you there? Zane!” he yelled.

Silence.

Corbin clutched his rifle, willing himself to remain calm. Zane was more than capable of handling himself in anysituation. He had to hold onto the hope that he and Pops would be okay.

The next five minutes rolled by excruciatingly slow. Relief pelted through him when he heard Zane’s voice. “Corbin?”

“You okay?” Corbin yelled into the radio.

“We have a situation,” Zane said, his voice tight and controlled.

“Okay.” Wariness trickled over Corbin as he glanced at Cannon who also looked concerned.

“Send Delores out if you want your buddy and your grandpa to live,” a scratchy voice hissed into the radio.

Delaney let out a cry. “Oh, no.” Her hands went to her mouth.

Corbin inched to the window and looked out. A cold sweat broke across his forehead when he saw Zane and Pops standing with their hands up, guns pointed at their backs.

Delaney jumped to her feet, tears welling in her eyes. “I have to go out there,” she cried. “He’ll kill your friend and Wallace without blinking an eye.” A sob wrenched her throat as she wrung her hands. “I was a fool to bring Hugh here.”

An image of Doug flashed through Corbin’s mind, his lifeless stare, eyes like glass. Then he saw the little girl, heard the mother’s shrieks. His throat thickened as he swallowed hard. Corbin sucked in a breath, trying to clear his head. Panic was knocking at the door, and he knew it wouldn’t take much for that panic to turn to rage. He locked eyes with Delaney, a feeling of intense love rushing over him. He had to keep her safe, at all costs.If anyone’s going into danger today, it’s me.

Corbin looked out the window to assess the situation. Hugh was standing to the right of Zane, a brazen expression on his face. He was holding the radio in his left hand, a pistol in the right. Two tangos were behind Zane and Pops, pointing guns at their backs. There were two other tangos, one on each side of the gunmen holding Zane and Pops. Five men in all. Hadone of Hugh’s men been shot? Or was he still lurking around somewhere? What happened to Sutton’s men? They should be closing in.

Even as the thought entered his mind, he saw movement behind a tree, realized Sutton’s men were here. There were ten of them in all. “Did you see that, Big Gun?” he asked Cannon who was at the other window.

“Yep. Two of Sutton’s guys at two o’clock. Another at nine o’clock.” Cannon looked at him. “I’m sure the rest are close by. How do you wanna play this?”

“Like we planned in the event of a worst-case scenario.” Corbin would go out with his hands up and talk to Hugh. He would walk into the line of fire in an attempt to save those he loved, just as Doug had done. At the wordscumbag, Cannon and Sutton’s men would start firing. Corbin could only hope Zane and Pops didn’t get killed in the crossfire. He offered up a silent prayer for their safety. An ironic laugh bubbled in his throat. How many times had he wished to relive the Philippines debacle?Not like this, his mind screamed.Not like this!

He put down the assault rifle. He had a Glock tucked into the back of his jeans. Another small pistol at his ankle. “You know what to do,” he said to Cannon. “Keep her safe.”

“Heart of a warrior,” Cannon said with a nod.

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