Page 18 of ELITE Protection
“He’s decided to cut through to your side,” Atlanta announced.
“Permission granted.” There was no hesitation in Alex’s voice.
Isaac was waiting as the man dressed in nighttime camouflage stepped through the evergreen bushes. Grabbing his head, Isaac spun him around and cut his throat.
But not before the tango had a chance to grunt out a warning.
Isaac shoved Hannah down, her back to the ground, as a bright light flashed across the yard a millisecond before a loud blast. Tango two had shot at them.
Hannah pushed Isaac off her and leaned up.
Phew. Phew.
They didn’t bother watching the second tango fall. They were already on their feet running toward the back of the yard and the street beyond.
“All four tangos are out of the vehicles and in pursuit,” the Atlanta tech calmly relayed. “Slide through the bushes on your right.”
Isaac grabbed Hannah’s hand and pulled her through the prickly holly hedge without losing stride. Staying close to the large trees to minimize their footprints, they sprinted toward the back of a house and then around the side.
“Down there.” Hannah pointed to a white SUV and the vehicle started.
He heard the locks release. “Gotta love modern technology.” Isaac headed toward the driver’s door. “Give me the keys.”
“I’ve got this.” Hannah shoved him toward the other side. “You just be prepared to shoot if they decide to follow us.” She flung open the front door and threw her bag on the center console then jogged to the back, clumsily shucking off her backpack. Skis that were as long as her body made handling the heavy backpack awkward. Isaac didn’t have near as much problem and shoved hers in on top of his before quietly closing the hatch. No need to advertise their location.
“Where are those tangos?” Isaac asked in a hushed voice.
“They’re spreading out. Closest one is fifteen hundred feet. He’s tracking you down the treeline.” Thankful Guardian Security had his back, Isaac was even more grateful for Alex’s connections at the highest levels. At that moment, they had their own satellite.
As he slid onto the passenger seat, Hannah was pulling on her safety belt. “I’ve been told they train SEALs to steady a shot while standing on a boat in the middle of a rolling ocean. I hope you can apply those skills to a moving vehicle.” She opened the roof.
“Brings all new meaning to riding shotgun,” Isaac said as he dug his M4 out of his duffel before shoving the bag into the back seat.
Hannah took off like a bat out of hell. “Where am I going?”
“To the base of the slopes. Turn right at the next corner.” Isaac hoped someone he knew was working that night.
“What’s your plan, Snowman?” Alex asked.
“I’m going to try to hitch a ride on a snow cat to the top of the mountain,” Isaac explained. “They should be grooming the slopes by now. We’ll hide out until sunrise then we’ll backcountry ski to a cabin I know on the east side of Lone Mountain.”
“Coordinates?” the Atlanta tech asked.
“Unknown.” Although Isaac had been to Uncle Samuel’s cabin multiple times, he had never needed a compass or GPS. “I’ll ping the location when we arrive.”
“I’m not seeing a cabin or a road anywhere on that side of the mountain.” The operations center technician sounded slightly aggravated.
Isaac chuckled. “And you won’t. There is no road, and the cabin is hidden under pine trees that stand a hundred feet tall. Once we build the fire, you might be able to see the heat signature. By the way, where are the tangos?”
“Wandering through backyards of very expensive homes, setting off motion sensors everywhere.” He could hear the amusement in Alex’s voice. “The local police have been notified of a group of burglars in the area and are already responding.”
Hannah parked under a light in the nearly vacant parking lot. “Should I be worried about the SUV?”
“No,” Isaac answered at the same time as several other men.
“Homeland Security has a team heading your way from Billings,” Alex informed them. “They’ll handle returning your vehicle and hopefully take the men chasing you into federal custody.”
“Will I be safe then?” Hannah asked as she grabbed her bag. Isaac helped her into her backpack, readjusting her skis so they rode more comfortably.
