“No. I’m not leaving you.”
“It isn’t focused on me. Go, Axel. Help the others.”
Knife in hand, Blair rushed past them, running at the Minotaur.
It pivoted, swinging a muscular arm. It smacked into Blair and the force of the blow lifted her off her feet.
Dammit.
Nat shoved at Axel. “Go. I’ll stay here.”
Gritting his teeth, he stepped away from her, his body resisting leaving her unprotected. He pulled out his Glock.
“Go,” she whispered.
He pivoted and strode forward.
Two mercs attacked the Minotaur with kicks and punches. It lifted one of the men off his feet, and tossed him at the other. They slammed into the stone floor. Axel fired.
The Minotaur bellowed and shook its head. Still firing, Axel circled around to Callie.
“It’s enraged,” she said. “And strong as hell.”
“Let’s attack together.”
She nodded. “You go high, I’ll go low.”
They rushed in. Axel fired and kicked the Minotaur in the gut. Callie landed a vicious side kick, followed by a hard punch to its thigh.
The monster grunted. When Callie kicked it again, it grabbed her ankle and twisted. Callie leaped, then crashed to the ground with a curse.
Axel fired to keep the beast off her and yanked her up.
Lachlan and Blair charged next.
The Minotaur lost it. It threw its arms out, spinning wildly.
Shit. It whacked Axel, knocking him into Lachlan. He heard his team members shouting as he hit the floor.
“Fire now,” one of the mercs yelled.
Axel pushed up on his hands and saw something black hit the Minotaur. A net.
Fuck. The mercs closed in on the creature, several of them holding ropes attached to the net.
The monster struggled against the ropes holding it.
Then there was the clink of metal rolling across the floor. Axel swiveled and saw the grenade. It stopped and smoke exploded out of it, filling the air.
“Watch out!” Axel yelled.
He clamped his mouth shut and stayed low. Where was Nat?
The Minotaur roared.
“Hold it,” a male voice yelled.
Axel coughed and crawled forward. Where was his team? He had to get to Nat.
Then he heard her curse. “Let me go,” she cried.
“You’re coming with us.” A deep growl.
“Screw you.”
Axel couldn’t see a damn thing, but he moved toward the sound of a scuffle. His eyes watered and his lungs burned.
Then he saw movement.
A merc was dragging Nat backward. She was twisting, fighting to get free.
Rage exploded inside Axel. He charged.
He slammed into the man and grabbed him at the back of his neck. He wrenched the asshole backward.
Nat tore free and spun.
Axel punched the merc. And again. After several more punches, the guy’s nose broke and, with a groan, he went down. Axel pressed his knees to the merc’s chest, and kept pummeling him.
“You don’t touch her,” Axel growled. “Ever.”
“Axel.” Nat grabbed his arm. “He’s out.”
Sucking in air, Axel stared down at the guy. He was out cold.
Bellows of the enraged Minotaur sounded behind them. Through the dissipating smoke, he caught a glimpse of the monster fighting the net. The mercs were working hard to contain the creature.
The smoke shifted again. Where the hell was his team? Axel rose, wrapping an arm around Nat.
All of a sudden, the Minotaur went silent.
“Axel?” Nat whispered.
Axel took a few steps forward. He spotted the mercs dragging the lifeless Minotaur across the floor. Then he saw Smith’s big body sprawled on the stone.
Fuck. Find his injured team, or attack the mercs taking the Minotaur?
“Where are Lachlan and the others?” she whispered frantically.
“I see Smith. He’s down.”
“Down?”
“The smoke grenade probably knocked them out. We were just on the edge of it.”
“What now?”
“Come on.” He checked his Glock and wished he hadn’t lost his rifle. “We can’t let these assholes take the creature.”
Suddenly, a large shape barreled through the smoke. A big merc rushed at Axel.
Nat screamed, and Axel blocked the asshole’s fist. The force of the blow vibrated up his arm. He brought his knee up but the asshole twisted. They moved across the tunnel trading blows. The prick knew Krav Maga.
Yeah, well, Axel knew every dirty trick in the book. He blocked a hit and rammed his fingers into a pressure point on the man’s neck. He let out a pained noise.
Axel hit him, and followed with his elbow. Then he ducked the man’s swinging arm, and rammed a fist into the guy’s gut. The air rushed out of him, but he shoved Axel hard.
Axel took two steps back. He braced, ready to attack again.
“Axel, look out!” Nat screamed.
The merc grinned, teeth white against his balaclava. He whipped a large handgun out of nowhere, and aimed at Axel’s chest.
Fuck.
Bang. Bang.
It felt like he’d been hit by a truck. Axel fell backward, pain tearing through him.
“Axel!” Nat screamed.
Then a deep voice echoed off the walls. “Blow it.”
An explosion rocked the tunnel.
“Nat.” The word came out as a whisper, since he couldn’t make his lungs work. Then rock rained down from above, and everything went black.
Chapter Nine
Coughing, Nat pulled herself up.
She ripped her skewed night-vision goggles off, blinking to try and get her eyes to focus.
Light was coming from nearby and dust clogged the air. She swallowed and brushed some shards of broken stone off her.
Axel. Panic coursed through her. She’d seen the merc shoot him straight in the chest. Sobs threatening, she crawled across the floor. Where was he?
A frantic, growing fear choked her. She scrambled across the stone.
Part of the roof had collapsed. There was just enough illumination to light up the dust hanging in the air.
“Axel? Axel?” She reached around with one hand.
She touched warm skin.
Oh, God. She moved closer. Axel was sprawled on the floor, covered in a layer of dust and some small chunks of stone.
“Oh, Axel.” She shoved the debris off him. With shaking hands, she cupped his cheeks.
He was warm and he was breathing. It was shallow, but he was alive.
He groaned, but didn’t regain consciousness.
“Open your eyes.” She tapped his cheek. “I need to know that you’re okay.” He didn’t move.
Nat made herself touch his chest, terrified of what she’d find. She found a bullet crushed against his vest. A small cry escaped her. His vest had taken the brunt of the gunshot. He’d be bruised, but he was alive.
A cough came from nearby. She swiveled and saw Lachlan stagger into view. Blood streaked the side of his rugged face.
“Nat, you all right?” he asked.
She nodded. “But Axel took a bullet to his vest.”
“Shit.” Lachlan looked around. The rest of the team was emerging.
“Feel like I was hit by a train,” Seth said on a groan. “Then a bus, then dragged by a horse.”
“They gassed us and then set off an explosive.” Nat looked up at the hole above them.
Callie emerged, face streaked with dust. She spotted Axel and dropped down beside him. Nat stayed on her knees, watching Callie’s brisk, competent hands as she checked Axel over.
“His vitals are strong. He’s probably got a mild concussion, and he’ll have a hell of a bruise on his chest.” Callie’s dark eyes met Nat’s. “He’s going to be fine.”
“Those fuckers,” Blair growled.
“They took the Minotaur,
” Nat said quietly.
“Fuck.” Lachlan set his hands on his hips, staring at the ground.
“They took their unconscious friends as well,” Seth said.
Lachlan straightened. “We need to get out of here and find out who the hell they are.”
“If they set the Minotaur loose in a crowd…” Blair let the statement hang in the air, unfinished.
“Smith and Seth, carry Axel.” Lachlan’s gold gaze hit Nat. “Get us out of here, Nat.”
It was a quiet and quick trip back to the surface. When Nat stepped out into the quiet hush of dawn, a cleansing breeze washed over her.
Axel was still and unmoving as his teammates carried him to the SUVs. He’ll be okay. He was tough and stubborn.
Nat chafed her arms. Where was the Minotaur? And what the hell did that other team want it for?
She climbed into the back of one of the SUVs, lifting Axel’s head into her lap. Smith and Lachlan slid into the front seats.
“Guys.” Ty’s voice came from the dash console. “Everyone okay?”
“Axel’s unconscious, but we’re all alive,” Lachlan said.
“Did you contain the Minotaur?”
Lachlan pulled in a breath. “No. There was another team.”
“What?” Ty’s voice sharpened.
“Mercs. They were well-organized and trained.”
“Definitely ex-military,” Smith added.
“They took the Minotaur,” Nat said.
“Fuck,” Ty said. “Okay, okay. I’m linking up with Brooks.”
A second later, Brooks’ voice came through the dash. “Hey, guys. Ty said things went FUBAR.”
Lachlan snorted. “That’s an understatement.”
“Well, let me see how I can help.”
Nat imagined him tapping away on his computer in his high-tech lab.
“Blair has a head shot of one of the downed mercs,” Lachlan said.
“She texted it. I’m running some searches now. Seeing who entered Greece, and more specifically Crete, and who clearly isn’t there to lie on the beach.”
“Find them, Brooks,” Lachlan growled. “We need to get the creature back.”
Nat shivered at the thought of the damage the Minotaur could do. Poor Dr. Kitchener.
“I’m on it,” Brooks answered. “Now, Kinsey worked her sweet magic and extended your stay at the villa.”
Smith growled.
“Big guy, I have my own gorgeous woman.” There was amusement in Brooks’ voice. “I’m not lusting after yours.”
Lachlan smiled briefly, and Smith scowled.
Nat stroked Axel’s hair. “You’re going to be okay.”
Lachlan straightened. “Let’s get back to the villa and regroup.”
* * *
Axel woke on a groan. Damn, his head was pounding.
“Take it easy.” Nat’s voice.
Relief flooded him. As long as she was okay, he was okay.
He opened his eyes and saw a white curtain flapping in the breeze. They were back at the villa. Nat sat beside him on the bed, her beautiful face lined with worry.
“Don’t you ever scare me like that again.” She slapped his arm, but there wasn’t much power behind it.
“Sorry.” He rubbed the center of his chest. God, he hated taking a bullet to the vest. “Everyone okay?”
She tucked some of her hair back behind her ear. “Yes, everyone’s fine.” She stroked his arm. “When I saw that man shoot you…when I saw you go down…” Her voice hitched.
Axel pulled her down, drawing her closer.
She sucked in a breath. Her gaze dropping to his lips. “Axel—”
He kissed her. She needed it. Hell, he needed it. He needed to feel this woman close to him.
The kiss started soft, but morphed quickly. Damn, she tasted like heaven.
She moaned, her hands sliding into his hair. “I love your hair. So thick and sexy.”
“I love your hair. So dark and shiny. And the way those sexy skirts of yours hug your ass.” He bit her plump bottom lip, and she shimmied against him. “I’m pretty sure I love everything about you.” He cupped one of her breasts.
“So stop fighting this. Us.” She kissed him harder, her tongue sliding against his.
He groaned. She was pure temptation. She was everything Axel wanted and didn’t deserve.
He pulled back and broke the kiss. He pressed his forehead to hers. Both of them were breathing heavily.
“Axel.” Frustration edged her voice.
“You deserve clean hands on you, Nat.” He pulled away from her.
She growled. “No. I am not letting you screw this up. I’m fighting for us, Axel Diaz. You think you’re stubborn?” She tossed her glorious black hair back. “You haven’t seen anything yet. I am going to make you fall in love with me. Until you beg to be mine.”
Axel felt a strange mix of emotions—frustration, awe, humor, and a damn warmth that filled him.
He’d had brothers in Delta. Men he’d trusted with his life, and who he’d fight beside any day. And he trusted every member of Team 52 to have his back. He also had a good family back in California who he didn’t see enough, but they were big, nosy, and loving. But he’d never had a woman say she’d fight for him.
Plenty wanted a good time, were happy to tear up the sheets, but none had been interested in his dented heart.
“Nat, I’m trying to protect you.”
She held up a palm. “Nope, not listening.” She rose and pulled the curtains open. She was wearing tiny shorts that showed off her legs, and, despite what he guessed was a concussion, looking at her made his cock twitch.
Damn, he was in so much trouble.
Sunlight streamed in, and she moved back to sit on the bed. “Now do you want to kiss again, or talk about the mission?”
Shit. He’d pick kiss every time, except he was trying to keep her safe from him. She smiled—and the satisfied curl of her gorgeous lips told him that she knew exactly what he was thinking.
“So, the mercs captured the Minotaur,” she said.
“Fuck.” He pushed himself up on the pillows and saw Nat’s gaze drift down his tattooed arm. Hmm, so the sexy archeologist liked his ink. He filed that away. “We know who these assholes are?”
She shook her head. “Brooks is working on it.”
“Lachlan must be pissed.”
“He is giving off a very dangerous aura right now.” Her mouth tightened. “They gassed his team, blew up the tunnel—which risked us all—and got away with the Minotaur. He’s not happy.”
“What the hell are they going to do with the monster?”
Nat plucked at the sheets. “I have no idea, but whatever it is, it won’t be good.” Her gaze dropped and Axel glanced down. An ugly purple bruise was forming on his chest. She leaned down and kissed it gently. He sucked in a breath.
“I’ll ask Ty to come work his magic with that laser he uses on bruises.”
Ty’s laser could heal a bruise in hours, instead of days.
Her lips moved over Axel’s skin, and he fought for some control. He had no defenses when it came to her. Her lips moved gently and he groaned, hand twisting in the sheets.
“You can’t win this battle,” she murmured.
“Nat.”
She sat up and smiled. “Don’t worry, Axel. I’ll make falling in love as painless as possible for you.”
Damn stubborn woman. “We have a Minotaur to find.”
She rose. “Then let’s get to work.” She sashayed out, giving him a killer view of her legs.
Axel blew out a breath and flopped back on his pillows. What Nat didn’t know was that it was too late.
He was already in love with her.
His cellphone rang and he grabbed it off the bedside table. When he saw the number, he rolled his eyes. He swore that his mother had some internal radar.
“Hey, Mamá.” He looked at the clock and did a quick calculation of the time in southern California. “It must be getting la
te for you.”
“Are you all right, mi hijo?”
He rubbed his chin, letting his mother’s familiar voice wash over him. “I’m fine.”
A moment of silence. “I’ve always known when you were lying, Axel Diaz.”
“I promise, I’m okay.”
“Always rushing into danger. Even as a child, setting things on fire, fighting with older kids, jumping off the garage roof.”
“Gabriela dared me.”
“Don’t blame your sister. I wish you’d grown out of it.” A sigh. “I wish you’d come home more. Your sisters miss you.”
Which meant his mother missed him. Axel fought off the bite of guilt. Since he’d left the Army, he didn’t get home much. He felt wrong sitting at his parents’ table, listening to his sisters laugh, holding cousins’ babies, eating food that made him think of home and family. He felt like he didn’t belong.
“How’s Dad?”
Maria Diaz laughed. “Busy with his woodworking. He tells me he’s making me some new things.” Her voice was filled with resignation coated in love.
After Gael Diaz had retired, he’d driven Axel’s mother crazy until she’d told him to build a shed. He had, invested in a bunch of power tools, and had dedicated himself to woodworking. Their little bungalow was now filled with his creations.
“I’ll try to get home soon, Mamá.”
“Te quiero, mi hijo. Maybe you’ll bring a pretty girl home next time you visit.”
“You know me, Mamá, there are lots of pretty girls.” But his head was filled with dark-brown eyes, high cheekbones, and lush, black hair.
Chapter Ten
Nat huddled with the team in their makeshift conference room at the villa.
She was poring over every Minoan document she could find. Including a few classified ones they kept in the archives at Area 52. Nearby, Ty was busy analyzing samples he’d taken from the pottery the virus had been held in.
Ty leaned back in his chair. “Okay, I’ve found something, but I have no idea if it helps. The virus appears to have elements of it that resemble snake venom.”
Nat frowned. “Snake venom?”
Ty nodded. “I think that’s what affects the brain functions of the infected. I’ve read papers on researchers using sea snake venom and the toxins in it to make treatments for diseases that target the brain, like Alzheimer’s.”
Mission: Her Shield: Team 52 #7 Page 7
