Undiscovered(56)
“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.