In Harm's Way Read Online Free

skirted the mass grave that had almost become his final resting place. Nothing moved and all was quiet as he picked up his pace, racing the clock to get back over the fence before first light.
    The corpses were still where they fell and the burlap sacks remained, fluttering in the light breeze, still stuck to the pointed barbs where he had placed them. Without realizing what he was doing, he ran his hand over his shirt, tracing the painful gashes on his chest. Clearly the thought of going back over the sharp wire was a little disconcerting to him.
    Daymon tossed the Kelty backpack in a high arc, trying to keep it from getting snagged. It fell back to earth on the opposite side of the fence with a dull thud. Then he strapped the crossbow on his back and climbed over himself. Once on the other side and clear of the camera’s watchful eye, he pulled up his shirt, inspecting his body for fresh wounds. There were none, but the ones suffered earlier were beginning to fester and had become hot to the touch. He wasn’t surprised. There was no telling what kind of shit he may have contracted in the pit of the dead.

Chapter 2
     
    Outbreak - Day 8
    Schriever Air Force Base
    Colorado Springs, Colorado
     
    Brook awoke as the first tendrils of muted pre-dawn light probed the interior of her family’s quarters. Cade’s chest rhythmically rose and fell under the threadbare sheet. He appeared at peace, blissfully content. She lay next to her man until he stirred. Cade’s eyes opened slowly and scanned the room, taking inventory of his surroundings. Once he was awake and became fully aware that Brook was in the bed next to him, a sleepy smile cracked his usually stony demeanor.
    “I was playing voyeur,” Brook confessed. “You were sleeping like a baby.”
    “The operative word is were . What time is it honey?”
    “It’s nearly five,” Brook said, her empathetic expression making an apology unnecessary. “Did you make a decision?” She gestured at the thick folder sitting under the bunk bed. Top Secret, spelled out in bold red letters, was prominently displayed across its otherwise plain russet exterior.
    “Not without your input,” Cade said, stroking her arm. He stole a long look at her beautiful face, intently trying to memorize every crease and soft curve. He couldn’t help but notice how her brown eyes had changed. They were no longer soft and all encompassing; instead they were focused yet distant. In the short span of a week Brook had changed forever. Cade didn’t need to hear it from her mouth to know she would be reliving, for the rest of her days, those painful seconds, minutes, and hours spent running, surviving, and protecting Raven.
    “My gut tells me whatever is in that folder is more important than what I might want you to do. Major Nash wouldn’t have asked you back on board unless it was an act of desperation.”
    “Nash isn’t on point this time... this comes straight from the President herself ,” Cade said.
    “If that’s the case, Cade Grayson, then you have no choice. I’m telling you to go... get it done and come back to me and Raven.” Her eyes were moist but she somehow managed to hold the tears in check. “To be brutally honest, I wish I were going instead of you. This waiting in one place is killing me. I know those things are still out there and I’ve seen up close and personal what they are capable of.”
    “You and Raven will be safer in here. Carl should be back on his feet in a day or two. I want you to stick close to him while I’m gone. And keep close tabs on our daughter.” Cade’s voice was even, almost monotone when relaying very important information to Brook or Raven. To anyone listening in, the way he spoke to her would have sounded condescending as hell. Brook knew he was just being direct and thorough with his delivery. “If the base is compromised and you aren’t lucky enough to get on a helo like you were back at Bragg, then go west overland through Manitou