A Soldier's Heart Read Free

in a hurry to keep that smile on Nick’s face. It turned out Spence had been right about the shorter lines, so they were in and out in just a few minutes. On the way back, they squeezed in a second stop to pick up lattes. Nick liked those, too.
    But as they started back, Spence heard staccato bursts of gunfire in the distance. Both men froze, listening hard. More shots. Damn, somebody was coming under heavy fire. They broke into a run.
    As they turned the last corner heading back to their quarters, they spotted Nick outside barking orders. The two of them skidded to a halt just short of where he stood.
    “What’s up?”
    Nick looked grim. “Grab your gear. A supply convoy is pinned down on the far side of town.”
    Spence tossed the coffees into the nearest trashcan and took off running with Leif right beside him. When they came back out, Nick was pacing as he listened to incoming reports.
    They finished gearing up and piled in the M-ATV. Spence started the engine and barreled toward the gate, cutting into the line ahead of the rest of their squad. Nick jerked his head in approval as he monitored incoming reports. They all knew the drill; only the specifics varied from one time to the next.
    Nick gave Spence the location and trusted him to get them there. Even if he hadn’t memorized every street in the whole damned town, the barrage of gunfire would have led him straight to the right place. He slowed their vehicle down at the next corner where a lieutenant flagged them down. He held up a map and pointed at a place a couple of streets over from their current position.
    “The convoy was late returning because of a flat tire. That gave the bastards just enough time to set up a trap. They’ve got some of the men caught in a crossfire here and here,” he said, jabbing his finger at the map. “We have reports of shooters up on the rooftops, who keep shifting positions. Either that, or they’re running in packs today. My men are moving into position from this side. I want you to maneuver around to come at them from behind.”
    “Will do, Sir.”
    Nick held up his hand and moved it in a circle to tell the other vehicles behind them what to do. Spence swung out of line to hang a U-turn and then shot through the line of vehicles to a chorus of curse words from the other drivers. Too fucking bad. Right now every second counted.
    If they weren’t up for a little balls-to-the-wall driving, let ’em get some training wheels. By the time they reached their assigned position, the street was completely deserted, which was never a good sign. Leif scanned the rooftops while Spence watched the doors and windows for any sign of the enemy.
    Nick pointed to the closest building on the left. “There!”
    As soon as Spence slammed on the brakes, Nick was out and running for the building while the other vehicles were still arriving.
    Spence shouted, “Nick, slow your fucking ass down!”
    No dice. Damn it, did the man have a death wish? He knew better than to charge off without adequate support, not to mention it wasn’t his job to be the one in front when they started busting in doors.
    To make matters worse, Leif had already grabbed his own gun and went charging after the sergeant. At least the rest of the men had caught up with them. Spence ran back to the next vehicle. He yelled to make himself heard over the renewed shooting from the next street over.
    “The sergeant and Leif headed toward that building. I’m going after them.”
    He pointed at the nearest group. “You secure the street. Clear the houses on the left side first, but post lookouts all around. Watch that roofline because those bastards are moving around up there. Kelly, you and the rest are with me.”
    Then he went after his friends, hoping they survived long enough for him to kick their asses for them.
    •   •   •
    Spence reached the door and peeked inside to make sure no one was waiting to open fire by way of a greeting. He slid across the threshold,