Love is Always Write Anthology Bonus Volume

fired off a few shots. The shots didn't seem to go anywhere near the SUV.
    "Do you even know how to use that?" Rachael yelled.
    "I'm white-collar crime. I've never pulled this thing outside a range!"
    There was more gunfire directed towards them. The plane was starting to get too far away. "I'll put down cover, you three run for the plane." Rachael shouted.
    "Like hell!" Sebastian shouted back. "No man left behind and all that shit!"
    "Fine. But you three are keeping behind me, and I've only got one more clip after this."
    "Copy that."
    "On three. One. Two. Three!" Rachael leapt out first and began to fire. "Go! Go! Go!"
    Sebastian scooped Daren up and ran for it, Agent Kim following. The noise of the M16 didn't last long as Rachael blew through her clip. It was a few seconds before whoever was in that SUV returned fire. Those seconds got Sebastian up the stairs; he flung Daren into the plane, not caring about aggravating any injuries. Pain was better than death.
    Agent Kim leaped in behind them. He reached into his jacket and flashed his FBI badge at the crew, who looked rather unconcerned by the whole thing. He wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't the first time they'd taken off while a gun battle raged.
    Sebastian looked behind him, to see Rachael jump for the steps, reaching for Agent Kim's hand. She stumbled and cried out even as Agent Kim dragged her inside. The steps were pulled up and the door slammed shut. The plane lurched forward, sending them all rolling to the back, before leaping into the sky.
    Sebastian saw Daren trying to struggle to his feet as the plane quickly gained altitude. Agent Kim had a death grip on the base of a chair, and looked as if he was about to be sick. Rachael was still on the floor, and yanked up her pants leg to examine her left calf. Blood trickled down it. "Oh hell, it's a scratch."
    "Yeah, right." Sebastian had once heard a Marine describe a sucking chest wound as a scratch.
    "No, really." Rachael held up her leg so everyone could see. "Look, it's stopped bleeding already."
    Sebastian turned to Daren, who was on his feet, holding tight to the back of a seat and talking to one of the flight crew. He turned to Sebastian and smiled. "Next stop, the South Pacific."
    "Really?" Sebastian felt dizzy and nauseated, and a grin split his face that he couldn't hide if his life depended on it.
    "Well, we're taking the long way around to avoid US airspace, so we're going to have to stop to refuel, but yeah, we're on our way."
    He reached out and pulled Daren close and then into a kiss. It had been close. He slipped his tongue between Daren's lips, trying to memorize his taste and smell. He could feel both their heartbeats where their bodies pressed together, proof they were both still alive.
    From the corner of his eye, he saw Agent Kim do a triple-take. "Really?"
    Daren laughed, breaking the kiss, and laid his head on Sebastian's shoulder. "So, Nauru next. Then where?"
    "I have absolutely no idea." Daren smiled. "But right now, I don't think it really matters."
    THE END
    Author bio: Ada Maria Soto is a born and raised Californian, Mexican-American/WASP, currently living as an expatriate in the South Pacific. She has taken up writing but still has a very odd day job which actually happens in the middle of the night.
    A psychologist once told her she has a fantasy-prone personality, but since she's trying to be a writer that's not a bad thing. She has dysgraphia and phonological dyslexia, which means there is always a chance for particularly exciting spelling when she's around.
    She is a sports fan dedicated to the Oakland A's, San Jose Sharks, Auckland Blues, USA Eagles, New Zealand All Blacks, New Zealand Black Caps, and has painfully divided loyalties between the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Chennai Super Kings.
    Her work is currently available through Dreamspinner Press.
    You can also find her at:
    Blog
    Twitter
    ****