“What shit?”
“A woman. A family. None of it. Hell, I don’t even want kids. What the hell’s the point of being serious with a woman if you don’t want a family? I have nothing to offer her. She’s better off on the other side of the country as far away as she can get from me.”
Declan’s gaze lost some of its hardness and he turned thoughtful.
“Just saying, maybe you should reconsider.”
“Come again?”
“Nothing better than waking up next to the woman you love.”
What the fuck, who was this man? And love? Who the hell said anything about love?
“If that’s the case, why don’t you have a woman in your bed?”
“Had one. So fucking sweet all she had to do was smile and she made me forget all about my shitty life.”
“What?”
“I’ll never get back what they gave me, but it doesn’t mean I don’t remember every goddamn second I had with them. It’s branded onto my soul, that’s how I know. I fucking know in a way I can never forget how great it is waking up with your woman in your arms knowing that your once-lonely and dark life is so fucking bright you’re damn near blinded with it.”
A cold dread hit my chest and Declan looked like he was far away, lost in his memories.
“Them?”
“Had a daughter, Violet. So damn beautiful just like her mama was.”
I didn’t like how he was talking about his family in the past tense. And I didn’t know what to do with the fact he’d named his daughter after his sister.
“Christ, Dec. I don’t know what to say.”
Puzzle pieces were snapping into place at a rapid rate, so much about Declan made sense now.
“Brother—”
“There’s a lot I regret,” he cut me off. “Loving my wife isn’t one of them.”
His wife?
Declan had been married, too?
Holy shit.
“Can’t say how fuckin’ sorry I am that you lost them. But—”
“If you’re still thinking about her in a week, reconsider and call her. That’s all I’m sayin’.”
I wasn’t gonna argue my case with Dec, not after what he’d just revealed. Instead I gave him a chin lift in agreement and said, “Means a lot you told me about your wife and daughter. Swear, I’ll take it to the grave.”
“Know you will.” And just like that, Declan checked his emotions. “I’m gonna grab a shower and try to get some sleep. You should do the same. As soon as Tex calls back, it’s go time.”
Declan disappeared through the door connecting our hotel rooms and I sat on the bed reeling from all that he’d told me. The man couldn’t catch a break, everything good in his life had been torn away. How he remained standing I did not know.
Dec was right, I needed to catch a nap before we hit the road. But I couldn’t bring myself to lie down. The last time I was in a bed, Anaya was with me.
She’d allowed me to wrap my arm around her and hold her close. And, Jesus, I couldn’t close my eyes without thinking about her lips on mine. And damn if it hadn’t set me on fire and made it all that harder for me to let her leave.
But that was what she’d wanted.
I was soaked through with sweat, my body armor trapping heat and moisture making my wet tee cling to my skin. The sun hadn’t risen and it was already in the eighties. In another hour the rays would peek over the horizon and the temperature would soar.
“I feel like I’m in Florida with all this humidity,” Dec grumbled.
“Brother, I’d take Florida any day over this.”
We continued to walk the last quarter mile to the only road leading into the camp where the girls were being held and stopped to survey the area. A one lane dirt road that wouldn’t be travelled by anyone who didn’t have business down the road.
“What do you think?” I asked Declan.
“Looks good.” He glanced around. “There’s a downed tree, we don’t even have to cut one down.”
And thank God for that. Not only would us axing down a tree make noise but it would take time.
Declan and I dragged the large tree across the lane, blocking the path of all vehicles, making sure Preston Lockhart couldn’t swerve around it.
“Now we wait,” Declan said when everything was in place.
We disappeared into the overgrown brush on the side of the road to conceal our presence and waited. With nothing else to do to pass the time, my thoughts wandered to Anaya.
I couldn’t stop thinking about her nightmares and if she’d been able to sleep. Would they subside now that the girls were rescued? I’d spent the last twenty-four hours trying to tamp down my worry. But a niggling feeling in my gut wouldn’t stop. She was supposed to stay in the truck away from prying eyes. What if someone had seen her? What if they were followed? Declan and I had stayed behind to make sure the truck had made it out of the neighborhood safely but someone could’ve picked up their tail anywhere in the city.
Amisha was dead, so were her two bodyguards. But we hadn’t made an attempt to enter the other house. Was someone in there watching? Tex had called the Timorese officials, and as we were leaving, a swarm of people had approached the orphanage. Would those girls be safe? They were all younger; they’d have time but how much time? Something felt wrong.
“You’re thinking,” Dec commented.
“What’d Tex say about the girls in the orphanage?”
“He said an Australian-run charity already took custody of the girls and were moving them. It’s all good.” I nodded thinking that was good. “What else is on your mind?”
“You didn’t see anyone watching the truck, right?”
“No. But it’s always a possibility.”
That was one thing I liked about Declan, he didn’t sugarcoat shit. He was a straight shooter and would tell you the truth even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.
“You’re worried about Anaya?” he surmised. “Call her and check in when this is done.”
“I’m being—”
“Fuck, Kyle, just call her. When we get home, we got shit to do. Important shit that’s going to require your full attention.”
He was not wrong. Omni had waged war, and I couldn’t have my head full of Anaya. I needed to sort myself and put her behind me. She was gone. And most likely safely getting the girls she’d rescued settled before she headed home, then off to South America for two goddamn years.
“I’ll check in with her later.”
Declan perked up and tilted his head. “You hear that?”
I nodded and adjusted my Colt M4 and watched as Dec did the same. We inched closer to the road, staying hidden behind the thick brush, and listened as the crunching of tires on gravel got louder.
We didn’t have to wait long for the car to roll to a stop, unable to pass thanks to our trap. The driver’s door opened and a man stepped out and looked around.
Declan nudged me and I gave him a quick lift of my chin acknowledging the nonverbal question positively identifying the man.
Preston Lockhart.
Declan didn’t delay. Though he never did. Two snaps rang out and the man dropped where he’d stood. The gunshots echoed through the forestry and we moved.
Dec went to the vehicle and I moved to Preston’s body. Confirming he was indeed dead, I checked his pockets and came away with his wallet and phone.
After the car was thoroughly checked, we slipped back into the woods and started our trek to the camp.
“One down,” Declan said into his phone, calling in the kill. With no other conversation he slipped it back into his pocket.
Two more hours max and this would be done.
Two more hours and I could call Anaya and check in.
She’d tell me she was fine and I’d fly home.
Then what?
I’d go about my life, she’d go about hers, and never again shall the two pass.
Fuck, that thought turned my stomach.
Chapter 11
The orphanage Donny and Camilla had chosen was perfect.
The mountainside was beautiful. A clean crisp ocean breeze rolled over the small village and it smelled of new beginnings. I wasn’t stupid. It would take more than fresh air to heal the girls, but it was a start. The owners of the orphanage were kind and immediately welcomed the girls.
One man roamed the property, but he kept to the outskirts and gave the girls a wide berth. All of the other caretakers were women, both young and old alike.
As soon as we’d arrived, the girls were offered showers, clean clothes, and food. All nine had stayed huddled together through the process. Even though there was room for the girls to be separated and sleep in cots, they’d refused and were now sleeping on mats in the corner of the room.
It broke my heart but I understood. They also didn’t want much to do with me. I was an outsider, a stranger. All I’d wanted was to see them safe and they were. Besides, I’d be leaving at sunrise. There was no point for me to push my way into their lives, they’d been traumatized enough.
Donny and Camilla had left immediately after our arrival. They’d received word they were needed back in Dili. I opted to stay to make sure the girls had settled, though now I regretted my decision. I wasn’t needed here and someone from the nearby village had to drive me six hours back to the city.
But I’d wanted to stay and see for myself that the girls would be okay.
I tried to get comfortable in the small cot and turned on my side. Staring into the darkness, I thought about Kyle. Did he get to the Cambodian girls in time? Was he okay? Was he thinking about me, too?
Of course he wasn’t.
“Miss.” A woman shook me from sleep. “Car here.”
Crap. I overslept.
Which was not surprising since I’d tossed and turned all night. And every time I’d woken up all I could think about was how good it had felt when I’d fallen asleep in Kyle’s arms. I couldn’t forget the feel of his chest against my back, his strong arms holding me close. I couldn’t figure out what it was about him that had me sinking into his embrace instead of freaking out. And I’d spent much of my night thinking on it and I still couldn’t understand.
I sat up and tossed my legs over the metal frame of the cot and tried to shake the last of my lethargy away. I’d wanted to say goodbye to the girls but now I’d have no time.
I stood and finger-combed my hair, pulled it into a ponytail, and grabbed my backpack. I’d brush my teeth and change my clothes at the airport. Not that anyone would care what I looked like—but they would appreciate minty fresh breath.
I followed the girl out of the room I’d been given and made my way outside. All nine girls were waiting for me and I couldn’t stop my smile. They were here, they were safe, and they’d heal.
The oldest of the group slowly approached and stopped a few feet from me. “Thank you,” she spoke in English. “You save us.”
“Be well and take care of each other.”
With a nod she went back to the group, and for the first time in a long time I wanted to reach out and pull the small girl into a hug. But I refrained, knowing my embrace would be unwelcomed. God, I hoped one day she’d learn to trust again and not wall herself off like I’d done. It was a lonely life full of regrets.
After a quick goodbye to the owner and the staff, I was on my way back to Dili. Back to my dull life. Alone. Without Kyle.
I wished I knew where he was and what he was doing.
Five and a half hours was a long time to ride on a bumpy road that winded down a mountain then zigzagged over more foothills. My stomach was queasy and my ass hurt. It felt like I was sitting on a piece of plywood covered in upholstery. And considering the car I was in had been manufactured sometime in the 1980s, I probably was.
For the last half hour, the driver kept stealing glances at me through the rearview mirror, making my unease grow. The man looked to be in his thirties but he had a scraggly beard and unkept hair which made it difficult to accurately pinpoint his age. He could’ve been in his teens for all I knew. While I couldn’t guess his age, I could tell something was off. He was acting strange.
“Everything okay? Is someone following us?” I turned to look out the back window but there were no other cars in sight.
“No, Miss,” he said in heavily accented English.
The hair on the back of my neck tingled. Something wasn’t right. The driver started to slow and I pulled my phone out of my backpack.
“Okay.” I smiled broadly trying not to alert the man that I was now freaking the hell out.
I scrolled to the only number I could think of for help and sent a text: Weird feeling. Could be nothing. I’m thirtyish minutes west of Dili. My driver is acting funny. We passed two power plants a minute ago. No street signs.
I sent the message and looked around. Come on, what else could I tell Kyle? Think, Anaya.
I went back to my phone and tapped out another message: I can see the ocean. There’s a big church with a red roof and a sign to Maritimia.
My phone vibrated with an incoming message: When the car stops run. I’m on my way.
He was on his way?
Me: It might be nothing. Wait. I just have a weird feeling.
Kyle: Never ignore what your intuition is telling you. We’re coming. Run, Anaya. Promise me you’ll run.
If I’d been freaked-out before, I was seriously freaking out now. I knew something was wrong, just like I had the day the rebels had stormed the village. There’d been something telling me to hide even before I’d heard the first gunshot. The same voice was whispering now. The same feeling of panic was starting to well in my stomach.
Me: I’ll run.
My hands were shaking as I smiled and took in my surroundings.
“Why are we stopping?” I asked when the driver turned off the main road.
“Petrol,” he lied.
There were no gas stations around but I smiled again and nodded.
I went back to my phone and sent Kyle an update: He pulled off the road. North toward the water. There’s a big marina. I don’t see anything else.
My heart was pounding in my chest and perspiration dotted my forehead.
Kyle: As soon as he slows jump out and run. I’ll find you.
The car started to slow and dread hit me like a tsunami.
Me: 5 men. We’re stopping. I’ll try to run. Please find me.
Kyle: I WILL find you. Run, sweetheart. RUN.
I shoved my phone in my pack, secured the strap over my shoulders, and didn’t wait another second. I pushed open the door—which was much harder than it looked in the movies while a car was in motion—and jumped out.
I hit the ground with a thud and all the oxygen was knocked from my lungs. That, too, looked much easier in the movies. My shoulder and hip hurt from the impact and I was still trying to catch my breath when I rolled to my side to get my feet under me, but it never happened.
A booted foot made contact with my ribs and I screamed out in pain. A second kick landed and I would swear I heard a bone snap. A hand grabbed my bicep, the other my ponytail, and pulled me to my feet and roughly shoved me forward. My head tilted back, trying to alleviate some of the pain from my hair being yanked, but nothing could stop the fear that had taken over.
I swung wildly trying to evade my captor—my feet kicked, and I screamed until my throat burned. A second man approached, his fist raised. Pain blistered across my face, then the lights went out.
I came awake with a start.
Chained.
No, no, no. Not again.
Panicked bubbled and I couldn’t breathe.
My body swayed and I wasn’t sure if it was because I was hyperventilating or if I was moving.
I yanked on my wrists but they wouldn’t budge.
Chained.
Please, God, let Kyle find me.
Fuzziness clouded my vision and darkness pulled me under.
I WILL find you.
Kyle would come.
>
Chapter 12
“We’re getting closer,” Declan assured me.
Closer?
Anaya had been gone seventeen hours.
Seventeen fucking hours of pure hell.
With no direct flights to Dili, we’d stopped in Australia. By the time we’d landed, Tex had tracked Anaya, or more accurately he thought he had. So we were waiting in Darwin, Australia, for the boat Anaya was supposed to be on to cross into Australian waters.
With an ongoing feud over the maritime border over who controlled the oil-rich seabed, the Royal Australian Navy wouldn’t fly us out to the vessel until it cleared the border.
The longer we waited the longer Anaya was at the hands of men who meant her harm.
My gut churned at the thought.
She had to be scared out of her goddamn head.
Declan looked down at his phone and swiped the screen.
“You’re on speaker.” Dec’s curt greeting echoed in the small hangar we were waiting in.
Fucking waiting. Anaya had been kidnapped and we were waiting. Not hunting, not finding, not killing the men who’d taken her. Waiting.
“Get ready,” Garrett came on the line. “The boat crossed the border and is anchored.”
“Thank fuck,” I grouched, ready to board the Seahawk that would fly us out to meet the boat.
“Kyle,” Zane barked, joining the conversation. “Keep your head on straight.”
My boss’s demand pissed me off. My head wasn’t on straight, nor would it be. It was exactly where it needed to be. Maximum destruction.
“Copy,” I returned and Zane sighed.
“Don’t get dead and bring your woman home.”
My woman. That’s what she was and there was no more fucking denying it. No more pissing away opportunities. No more pushing away what I knew to be true. But now, it might be too late. All because I was a dumb fuck. This was on me.
The line disconnected and two Australian Navy pilots headed our way in flight suits. Declan and I stood ready to follow the team out to the tarmac.
Kyle Page 10