Hunted

by Velvet Vaughn

  “Incoming. Get down.”

  She ducked as he swerved. She swore she felt the heat of the missile that barely missed their SUV. It slammed into a tree in front of them, obliterating it. Bark rained down on them. They were firing rockets now? In a move straight out of an expert driving course, Grant jerked the parking break and they spun in a half circle. He and Wyatt grabbed their rifles, aimed and took out the driver of the following vehicle. As had the previous SUV’s, this one met the same fate, kissing a tree at full impact.

  Without waiting to see if there were survivors, he executed another half circle, jammed the car in drive and shot away. She wasn’t prepared when he twisted the wheel and they careened into an open field on two wheels. Out of nowhere, a black bird appeared from the sky to hover above the ground. Grant drove as close as possible. Troops in camouflage uniforms jumped out of the helo and headed for them. They had Sawyer out of the back seat and strapped to a gurney before she could blink.

  She gaped in shock. “Who are these guys?”

  Grant lifted a shoulder. “Pays to have contacts out there.”

  “That’s who you were calling before we went in,” Wyatt guessed.

  Grant nodded. “Got the helo in the air and a map of the rendezvous point.”

  “Brilliant,” Wyatt praised.

  Duke protested when one man tried to lift him off Sawyer. She took the dog and cuddled him, murmuring comforting words to him. It worked because he settled down in her arms. Wyatt gathered the backpacks, somehow shouldering all the weight before Grant eased his load. Then they were hustling her towards the helicopter.

  Two men boosted her inside, followed by Grant and then Wyatt and before they could even take a seat, the bird was lifting off the ground.

  As they cleared the trees and the bird ascended, Coslos disappeared before her eyes. She should feel relief, instead, all she felt was an overwhelming sadness. Sawyer still hadn’t woken up. Throughout Grant’s defensive driving and the transfer to the chopper, he hadn’t moved. It would be so unfair if he had somehow escaped death to come for her, only to be injured again. What if he never woke?

  Speaking was impossible over the rumble of the engines. One man and one woman she assumed were either medics or had combat field training were securing a neck brace on Sawyer and tending to his wounds. One tried to work on her but she shooed them away. If she looked anything like Grant and Wyatt, covered in cuts and dirt and grime, then she had to look bad. Still, she wanted them devoting their efforts to Sawyer.

  All too soon, they were landing. “Where are we?”

  “A neighboring country with close ties to the US.”

  “We’re out of Coslos?”

  “We’re out of Coslos.”

  She breathed easily for the first time in days. She was safe. Sawyer had saved her life. Now he just had to wake up so she could tell him. She glanced at his handsome face, now covered by an oxygen mask as the medics worked on him.

  They might be out of the jungle, but they weren’t out of the woods, yet.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Sawyer slowly became aware of his surroundings. Machines beeped at steady intervals. His head ached with a heavy, pounding beat that he knew from experience was dulled with painkillers. His chest was sore and various parts of his body felt battered and scraped raw.

  He tried to open his eyes, but only one responded. He thought there might be a patch of some kind covering the other one. He managed to prop open the good lid and when he spotted the woman seated in the chair beside his bed holding his hand, all his aches and pains instantly faded away.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  Harlow scrambled to her feet, a wide smile breaking across her face. “Sawyer! You’re awake.” She threaded her fingers through his hair and his eye closed in ecstasy.

  “Sawyer?”

  He blinked open. “Sorry. Still here. How long was I out?”

  “About ten hours.” She was still stroking his hair and it felt so good.

  “Ten?”

  “They put you out to transport you.”

  He tried to clear his dry throat and she jumped into action, filling a cup with water and holding the straw to his lips. The cool liquid coated his throat as it trickled down. He nodded and she moved the cup aside.

  “What happened?”

  Sadness filled her eyes as she resumed stroking his hair. “Carmen was the one behind everything. She manipulated me, befriended me. It was all a sham. She targeted me after her boyfriend was arrested and she had this planned the whole time. She lured us to the jungle, had her men lying in wait and they shot you.” She swallowed heavily. “I thought you were dead. They took me to a house and you, Grant and Wyatt saved me. But Carmen had wired the house and she had a detonator in her pocket.”

  Scenes came rushing back to him. The woman smiling evilly as she threw herself on the ground. The intense heat and pain when the world exploded.

  He tried to sit up. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, thanks to you. You covered me with your body.”

  He relaxed against the pillow. “Grant? Wyatt?”

  “Beat up, but fine.”

  He swallowed hard. “Duke?”

  She smiled. “He’s okay, but worried about you. He climbed on your chest and wouldn’t let anyone near. He was your fierce protector. He’s getting checked at the vet right now.”

  A grin tipped his lips before fading. “What about Carmen?”

  She shook her head. “The blast blew the chandelier from the ceiling and it came crashing down. It impaled her.”

  He was glad she was dead, but he wished she’d been able to stand trial for her crimes. Death was the easy way out for her. He took solace in knowing that Harlow wouldn’t have to be a witness at a trial.

  The door opened and Grant and Wyatt, both looking worse for the wear, but cleaned up, freshly shaven and bandaged, wandered in. Grant handed Harlow a cup of coffee and his eyes widened.

  “Hey, bro, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

  “I’ve been better. What about you guys?” Grant had several cuts and scrapes on his face and arms, as did Wyatt. But Wyatt also sported a sling on his left arm.

  “We’re fine.”

  “Are you able to fly with a damaged wing?” he asked Wyatt.

  “No problem,” he answered.

  “No,” Grant replied at the same time.

  He chose to ignore Grant. “Good. Let’s get out of here.”

  He started to rise but Harlow stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. “Lie back down, tough guy. You aren’t going anywhere until the doctor clears you.”

  He wanted to argue, opened his mouth to do just that, but the room was spinning, so he laid back down and closed his eye.

  #

  The next time he opened his eye, the face he spotted was unexpected and he had to blink to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. When the figure came into view, he struggled to sit up.

  A hand on his arm stopped his movements. “Mr. Oldham, please don’t try to move.”

  “Ma’am…I mean, President Duquesne.”

  She patted his arm. “After all you’ve done for my family, you can call me Ginny.”

  He did not feel comfortable calling the President of the United States by her first name…a nickname, no less. He noted the two guards in suits and ties, positioned inside the door with their hands clasped in front of them. Secret Service.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t lie to me.”

  How could he not like her? He was glad he’d voted for her. “I’ve been better.”

  “Mr. Oldham—”

  “Sawyer.”

  She inclined her head. “Sawyer…” she cleared her throat. When she spoke again, her voice was low and choked with emotion. “I am forever in your debt and I don’t know how to thank you. You’ve saved both of my granddaughters, and they are my life.”

  He started to wave off her praise, but
she wouldn’t allow it. “I didn’t know about Harlow’s trip and believe me, heads will roll.” He believed her. “You managed to get her out of a war-torn country with barely a scratch. I’m so very sorry you were injured.”

  “I’m not if it means she’s safe.”

  She studied him and then a slow smile spread across her face. “I believe you mean that.”

  “I do.”

  She glanced down at her clasped hands. Finally, she spoke. “It’s not fair the situation my granddaughters have been born into. They didn’t ask for a life lived under a microscope.” She looked up at him. “As you are well aware, having been born into a well-off family, there are certain…risks involved.”

  She was talking about his kidnapping. He nodded.

  “Unfortunately, my granddaughters may face obstacles that are beyond their control. Do you understand what I mean?”

  He was pretty sure he did.

  “They will need to be surrounded by people that will take care of them, protect them, shield them from the harsh realities of the world.” She chuckled and shook her head. “They would not agree if they heard me talk. They are both headstrong, Harlow so much so and Zoe learning. They think they can take care of themselves. Don’t get me wrong, they can, but it doesn’t hurt to have backup.” Her eyes narrowed and she pinned him with her laser gaze. “Are you up to the task?”

  He met her stare head-on without so much as a flinch. “Yes, ma’am, I am.”

  She studied him for a moment longer before she nodded once, he assumed in approval. Or hoped. Whatever worked. Then she stood. “I believe arrangements are being made to fly you back to the States.”

  “Good.” He was ready to be home.

  Her professional mask slipped again. “Thank you, Sawyer. I owe you.” With one last squeeze on his arm, she was gone, taking the two large bodyguards with her.

  As nice as it was to visit with the President, it was her granddaughter he longed to see.

  He’d just closed his eye when the door opened again. Harlow?

  “Nope,” a cheery voice said. He’d obviously spoken out loud. “But close.”

  He opened his eye to see Harlow’s younger sister bop into the room, a huge smile on her sweet face and a large bag slung over her shoulder. She stopped beside his bed.

  “Hey, Zoe.” He lifted his hand so they could bump fists, which she did, eagerly. “What are you doing here?”

  “When Grandma found out what happened, I made her pick me up in Air Force One so I could see Harlow. And,” she bit her lip. “I had to see you in person to thank you for saving her.”

  “Ah, sweetheart, you don’t have to thank me.”

  “Yes, I do. I was worried, and I might have overreacted, but you took me seriously and went with no questions asked. Not many people would do that.”

  Movement caught his eye. “Uh, Zoe? Your bag is twitching.”

  She smiled and the tears in her eyes shined brightly. Damn, he couldn’t handle adult women’s tears. Zoe’s threatened to bring him to his knees. Good thing he was already lying down.

  “It’s not much in the way of a thank you, but…it’s the best I’ve got.” She placed the bag on the ground and then dropped out of sight. When her head appeared again, so did Duke’s. “Shh, I snuck him in.”

  Aw, damn. Now his eye threatened to water. He’d missed the little guy. Duke barked and cried and wiggled, twisted wildly in an effort to reach Sawyer. When had this little bundle of fur become so important to him?

  “Hey, bud,” he said as Zoe deposited the dog on his chest and Duke proceeded to attempt to lick his face off. Zoe giggled and the sound made his heart happy. It was so innocent. Pure. Duke plopped down on his favorite spot on his chest and let out a content sigh. Sawyer, on the other hand, had to bite back a groan to his battered ribs. It was only a small twinge, one he’d gladly suffer for the pup.

  The door opened again and Zoe’s head whipped around. “Uh oh, busted.”

  “Busted about what?”

  That voice. His heart picked up speed. Duke’s tail thumped in happiness against his chest.

  “Oh, it’s you. I was afraid it was a nurse.”

  “What did you do, Zoe?” Suspicion laced Harlow’s tone.

  Then she stepped into view and every ache and pain fled as his body filled with joy.

  “Duke!” She slapped a hand over her mouth and lowered her voice. “Zoe, you snuck the dog inside?”

  Zoe’s grin rivaled the Cheshire cat and she nodded.

  Harlow grabbed her shoulders and squeezed, laughter filling her voice. “I was going to do it, but you beat me to it.”

  Duke squirmed and let out a yelp, happy to see Harlow, but refusing to move from Sawyer’s chest.

  Harlow gasped. “Sawyer, your ribs…”

  “Are fine.” He scratched Duke’s head and was rewarded with a doggy sigh. “He doesn’t weigh anything.”

  “Are you kidding?” Harlow’s fingers brushed his as she, too scratched Duke’s head, sending him into dog Heaven. “He’s packing on the pounds.”

  “He does look better than a few days ago.” Had it only been a few days? So much had happened that it was hard to believe. From the moment he found Harlow hiding in the abandoned building—which reminded him. “The cut on your side?”

  She patted the injury. “It’s fine. I had it looked at. Your patch job worked perfectly. Didn’t even need stitches.” She had cuts and bruises on her face and arms and she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. Her long, black hair was down and shiny, her greenish blue eyes sparkling. Damn. He was so far gone, it wasn’t even funny.

  Zoe’s phone tinkled and she hopped over to the corner to answer.

  He held out a hand and she grasped it. Forget morphine…touching her again was all the drug he needed.

  “On a scale of one to ten, how mad is your grandmother?”

  “A scale of one to ten? I’d say about a two hundred.”

  He winced, figuring as much.

  Zoe came skipping back over with the phone to her ear. Then she pressed a button and turned the device around.

  “Hey, Sawyer!”

  He smiled at the screen. “What’s up, Kai, my little bud?”

  “Obviously not you, since you’re lying in bed like a slug. Hey, did you hear about the man who lost his left side?”

  He shared a smile with Harlow. Kai was trying cheer him up, but it wasn’t necessary. The only thing he needed to make him happy was standing beside his bed. “No. What happened to him?”

  “Don’t worry, he’s alright now.”

  Kai’s head disappeared from the screen when he doubled over in laughter. They all joined in. He glanced at Harlow, her face glowing with happiness and his heart flipped in his chest. He wanted her this happy always. Then he caught a glimpse of Zoe, her sweet face creased with joy and he wanted her this happy always, too. The Duquesne sisters had become so important to him.

  “What is going on in here?”

  “Uh, oh, busted,” Zoe muttered as the stern-faced nurse marched inside the room.

  Sawyer wasn’t worried. She was all bark…much like Duke at the moment. “Shh, little guy,” he whispered, before turning on his most charming smile. “Hey Nurse Kay, you’re looking beautiful today.”

  “Humph. What is that?” She pointed to Duke who was still rumbling like a lawn mower.

  “A stuffed animal. Isn’t it life-like?” He batted his one good eye.

  “You brought an animal into the hospital? Do you know how unsanitary that is?” Then she glanced over her shoulder as if to make sure none of her coworkers could hear before she reached out a hand and stroked Duke’s black fur. “He’s adorable.”

  Sawyer preened like a proud papa. “Thanks.”

  “But…”

  “Uh, oh,” Zoe chanted again.

  “You have to get him out of here. I’d let you keep him if possible but it’s against like two thousand hospital regulations. I don’t care what connections you have. And
you all need to leave. The patient needs rest.”

  “Understood.” Harlow scooped Duke from his chest and he almost reached out and snatched him back. Duke’s cry of protest was more than he could take. Plus, he missed the comforting weight. Duke shot him an accusing gaze, like he had something to do with it. “Sorry, bud,” he mouthed. Duke turned his head as if to say “whatever” and snuggled against Harlow.

  He couldn’t blame the dog. He wanted to snuggle against her, too.

  #

  Harlow crooned to the puppy as they exited Sawyer’s room. She stopped abruptly when she spotted the woman standing at the end of the hall waiting for her. She’d spoken to her grandmother already and tried to explain why she hadn’t told her about the trip. It hadn’t gone well. She wasn’t up to round two.

  “Here, Zoe, can you take Duke?”

  “Sure.” Zoe lifted the dog from her hands and held him aloft, making funny faces. Duke wiggled and tried to lick her. Harlow wondered who would be the most crushed when they decided where Duke would live, her, Zoe or Sawyer. She was afraid it would be her and her sister. As much as Duke loved them, he adored Sawyer and clearly, the feeling was mutual. He might not have had a pet before, but he had one now.

  Zoe was tossing Duke in the air and catching him, much to his joy. “Hey, Zoe, you better keep him hidden so we don’t get busted. He’s not supposed to be here.”

  “Oh, right,” Zoe caught him, gave him a big nuzzle and then tucked him back in her bag before hurrying off to stop in front of their grandmother. The two spoke before Zoe scurried away. Two secret service members flanked her and she knew without looking that several more were surrounding the building, both inside and out. Her grandmother wouldn’t be allowed to enter a place that hadn’t been properly secured and vetted.

  She slogged forward to accept her punishment.