by Wendy Davy
He’d left the cane in the main house, which made traversing the uneven sand that much more difficult. He ignored the pain streaking through his flesh, intent on breaking the news to her gently. But how could he smooth over the cold, hard truth?
Gage strode up behind Cara, startling her with a quick, “Hey.”
She jumped and spun around. Her hand flew to her chest. “Oh, I didn’t see you coming.” She squinted up at him, and her sudden smile faded. “What’s wrong?”
He’d seen his share of life-or-death situations and had been the target of many killers, but nothing in his past experiences prepared him for this. “I don’t know how else to say it, so I’ll just say it.” His blood ran cold. “I got a phone call.”
Her face paled, even beneath the warm sun. She adjusted a bucket full of shells from one hand to the other and cleared her throat. “From whom?”
“I think Mercado has captured Jonas.”
“What?” The bucket fell from her fingers. The shells spilled onto the sand unheeded. “Did you talk to him? How do you know?”
“A call came from Jonas’s phone. I answered. No one was there.”
Cara’s shoulder’s sagged, and she raked her fingers through her hair. “Maybe the call was lost. Or, maybe he dialed by accident.”
“The call wasn’t lost. It was purposefully dialed and disconnected.”
“Maybe something came up and Jonas had to go. How can you assume Mercado is the reason behind the call…oh, yeah. It’s your sixth sense kicking in, right?”
He couldn’t explain the knowing deep inside his core, so he didn’t even try. “Something like that.”
She backed away. “I’m sorry if I can’t rely on your ‘instincts’ as easily as you can. I don’t believe an empty phone call means Jonas has been compromised.”
Yet, the moisture gathering in her eyes showed her fear.
“I’m sorry. I should be there with him. I should’ve…” What? In his condition, he would be more of a hindrance than a help. He shook his head. “Then again, I might’ve made things worse.”
“Enough with the self-pity.” Cara raised her voice with each word.
Her direct words stung as if he’d taken a bullet to the chest.
“Jonas told me before we met not to look at you as if I felt sorry for you, but you’re so stuck on feeling sorry for yourself, no one has to do it for you.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying.” But, Gage wondered if she was right. He had turned inward, focusing on his own problems ever since the injury.
Until Cara came along.
Seemed lately, he’d been thinking of her more than anything else. She’d maneuvered her way into his mind, his thoughts and…his heart.
“Give me the satellite phone.” She held out her palm.
He gripped the phone attached to his belt. “It won’t help, Cara. Please believe me in this.”
“I…I can’t.” She shook her head. “I need to know for certain. Please…give me the phone.”
Never before had a woman taken over his emotions, and his common sense, the way Cara had. Going against every inborn instinct, Gage handed over the device. She was about to be devastated, and he was helpless to stop it.
****
Cara touched the screen until she found the last incoming number and gave Gage a glance before pressing the send key. She didn’t understand how he could be so sure of himself in some areas of his life, yet so reluctant in others. Mercado had done more damage to Gage than she could ever fully understand. To take a man of Gage’s caliber, full of vitality and strength, and so completely rattle him, Mercado must be some kind of monster. Images of a harsh, cruel creature hovering over Gage with a sledge hammer crowded her brain.
Then, the images transferred over to Jonas being the one attacked.
Her chest squeezed tight as she recalled Jonas’s warning. She could be putting him in more danger by calling him. But, she just couldn’t live with the not knowing.
On the third ring, a man answered. “Jonas can’t talk right now. He’s tied up at the moment.”
Cara’s stomach dropped, and blood drained from her head to her toes. Mercado. “Let him go,” she whispered.
Gage’s features hardened, but he showed no surprise. He’d been right, and he knew it.
A momentary pause. Then, the heavily accented voice came back. “Cara Dalton, I presume. Your voice sounds sweet for a woman who has made my life so difficult. I’m looking forward to making your acquaintance.”
She began to shake, and she nearly dropped the phone. Gage looked ready to snatch it from her grasp, so she backed away. “Let me speak to Jonas.”
Lord, let him still be alive.
“If you want your brother, you’ll have to come and get him.” Mercado’s tone came across bold.
“You want me to come to Columbia?” Could she return to face a ruthless killer?
Gage stepped forward, crowding her on the wide open beach. He slid the phone from her fingers and pressed it to his ear. “Whatever you’re planning, you can forget about it. She isn’t going anywhere.”
Blood rushed through Cara’s veins. Regardless of Gage’s answer, she had to go. She had to get to Jonas.
She took a step away, but Gage blocked her path with his broad stance. He disconnected the call, and looked at her with a solemn expression. “I can’t let you go.”
“Then we have problem.”
“He’ll kill you both.”
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” She brushed past him and strode toward the house.
“I will not risk losing you, Cara.”
She stopped in mid-stride, and turned to face him. “I’m not yours to lose.”
Pain crossed his features, making Cara pause. Although her mind screamed at her to get moving, she took a moment to return to Gage. Placing a hand on his muscular shoulder, she whispered, “He’s all I have left.”
Gage’s features softened with compassion. “Cara.” His arm banded around her waist and he pulled her against his chest. “He’s not all you have.”
She fought him at first. Being in Gage’s arms couldn’t help her save Jonas. But, as his strength wrapped around her, she accepted his embrace and pressed her cheek tight against his thundering heart.
Gage placed a series of tender kisses across her forehead and temple. The sensation comforted, but she wanted more. Cara lifted her chin, wrapped her arms around his neck and drew his mouth to hers.
The first touch of his lips took her breath away. After only a slight hesitation, he took control, deepened the kiss, and she reveled in the sensations. She could lose herself in him, body, mind and spirit—but, that wouldn’t make her circumstances go away. That wouldn’t bring Jonas back.
As if sensing her thoughts, Gage inched away. His eyes had taken on a deeper hue, his focus directed to her as if only she existed. “Cara.”
The emotion behind her spoken name weakened her knees, and she wobbled.
Gage kept her upright long enough to slip an arm under her legs and lift her. He settled her against his chest, taking on her full weight.
“Gage, no. Your leg.” She struggled to be released.
“I’ve got you.”
Cara looked into his eyes and understood. She may not have needed to be carried, but he needed to be needed. She relaxed in his hold and lifted a hand to his cheek, smoothing over his whiskers. “I don’t expect you to come with me, but I need you to let me go.”
He shifted her in his arms. “Where you go, I go.”
Hope emerged from his words. “Does that mean…?”
“That means we’re in this together. We’re both going to Columbia.”
18
The next half hour whizzed by in a blur. Cara gathered her belongings and packed her suitcase while Gage took care of packing a few of his own things. When she descended the stairs, she found him in his bedroom, papers strewn across his desk.
Maps, showing various markings and coordinates in and aro
und Cartagena, covered the majority of the desktop. Gage pointed at a particular location. “This is where Mercado’s estate is. It’s just on the outskirts of the city. Close enough for him to call in reinforcements if needed, yet far enough out to be secluded.”
“That’s not good is it?” Cara’s mouth dried. Talking about flying in to rescue Jonas was one thing, actually preparing to do it was another matter entirely. “I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, do I?”
Gage lifted his gaze to hers. “Not in the least, but I know.” He shifted his stance, putting more pressure on his cane.
Cara wished she could soothe away his pain. “Mercado has to be stopped.”
“I’m going to make sure he is.”
Cara remembered Gage’s desire for revenge, and fear struck. “Are you able to keep your emotions out of all this?” If something happened to Gage because she insisted on going, she’d never forgive herself. “What about your injury?”
Gage straightened. “I’ll make do. I’ve been waiting a long time for this opportunity.”
“What do we do when we get there? Waltz up to the security gate, assuming he has one, and ask Mercado to release Jonas?” The more time she had to think, the less confident she became. “Will there be other DEA agents to help?”
“Considering Jonas returned to the compound to extract Mercado’s wife and child without our superior’s consent, that’s not likely to happen.”
Cara’s shoulders slumped. “This is all so complicated.”
Papers rustled as Gage gathered the maps. “It doesn’t have to be. All you need to do is trust me.”
“I do trust you.”
Gage stuffed the maps into a satchel, and slung it over his shoulder. “Then you won’t argue when I stash you away in Cartagena while I go to the compound.”
Her defenses rose. “Wait. You said we were in this together.”
“That’s right. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to allow you anywhere near Mercado.” His gaze skimmed over her. “The things he’d do to you.” He shuttered. “I won’t allow him to touch you.”
“But, Mercado said I had to be there.”
“We’ll work it out.” Gage guided her from the room. With a flick of the light switch and one last glance behind him, he ushered her outside. “Where is your passport?”
Cara stumbled to a halt. “I left it at home. It’s in the drawer with my credit cards.”
“We’ll have to drive to your place and then catch a flight to Bogotá.”
“It’ll take so long to get to Jonas. What if we’re too late?”
Gage led her toward the pier. “Mercado has Jonas but he wants you, too. That’ll buy us the time we need.”
He made a good point, but Cara couldn’t help but worry. “How do we even know Jonas is still alive?”
“I suppose it all comes down to faith, doesn’t it?”
Gage’s words made her pause. “You speak of faith as if you have it. Does that mean you believe again that God cares?”
“I suppose it means I’ve always known He does. I just didn’t want to admit it.” He continued to the pier and eased into the boat, bringing his cane and satchel with him. Cara tossed her suitcase, and he caught it and set it in the stern. “I suppose it hurt my pride to think God would allow something so awful happen to me when I was trying so hard to be a decent person. It just took me some time to figure out that I can’t understand all that God does. But, I’ve realized He does care.”
Cara accepted his help into the boat and settled into the seat next to him. “What made you realize that?”
Gage flashed a quick smile. “He sent you to me.” He leaned in for another kiss, brushing his lips against hers in a feathery caress.
****
The trip from Cedar Island to Baltimore took longer than Gage had hoped. He’d made a few calls on the way, arranging for a red-eye flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Bogotá, with a two hour layover in Atlanta.
As they neared Baltimore, Cara gave specific directions to her apartment. She pointed out the small library where she worked, nestled between blocks of other brick and mortar buildings, and Gage understood her desire to see and experience places outside of her normal realm.
“How long have you wanted to travel?” Gage took a left turn onto a residential side street as Cara directed.
“For as long as I can remember. But, I never wanted to go alone. That’s why I followed Jonas.”
“How did you know where he was going?”
“He came home for a couple days and stopped by my apartment to see me before he left. I kinda sorta looked through his travel papers.”
“Kinda sorta?”
“OK. I snooped. He was always evasive about telling me exactly where he was going, and I knew if I asked he’d skirt around it.”
“Did it ever occur to you there was a reason for that?”
She made a non-committal noise.
“Anyway, why does Mercado think you witnessed him murdering that agent?” Gage glanced into the rearview mirror, checking for any cars that may be following. “Where were you when it happened?”
“I was close enough to hear gunshots. I’d just arrived at the village around dusk, and some residents pointed me in the direction Jonas had gone. I followed the narrow trail leading through the jungle. By the time I heard men’s voices, I’d encountered enough bugs, snakes, and creepy crawlies to freak me out, and when gunshots rang out, I screamed. Or at least that’s what Jonas told me later. I don’t remember making any noises.” She pointed left. “Turn here.”
Gage flipped on the blinker and cut a sharp turn. “So, you screamed and that alerted Mercado you were there?”
“I suppose. Next thing I know Jonas is crashing through the jungle, grabbing me, and yanking me into the foliage. It was all a blur until I got on the airplane.”
“You’re lucky he managed to get you out.” Gage couldn’t imagine dragging a terrified woman through the jungle to safety, with a murderer and his thugs giving chase.
“I am lucky, or blessed. Or both. I didn’t realize what kind of man was chasing me until I saw what he’d done to you.”
Gage slowed his four wheel drive truck. “This your place?”
“Number 412.” Cara pointed to a non-descript apartment, with only a pot of yellow flowers out front to distinguish it from the others.
He drove past it.
“It was back there.” She pointed behind them.
“I know.” He checked out the cars in the area, making sure nothing looked out of place. “No one’s been following us. But, that doesn’t mean no one’s watching your place.” He made a loop around the apartments and circled back around. “Looks OK, but I don’t want to stick around here long. Do you know exactly where the passport is?”
“I think so, but Jonas was rushing me.”
“For good reason.” Gage parked the truck and gave one last look around before exiting the vehicle. He walked around front and opened the door for Cara as he checked his watch. “You’ve got two minutes.”
“You’re as bad as Jonas.” She complained as she dug out keys from her purse and opened the door. “I’d like to at least check my phone messages.” She stepped inside and flipped on the lights.
Gage moved in behind her, and ran into her as she stopped dead in her tracks.
19
Cara backed into Gage’s broad back, and he held her steady with hands on her shoulders.
“What is it?”
“Something’s not right.” An unusual musky scent intermingled with her tropical air fresheners. The coffee table looked a little off kilter. And, hadn’t she left the magazines spread out? “I think someone’s been in here. The coffee table. I don’t usually stack the magazines on top of one another.” She glanced toward the kitchen. An opened can of soda sat on the counter, condensation running down its sides.
The hairs on the nape of her neck stood on end. “Someone has been here,” she whispered.
Gage s
wept in front of her. “Go back to the truck.” He shoved keys at her. “Get inside the cab and lock the doors.” He bent low, extracted his gun from an ankle holster and moved deeper into the apartment.
Cara second guessed herself. Perhaps she’d left the soda out by accident. Maybe Jonas had taken it from the fridge as he’d waited for her to pack. She had left in a hurry…but then again, there wouldn’t still be condensation on the can.
Gage spared a glance behind him as he neared her bedroom door, gun held steady in his hands. “Cara. Move. Now.” He crouched low and spun around the doorframe, entering the bedroom in a solid sweeping motion.
We’re in this together.
She couldn’t leave him alone. What if someone was really inside?
A thud and a groan sounded from the bedroom. A crash. Something shattered.
“Gage!” Not caring for her own safety, Cara fisted the keys and ran toward the noises.
Gage and a bald man, entangled in a brawl, fell into the hallway cursing, grunting and throwing punches. Interminable minutes passed as one man gained the upper hand, and then the next took control.
Cara jumped out of the way, and positioned the keys between her fingers, ready to strike at an opportune time. But, before she got a chance, a deafening gunshot reverberated across the small apartment. She held her breath as the men froze on the floor—Gage on top, hands around the intruder’s throat.
Neither man appeared to have been shot. Neither held a gun.
Both men looked past Cara.
A sickening dread washed over her, and she slowly turned.
A tall, olive skinned man blocked the entrance to the apartment. He held a pistol, aimed straight at her. His cavernous gaze trailed down the length of her, and then landed on Gage. “McKenna. Thought you were dead.” He shrugged. “Guess we’ll have to kill you again.”
****
“You should’ve left.” Gage’s plea to Cara came too late. She stood between him and Santiago. His gut clenched, and his fingers tightened around Rafael’s throat as if on their own accord.