Peterson smiled and patted her hand. “You know I can’t help you. Vandergriff would only kill us both.”
“It’s okay,” Nadia said, and meant it. Hopefully, she wouldn’t need his help. She didn’t want him harmed because of her.
Peterson looked troubled. He shot a glance at the cockpit. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to help you.”
“I know. But you do need to find a new employer. You’re too good of a guy to work for a sociopath like Vandergriff. Your buddy, Cahill, on the other hand …” She nodded toward the cockpit.
“He is not my buddy,” Peterson declared, and she smiled.
“Whatever. Don’t leave me alone with him too long, okay?”
“You don’t have to worry about him. I’ve already told him what I’d do with that #2 pencil of his if he messed with you.”
“My hero,” Nadia said and closed her eyes. She found herself thinking of Dante. Wondering where he was and if he was anywhere close to her.
How was it possible that she’d just met him?
Time felt eerily skewed, drawn out. A lifetime since she’d approached him in that diner. A lifetime since the night in the garden. She glanced at her watch.
Oops. Slipping into day three. Time had somehow divided itself into two distinct sectors. The time before Dante and the time after.
“Get a grip,” she muttered.
Nadia Branson had never mooned over anyone and it was a little disconcerting to be doing so now.
“What?” Peterson asked.
He clutched the armrest while they bumped along the runway. Apparently Cahill’s landing abilities were as questionable as his personality.
“Nothing. Talking to myself. It’s a sign of caffeine depravation. Chocolate, man. Bring me something chocolate.”
“Will do. In the meantime, why don’t you try to get some rest?”
“What, and turn my back on an IRS auditor and a pencil wielding sadist?” Nadia teased. Her eyes widened and she slapped her forehead. “Oh, wait. Isn’t that the same thing?”
Peterson snorted and opened his palm to reveal a handful of shiny silver quarters. “Not very smart, my girl. You really shouldn’t be so rude to the man with the vending machine plan.”
“I’m sorry.” Nadia struggled to look contrite. “That kind of thing just slips out. It’s a short circuit in my brain, I swear.”
She glanced out the window. The terrain outside looked almost deserted in the dusky shadows. No lights in the distance. No buildings that she could see. Just her luck. It was probably a private airstrip.
“Hey, Peterson …” She nudged him with her foot. “Where are we, anyhow? I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”
“Actually, Dorothy, that’s exactly where we are.” Peterson unfastened his belt. He stretched and stood when the plane stopped coasting.
Nadia glanced over her shoulder when Cahill came out of the cockpit. Peterson mistook the look on her face for fear.
“I’ll be back soon,” he said quietly. “He knows better than to hurt you. That’s not only my order, it’s Vandergriff’s too.”
Nadia nodded, but she wasn’t afraid of Cahill. In fact, she would almost welcome the chance to be alone with him.
She could take him out.
Peterson disembarked after sharing a few hushed words with Cahill. Nadia watched Cahill slide the door to the cockpit shut and lock it, then he turned his flat reptilian gaze on her.
“I’ve got to step off for a few minutes too,” he said. “I thought I’d better warn you, though … don’t try anything cute. There are armed men all over this hanger, and we all have the same signature on our paychecks.”
Nadia bit off a smart remark, realizing that it would cause her more trouble than it was worth. Instead, she pasted on a smile. “No problem here. I think I’m going to try to catch a nap.”
She curled up on the seat without waiting for a reply and heard Cahill grunt. Closing her eyes, she waited until she heard his footsteps echo down the ramp before she dared to take out the phone.
Still curled on the seat, she pressed in the number and tucked the phone behind the ear she was resting on. Her hair fell over her face, hopefully providing some camouflage should Cahill decide to check on her. Her father answered on the first ring.
Nick Branson covered the mouthpiece and cursed. He looked at Dante. “They’re in Kansas already. How close are we?”
“Not close enough,” he replied. “But we’re gaining on them. Let me talk to her.”
Resignation shone in Nick’s eyes when he handed Dante the phone. They both knew that Dante’s plan was the only shot they had.
“Hey, princess,” Dante said.
“Hey, yourself, Superman. That was some exit back there. You sure know how to impress a girl.”
Dante laughed. It was so good to hear her voice. “I try,” he said. “Do you know what kind of plane you’re on?”
“Some little piece of junk DeHaviland. A Super Otter. You can’t miss us. The thing is school bus yellow.”
Dante’s hopes surged. “How many people are on the plane?”
“Two guys. The pilot and a guard.”
“Can you take the guard out?”
After a brief pause, she said, “Yes.”
He didn’t like that hesitation. “You have to be absolutely sure, Nadia. Can you do it or not?”
“Yes, but the pilot said Vandergriff’s men are all over the ground here.”
“We’re not going to move on you there. We’re not close enough yet. Do you see the emergency door?”
“Hmmm, the one with the big red E-X-I-T over it?”
“That’s the one.” Dante grinned. “Now, do you see the locking handle?”
“Yes.”
“Think you can open that?”
“Yes.”
“Can you jump out of an airplane?”
“I’ve done it before, but Dante, there are no parachutes in here. Cahill made sure to tell me that.”
“You’re not going to need one.”
She paused. Then, in a funny, squeaky voice she asked, “Did you land on your head when you fell off that balcony?”
“I’ll catch you.”
“You’ll catch me,” Nadia repeated slowly. “Are you out of your ever lovin’ mind?”
Dante glanced at Nick and snickered. Covering the mouthpiece, he said, “Oh, yeah. She is definitely your daughter.”
Nick made a face and Dante smiled into the phone. “We can do it, Nadia. I’m a jumpmaster. You didn’t have a problem jumping from that bridge, and you said you’ve jumped from a plane before, right?”
“At 12,000 feet with an instructor strapped to me. I think there’s somewhat of a difference there.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” she said instantly.
“Then what’s the problem … are you chicken?”
Dante winced at the obscenities that remark inspired, but it had its desired effect.
“Okay. But how will I know when it’s time to jump?”
“Set the phone on vibrating mode. When we’re close enough, I’ll call you.”
“Oh, no. Now, that’s real smart, Dante. What if your mother calls, or some floozy you run with, wanting to know when you’ll be back in town? I’d be like Wile E. Coyote flapping around out there.”
“You didn’t let me finish. We’ll have a code. I’ll let it ring twice, three different times. How’s that?”
“Better.”
“Okay. On the signal. As soon as you clear the plane, slow down your freefall by going spread-eagle.”
“I have to go. I think they’re coming back,” she whispered.
“Okay. It’s all clear?”
“Clear. And Dante …”
“Yeah?” He held his breath. Her voice sounded so soft and vulnerable, and he fought the urge to tell her about all the crazy stuff he felt for her, because he didn’t want her to think he doubted they’d make it out of this. Maybe she wanted to tell him th
e same thing. Maybe—
“If you drop me, I’m going to come back from the dead to haunt your ass.”
Where was it? Man, she was clueless. Nadia couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of the ringer before now.
It would be hard to explain a ringing bra.
Noise? What noise? That’s only my underwear. It rings when I’m supposed to change it.
Looking for the button, Nadia nearly panicked before she figured out the phone was already switched to vibrating mode.
Cahill was back. She could feel his eyes boring into her while he climbed back onto the plane.
God, she hoped he hadn’t heard her talking. She feigned sleep, tucking the phone under her thigh. He’d see her if she tried to transfer it now.
Then she heard Peterson’s voice as he climbed the steps. Cahill spoke to him. Nadia sat up in the seat and made sure their attention was diverted.
She pretended to stretch, and shoved the phone down the back of her jeans as she rubbed her lower back.
Just wait until Dante heard all the places his phone had been.
The thought made her grin. The man was crazy.
‘Trust me,’ he said.
‘I’ll catch you’, he said.
She shook her head. Heck, maybe she was the crazy one because ‘okay’ was what she’d said.
It’s going work out, Nadia thought, because she was a big believer in ‘what goes around comes around’ and she had been a good girl.
Well, most of the time.
Surely fate wouldn’t be so cruel as to let her meet a man like Dante and then let her die before she had a chance to ravish him.
“What are you grinning about?” Peterson asked, ducking to keep from banging his head in the doorway.
“What do you mean, what am I grinning about? Is that a candy bar in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
“Girl, you’re crazy.” Peterson chuckled. He fished a chocolate bar out of his shirt pocket and tossed it to her.
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Nadia demanded, snagging it with one hand.
Peterson had a can of soda in each pocket of his windbreaker. He popped the top and handed her one of those as well.
Nadia had no idea of how thirsty she was until the first gulp of the sweet cola hit her throat. She drank it too fast and paid for it with hiccups. And one burp.
“Excuse me,” she said, and hiccupped loudly.
“If you don’t stop that, I’m going to sit with Cahill,” Peterson threatened.
“You think-” hiccup “I’m enjoying this?” Nadia managed, but she wished he would go sit with Cahill. She didn’t want to hurt him.
That was an idea. Maybe he would go to the cockpit if she pretended to go to sleep. But first she’d have to get rid of these stupid hiccups.
Cahill’s takeoffs weren’t much better than his landings, but soon they were on their way again.
Nadia sucked in a deep breath and held it. She stared at Peterson and started counting off the seconds in her head. He laughed and Nadia was forced to release her breath. She glared at him and tried again. Again, he started cackling. His face reddened and he pinched the end of his nose as he laughed.
“Will you stop it?” she demanded, making her eyes wide. “Can’t you see I’m trying to concentrate here?”
“I can’t help it!” He wiped tears from his eyes. “I wish I had a mirror so you could see your face. You look like a demonic chipmunk.”
“Gee, thanks a lot.”
“Look, I don’t have any water, but you can have the rest of my soft drink if you think it would help.”
“No-” hiccup “-thanks. I might explode.”
Nadia looked at Peterson, judging him. She liked him; she really did. And she even thought he might help her now. But she didn’t know for sure and she couldn’t risk it. Too much was at stake.
Over half an hour later, her hiccups stopped.
Nadia knew the exact moment it happened. Her heart had leapt into her throat when she felt the soft vibration of the phone against her skin.
Once. Twice. Then it was gone.
There was so long between the first and second calls that she was afraid she’d imagined it.
One. Two.
By the time the third call started, Nadia’s nerves were singing. Her mouth went dry and her heart thundered in her ears.
“Hey, your hiccups stopped.” Peterson opened an eye and squinted at her. “Thank God. You were driving me nuts.”
Peterson had relaxed around her, was half asleep. He wasn’t expecting her move when it came.
Nadia sprang.
She had his gun out of his shoulder holster before he knew what was happening. With a shaking hand, she pointed it at him.
“What are you doing?” he asked, with the dazed expression of a man who’s been told a joke he doesn’t understand.
“I’m sorry. Please don’t move. I don’t want to hurt you.”
She backed to the emergency door. Cahill still hadn’t noticed.
“What are you doing?” Peterson asked again, when she grabbed the thick grip of the locking handle.
“He’s going to catch me,” she said, because she could think of nothing else to say.
The door yawned open.
The rushing wind dried her lips and threatened to yank her legs out from underneath her. She ejected the clip and sent the gun spinning to the earth.
Cahill had finally realized what was happening. He came out of the cockpit with his gun drawn.
Nadia licked her lips and questioned her sanity.
Then she dove.
CHAPTER 8
Sunday, August 7
5:45 a.m.
She was free.
Bound by nothing, burdened by nothing.
She was free … and it was exhilarating.
The roar of the wind deafened Nadia and her entire vision filled with a view of patchwork earth. It hardly looked real.
The sun was rising and the eastern skyline was a masterpiece of riotous color. Red, gold, and orange exploded against the backdrop of dark gray clouds. It was more than beautiful. It was heaven.
Distracted by the beauty, Nadia almost forgot to follow Dante’s instructions. With some effort, she righted her body, then splayed her arms and legs wide in an open jumping jack position.
She wanted to look behind her, to see if he was coming, but the force of the wind was too great. Nadia couldn’t turn her head.
Oddly, she wasn’t afraid. Something inside her knew Dante wouldn’t let her down again. It was a strange feeling for someone who had always been taught to be on guard, but she trusted him.
Sure, you can trust him—to do his job, the wary, suspicious voice in her head mocked. That doesn’t mean he loves you.
Nadia felt a little sick inside when she wondered how much of what they’d shared was real and how much had been designed to get close to her.
But Dante had told Vandergriff he didn’t want the money. He’d come back for her. Didn’t that have to mean something?
It meant he was trying to do the right thing, the cynical voice argued. It had nothing to do with you.
Nadia pushed the thoughts away and again lost herself in the rushing wind. As it had on her previous jump, it struck her that she didn’t really feel like she was falling. It was more a sensation of wind and pressure. Even though she knew she was hurtling toward the earth at a speed somewhere around 110-120 miles per hour, it hardly felt like it.
She saw a flash of movement to her right.
Dante was here.
Nadia caught another glimpse of him in her peripheral vision an instant before he grabbed her. His hands grasped her ankle and worked their way up to her waist. Dante pulled her upright, against him, and attached himself to her with some sort of harness. Nadia shivered at the feel of his big body wrapped around hers.
Nadia wanted to see him, to touch his face, but she had to be content with being held in those arms. Dante hugged himself around her and buri
ed his face in her hair.
Neither of them tried to speak. Not only because it would’ve been impossible against the roar of the wind, but because a human voice would’ve been almost sacrilegious in such a setting.
Dante started to play, guiding her with his arms and legs. They flipped and twisted in the air. Nadia felt her soul drift beyond the clouds, beyond the sun as she reveled in being young and alive and in love with the man who held her. He flipped over onto his back and Nadia found herself staring straight up into the dark gray clouds. It was calm, tranquil, almost like floating on water.
Then he pivoted.
Suddenly, they plummeted headfirst toward the ground at breakneck speed. Nadia couldn’t restrain the squeal that escaped her lips, part exhilaration and part pure terror.
The patchwork expanded beneath them, coming into sharper focus. Nadia wondered if her heart was going to tear its way out of her chest.
Then she gave into the pressure Dante was exerting and they were upright once again. He pulled her arms toward her and Nadia nodded, understanding he was about to pull the cord. She crossed her arms over her chest and waited. The chute deployed with a loud whoosh and they were yanked upward.
Abruptly, the roar around them ceased, bathing them in a sudden quietness that was almost eerie.
Dante’s body created a delicious friction against hers when he began to steer.
The desert.
They were going to land in the desert.
Nadia took in her surroundings in awe. The gray, jagged hills, the rocky terrain interspersed with yellow grass and gray clumps of sagebrush. It stretched out endlessly before them.
She was a country girl, used to wide open spaces, but she had never seen anything like this. It looked like another planet, barren as Mars.
There was absolutely nothing around. No people, no buildings. Nadia had been out in the Pacific Ocean once. All around, as far as the eye could see, there had been nothing but water. She felt the same sense of isolation now that she had then.
Nadia’s racing heart, which had finally begun to slow, speeded up again as they prepared to land.
Too fast. They were going too fast.
“Get ready to flare,” Dante said, his breath tickling her ear.
In Enemy Hands Page 14