by S. L. Menear
The big helicopter landed between the north tower and the forest where the SEALs and SAS soldiers boarded. I closed my eyes as cold air from the rotor wash hit my face.
Ross lifted me inside and held me on his lap. “From now on, lass, I intend to keep you close.” He gave me a light squeeze and kissed me.
I rested my head on his broad shoulder, grateful to be free of the torture chamber. The helicopter seemed a lot quieter, thanks to my ruptured ear drums.
We didn’t talk during the short flight to the American Air Force base. I was content in his arms, finally safe.
A medical team stood ready to whisk me from the helipad.
“This woman’s safety is my responsibility,” Ross said to the medics. “I’ll carry her to the ambulance.”
Derek and Mike walked beside us as Will and Steve followed.
“Sis, I need to meet General Ryan for a debriefing. Are you okay with that?” Mike looked into my eyes with concern.
“You’re not going anywhere until your wound is looked after.” I pulled his face close and kissed his cheek. “I mean it. Same goes for Derek and Ross.”
“Well okay, little miss bossy pants.” Mike grinned and kissed the top of my head.
When we arrived in the examining room, the doctor said, “We’ll need to remove her clothes for a complete examination. The soldiers should wait outside.”
“The soldiers are wounded.” I pointed at Mike, Derek, and Ross. “That one’s my brother, he’s my friend, and this one’s my boyfriend.”
Ross glanced at Mike and Derek. “The two lieutenants will go to another treatment room, but I’m not leaving,” Ross said to the doctor. “My orders are to protect her at all times.” Ross crossed his arms with a don’t-mess-with-me look.
It was then the doctor appeared to notice Derek, Ross, and I were wearing identical uniforms.
“I see. Nurse, take the lieutenants next door. Captain, take off your shirt while we remove her clothing.”
It wasn’t long before I was stripped down to my panties, and an intern was dressing Ross’s shoulder graze. The doctor grimaced when he saw my severe bruises and torn stitches.
“Let me see what I can do about these stitches.” After re-stitching my wound, he examined me. “Why is there blood in your ears and nose?”
“My eardrums ruptured. I’m not sure if the blood in my nose is from that or something else.”
Wish I could curl up in Ross’s arms and sleep for a long time.
The doctor checked inside my ears and nose. “Fortunately, it looks like it’s just your eardrums. How did this happen?”
Ross interrupted, “She can’t answer that. It’s classified.”
The doctor sighed. “I’ll clean your ears and give you some antibiotics. As long as you protect your ears and avoid infection, they should heal in a couple months.”
“That’s good news. Thanks, Doc.” I gave him my best smile.
After I was patched up, cleaned up, and well medicated, I dressed in fresh blue hospital scrubs just in time to meet a four-star general accompanied by Mike and Derek.
Mike handed me a chocolate bar and kissed my forehead. “Hey, Sis, feeling better? This is General James Ryan.”
Mike turned to the general. “Sir, this is my sister, Sam, and that’s her boyfriend, Captain Ross Sinclair.”
The general kissed my hand and saluted Ross. “Miss Starr, we’re glad to have you home safe. It appears the threat from the Black Sun has been neutralized. However, while you’re in a weakened state, it might be best to keep you in a secret facility until we have time to investigate other groups and confirm the threat is indeed over.”
“Thank you, General, I appreciate your concern for my safety, but please understand my wounds extend beyond the obvious physical damage.”
I played the emotional trauma card to ensure I’d be allowed to recuperate with Ross, Mom, and Duncan in Duncan’s castle. After the torture I’d endured, I didn’t need to fake it.
“Ross and his Special Forces team are willing and able to protect me while I heal in Scotland with my mother at Duncan MacLeod’s castle. All government agendas will have to be put on hold during my recovery.” I popped a piece of chocolate like a pill and let it melt in my mouth. Now that’s what I call good medicine.
Mike superseded the general’s objections. “Sir, I can assure you based on my own experience that nobody can make my sister do something she doesn’t want to do. She’s a loyal American. Give her time to heal and everything will turn out the way you want.”
General Ryan looked into my determined eyes. “As you wish, Miss Starr. I’ll arrange transport to Scotland for you as soon as the doctor clears you for travel.” He glanced at the doctor.
“One night of sleep and she’ll be ready to go,” the doctor said, looking at me. “I’ll send you off with a bottle of antibiotics for your ears. Start the pills right away.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” I smiled and faced the general. “Thank you for granting my request, General Ryan. I appreciate your consideration.”
The general nodded. “All right, Doctor, let’s get Miss Starr settled in a room where she can rest.”
Fifteen minutes later, I was in a private room. The bed felt wonderful.
Ross pulled off his combat gear. “Derek, work out a schedule with Steve and Will. I want one man on guard duty at all times. I’ll be in here with Sam.”
Mike leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I have to go, Sis. Have a good rest.”
Ross slipped into the bed and gathered me against his bare chest.
Finally, dreamland.
Twenty-Two
Naples, Italy
The following evening, Commander Bob Metz walked into the Officers’ Club and found the table where the Petra group waited with Captain Rowlin.
“Good evening, everyone, I have good news. The Black Sun is no longer a threat. They were defeated last night, and Sam was rescued. She’s safe in Duncan’s castle with her mother, Duncan, and Ross.” Bob waved at a waiter and pointed at the wine list.
“You said Sam was rescued. Rescued from what?” Lance asked.
“She handed herself over to the Black Sun so she could lead us to their base of operations.”
Jeff looked outraged. “How could you send her out on a mission like that? She was in no condition for a dangerous op.”
“Nobody sent her. She slipped away from Ross and made a deal with the Black Sun to go with them if they agreed to stop targeting her people. She assumed they would take her to their headquarters. We found her when she activated the emergency signal on her watch.”
“Sounds a lot like what she did last August when she sacrificed herself to save the boys.” Lance shook his head. “That woman can’t stay out of trouble.”
Pete filled his glass with Pellegrino water. “Yeah, she keeps the Brits and our military busy. Rescuing her is a full-time job.”
“Sam’s a brave woman who saved us many times.” Carlene glared at the men. “Cut her some slack. She probably saved the whole world by helping the military stop the Black Sun.”
Rod lifted his glass of Champagne. “Damn straight! Sam sacrificed herself to keep us safe. They could have killed her. She deserves a medal or something.”
“She already has one from last summer.” Lance grinned. “Simmer down, people. We’re all proud of Sam and grateful for what she did. I just wish she could have a normal life.”
“I guess she’ll need a couple of weeks for her wound and bruises to heal. Did she say when she’ll be able to return to work?” Jeff asked.
Bob hesitated. “Uh, she’ll need at least two months. The Black Sun tortured her and ripped apart her stitches. Her eardrums were ruptured, and she experienced severe psychological trauma.”
Everyone stared at Bob in shock.
“Bloody hell! What did those Black Sun bastards do to her?” Jack asked.
“She said they used Vril to torture her, whatever that means. She didn’t want to talk about it.” B
ob placed his order with the waiter.
Lance looked crushed. “Sounds like a lot more than ruptured eardrums. Do they know if she’ll recover?”
“She’ll heal from the physical injuries, but psychological trauma is hard to predict. She’s in good hands. Ross and his team are protecting her. Duncan has round-the-clock medical staff at his castle, and Sam’s mother is there too. Sam’s surrounded by people who love her. They’ll nurture her back to health.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. Sorry to change the subject, but is our airplane ready to go?” Jeff asked.
“Yes, the repairs are finished and the tanks are full. Do you mind giving the mechanics a ride back to the States?” Bob sipped a glass of 2006 vintage Querciabella Chianti Classico.
“No problem. We’ll leave after dinner. Are the mechanics ready to depart?” Jeff sipped his coffee.
“I believe so. They’re having dinner at that table.” Bob pointed.
“Excuse me a moment.” Jeff walked over to chat with the mechanics.
Carlene turned to Lance. “Sugar, are we stopping in New York like we originally planned?”
“Yes, you’ll get a new airplane and crew in New York for your return trip to LAX. Jeff is taking our airplane back to home base in Florida because the wings need to be repainted, and the crew needs time off.” Lance patted her hand. “The new crew will take good care of you.”
“Why don’t I fly down to Florida with you, and then you can come home with me to Texas?” Carlene batted her lashes. “I’ll charter a little jet. It’ll be fun. What do you say, sugar?”
“I’ll have to take a rain check on that, darlin’, but thanks for asking.” Lance kissed her hand.
Carlene hid her disappointment and batted her lashes at Jack. “What about you, Jack? Want to come out to Texas? I’ll fix you some grits.”
“Sorry, baby, I’m taking a charter flight home to England. I’ve had enough adventure to last me a long time.” Jack swirled the whisky in his glass.
“I’ll miss you, Jack,” Inga said and kissed his cheek.
“Not as much as I’ll miss you.” Jack hugged her.
“Carlene, if I come to Texas, will you teach me to shoot straight?” Rod asked.
“Count on it, sugar. I’ll take you to my private shooting range. We’ll have a good ol’ time.”
Pete downed his soft drink and checked his watch. “Sorry we can’t take you back to LAX. I’ve enjoyed hanging out with all of you. Thing is, we’re a bit shorthanded. Besides Sam, we’ve got two pilots out with broken bones, and this crew needs a duty break.”
Jeff returned to the table. “The mechanics said the wings are in good shape. A little paint and she’ll look like new.”
“Sounds good.” Lance stood. “I’ll head out and do the walkaround.”
Pete slid back his chair. “I’ll go with you.”
Bob stood and shook their hands. “It was an honor sharing combat with you, gentlemen.”
“You’ve been a huge help to us, Commander,” Jeff said. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“It was my pleasure. Have a safe flight home.” Bob saluted Jeff.
Forty-five minutes later, Luxury Flight 813 was on the takeoff roll. Bob watched the big Boeing vanish into the night sky.
London, England
Lord Edgar Sweetwater called his instrument of wrath, Nicolai.
“Did you find her?” Nicolai asked with an edge.
“She’s in Scotland at Macleod Castle, recuperating from injuries she suffered at the hands of the Black Sun. A joint military op wiped out their base of operations in Germany and rescued her.”
“Why did Black Sun want her?” Nicolai asked, suspicious.
“Case of mistaken identity. She bore a strong resemblance to a woman they were hunting,” Sweetwater lied, not wanting Nicolai to know about Poseidon’s Sword.
“Send jet to island. I will deal with her and others in Scotland.”
“No, Nicolai, the castle’s under constant military guard. Stick with our plan. I pulled some strings and arranged a job for you as a maintenance man at the Harry Potter theme park in Orlando. My pilot is bringing the documents for your new identity as a Florida resident. When she brings the brats there, you’ll be in perfect position to execute the mission.”
“When are they coming to Orlando?”
“In two months as originally planned. You’ll start working there in two weeks. A man will meet you at the Orlando airport and give you keys to a car and apartment. He’ll provide whatever weapons and other items you request.”
Sweetwater detailed his plan for the kidnappings. “Taking them out of the country will be easy with my clever scheme.”
“Da, is good plan. I will be ready.”
As if reading his mind, Sweetwater said, “You gave me your word you wouldn’t mess with them until I arrive. Together we can introduce them to my special dungeon.”
“While I wait, I will tell them my plans and fill them with terror.”
“Fine, just see that you wait.”
MacLeod Castle
My time in Scotland was coming to an end. Mother and Duncan had healed nicely. My stitches had long since been removed, and my bruises faded about the same time. My hearing was back to normal, thank God, but it would be another two weeks before I could resume pilot duties.
The upside of two months in Scotland was plenty of hot sex with my Highlander hero and quality time with my mother, Duncan, Scottish friends, and my golden colt, Zeus. The downside was frequent nightmares. Emotional trauma from the Black Sun’s torture had taken its toll.
Alone for the moment, I sat in the lotus position on the stone floor in the northeast tower of Duncan’s castle. I tried to contact the triplets, but had been unsuccessful since Wewelsburg. I was disappointed they hadn’t contacted me and was beginning to think I’d imagined them.
I hadn’t told anyone about my telepathic communication with them or that they saved me from the Black Sun. I didn’t know how to explain what happened. As time passed, I wondered if they had been a hallucination brought on by extreme pain.
Mom interrupted my solitude. “Sam? Charlie and Emily are here. Come down to the study.”
Charlie Moncreiffe and Emily Brown were extraordinary children. His bravery and her cleverness had saved me a few months ago during my Highlands adventure. I adored them.
I untangled my legs and stood. “I’m looking forward to my trip with them. They’re so cute together, aren’t they?”
“Adorable. I want to squeeze them every time I see them.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you don’t, or they’d never come here again.” I followed Mom down the winding staircase.
The children stood when we walked into the room. Twelve-year-old Charlie was muscular and fit from playing soccer and hiking in the mountains. His hazel eyes twinkled with mirth as he smoothed his unruly auburn hair.
Eleven-year-old Emily stood three inches shorter than Charlie. Her long brown curls framed a lovely face dominated by intelligent blue eyes.
I exaggerated a curtsy. “Ah, Sir Charles Moncreiffe and Dame Emily Brown, always a pleasure.”
Emily giggled and Charlie bowed.
“The pleasure is ours, Sir Lady Samantha.” Charlie kissed my hand.
“I smell fresh chocolate-chip cookies. Shall we dispense with the formalities?” I swept my hand to the table set with three glasses, a pitcher of milk, and a large platter of cookies.
After inhaling two cookies, Charlie wiped his mouth with a linen napkin. “Are you all set for our trip to Florida?”
“I’m packed and ready to roll. Don’t forget I promised your parents I’d see to it you both use plenty of sunscreen.” I savored a warm cookie.
“You’ll have no problem with me. I don’t want more freckles.” Emily glanced at Charlie and blushed.
Ross walked in. “Hello Charlie, Emily, the helicopter will land in five minutes. Put on your coats and make sure you have everything ready to load aboard.”
/>
I stood. “Enjoy your cookies while I slip out and smother my boyfriend with kisses.”
They snickered.
After a blazing five minutes with Ross and teary good-byes with Mom and Duncan, I pulled on a heavy leather jacket and climbed aboard beside Ross. Charlie and Emily already were buckled in. The mid-December sky looked bleak.
“The corporate jet is waiting for you at Edinburgh Airport.” Ross wrapped his arm around me and warmed me up with a long tender kiss.
More giggling from the children.
I looked across at them. “I hope you remembered to bring your VIP dragon keys.”
They reached into their backpacks and held up their prized possessions—silver keys with dragons perched on them. The inscriptions read: “Free Lifetime Entry to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” with their names on the other side.
Charlie leaned in to Emily. “Should we give it to her now?”
“Aye, may as well.” She grinned and reached into her bag. “When we told Daniel what a big fan you are, he convinced Universal Studios to make this for you.”
Emily handed me a similar key with my engraved name and a solid gold dragon clutching the key.
“Wow! Thank you. I’m excited about touring the park. I know you both already saw it with Daniel, but you missed the new Diagon Alley. We’ll have a great time.” I admired my VIP key and showed it to Ross.
“You never told me you’re a Harry Potter fan.” Ross raised his eyebrows.
“The subject never came up. I’ve read the books and seen all the movies. My mother’s a fan too. It’s an extraordinary series. Have you read them?”
“No, lass, I don’t read children’s books.”
“Well, I guess I’m just a big kid at heart.” I kissed the gold dragon and tucked the key in my shoulder bag. “I need this fun distraction before I get sucked into a dangerous mission with the military. Besides, I promised Charlie and Emily I’d go with them. You know I always keep my promises.”
“Aye and the Americans were quick to agree because they’re eager to get you back on U.S. soil.”