Dead Reckoning

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Dead Reckoning Page 30

by Ronie Kendig


  Fear drives us to do things we’d never contemplate in a right state of mind, Shiloh.

  Got that right. She’d vowed over and over she would never become a spy, betray those who trusted her. Yet she’d just signed her name on the dotted line—with the blood of her father. Sure, she’d gone along with her father's plan, but secretly, she’d hoped to find a way to turn the tide on this nightmare. Naive and Foolish were her new names.

  Images spun and skated through her mind, pinching her eyes shut. Seeing him writhing for his life. The demonic-like sound of him hurling. Coughing. Gagging. Drowning.

  And that dripping. That blasted dripping that fried her synapses. Each droplet sizzling with haunting reminders of her mother's death.

  It had cracked her pride. Her arrogance. Her hard heart.

  She’d do anything to keep her father alive. That angered her because of the power Sajjadi now held over her, and because two weeks ago, she wouldn’t have cared whether her father lived or died.

  Then she surrendered. Agreed to cooperate.

  What scared her now was Reece. Somehow he always knew what she was thinking. Knew the why behind her actions. Would he figure this one out? Figure out what she had to do?

  Outside voices drifted through the screen of the medic's hut. Amid them came Reece's. His tone now so different from last night … different from the words gentle with adamant reassurance that she’d be okay. Words as comforting as the warm flutter of his breath against her jaw and neck, as comforting as the concern etched into his rugged face. The heroic fury to settle the score with whoever had hurt her—yeah, she’d seen that clear as daylight in his beautiful blue irises.

  Dull and heated, an ache kindled in her chest. Once he realized she’d aligned with Sajjadi, undone all his hard work, there’d be no forgiveness.

  He abandoned you to the Brits. Didn’t think you could cut it. No doubt he was thinking of Chloe. Compared her to someone who’d let pride get in the way.

  Funny that. Her own pride and arrogance had blazed a path to where she was strung up on a wall and electrocuted. Tracing the raw flesh on her wrists from the shackles, she felt the tenuous strands of anger and knew that without them, she’d collapse in Reece's presence.

  The screen door opened and closed.

  This was it. She could sense his presence. Shiloh glanced up.

  Reece edged closer, his expression guarded. “Hey.”

  Prying herself upright, Shiloh worried a thread from the thin grey blanket.

  Metal clanged as he dragged a doctor's stool toward her and straddled it. “Doc says you’re going to be okay.”

  Shiloh fought the way the relief in his voice crumbled the perimeter of her resolve. Having him here, staring at her with the intensity she’d always loved, the intensity that said he didn’t do anything halfway … that he loved her …

  If she didn’t push him away, she’d fail this mission before she ever started.

  But … she didn’t want to lose Reece. She might even love him.

  Warily, she watched him. Waited. Listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing. Admired the way his eyes looked like crystals sparkling beneath the tease of the warm sun. Remembered the kiss—

  Shiloh jolted to her feet.

  Strong, gentle hands caught her as she wobbled. “Hey. What's wrong?”

  She pushed against his toned abs. “Nothing. Get away.” Fire lit through her side and busted lip. “Just leave me alone.”

  “Are you mad that I sent you away for safekeeping?”

  “Is that what you call it?”

  “So you’re still mad.”

  “No.” Wait—there was her opportunity. “Yes.” She shoved him back. “You wanted me out of your life, then I’m gone. Done. No worries.”

  He moved toward her. “Listen to me. Please.” Never had his voice elicited such power as it did right then, stilling her, drawing her gaze to his as he cupped her face. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I ran. Out of fear, I negotiated.”

  Shiloh's heart thumped at hearing her father's words on Reece's lips.

  “I negotiated with myself, convinced it wouldn’t bother me if I lost you because at least you’d be alive.”

  Move. Think. Do something! But she couldn’t think. Couldn’t move.

  “I regret that my actions hurt you.”

  “But you don’t regret what you did?”

  “No. It kept you alive. That's what I wanted.”

  “Yeah, and is this what you wanted?” She pointed to her injuries. “Me tortured?”

  “No.” Vehemence speared his words and handsome face. “If you—” He clamped his mouth shut, and Shiloh knew what he wanted to say. If she’d stayed where he put her, this wouldn’t have happened. And he was right. Which was why she had to fake this anger. She hated herself for fighting the painful attempt he’d made to protect her. Her rebellion cost her so much—maybe even her father.

  “What about what I wanted, Reece? I wanted to get the men who killed Khalid.” She swallowed against the metallic taste in her mouth. “I thought we were going to work together. You said you believed in me.”

  “I do. That's why I sent you away. I knew you’d stop at nothing to go after Sajjadi. But it's not as easy as you think to take him down. I’ve been trying for years.”

  “Point and shoot. Not real hard.”

  “And which of Sajjadi's seven guards do you hit first?”

  “They have my father and you expect me to just sit here?”

  “Jude Blake doesn’t go anywhere he's not prepared to go.”

  Shiloh blinked. “What do you mean? He let himself get captured?”

  “Think how he's stayed out of enemy hands for the last twenty-plus years. But suddenly, he's captured by the very man who has you?” He lowered his face. “We’ll get him back. He's too important, owns too many secrets.” He edged forward. “Do you really think I’m going to let my number one enemy kill anyone, let alone the father of the woman I love?”

  “You still love me?” The words, unbidden, leapt from her mouth before she could catch them. She nudged him back. “No, stop—you’re just trying to confuse me. I—”

  Reece pulled her into his arms.

  She wrestled against him, but he locked his arms. Held her firm and tight. She gripped his shirt, and although her mind screamed to shove him away, she couldn’t. She wanted his strength. Needed it. She nestled in, the security a soothing balm to her wounded soul.

  “We’re heading back to Mumbai.”

  Shiloh eased out of his hold. “Mumbai?” She struggled to align the news of their return with her original mission objective. It was perfect. She had to get the codes from Abdul in a Mumbai prison. “Why? Why Mumbai?” It really couldn’t be this easy … could it? “Is that where they took my father?”

  “I have contacts there.”

  He didn’t answer her question about her father, and that wasn’t good. It meant they didn’t know where her father was.

  Regardless they were returning to Mumbai. Exactly what she needed. She slumped against the small bed, slowly feeling the wedge of her choice sliding between them.

  “Julia and Toby are packing up now.”

  “Julia? Who's Julia?”

  “My sister. She's …” He raked a hand through his short crop. “It's complicated.”

  Wow. He would all but deliver her into her mission. This couldn’t get any more perfect—or worse! No doubt if they went back together, he’d want to keep an eye on her. There had to be an opportunity to get away from him in Mumbai. “What do I do? I mean, I don’t want to get in the way.”

  A slow smile came to Reece's handsome face. “I want you in my way for the rest of my life, Shiloh.”

  She blinked. “You don’t mean that.”

  “With everything that I am.”

  Only then did she feel those tenuous strands of anger slipping from her fingers. Strands she desperately had had to hold onto. But … was he saying he wanted to marry her?

  His smile bro
adened. “That's exactly what I’m saying.”

  Shark's fins! If he knew these simple thoughts, did he know what she planned to do? “H-how do you always know what I’m thinking?”

  Tracing the line of her jaw, he smiled. “I know where you’ve come from, what you’ve done. Knowing your heart, the woman I’ve fallen in love with and the way she thinks,” he said, tapping her temple, “I can figure out the rest.”

  He leaned closer, the smile lingering in his expression. “I’ve never been this clear on anyone, Shiloh. I know what you’re thinking. I know what you’re planning to do.” The intensity in his gaze ratcheted.

  A silent understanding passed between them as she nodded. “Dead reckoning.”

  “Yeah.” He craned his neck forward. Then, warm and gentle, he kissed her. Once. Twice. Deepened the kiss as he pulled her into his arms.

  When he figured out her plan—and she knew now that he would figure it out eventually—there was no telling where he’d send her. Since this was their last kiss, Shiloh wanted it to last.

  Clap! “Whoa. Okay. Never mind.” The screen door shut again as the doctor left. Despite the intrusion, neither of them broke the kiss.

  Then Reece eased back. His smile vanished. Something slipped through his features—a challenge. Clear as day. Louder than the clap of the screen door that ushered in the good doctor.

  Trembling from the kiss, she shuddered. “What?”

  “I’m calling your game, Shiloh.”

  29

  YEAH, WHAT GAME IS THAT?” CHIN JUTTED, SHE BROUGHT HERSELF UP straight.

  One degree. Scientists said that if the Earth had been one degree off its orbit around the sun, the Earth would have ceased to exist. A cosmic collision. Earth and sun.

  In the same way, Reece's world had shifted—in particular, Shiloh had changed. Subtly, but definitely noticeable. It awoke in him an awareness of imminent danger. If he didn’t end this— and now—she’d end up just like Chloe.

  Reece narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t believe she was really going to ditch him and head out on a covert mission untrained and ill-prepared. “You’ve done and said a lot, but you’ve never lied to me before.” He tightened his grip on his anger and panic. “Don’t start now.”

  “What?” Her defiance flared. “What is it you think I’m lying about?”

  Disappointment peeked around the edges of his anger. “Tell me why Sajjadi left you in the warehouse alive.”

  She drew back—not much, but enough to signal her admission. “How am I supposed to know what that loon was thinking?”

  “Calling him names doesn’t dumb him down,” Reece said, trying to tap down his frustration. “What's your mission objective?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She tried to step around him.

  No, he wasn’t letting her off that easy. He blocked her. “Come on. You aren’t trained, you only have a cursory knowledge of the language, yet you seriously think you can pull off some harebrained stunt?”

  Shiloh pushed him. “Leave me alone.”

  “Why?” He bounced back at her. “Does that make it easier to be a traitor?”

  Crimson patches spread over her face and neck. “How dare you …” Tears turned her blue-grey eyes into pools of liquid silver.

  “How dare I?” He moved in on her. “Quite easily when an amateur thinks she can go up against one of the deadliest terrorists.” Staving off the panic proved harder than he thought. He had to stop her. “You do this, and you’ll end up dead.”

  “Just like Chloe?”

  Her words hit like an anvil. “This isn’t about Chloe.” So why was his pulse racing like a rocket out of a silo? “This is about you. About you thinking you can pull this off .”

  “What?” She tossed her hands up. “What exactly am I supposed to pull off ?”

  “Cooperation with Sajjadi.”

  Flames flickered through her stormy eyes. “You’re out of your mind.”

  Those weak words of hers told him he was right. “The only reason you were left alive in that warehouse is because you’re working with him now.” Hearing his words broke the levee that held back the agony. “Shiloh, it isn’t going to save your father.”

  Her complexion paled but he could see her clinging to the vain hope of rescuing Jude.

  “It won’t.” He drew in a steadying breath. “I don’t care what Sajjadi told you. He’ll get what he wants and kill you both.”

  Her lower lip trembled. “My father's alive right now.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I do!”

  “You don’t,” he snapped. “Even if Jude is still alive, it's only because Sajjadi isn’t done.”

  “I will do whatever—”

  “Whatever isn’t good enough. Whatever gets you killed!”

  She barreled into him, knocking him off balance. Reece tumbled backward over the medical stool. By the time he regained his footing, Shiloh was gone. He lunged for the door.

  In the arid night, Julia met him on the steps. Dark stormy eyes brooded. “Let her be, Reece.”

  He went around her.

  “Reece, I mean it.” Julia caught up. “Don’t do this. If you push too hard—”

  He rounded on her and gripped her shoulders tight. “I will do whatever it takes to stop her.” His own words rang in his ears—whatever gets you killed!

  “Isn’t this exactly what you did with Chloe?”

  “Why—” He cocked his head and looked away. “Why does everyone keep bringing her up? She's dead. Buried. Gone. This is about saving Shiloh.” His sister's sympathetic smile grated on his last nerve. “What?”

  “Does Shiloh need saving? Or is this you trying to control things again?”

  “Controlling the situation is my job.”

  “But you’re trying to force her to do what you think she should do.”

  “What I think keeps her alive!”

  “Does it?” Julia arched an eyebrow, a corkscrew curl dancing in the light of the doc's hut.

  “I’m not doing this with you, Jules.” He started toward Shiloh's hut, only to see Gita stepping through the door. In that split second he realized his sister was probably right. If he pushed, Shiloh would be more determined than ever. But how could he just sit around and let her walk into that snare?

  She’d never live to see another day.

  Sacrificing love for lives made sense every day of the year.

  Except today. Even as Shiloh braced herself in the ultra-compact car as Gita wove down the mountainous trail, she knew she was as good as dead where Reece was concerned. Dead reckoning. Yet he hadn’t seen this coming, hadn’t stopped her.

  She didn’t want to betray Reece. Didn’t want to lose what they had. But her father—and a million others—would die if she didn’t.

  Okay, she wasn’t a complete dolt. Sajjadi didn’t bargain. She got that. But something in Shiloh tugged at her, urging her to at least try. While she and her father hadn’t spoken in years, while she’d spouted off about how much she hated him, they were family. And she’d seen a different side to him and realized maybe things weren’t quite so cut-and-dry.

  Palm branches swatted the car. A truck-sized pothole pitched them forward and rocked them as they jounced back onto the path.

  “Sorry.” Gita's mumbled apology was lost amid the groaning and creaking of the car. She slowed the vehicle, glanced around and searched the dark, wet foliage. Was she lost?

  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

  Too late. She’d left the camp. Left the protection of the Green Berets and Reece. She was committed.

  The car lurched forward and barreled between two boulders. “Almost there,” Gita said as she braked, swung a hard right and squeezed around massive banyan trees, and then gunned the twangy little engine.

  Within minutes they hit pavement. Shiloh relaxed and eased back against the seat, shooting her new guide a hesitant smile.

  “He be mad.” Gita's olive knuckles went white again
st the steering wheel. “They no let me back.”

  Awareness spun through Shiloh. For the first time, she realized what price Gita's assistance would cost. “But what about Stick?”

  With a shrug, Gita faked a smile.

  What had she done? When the woman suggested they take her car, Shiloh had seen it as a sign from God that she was doing the right thing trying to save her father. But would God bless her only to hurt someone else?

  Confusion tumbled through her mind.

  “He love you. Want you safe.”

  “Safe doesn’t save my father.” Shiloh leaned against the window and closed her eyes, feigning sleep in the hopes that Gita would end the conversation. But as they drew closer to the city, Shiloh choked back the fear that challenged her confidence. What confidence? Hadn’t that died at the warehouse?

  Sleep wrapped its greedy tendrils around her. Churning waters tossed her from Mumbai to Paris with the Louvre and the towering Anubis and then back to the mountains. To Reece's embrace suffused with warmth and love. To her father thrashing on the waterboards. To Sajjadi standing over her father with a weapon as water dripped down the burlap. He pulled the trigger.

  Crack!

  Shiloh bolted upright, grappling for her bearings.

  A touch—Shiloh slapped it away. The soft gasp snapped her attention to the woman next to her. Gita. Not Sajjadi, but Gita. In the car. She blinked and glanced out the car window, steadying her breath as the ominous blue dawn pushed back the void of night. “Wh-where are we?” Lights twinkled nearby, indiscernible.

  “There,” Gita whispered. “The train depot you ask for.”

  Swallowing, Shiloh nodded slightly. “Okay.” She reached for the door handle.

  Gita caught her wrist. “You sure?” Sorrowful brown eyes implored her. “I take you back. Chief make all better? Fix this.”

  “No.” Shiloh tried not to think about it, but the memories from far too recently skidded into her thoughts. Mikhail. Baseer dying. Khalid. So many lives squandered. And Reece would become a distant memory too. “No, I’m on my own now.”

  Shiloh gathered her backpack and smiled as she climbed out. “Thank you.” On the sidewalk, she shouldered her pack and waited as red taillights faded into the darkness.

 

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