“Everything good?” She asked as he brought the car to a chugging start.
“I got what I need.”
“Do you think they saw me?”
He maneuvered out of the alley and onto the street. “No.”
“Are you sure?”
“If they had, I’d be dead and you’d be in the trunk, of one of their cars, on your way to the police. If you were lucky and they wanted the money.”
Macy shuddered. He didn’t paint a very reassuring picture. It made her happier than ever to be in the car with him and not in a trunk waiting for certain death. And, she respected the fact he didn’t sugarcoat the truth.
The sun had come up, the roads consistently getting busier. Macy shifted, leaning her head against the door. “So, what’s the plan?”
“We get out of the city, then out of the country.”
She yawned. Lord, she was drained. “How?”
“By unconventional means.”
“That doesn’t sound very promising.”
He glanced sideways at her. “It’s the only way.”
Right. Because of her. This would have been a simple rescue otherwise. If only Aziz hadn’t come into her room that night with a knife. Why hadn’t he stuck to his usual torments and taken his hate for her out with his fists and whatever else he could find? If he’d stayed to his normal routine, she wouldn’t be wanted for murder. They could have gotten on a plane and been in the U.S. by now, instead of running for their lives, buying illegal weapons in shady alleys.
She didn’t want to think about it anymore. A migraine teased her temples, her leg pulsed and she could barely keep her eyes open.
“Get some sleep.” Nate said, as if reading her mind.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. We have a long way to go.”
He’d get no argument from her. She moved into a more comfortable position and let her eyes drift closed. Nate slowing for a turn was the last thing she remembered.
****
Nate listened to Macy’s soft, even breathing as he drove west toward the Sunnat Mountains. They wouldn’t have roadblocks going into the mountains, just out. Only a fool would try to escape into the Sunnats. There was nowhere to go except up, then over and down until they reached Krygyztan, which the authorities wouldn’t suspect. The terrain was rough, even for a skilled climber. An injured American woman would never make it. Alone, anyway. They may underestimate Macy, but they had no idea what he could do.
All he needed to do was find a sports shop with hiking gear and camping supplies. And make a stop for visas. Doable, if done under the radar.
He kept to the side streets, avoiding all major roadways. It would take more time to get out of the city but it had to be done.
Macy continued to sleep until he stopped in front of a rundown pawn shop with bars over the doors and chipped paint from ground to roof.
With a yawn, she opened her eyes and looked around. “Where are we?”
“Quick stop. I won’t be long. Lock the doors behind me and stay out of sight.”
Doubtful if anyone in this part of town would recognize her as this area had few televisions or radios. Hell, they barely had running water or electricity.
“More weapons?” She asked, sliding down in her seat.
“No. Visas.”
“This is a pawn shop.”
He reached for the door handle. “Yeah. Hold tight.” After hitting the locks, he headed inside the dark, dank building. A balding man stood behind the counter. He looked up, warm as Nate approached.
In Azabek, he asked if the man had any watches. He might not recognize Nate personally, but his brother had used this shop for jobs in the past. They all had the code word for illegal documents.
The man hesitated, measuring him for a moment before he nodded and motioned Nate to follow him. They went into a claustrophobic back office that smelled moldy and dank. The man moved a bunch of junk to unveil a small workstation. Nate handed him the photo of Macy he’d used to track her down and his photo I.D.
Without preamble, he got to work making fake I.D.’s, passports and visas. In the states, a job like this would cost a fortune. When the man finished, Nate handed him a wad of bills. More than necessary, but he needed to buy the man’s silence, too. If he had recognized Macy he didn’t let on. American money went a long way in a country like this, Nate had no doubt this man was reliable.
He seemed anxious to be rid of him, ushering him out the door and quickly closing it behind him.
Nate glanced both ways down the street. An elderly woman pushed a shopping cart across the street. A couple stray dogs wandered around looking for food. A bum sat on the corner, head bowed. None of them paid Nate any attention. The weight of despair hung heavy in the air.
Nate rapped on the car window, seeing Macy jump before pushing the button to unlock the doors.
“Did you get them?” She asked when he slid into the driver’s seat.
“Yes.”
She nodded and drew in a deep breath. He noticed the circles beneath her eyes had grown more prominent. She needed a good meal, and sleep. Neither of which he could give her. They were on the run and that didn’t include restaurants or hotels.
He pulled onto the road and headed for the mountains, sticking to less desired and less traveled roads.
Macy kept low in her seat, dozing off and snapping awake at every bump in the road. There wasn’t anything he could do to make her more comfortable and it bothered the hell out of him. She’d been through hell already, yet another kind had only just begun. The journey ahead of them wasn’t an easy one. In fact, it would be downright brutal.
Gradually, the city became less prominent, the landscape growing hillier as they neared the mountains. He knew of a general store at the base of the mountains that carried everything from camping gear to groceries. It would be the last stop for them. The route they were traveling was off the grid.
Macy shifted in her seat with a wince. “I need to stretch my legs. And use the bathroom.”
Letting her out of the car would be risky, but he couldn’t allow her to suffer. “There’s a store a few miles ahead. Here, put this on.” He reached over the seat and grabbed the two hats he’d had in his pack. He handed her a beige one with a random Azbakistan sports team logo on it. “Tuck your hair inside.” He instructed as he put a blue one on and pulled the brim down.
Macy wound her hair into a bun and tucked it inside her hat like only a woman could. How the hell she put that thick, wavy hair in a small baseball cap baffled him.
“Good?” She asked, turning to him so he could see.
His chest tightened. She looked frail and delicate, but he knew that wasn’t accurate. He’d experienced the fight in her. Saw it with every hit she took. And she’d taken a lot in the last twenty-four hours.
Beneath the question in her eyes lay vulnerability that made him want to pull her into his arms and never let go.
Shaken at the thought, he said, more abruptly than intended, “It’ll work.”
Her brows drew together, but she didn’t push. Instead, she just turned her attention to the side window to watch the scenery pass.
Nate mentally berated himself for treating her like that. She didn’t deserve his attitude because he couldn’t handle his thoughts. His baby brother was dead because Quinn had fallen for his charge. That mistake wasn’t one Nate intended to make. He didn’t blame Quinn for Ryan’s death, but part of him would always wonder what role Quinn’s feelings for Avery played in their younger brother’s death. History couldn’t repeat itself on this mission because he’d come alone. He’d be damned if he made the same mistakes Quinn had.
That familiar ache started in his chest like it did every time he let his thoughts get away from him about his brother. This wasn’t the place or time for grief.
The general store came into view. He parked to the side and shut off the engine. “Walk slowly to avoid limping as much as possible.” He instructed. “Keep your eyes down and don
’t speak to anyone I’ll get what we need.”
Macy nodded and reached for the door handle. Nate hurried around to her side and helped her out. He tipped the brim of her cap down before putting an arm around her. He took his cell out, pretending to take a selfie like yuppie tourists. Macy played along, posing for the camera.
“Restroom is around the side of the building.” He said, taking most of her weight so she could walk semi-normal. To her credit, she barely limped. Even laid her head on his shoulder so he could assist her more.
“Don’t forget my water, hon.” She said before letting go of him and heading toward the bathrooms.
“Sure thing babe.” He replied on his way inside the store.
The place was busy. People milled around everywhere, gathering last minute supplies before entering the mountains. Good. Made it easier to blend in.
He didn’t waste any time getting what he needed. Camping and climbing gear, food, water. The options were limited, but enough to get them through.
After paying for the purchases, he left the store, scanning the area for anything suspicious. No one appeared to be paying him any attention. To his relief, Macy sat in the front seat, head bowed so her face stayed hidden behind her hat.
He put the stuff in the trunk and climbed in next to her.
She looked over, brows raised in question. “Good?”
“Yeah. Ready?”
“Let’s do this.”
Nate handed Macy a bottle of water and a protein bar before backing out and joining the line of traffic moving into the mountains. They didn’t get far before it began to slow to a crawl and eventually stop.
“Why did we stop?” Macy asked, sitting up to peer over the dashboard.
“Stay down.” Nate rolled down his window and leaned out, noticing a roadblock and police lights flashing he cursed.
“What is it?”
“Police checkpoint.”
Macy went white. “I thought they wouldn’t be monitoring the roads into the mountains.”
“Neither did I.”
Dammit. They couldn’t go forward nor back. That left only one option. And not one he embraced. He’d hoped to make it at least halfway before they began their hike across country.
“What do we do?” Fear edged Macy’s voice.
“There was a turn off back there. We ditch the car and hoof it.”
“Won’t they see us?”
“We’ll be long gone.” Nate waited until the car in front of him had inched far enough ahead he could pull off the side of the road. Then he slammed the car in reverse and drove backwards down the shoulder. Cars honked, people shouted out their windows.
“This isn’t good,” Macy said.
“Only shot we have.”
He stomped on the gas, flying past cars. When they reached the turnaround, he hit the brakes and turned off the engine. “Let’s move.”
With practiced ease, he packed the new supplies he’d bought into the backpack he’d already had with him. Minutes later, he took Macy by the hand and led her from the road and into the trees.
“Oh, God,” She said, glancing over her shoulder. “They found the car.”
“They don't have the manpower here to run a checkpoint and chase down an abandoned car.”
“But they will?”
“Yes.” And he planned to be long gone before that happened.
Chapter Four
“Why haven’t we heard from Nate?”
Quinn Wolff set his coffee cup back down on the counter, mourning that first sip of the day. He met his fiancée’s eyes as she barreled toward him, looking sexy as hell in his t-shirt and nothing else.
“It’s only been twelve hours since his last text. When he knows more, so will we.”
Avery came to a stop in front of him. Beneath her impatience lay worry, although she covered it well.
Quinn put his hands on her shoulders. “You have to let my brother work. You know that.”
Her shoulders lifted and fell on a sigh. “I know. I just hate the waiting and not knowing.”
He pulled her into his arms, feeling the tension in her muscles, when just moments ago she’d been crying out his name as he made love to her.
“Do you think he’s found her yet?”
“Avery.” He warned.
She rested her head on his chest. “I know. You’ll tell me when there’s news?”
He kneaded the back of her neck. “I said I would.”
A soft groan escaped her lips. “That feels good.”
As much as he wanted to pick her up, carry her back to bed and make love to her again, he had work to do. “What are your plans for the day?”
“Going back to bed with you.” She slid her hand between them, rubbing him.
“Vixen.” He growled, kissing her hard on the lips before forcing himself to step away.
“Damn your willpower.” She said with a smile as she moved to the coffee pot and poured a cup. Hands wrapped around it, she said, “Your mom invited me to lunch.”
“Are you going?”
“Does anyone say no to your mother?” She joked, although it seemed forced.
He gave her credit for trying.
“I told her I’d meet her at the diner.”
Quinn took a sip of coffee. “Good.”
“Yeah. We’re going to swing over to Dani’s afterward. See how she’s doing.”
He nodded, wondering if the ache in his chest would ever go away. Talking about his brother’s fiancée made the hurt come back with a vengeance.
“Kell mentioned she wasn’t sleeping much.” Kell only knew that because he didn’t sleep much either. Too many demons keeping him up at night. Some of his own making, others beyond his control.
“And she’s getting thinner. Your mom is worried she’s not eating.”
Quinn had noticed the changes in Dani, too. Grief was taking a heavy toll on her. Hell, on all of them.
“To tell the truth, I’m worried, too.”
Considering how Avery and Dani had started, this was a big step. He didn’t want Avery suffering anymore worry, but maybe focusing on Dani would ease her anxiety over Macy.
“If there’s one thing my mom can do its nurture someone back to health.” He refilled his coffee cup, kissed Avery on top of the head and headed for the door.
“You better call me.” Avery called after him.
He waved before the door closed behind him, feeling like a heel. Keeping things from Avery didn’t sit well, but this time it was for the best. She’d be pissed when she found out. That was a risk he had to take. It was for her own good. If she discovered out her friend was wanted for murder and on the run from every mercenary, lowlife and dirty cop in the country, Avery would never rest. She was still healing from their ordeal in Azbakastan. He wouldn’t jeopardize that.
****
Sweat rolled down Macy’s back, the midday sun beating relentlessly upon them. Not even the hefty breeze cooled her. Everywhere she looked all she saw was dry desert and a blue sky that stretched for miles. The stark beauty was lost on her, as she struggled to put one foot in front of the other. Each step made her leg throb with pain. She tried to put it out of her mind and focus on the terrain so she didn’t fall on her face but the misery of her condition won out.
Nate walked in front of her, a large pack on his back, loaded to the gills. He kept the pace slow for her, probably not a good thing because she wasn’t moving very fast. He’d offered help and she’d refused. He had enough burden to carry already without adding her to it.
There wasn’t any cover here. Nothing except rolling hills and rock. Every now and then there was a scrub tree or two. Otherwise, barren.
“Doing okay?” Nate asked.
“Yep. Doin’ great.”
He glanced over his shoulder and she gave him a thumbs up. His eyes narrowed slightly before he turned back around. She’d endured worse pain than this in the past six weeks alone. Besides, the thought of being shot in the back served as good motivatio
n.
Nate stopped, turning to face her. Struck by the raw masculinity of this man, she let the distance close between them.
“There’s a hill in front of us. Not extremely steep, but its long and the terrain won’t be flat like this. Think you can make it?”
She peered around him. His ‘hill’ looked more like a mountain. A tall, dusty one with nothing except a couple boulders as a reward at the top.
“I can do it.” She said with a firm nod. Convincing her or him? She didn’t know.
“Ten-minute break first?”
As much as she wanted to rest, she knew if she stopped now she’d never find the energy to go again; once her body shut down she was certain it would stay that way. Right now, adrenaline kept her going and there were still a couple hours of daylight left. She wasn’t wasting a second.
“Nope, let’s keep moving.”
His incredible green eyes searched her face, making her heart flutter.
“How’s the leg?”
“Hurts like a son of a gun, but I’m good to go.”
A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. With a nod, he started the journey up the ‘hill’. Macy followed along, hoping to hell she made it to the top.
As the terrain grew steeper, and more uneven, she had to exert more energy she didn’t have to keep moving. She couldn’t tell if the wetness on her was from sweat or blood and she didn’t look. Better if she stayed focused on Nate’s broad shoulders and powerful form, instead of the ache in her body. His baseball cap had been shed long ago, as had hers. The wind kept blowing them off their heads so Nate put them away. He kept them hydrated and fed her protein bars that tasted like dirt but they fueled her body and helped her continue.
Shielding her eyes from the sun, she looked at the hill rising in front of her. There were a few paths where people had hiked before them, the dirt lighter than the rest. Other than that, dry, empty, and not another soul in sight; not a bad thing given they were on the run.
Her foot slipped on a rock, sending her stumbling. The extra weight on her injured leg made it buckle and down she went. Landing hard on her knees, she let out a cry of agony as razor sharp pain shot up her leg. Her ears began to ring right before everything went black.
Not Without Risk (Wolff Securities Book 2) Page 3