Unmasking the Mercenary

by Jennifer Morey

  The reaction stung. He was accustomed to people, women in particular, shying away from him. He hated how that always bothered him. But seeing Haley crumpled on the floor tore through his usual ability to remain immune. He’d been careful with her. He knew he hadn’t hurt her. Not physically. Pinning her to the floor had triggered something horrible in her.

  He reached for her once more. Slowly. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  She cringed again, but he brushed the loose strands of her dark hair back from her face anyway. She looked at him with wide, terrified eyes. It ripped something away, more of his immunity. Ignoring her struggles and pitiful pleas, he lifted her into his arms and carried her from the bathroom. She pushed with her hands at his chest, but her resistance wasn’t in earnest. Those awful whimpers. God, he’d never felt so wretched before, which was unbelievable. His life was full of wretchedness. He had a head full of bad memories. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d actually felt happy. Well, once, but even that had ended badly.

  Going into the living room, he sat on the couch and held her until she quieted against him.

  I don’t want to remember.

  He understood that kind of pain. Knowing she suffered something similar made her a kindred spirit. No one had ever touched that part of him. But for some reason, Haley had.

  She moved her head, tilted it until he met her teary, aqua-blue eyes, a much deeper blue than his own. Wariness lingered there, as though she questioned his intent now that she’d grown aware of how he held her. He didn’t move, only held her loosely, not wanting her to feel trapped, and definitely not wanting to see that awful fear again. She met his gaze and gradually the wariness faded and a kind of curiosity took its place.

  Feeling spread through him, warmth he seldom experienced. He wanted to know what lived within her beautiful, mysterious depth. But she drew too much from the bowels of his dark core. What he fought so hard to bury, she dredged to the surface with silent understanding, the recognition of what they shared. A darkness they both couldn’t shed. As impossible as it seemed, this fragile thing in his arms made him reveal his weakness. He didn’t need a mirror to know that.

  Closing her eyes, she put her head on his shoulder. He felt her breaths on his neck. A roar of protectiveness mushroomed in him. He’d defended women before, but he swore, the way he felt right now, he’d go to his grave for this one.

  Standing with her in his arms, he carried her toward his bedroom. He didn’t think she wanted to be alone tonight. He didn’t want to leave her alone. She kept her head tucked in the curve of his neck and shoulder. He left the lights off and put her on the bed, following her and drawing the covers over them both. She lay with her back to him, so he rolled to his side and put his arm around her. She didn’t resist, which convinced him he’d been right. She didn’t want to be alone, and trusted him not to cross any boundaries. He allowed himself to savor the closeness. He’d had a few moments like this in his life, but only a few. He’d enjoy them for as long as he could, because one thing he knew: it would never last.

  The next morning, Haley woke to the sound of breathing. She turned her head on the pillow and found herself looking at Rem. His eyes were closed, still asleep. Despite the rugged planes of his face, he was a handsome man. She wondered what had put the lines of strain between his eyebrows. Wondered even more why she felt so drawn to him. How she’d been so comforted when he’d held her last night. It didn’t make sense. She barely knew him, and what she did know didn’t ease her mind. Far from it. Why hadn’t she been drawn like this to someone like Travis?

  Travis.

  A twist of worry gripped her. Was he okay? It killed her, not knowing. He might be fighting for his life and here she was, lying in bed with a man she didn’t know, having the hint of feelings she hadn’t felt since before Iraq. This dark and dangerous man had pinned her down and unearthed memories better left buried, and then chased the ugliness away just by holding her.

  Recalling his tender touch and the look in his eyes, she realized what had drawn her to him. He’d felt her agony. Maybe he’d lived some of his own at one time in his past. He’d comforted her because he understood the need. Not liking the warmth that made her feel, Haley pushed the covers aside and eased off the bed.

  Now was a good time to try and call Cullen. Still fully clothed, she walked quietly out of the room and crossed the living room. She climbed the stairs to her room and sat on the bed. Looking toward the door, she listened. Nothing. Hopefully Rem was still sleeping. She didn’t care if he knew she called Cullen; she just didn’t want him near when she learned what Odie had probably discovered about him by now.

  She lifted the phone.

  “Haley.” Odie sounded relieved when she got the call through. “Can you talk?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hang on. Let me get Cullen. He’s going out of his mind with worry.”

  Haley waited until Cullen got on the line.

  “Are you all right?” he demanded.

  “Yes. Rem is going to take me to the airport today, so you don’t have to send anyone.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Of course, he’d send someone at the slightest indication she might be in danger. “Have you found Travis?”

  “He’s going to be okay. He’s in a German hospital, but he’s stable enough to move to the States. We’re in the process of getting him here.”

  Haley closed her eyes and leaned her head back, breathing with relief. “Thank God.”

  “When he found out you weren’t with him, it took three doctors to strap him down.”

  “Make sure you tell him I’m all right.”

  “A lot of good that’ll do. They’ll probably have to sedate him to get him back to the States.”

  “I’m just glad he’s okay.”

  “All of us are. Where is Rem right now?”

  “He was still sleeping last I checked.”

  “Can you get away from him?”

  “He said he’s going to take me to the airport. All he wanted was information about why Travis and I were here.” She left out what he’d gleaned after her first call to Odie. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Play along with him for now,” Cullen said.

  Foreboding moved through her. “What’s wrong?”

  Cullen didn’t answer right away. “I don’t want to scare you.”

  “You are scaring me. What did you find out about Rem?”

  “He’s got a rough history, Haley. I had a hard time digging anything up on him. Not surprising, though, considering he’s never held a legitimate job.”

  A lump of dread clogged her throat and her heart beat faster. “What do you mean?”

  “He was born in France and moved to the U.S. with his dad. But the dad died when he was fourteen and that led to an early career in drug dealing. Got caught in his early twenties and barely missed a prison sentence. Hooked up with a guy named Dane Charter after that, a real badass of a mercenary who started his own company. Ran jobs all over Africa. A few in the Middle East. Not always for governments, which means he played both sides of the line. I found a news article that mentioned Dane’s company and told of all the atrocities his men committed while protecting diamond mines during the Sierra Leone war. Made a huge profit and got away clean. From what I can tell, Rem worked for Dane up until a few months ago, so you do the math.”

  She swallowed the lump of dread still in her throat. Rem was a mercenary who didn’t care if he worked for rebels or governments.

  “Is he…is he still…” She couldn’t finish the question.

  “Once a merc, always a merc. Especially that kind. One thing I found interesting: Dane was killed three months ago and his company closed. His wayward business practices must have finally caught up to him. Good riddance if you ask me. Not sure what Rem is up to now, but it can’t be for the good of humanity. Who knows, maybe he’s independent now. Maybe there’ll be another rogue private military company popping up on the map.”

&nb
sp; “What’s he doing here, then?”

  “Good question. I don’t want you hanging around long enough to find out. If he’s serious about taking you to the airport, let him. If not, get away from him as soon as you can. He’s extremely dangerous, Haley. No hero in that résumé. I’ve been going crazy thinking a guy like that kidnapped you. And I don’t have to tell you why. I know you’re capable, but it’s your history that concerns me.”

  “But…he hasn’t done anything.” Except save her and Travis’s lives. And then there was this connection that had sparked between them. She didn’t want to believe anything bad about him, yet here it was, staring her right in the face. “Yet.”

  Cullen’s single word finally penetrated. “What do you mean, yet?”

  “Do you think he’s serious about taking you to the airport?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Don’t press him. Go with him. Get away from him. I don’t know why he’s after Ammar, but I do know a guy like that won’t let anything get in his way. Whatever he intends to do, I don’t want you around when he does it.”

  “He said he was going to kill Ammar.”

  “Then I just might let him. But that changes nothing, Haley. I don’t trust his motives, and that’s why I want you home. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll put your backup on hold for now. I’ve got three operatives in Paris. You don’t get on a plane today, I’m sending them after you.”

  “Okay.”

  “We’ll talk when you get here.”

  “Okay.”

  He disconnected and she put the phone back on its cradle and left her hand there, her thoughts a jumbled mess in her head. She put her other hand on her stomach, worried that she was alone with an unscrupulous mercenary who’d started his career selling drugs.

  Before this she could have believed he chased terrorists for similar reasons as she and Travis. Now she couldn’t deny his reasons were different and had likely started with blood on his hands.

  Standing, she headed for the stairs, looking over the railing for Rem. She didn’t see him, and the villa was quiet. Downstairs, she started when he emerged from his office, his face a hard, angry mask. His fists were curled at his side.

  “Have a nice chat?” he asked.

  Fear sent her pulse flying. Had he heard her entire conversation with Odie and Cullen? “I—”

  “Get packed. I’ll drive you to the airport. I don’t care where you go from there.” With that he disappeared back into the office.

  Haley stared at the spot where he’d stood. He must know what Cullen had told her, and yet he was still going to take her to the airport. The emotion that had radiated off him confused her.

  Why was he so mad? Because she’d learned the truth? She could well understand why he wouldn’t want anyone to know such unsavory details about him, but why would a coldhearted mercenary care one way or the other?

  Haley got into Rem’s SUV, and he turned the vehicle around on the circular driveway. He approached the iron gate, but instead of opening it, the guard came out of the shack and walked to Rem’s window.

  Rem rolled the window down.

  “There’s a gentleman waiting to see you. I told him you weren’t taking visitors, but he refused to go before he spoke to you.”

  “Who is it?”

  “He would not give a name.”

  Haley watched Rem hesitate. “Open the gate.” When the guard headed back for the shack, he looked at her. “Stay here.” He lifted the hem of his jeans and pulled out a Glock.

  Getting out of the SUV, he closed the door and put the pistol in the waistband of his jeans at the small of his back, then strode toward the gate as it opened.

  A man stood on the other side. Haley recognized him. It was the man who’d gone to Habib’s market. Ammar. A black sedan with tinted windows was parked behind him and two armed men stood on the other side.

  Ammar saw her in the SUV and smiled wickedly. Haley subdued a shudder and climbed out of the vehicle, staying behind the open door. She wasn’t armed but she wanted to hear this conversation.

  “Your doctor friend did not lie, I see,” he said. “It has spared him his life.”

  “If you hurt him I’ll have to kill you sooner than I planned,” Rem said.

  Planned? Why was he waiting and what was he planning? That only made what Cullen told her all the more convincing. He had secrets. Dark ones. He knew this man on a personal level. This terrorist.

  Ammar’s eyes narrowed but Haley could see he didn’t discount Rem’s threat. She didn’t doubt Rem was a formidable enemy.

  Ammar glanced at the guard standing outside the gate, armed with an AK-47 that was presently aimed at him. He probably wished he could just mow down her and Rem with a spray of bullets right now. Next, his gaze moved to Haley. He studied her in an unabashed way of a man accustomed to owning his women. Haley had to stop herself from doing something juvenile, like flipping him off.

  At last he turned back to Rem. “I see you’ve made another friend.”

  “Disappointed you couldn’t get to her first?”

  Ammar smiled again, but it didn’t touch his eyes. “She’s very beautiful.”

  Haley watched the way Rem tensed, wondering if he knew he’d given his emotion away. He cared what happened to Haley, and Ammar knew it.

  “Where is the man she was with?” Ammar asked.

  He meant Travis. Haley waited for Rem to answer, but he didn’t.

  “Is he dead?” Ammar pressed. “Your doctor friend said he sent him to a European hospital. Did he make it?”

  “Of course he did,” Haley said defiantly. How could he gloat over something like that?

  Rem sent her a warning look.

  Ammar’s gaze went to her. “Tell me, why was he in the market?”

  “The same reason I was outside of it,” Rem said before she could reply.

  “I doubt it’s the same.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Your popularity is growing. Haven’t you noticed?”

  Ammar’s expression tightened and he turned that anger on to Haley. “Who sent you here?”

  “Wouldn’t you love to know,” Rem taunted. Haley looked at him. She could speak for herself, did he know that?

  “So you’ve teamed up with her, then?” Ammar asked, but didn’t wait for a response. “Or is there another reason you brought her here—” he gestured toward Rem’s villa “—to your private compound?”

  Rem didn’t comment, but Haley was sure he knew as well as she did why Ammar had pointed this out. Rem had saved her from Ammar’s men, and then he’d taken her home with him, a beautiful woman who might need protection.

  “Yes.” Ammar sounded complacent. “If you only wanted to question her, you could have done that at the doctor’s clinic. Instead, you do what you always do. You intervene where you should not. It is your only weakness, my friend. One that will bring you death.”

  “I’m not your friend.”

  “You forget how well I know you.”

  Rem cocked his head as though inwardly scoffing.

  “What does she know?” Ammar asked, taunting. “About you, that is.”

  Haley wished she could see Rem’s face.

  “I think you’ve worn out your welcome,” he said.

  Rem’s guard stepped closer, weapon ready. The men hovering near the car stepped forward, stopping when Ammar held up his hand, his gaze never leaving Rem.

  “Is it worth that much to you?” Ammar pressed. “Her life?”

  Rem said nothing.

  Ammar looked at Haley and then back at Rem. “It wasn’t once.”

  Still, Rem didn’t respond, but Haley sensed his angry energy. What did Ammar mean? What was their history? Did it involve another woman?

  “I grow tired of these games,” Ammar said. “Leave her alone, one moment, I will kill her. Leave with her and never show your face to me again, I will not harm her.”

  With that, he turned and walked back to the
waiting car, climbing into the back and closing the door. His men followed. Tinted windows hid them from view.

  When Rem turned and came back to the SUV, Haley saw the fury etching his features.

  “Close the gate,” he ordered the guard, who immediately went to comply.

  Instead of getting into the SUV, Rem passed it and headed toward the villa.

  Slamming the passenger door shut, Haley followed. “What are you doing?” she called to his back, trotting to catch up.

  He didn’t acknowledge her. Anxiety unnerved her. She followed him back into the villa. He went to the dining room table and braced his hands on the back of a chair, looking as though he were about to pick it up and hurl it across the room.

  Haley left the front door open and stopped next to him. “What was that all about?”

  He turned his head, angled with the way he leaned on the chair, eyes shadowed and feral.

  “How do you know him?” she asked.

  Pushing off the chair so that it rocked off balance, he turned as he straightened. She should run now. The door was open. The keys were still in the SUV. But the gate was shut.

  She stiffened when he moved toward her. Sensing he deliberately crowded her, she lifted her chin and met his eyes despite the instinct telling her to get away from him.

  His anger smoothed and resignation took its place. “I should have killed him the first time I saw him.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  He absorbed her face with those icy blue eyes and took his time replying. “We can’t stay here anymore.”

  Alarm zapped her as he headed for his bedroom. “We?” She went to stand in the doorway of his room, where he gathered his belongings and shoved them into a duffel bag. “I thought you were taking me to the airport.”

  “Change of plans,” he said matter-of-factly, and without looking at her. “You’re coming with me now.”

  What? “No, I’m not. You said you were taking me to the airport. I want you to take me to the airport.”

  He straightened with the duffel in hand. “No can do. You’re coming with me if I have to tie you and drag you.”

  Haley stared at him, chilled by the certainty in his tone. With heart hammering, she pivoted and marched to the door. Outside, she ran to the SUV. Passing it, she went into the guard shack.