The promise of rest beckoned. With the ground checked for critters, she dropped down and leaned her head back. She retrieved a sandwich and chewed while she studied the foreign landscape. Panic rose in her chest as she realized her vulnerability.
Had common sense completely fled her? She didn’t know where to go. She didn’t know how long it would take to get there. Nor did she know what to do when she reached her destination. She couldn’t pop into Tapiwa’s slave camp and just ask for Melanie.
Reviewing what she knew, she could confidently say selling human flesh was only part of the camp’s reason for existence. From what she’d overheard in the church, Tapiwa also mined diamonds. Which, no doubt, provided the reason for taking workers from town, as well as kidnapping Korzan.
To rescue Melanie she needed an ingenious plan. In the brief time she’d resided there, she’d only been allowed to see the inside of her cell and Tapiwa’s office, which wouldn’t help in her proposed rescue.
In her mind’s eye she could see Tapiwa’s evil smile, his brows knitting together with curiosity as his little white captive reappeared. Would he consider it good luck or a disaster? He might be afraid of her wealthy purchaser and decide to eliminate her. Or he might sell her to someone else and pocket both profits.
Struggling to her feet, Hannah stumbled toward the road. A vehicle loomed on the horizon. Her eyes squinted against the sun’s glare as she watched the dust cloud swirl around the rapidly approaching jeep.
With no time to hide, she said a silent prayer for assistance.
The jeep shuddered to a stop and she sighed with relief at Rory’s grinning face.
“Need a ride, love?”
“Rory, I…”
“Don’t speak of it, Sparkles. Just climb in. I understand you must save your friend. But it is better to have assistance, yes?”
“Yes,” she answered, emotion choked her.
Inside the jeep, she placed her trembling hands in her lap and clasped them together in a fierce grasp. Rory reached over and gave them a faint squeeze.
“Hannah, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I’m not worried about that. I’m worried we may be too late.”
“We will not entertain such thoughts, love.”
“What’s your plan? Are you going to buy them out?”
“No,” he answered as he placed the jeep into gear and pulled out.
“Oh, I know. You have a shock-and-awe approach planned. You’re going to ram the doors with the jeep, guns blazing, so to speak.”
Shifting gears, he laughed. “No. You watch too many movies.”
“Okay, maybe I fantasize a little.” His eyebrow arched at her words. “Well, maybe a lot. But if I’m not close to your plan, then what is your plan?”
“Stealth, my dear.”
“Oh. So you plan to sneak them out?”
“Yes.”
“Not to burst your bubble, Captain Chance, but Tapiwa’s compound is heavily guarded and heavily armed.”
“I know.”
“Surely you aren’t planning to sneak in there and walk out with Melanie and ten children unnoticed.”
“Exactly.”
Hannah threw her hands into the air. “Exactly, he says! Are you crazy? What kind of plan is that? Are you just trying to get yourself killed?”
“No.”
“There has to be a better way.”
“No, there isn’t.” He paused before adding, “Hannah, how are your parents?”
“What? They are neglectful as always. Why?”
“Who knows where you are?”
She sighed and averted her gaze. “One friend back home.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“Not good, huh?”
“It doesn’t matter. When we get close, we’ll pull over and hide the jeep.”
“And then?”
“I’ll tell you when we get there.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Rory reveled in his good fortune. The assumption that Hannah would try Tapiwa’s camp first had been a good one.
After the early morning adventure, she was none the worse for wear. A quiver shot through his body when he thought of all the things that could have happened to her while she walked in the wilds of South Africa.
He’d thrilled at her questions. They hadn’t spoken in such a comfortable manner since they’d been teens. He’d ignored the fact that her purpose was to discover his plan to rescue Melanie. Just bantering back and forth made the blood race through his veins.
He’d skirted the issue of his plan the best he could. What he’d said about them sneaking in was partially true. In this particular operation it was the only option. However, currently the plan was sketchy, and he wasn’t willing to share the details.
The rutted road caused the jeep to bounce. Rory pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth to keep from biting it. The holes smoothed, and the dust kicked up. Hannah lifted the hem of her shirt and covered her mouth.
A hint of the wildlife reserve came into focus, and Rory found a copse of thick bushes and pulled over. He hoped their dust cloud hadn’t been spotted by any lookouts. But if it had, hopefully they would be taken as common travelers, enjoying the wilds of the game reserve.
“Hannah, help me with these supplies.”
She set to work removing things from the jeep. Rory found downed limbs and hid their vehicle from prying eyes. These actions might buy him some time.
The devil in any plan was in the details, and right now his were huge. Reinforcements were what he needed and quick.
He shielded his eyes against the sun’s glare and studied the length of dirt road. Any moment now the answer to his problem would arrive. He hoped.
Hannah sat cross-legged under a tree next to the supplies. She looked fragile like a puff of wind might blow her away. How was he to protect Hannah and all these other people?
“Rory?”
“Hmm?”
“When are we mounting this rescue mission?”
“Soon. But there is no we.”
“What? But I need to go in with you! Melanie doesn’t know you. Why would she leave with you?”
“I’ll tell her you sent me. You will drive the jeep back to the monastery.”
“No. That won’t work. I’m going in,” said Hannah.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, that’s so.”
Rory held his laughter in check as Hannah stood and stomped her foot like a wayward child.
“Are you laughing at me, Rory Chance?”
He pointed at his chest. “Who me?”
A punch to the gut had him gasping for air. “Was that necessary?” he said, his voice mimicking a croaking sound.
“You are not going to drag me out here in the middle of nowhere, this close to Tapiwa and his men, and then leave me. How safe would that be?”
Placing his hand on her arms, Rory gazed into her eyes. “Hannah, I cannot lose you. I know it isn’t fair, but as long as you’re alive, whether you’re with me or not, I’ve felt you are mine. At least in my heart. I won’t lose that. It’s the only pure thing I have left.”
Rory’s hands involuntarily roved the length of her arms. Before he understood what happened, his lips locked with hers. Her fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer. Was she drawing him in or was he in charge? So close were their bodies, he couldn’t tell.
When they broke apart, Rory watched the rise and fall of her breasts. His arms felt empty and cold from her missing presence.
“Rory, why didn’t you contact me after your tour was over?”
He shook his head and gazed at the ground. “Like this? No, I couldn’t saddle you with this.”
“What about your fiancée?”
“Monica? I already told you. She decided she didn’t want to be saddled with me either. It worked to both our benefits.”
“Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Speak of yourself with such disdain a
nd loathing? I’ve thought of you non-stop since that summer. I’ve made a career fantasizing about you! Did you mean what you said?”
His head spun from the multiple questions. “What?”
“That you would always love me.”
“Yes,” he answered while staring at his feet. How much more could he take? This conversation was getting them nowhere. He changed the subject. “Listen, love, you want to rescue Melanie and the children and I want to help you. But in order for it to happen, you have to trust me.”
“I do, but—”
“And that means you must do as I say.”
“No.”
“No?”
“You heard me. The last time you left me you were gone for over eight years!”
“Hannah, this is different.”
“Not only did you leave me, but you went and got a fiancée! Do you know how that made me feel? I have newspaper clippings in my writing room that followed your entire career. Then I saw her on your arm. You didn’t want me, but you wanted her. She wasn’t even your type.”
Rory’s hand ran back and forth across his buzz cut. He must be dreaming. Perhaps working for the monks in the sun had caused his problem. That was it, hallucinations caused by sun exposure. Delusions of a lost love, of what could have been. And how did she know about Monica? She had acted like the girl was news to her when he’d first mentioned her.
“Rory, I’m tired of this. I want the truth. I know why you left. Perhaps you had no choice, but after you turned eighteen, after you left the military, you had a choice. You say you love me but you chose to stay away. Why? I have to know!”
“I was engaged.”
“Yeah, about that. How could you! I couldn’t even date another man. My friends wanted to commit me because I had a whole wall of you. Tonya thought you weren’t real. She called you my imaginary muse.”
“Hannah,” he said, reaching forward, but she shoved his hand aside. Placing his hands in his pockets, he tried again. “I told you all this already.”
“Let me see if I got this straight. You’re saying you didn’t come to me because you weren’t a whole man, but you went to Monica.”
“You deserve better.”
“Yep. And you gave me nothing.”
“Hannah—”
“No, Rory. You gave me nothing, but that’s okay. You never did understand my feelings for you.”
“Hannah, please.”
“Please what?”
“Why do you keep pushing me? I have nothing to give you. I have nothing for anyone. I’m not a whole man. I’ve always been worthless.” He stalked away.
“Where are you going?” she yelled at his retreating frame.
“Away.”
“Fine. I’ll save Melanie myself.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Hannah bit her lip, threw her hands up into the air, and took off after him. Grabbing him, she turned him around. “What’s your problem? Damsel in distress here. Where is your British charm? Your chivalry? Sense of duty?”
“Hannah, I’m not one of your book characters.”
“I—”
“This is not a story. This is real life. You can’t just write me a new leg or make me able to move like a normal man.”
Hannah dropped her hand. Gulping deeply, she grasped for words.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m going to help you rescue your friend.”
“Rory, please—”
Before she could finish her apology, Rory grabbed her around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. With his mouth next to her ear, he whispered, “You see that vehicle coming.”
She nodded.
“When it stops, you are to stay hidden. Do not speak. Make no sounds.”
“But—”
He squeezed. “Silence, Hannah.”
He released her and she stowed away behind a large bush. Peering through the branches, Hannah watched an ancient truck rolled to a stop. A creaking sound rent the air as the door opened.
A booted foot appeared, attached to a behemoth of a man. A slow gait led him to Rory, who relaxed casually against a tree.
“It’s about time, Gabe.”
“Well, we can’t always be as punctual as you.”
A grin split the newcomer’s face as he walked forward and clasped hands with Rory. They shared a handshake which ended in a bear hug.
“How have you been?”
Rory leaned over and knocked his prosthetic.
“Yeah, I heard about that. Doesn’t seem to have slowed you down much.”
Rory shrugged.
The visitor rubbed his forehead. “Okay, it’s great to see you, but I have a feeling you want something more than to just catch up on old times.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, let me see. I haven’t heard from you in years. You sent me a coded message, and we’re meeting in the middle of nowhere. What more do I need? So ‘fess up. What is it?”
“All right, I’ll admit it. I need something.”
“Spill it.”
“I need to break into Tapiwa’s camp.”
Laughter rolled from Gabe’s barrel-shaped chest. When Rory’s expression remained solid, he stopped. “No ‘How are you, Gabriel?’ No ‘Good to see you?’ Just, ‘Let’s break into Tapiwa’s camp’. Are you serious?”
Rory nodded.
Gabe stalked away and mumbled under his breath. Turning back around, he faced Rory. “Are you crazy? Look man, I know you probably have a good reason, or at least you think you do. Kind of like that time in South America when you finished reading that romance novel by that crazy chick, and you decided to jump out of the airplane before we reached the landing site.”
Hannah lurched and the foliage around her shifted. Dragging herself back into the hiding spot, she heard Rory say, “Trust me, Gabe. I have a good reason. So will you help me or not?”
“Listen, I’ll be honest with you. For a whole man, this might be impossible.”
“Okay thanks.”
Rory spun on his heel and walked to their hidden jeep. Gabe raised his voice, “What’s your plan? Were you going to go in there with guns blazing? If you’re trying to free someone, you can forget it. He moves people in and out of there every few days. Chances are, the person you’re trying to save is already gone.”
“She’s still there.”
“How do you know?”
“It doesn’t matter. Obviously you don’t want to help me so I’ll just have to find someone else.”
“Are you doing this for that girl?”
“What girl?”
Hannah noted the tense line of Rory’s shoulders.
“The one you have hiding in the bushes.”
“What are you—”
“Have her come out.”
Rory stared in her direction and nodded. She walked out, noticing Gabe’s shocked expression.
“That’s her!”
“Excuse me?” she said, arching her brow.
Rory interrupted, “Gabriel Romariza, meet Hannah Baker. An old friend.”
The laughter that exploded from Gabe made the earth shake. Hannah moved closer to Rory.
“I don’t know how you got her out, but it won’t happen again.”
“How does he know about that?”
“Rory doesn’t tell you much, does he? Your disappearance was reported in all the papers. And everyone here knows when an American goes missing what’s happened to them. What I don’t understand is why you would succeed in a rescue and then be foolish enough to go back in.”
Hannah could hold her tongue no longer. “Why do you care?”
Gabe crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t. But if Rory wants my help, then I deserve to know why.”
Hannah prepared to tell him off, when Rory hauled her behind him. “Hannah’s friend and her ten children were taken as well.”
Gabe’s eyebrow rose. “I’ll just tell you, you might get one person out, you might even rescue two, but no way are you
rescuing eleven people. It’s impossible, unless you have an army I don’t know about.”
“No, just us.”
“Now I know you’re crazy.”
“Can you help or not?” asked Rory.
Gabe put a toothpick between his teeth. “I haven’t been in in a long time.”
“In?” Hannah questioned.
“Gabriel was one of Tapiwa’s men.”
“What?” Hannah found herself struggling to breathe.
Gabe shrugged. “I met Rory in the army. After I got out I came here. Tapiwa needed workers and I needed money. When I discovered his trade, I confronted him about leaving, and he beat me to a pulp. Fortunately, Father Thomas took me in.”
“So you see, he can help us find a weakness,” said Rory, assurance filling his voice.
“Or tell you there ain’t one.”
“Gabe—”
“Yeah, yeah, how to get in. I’ll have to think on it.”
Hannah balked and sent an angry glare in Rory’s direction. “But I thought we were going in now?”
Rory’s warm hand clasped her arm. “Love, we can’t be too hasty. We should follow Gabe’s advice.”
Her hands shot to her hips as she pointedly stared and waited for more.
Rory kicked the ground and avoided her gaze.
Gabe walked away to his own vehicle. When he returned, he looked at Rory and shook his head. “You have no idea what you’re getting into. I don’t know much about women or the economy, but let me tell you what I do know. It would be easier to bust everyone out than just a few.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The heat from Hannah’s gaze was palpable. He’d tried to protect her. He should have taken her back to the monastery until after he spoke with Gabe. He’d asked himself a million times why he hadn’t done just that as she sat around the dying campfire and repudiated every word from Gabe’s mouth.
Full of fire and passion, she argued. When Gabe stated a reason the rescue was impossible, she gave him another angle to work. Rory listened. He knew Gabe’s answers before they were spoken, but Hannah needed to hear them for herself.
Diamond Mine Page 17
