by Susan Stoker
“Okay, Midas. I will.”
“I mean it. We have no idea what or who is waiting for us outside this door. My objective has always been to get you out of here safe and sound. Doesn’t matter that we aren’t in the desert anymore, my goal is the same.”
“I understand,” she said solemnly.
Midas couldn’t help adding, “And after that,” he gestured to the hole in the floor with his head, “I’m even more determined to make sure you get out of here without a fucking scratch.”
Lexie licked her lips, as if remembering what had happened right before Shermake interrupted them. She nodded.
Midas reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. It was plastered to her head on one side, the side that had been pressed against his shoulder. He could see sweat marks at her neck and underarms. She was a hot mess…and he’d never been more attracted to a woman in his life.
A noise behind them caught Midas’s attention, and he looked over Lexie’s shoulder to see Shermake sitting on the floor, untying his shoes.
He took both off then stood and held the sneakers out to Lexie. “You wear on feet.”
Lexie looked confused. “What?”
“Your feet. Wear,” Shermake repeated.
“He’s giving you his shoes,” Midas explained.
Lexie shook her head and took a step back, running into Midas. “No, I’m not taking your shoes,” she said stubbornly.
“Yes. Take,” Shermake said just as stubbornly.
Midas reached for the shoes and nodded at the boy. “Put them on, Lex.”
“No. Midas, you don’t understand. When I met him months ago, he had not one pair of shoes. He was barefoot, as were his brother and sister. I’m not taking his shoes. I can’t.”
“You are,” Midas said, kneeling at her feet and holding one of the sneakers.
“I get another pair. Big box of shoes come from France. Lots of shoes for all. I get more. You need. My feet are tough. Street no bother me. You need.” Shermake looked extremely concerned.
“Shit,” Lexie said under her breath. “He’ll be offended if I don’t take them.”
“Exactly. Now come on, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get out of here,” Midas told her. He was touched the boy had offered his shoes to Lexie. It would absolve one of his many worries when it came to sneaking through the city streets. Not having to worry about Lexie stepping on glass and slicing up her feet would make him feel much better. He just hoped the boy didn’t suffer that fate.
She put one hand on his shoulder to keep her balance as she lifted a foot. Midas slipped the shoe on and quickly tied it as tightly as he could. Once the second sneaker was on, she turned to Shermake. She hugged him once more. “Thank you so much.”
“They fit?”
Midas knew they didn’t. They were too big, but she smiled up at him and nodded anyway. “They’re perfect,” she told him.
“We no need shoes,” the teenager said. “We need education. Teach us how to make shoes, and we no need charity. Teach us how to make clothes, and we no need second-hand American ones. Teach us how to make electricity, do math, make water last, and Somali people grow stronger.”
Lexie squeezed his arm. “I know. I do.”
“We would not need to take people for money if we had ways to make it for ourselves,” Shermake said.
Midas nodded. He understood. What was the saying? Give a man a fish and he can feed his family. Teach a man to fish, and he can feed a village.
Shermake shook his head as if clearing it, then he knelt near the hole Midas and Lexie had been in all day and placed the boards back to the way they were before, concealing the hiding spot. “We go now,” he said.
Midas took Lexie’s hand and tucked it into the waistband of his pants once more. “Be careful,” he told her, nodding down at her feet. “Don’t trip.”
“I won’t,” she said.
Then the three of them slipped out the back door and headed into the alley behind the store. It wasn’t as dark as Midas would’ve liked it, but the sun was definitely below the horizon. In thirty minutes or so it would be pitch black, and hopefully he and Lexie would be back with his team by then.
Shermake moved confidently down the alley and Midas followed more cautiously. He was ninety-nine percent sure the teenager wouldn’t betray them, but he wasn’t willing to risk Lexie’s life by letting down his guard.
They exited onto a street and immediately entered another alley. Then another. And so it went. Shermake kept to the narrow alleyways of the town, staying in the shadows. He didn’t hesitate when deciding which way to turn, and Midas was quickly lost. They cut through some pretty sketchy areas, but the few people they saw didn’t even glance their way.
Within twenty minutes, they’d arrived at a part of town that was obviously more prosperous than where they’d come from. Shermake crouched down in yet another alley and Midas did the same, ever aware of Lexie sticking right by his side.
“You go alone now,” Shermake said. “Cross road there, go right until brown house, take left and you will see soldiers.”
Midas nodded. “Thank you.”
“Did for Lexie.”
“I know,” Midas said. He wasn’t offended in the least. Lexie had a way of gaining loyalty from everyone around her.
“I’ll never forget you,” Lexie said as she shifted around Midas to give the boy one more hug.
They all stood as Shermake said, “I never forget you too.”
Lexie pulled back and kept her hands on the teenager’s shoulders. “Keep studying. Your English is good, but it can be better.” She smiled to let him know she was teasing him. “You are going to do great things, Shermake. I know it. Tell Hodan and Cumar I’m sorry I missed them. Take care of your mom.”
“I will,” Shermake said. “Go now. Be safe.”
Lexie nodded.
Midas reached into one of the pockets in his vest and pulled out some Somali shillings. He and his team made it a point to always carry some local currency, just in case. It had come in handy more than once in past missions.
The exchange rate of shillings to dollars was ridiculous, so much so that Midas wasn’t too surprised that Lexie and Dagmar’s kidnappers were so desperate to get them back. A thousand shillings was less than two American dollars. The highest denomination of shilling was one thousand, and he pulled out twenty of them, all he had on him, and held them out to Shermake.
The boy’s eyes widened, and he took a step back, shaking his head.
“Take it,” Midas told him. “I wish it was more, but it’s all I have on me.”
“I no help for money,” the teenager said stubbornly.
“I know,” Midas said. And he did. “But please, let me help you. I’m indebted to you, and will do what I can to help you and your family in the future, but for now, it would please me if you took this.”
It was less than forty dollars, but he had a feeling for Shermake and his family, it was a fortune. The poverty rate in the country was estimated at sixty-nine percent, meaning that many people made less than two dollars a day.
Midas didn’t know how he was going to make good on his promise to help Shermake’s family, but he’d figure it out. He could never fully repay Astur and Shermake for what they’d done for Lexie. And himself by extension.
The boy finally nodded and took the money, stuffing it into a pocket in his pants. Then he turned without another word and headed back the way they’d come.
“Shit, now I’m crying,” Lexie said with a small sniff.
Midas wanted to comfort her, but he needed to get her to safety. “Cry and walk,” he said gently.
“You’re a good man, Pierce Cagle,” she said as she once more grabbed hold of his waistband.
“Just a thankful one,” he returned. “He could’ve led us straight to the people who were looking for you.”
“He wouldn’t do that. He’s watched his family struggle and hates that he can’t help more. He’s a good kid.”
“Eve
n good kids can get led astray by the prospect of money,” Midas said.
“I know.”
She didn’t say anything else, and Midas didn’t press his point. They walked to the end of the alley and when Midas peered out into the street, it was empty. He quickly followed Shermake’s directions and within five minutes, he saw the best sight he’d seen in hours.
Five shapes appeared out of the shadows. Shapes Midas recognized.
“About time you decided to join us,” Aleck joked.
“Shit, Midas, you been taking a nap somewhere or what?” Pid asked.
“Fucking radios, we need to trash these and get new ones,” Slate complained.
“You two all right?” Mustang asked.
“Jesus, what did you do to her, Midas? She looks like she’s been through the wringer,” Slate said.
“You should see the other guy,” Lexie deadpanned.
Everyone chuckled, and the tension in the air lessened tenfold.
Midas was relieved that she didn’t get offended by Slate’s comment. So far she’d taken literally everything in stride, and it was amazing, really. But no matter how well Lexie seemed to be holding up, she’d most likely crash at some point. She’d been through hell, and while she was coping remarkably well, he had a feeling when she had a moment to herself, to reflect on all that had happened, she’d crumble.
“We getting out of here or what? Where’d you and the Jaeger Corps stash Dagmar? Let’s get them and get the fuck out of here already,” Midas said.
Silence fell—and Midas mentally swore.
“What? Did they already leave?” Lexie asked, looking at everyone in confusion.
For the first time since they’d left the hospital, Midas put the strap of his rifle around his head and arm, resting the weapon on his back. He didn’t need to keep it at the ready, his team would protect both him and Lexie.
He put his arm around Lexie and pulled her into his side even as Mustang broke the news. “He didn’t make it. I’m so sorry, Lexie.”
“What?” she asked in a shocked whisper.
“When the explosives went off at the hospital, he had a massive heart attack. He didn’t make it.”
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “He was okay. I mean, I knew he was sick, but he was talking. He was fine.”
“He had a stroke in the desert, like you guessed. His heart was too weak to take any more stress. When the kidnappers found out he was dead, and that you’d slipped through their fingers, they ran off to hunt you down. The Jaeger Corps left a few hours ago with his body. They’re heading to Italy, and then on to Denmark,” Mustang said.
Lexie’s chin dropped to her chest and she sighed deeply. She stood with her arms at her sides as Midas hugged her against him. “Lex?” he asked.
“I’m okay,” she said softly. “I just can’t imagine what his brother will think. I guess they were really close. It sucks that he was actually rescued, only to die before he could get home.”
“I’m sure Magnus Brander would appreciate your condolences once we get you somewhere safe,” Jag said.
“Yeah,” Lexie said with a nod, but Midas could tell she was lost in her own head.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get the hell out of here, yeah?”
“Fine by me,” Pid said.
“Just been waiting on you,” Slate said with a small smirk.
Midas knew his friends were teasing. It was obvious they’d been worried.
“How’d you find us, anyway?” Mustang asked.
“A friend of Lexie’s led the way,” Midas told them. He explained Shermake’s and his mother’s role in their escape. Then said, “I’d like to repay them when we get home.”
“I’m sure Baker will be happy to help track them down,” Aleck said. “All he’ll need is their names and other details that you can remember, and it’ll be done.”
“Who’s Baker?” Lexie asked.
“A guy back home in Hawaii who gets stuff done,” Jag said.
“Wow, that was vague,” Lexie complained.
“He’s hard to explain,” Mustang told her as they walked. “He’s a former SEAL, a hard-core surfer dude, and a bit like a mainframe computer. He knows everyone, can find any information about anyone, and is grumpy as fuck.”
“He sounds fascinating. Is he as good-looking as you guys?” Lexie asked.
“You think we’re good-looking?” Jag asked, exaggeratingly puffing out his chest.
“Well, you’re all looking a bit rough. Especially him,” Lexie said, gesturing with her head to Slate.
His friends chuckled. She was grieving for Dagmar, that was obvious, but she was still doing her best to be friendly to his team.
“Did I ever formally introduce you to everyone?” Midas asked.
“No. But it’s not like we really had the time,” Lexie said.
“True. So, that’s Aleck. His last name is Smart, so you know why his nickname is Aleck,” Midas said quietly as they walked. He assumed they were headed for the LZ for the chopper that he hoped was on its way to pick them up. They’d have to board quickly, just in case the kidnappers tried one last time to prevent Lexie from leaving the country.
“So are you really a smart aleck, or did you just get stuck with that moniker?” Lexie asked.
“Oh, I one hundred percent live up to my nickname,” Aleck said with a smile.
“Next to him is Pid; his first name is Stuart,” Midas said.
Lexie groaned. “Jeez, you guys need better nicknames.”
“Then there’s Jag, whose name is Jagger.”
“Ah, that’s better,” Lexie said with a smile in his direction.
“The impatient one is Slate—whose last name is Stone—and Mustang is our team leader.”
“The one married to Elodie, right?” Lexie asked.
“You heard about my wife?” Mustang asked.
She nodded. “We had a bit of time to kill today,” she said.
“You and Elodie have something in common. I met her in the Middle East too. Of course, she was on a ship and not on land, but still.”
“She sounds pretty amazing,” Lexie said.
“She is,” Mustang said simply.
“And she makes a hell of a hamburger,” Aleck added.
Lexie groaned. “Let’s not talk about food, okay?” she asked.
Midas made a mental note that getting food for Lex was his top priority.
They walked for another five minutes, the team making small talk with Lexie. Midas knew they were trying to distract her from what was going to be an incredibly dangerous few minutes as soon as the chopper was incoming.
They arrived at the outskirts of the neighborhood they’d been walking in and Midas stared out at a large expanse of desert. It was fascinating how the town simply ended and the desert started. There were literally no lights in front of them, only sand as far as the eye could see…which wasn’t very far at the moment, since it was dark.
“Can she run in those huge sneakers?” Pid asked Midas.
“I can run,” Lexie answered for herself.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to talk over you.”
“It’s okay. I know I’m just the chick you were sent in to rescue, and I’m no Navy SEAL, but I’m not helpless either,” Lexie told him.
“I’m guessing there’s a story behind those shoes,” Jag said. “As far as I know, you weren’t wearing them when we rescued you from the desert.”
“Nope. Shermake gave them to me,” Lexie said.
“Yeah, Baker will definitely want to help,” Slate said, understanding how important a gesture it was that the teenager had given up his shoes.
“You all ready?” Mustang asked.
Everyone nodded.
“Ready for what?” Lexie whispered to Midas.
“To run. When that chopper approaches, everyone in town’s gonna know. And the people who don’t want you to leave will try to get here as fast as they can,” he told her.
“Then it’s a good
thing they can’t run faster than the helicopter can fly, isn’t it?” Lexie asked.
Midas heard his teammates chuckling, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Lexie. She looked incredibly sad, but now she also had a determined gleam in her eye. She also still looked as if she’d been through hell and back, but it was now somehow part of her charm. “Definitely,” Midas agreed. “Stay by my side,” he told her. “Mustang and Aleck will take point, we’ll go after them, and Pid, Jag, and Slate will have our backs. When we get to the chopper, just hold up your arms and Mustang and Aleck will help you inside. Crawl away from the door as soon as you get inside. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said immediately. “And I’ve already done this once, remember? Piece of cake.”
Her voice wobbled a little, but she lifted her chin as if daring him to comment on it.
There was no way Midas was going to say a damn word. He’d be worried if she wasn’t a little scared of what was about to happen. But Midas had the utmost trust in the Night Stalker helicopter pilots. They were badass in their own right and could fly in the worse of conditions. As long as they could get inside the chopper, they were good to go.
“Incoming,” Mustang said.
Midas heard the rotor blades of the helicopter as it flew fast and low toward the LZ.
Within seconds, sand flew in all directions and Midas felt Lexie duck her head against his chest as she did her best to protect her face. He took her hand in his and leaned down. “On the count of three, run like hell. Keep your eyes closed. I won’t let you fall.”
She nodded, and his belly clenched with the amount of trust she was literally putting in the palm of his hand.
“One, two, three,” he counted, then took off running, Lexie at his side.
The sand hurt his face but he ignored it. Getting to safety was more important than a little discomfort right about now. He watched as Mustang and Aleck leaped into the opening of the chopper and immediately turned with their arms outstretched.
Midas positioned Lexie at the door and shouted, “Arms up, Lex.”
She immediately complied and disappeared inside the helicopter. Midas leaped in behind her and was quickly followed by the rest of his teammates. Within seconds, he felt the chopper lurch, then they were in the air once more.
