by Anna Hackett
She shot at the other vehicle, and when more gunfire hit them, she ducked back inside.
“It’s Claude’s Land Rover. It’s armored. I won’t be able to take it out.”
Hale knew their options were pretty limited. But there was no way he was letting Drift get his hands on Elin. “Take the wheel.”
“What?” She looked at him incredulously. “Talk to me, Hale. What are you planning?”
“No time. We need to eliminate these guys. Give me the gun and you take the wheel.” He held out a hand to her. “Keep it steady.”
She stared at him for a beat, then more gunshots peppered their vehicle. Hale swerved and they were both tossed against their seats.
“Here.” She slapped the Beretta into his hand.
“Climb across.”
She maneuvered over, practically sitting in his lap. Hale gripped her chin and turned her face to his. He pressed a hard kiss to her lips. “Whatever happens, you stay alive.”
Her eyes flashed. “Hale—”
Reluctantly, he pulled away, sliding into the passenger seat. Their vehicle slowed, and more bullets shattered another window.
Elin settled behind the wheel, gunning the engine. Hale climbed out the side window, his upper body outside the vehicle, the wind tearing at him. He took aim and shot at the tires of the pursuing vehicle.
It wouldn’t do much damage, since the vehicle had run-flat tires, but it might slow them down a bit.
The pursuing vehicle’s engine roared as it charged closer.
Time for Plan B. “Get us alongside them,” he yelled back at Elin.
She slowed their Land Rover and a second later, the Silk Road vehicle pulled up on their right. Hale climbed out onto the roof, staying crouched and holding onto the gear strapped to the vehicle to keep his balance. The wind made his eyes water.
“Hale!” Elin shouted from inside.
He looked over at the other vehicle. Then he stood and leaped onto the roof of the other Land Rover.
Chapter Nine
Oh, God. Hale had just jumped onto a moving vehicle.
Elin fell in behind the other four-wheel drive. She had a perfect view of Hale clinging to the Land Rover’s roof.
The Silk Road driver started swerving from side to side, trying to shake Hale loose. With her heart in her throat, Elin watched, keeping pace. If Hale fell…
Come on, Hale. Let’s see those superhuman SEAL skills.
She watched as he climbed across the roof. Then suddenly, he rolled to the side, almost sliding off the car completely. That’s when she realized the Silk Road thugs were shooting upwards through the roof.
She had to do something. She revved, speeding right up to their bumper. She couldn’t ram them and risk Hale falling. But maybe she could—
Bullets peppered her windshield and she ducked.
—distract them. She peered up, trying to keep right behind the other vehicle.
Hale was over the driver’s side now, then he slipped over the edge, hanging upside down at the driver’s side window. The SUV veered off the track and into the desert.
Elin slowed and watched Hale slide inside the vehicle, her heart trying to hammer its way out of her chest. She was known for her nerves of steel back in the office, but Hale Carter was testing her.
Suddenly, the vehicle stopped swerving, and did a wide turn. It headed back toward her.
Tense, she braked to a stop, and waited. The heavy tinting on the windows made it impossible to tell what was going on inside the vehicle.
The Land Rover pulled up beside her, and Hale opened the driver’s side window and grinned at her.
Elin didn’t stop to think. She threw the Land Rover into Park, slammed open her door, and stomped over to him.
“Do you have a death wish?” she yelled.
“Well, I—”
“Leaping from a moving vehicle? Onto another moving vehicle?” She watched as he opened the door and stepped out. Behind him, the bodies of two Silk Road guards were slumped motionless in their seats.
“Getting shot at,” she continued. “Climbing into a car full of armed mercenaries out to kill you!”
“Well, there were only two—”
“Be quiet.”
“Elin—”
She fisted a hand in his T-shirt and yanked him forward. Then, she went up on her toes to press her mouth to his.
He was still for a second, then his mouth moved on hers, parting her lips. His tongue delved into her mouth. She reached up, gripping his shoulders. Desire shot through her like a bullet.
He took control of the kiss, and she liked it. The demanding sweep of his tongue, the way his big hands cupped her ass. She ground against him, needing more, needing to be closer.
Finally, they broke the kiss, both of them gasping for air.
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat, knowing that’s what I’ll get at the end.”
She smacked his shoulder, still trying to get coherent thoughts to form.
“I’m fine,” he murmured against her lips.
“Don’t scare me like that again.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He ran a hand over her hair. “Now, let’s put some distance between us and Silk Road.”
Elin took some breaths and stepped back from him. “Sounds good. Let’s see if there are any useful supplies or weapons in Claude’s Land Rover, and then let’s head west.”
He shot her his trademark sexy smile, blinding her for a second. “And find a lost mine?”
“Sure, and let’s find the mythical lost Seal of King Solomon while we’re at it.”
***
Hale stared into the side mirror. They’d been driving for hours across the flat desert, and hadn’t seen any pursuers.
Looked like they’d gotten away.
Still, his muscles were tense, and he knew they were nowhere near to being safe. There was also the fact that there was no sign of a mountain or a mine.
Maybe there was no mine and no ring. Maybe this was all just a wild-goose chase that had cost people their lives.
“I can’t believe Drift thinks the ring is some relic of a mythical advanced race,” Elin muttered.
“Well, Zach…that’s Dr. Zachariah James, he’s Morgan’s boyfriend.”
“I’ve heard of him.”
“He actually believes there were advanced civilizations that were flooded at the end of the last ice age.”
Elin shot him a look.
“He’s dived submerged structures that date to well before when man, as the current historical timeline allows, could have built them. He believes it’s possible bits of their advanced technology may have survived.”
Elin blew out a breath. “You believe that?”
“Hell, I’ve seen it. Our last mission in Madagascar…let’s just say, I think it’s very possible.”
“I’ve seen things, too,” she said quietly. “Including some classified files.”
“So, there really could be a ring in King Solomon’s Mine that isn’t magic, but is storing information about a whole lot of advanced technology?”
“I really hope not.”
“I think it’s time to contact Dec,” Hale said, glancing over at Elin in the driver’s seat.
Elin was silent for a second. “Do it.”
He touched the small patch behind his ear. “Dec? You copy?”
Elin turned her head. “Anything?”
He shook his head.
“Dec, this is Hale. You receiving?”
“Hale?” Dec’s voice, distorted by static. “We’re receiving you. Where the hell are you? Are you and Elin okay?”
“We’re okay, but the mission’s gone to hell.” Hale gave a succinct recap on everything that had happened.
“Wait,” Dec said. “Did you say John Drift, the movie star? He’s one of Silk Road’s leaders?”
“Yep.”
“Jesus. I always liked his movies. And now there’s some other mystery player involved, who nearly killed you with an armed drone?”
“Great.” There were a few unintelligible mutters. “Okay. How’s Elin want to play this?”
Hale looked over at her. She looked calm, not like they’d just fought for their lives in the middle of the desert. He grinned. She was a hell of a woman. “Dec wants to know what your call is for the mission?”
Elin took her eyes off the road and glanced at him. “Have them on extraction standby. We’ll give it another twenty-four hours, and if we haven’t found the mine, we get out.”
“And if we find the mine?”
“We’ll call them and the government in to secure it.”
Hale smiled. “And block Silk Road from having any access.”
She smiled back. “That’s the plan.”
“I like the way you think.” He relayed the plan to Dec.
“Acknowledged,” Dec said. “But if Silk Road catches up with you again, or you hit any other problems, you contact us.”
“You got it, Dec.”
“Stay safe.”
They kept driving toward the setting sun. Soon shadows were growing across the desert.
“How come you’re out here in the hot desert, getting shot at?” he asked her.
“I always wanted to catch the bad guys. I grew up with a healthy respect for the rules, and for history. And you know about my father and my mother.” She hunched her shoulders. “Besides, I’m good at it.”
“I can see that.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “Not everyone in my life has thought it was a good career for me.”
“It’s not for anyone else to decide, is it?”
“I like you, Hale.”
“Feeling’s mutual. So, why hasn’t some upwardly mobile guy snatched you up?”
“One did.”
Hale blinked. She was married?
“It didn’t stick.” Her hands flexed on the wheel. “Apparently, I’m too involved with my work, and I didn’t give him enough time and attention.”
“Divorced?”
“Yes.”
There were undercurrents in her tone. Hale guessed the breakdown of a marriage was never fun. Still, a part of him wanted to know if she still loved the idiot.
“And why hasn’t some sweet, young thing snagged you?” Elin asked.
Hale looked out at the desert. “I’m…not a good bet.”
“Oh? Gainfully employed, good guy, easy on the eyes.”
“You know my last SEAL mission…went bad.” He pressed cold hands against his thighs. “I came back messed up.” He looked at her, saw her opening her mouth to speak. “I got therapy. I worked it out.” At least the worst of it. “But I still have the nightmares, I still see the faces of the men I failed to save. Doesn’t really make me a good prospect for sweet, young things. Besides, I prefer to keep things fun and casual.”
“That makes two of us,” Elin said. “It’s getting dark. I think we’d better find somewhere to camp for the night.”
Somewhere where Silk Road couldn’t find them.
***
“Okay, I really can’t see anything anymore,” Elin said. She was tired and hungry, and the adrenaline from the day’s chase was long gone.
The sun was almost gone, leaving a pitch-black desert, and only the slightest bit of light to the west. She couldn’t risk using the headlights.
“Wait.” Hale was leaning forward and staring out the windshield. “What the hell is that?”
Elin glanced off to the north. “Darkness, Carter. That’s what happens when the sun sets.”
“Look a little to the left, smart ass.”
She did, and could just barely make out a massive shape in the darkness. She stiffened. No way.
A mountain rose up in the dark.
Hale tore open the glovebox, and pulled out a paper map. He folded it over, and spread it on his lap. He ran his finger over their location.
“If I’m calculating this right, we are about here.”
She leaned over, looking at the map. “Looks right.”
“There’s no mountain on the map,” Hale said. “It says it’s flat here.”
Elin frowned. “Mountains don’t just appear from nowhere, Hale. Maybe we’re off on our location.”
“Based on where we camped last night, the direction we’ve traveled, and my calculation of our average speed, we’re in the ballpark. Map says there are no mountains around here.”
“Farini said they stumbled on a mountain, and assumed it was the Ky Ky Mountains. But most people agree he was nowhere near the Ky Ky, and his guides didn’t recognize it.”
“Get us a bit closer.”
Clenching the wheel and leaning forward, Elin did her best to drive them through the darkness. She pulled them to a stop at the rocky base of a large mountain.
They climbed out, staring up in the dark.
“Fancy a nighttime hike?” Hale reached in and pulled out their backpacks, ensuring they had some essentials.
She took her pack and slipped it on. “Sure, I love risking breaking my ankle while climbing in the dark.” She pulled out her flashlight and clicked it on. “First, we need to hide the Land Rover. If Drift is looking for us from the air…”
Hale looked around. “Not many hiding places.”
Elin pointed. “There’s a rocky overhang there. It might squeeze under.”
“It’ll be a tight fit.”
She jumped in and slowly eased the vehicle close to the overhang. As she drove underneath, rock screeched on metal, and she winced. When she climbed out, she studied it. “Not great, but it’ll be less visible from the air.” She turned to face the mountain.
They carefully hiked up the rocky hill. There were no structures, or rock walls. Nothing to indicate this was the Lost City of the Kalahari, Ophir, or the entrance to King Solomon’s Mines.
She followed Hale, wondering if this mission was going to end with her emptyhanded.
“Look,” Hale breathed.
Elin lifted her light and saw a giant archway of stone appear out of the darkness. Her mouth dropped open. Incredible.
The two of them stopped beneath it. It was in good condition. She shone her light across the stone.
She instantly saw the engravings.
“Damn, I wish I had my tablet.” But as she stared at these symbols, she realized it was a language she didn’t recognize at all.
“Pretty sure we’re in the right place.” Hale pointed directly above them.
In the center of the arch was the Star of David symbol.
“Jesus,” Elin said. “This is Ophir.”
They walked under the arch, and she felt a wild fizz of excitement in her blood. Ahead, more ruins appeared. Rows of large columns. They’d tumbled down long ago, but the bases still stood, sturdy and proud. A reminder of the long-ago grandeur of this place.
They walked through the center row of columns. “This looks like it was some sort of temple.”
“Must have been incredible in its day,” Hale murmured.
They reached the end, and found themselves staring at a high rock wall that had been carved from the mountainside. Along it was a row of large doorways. Each doorway was covered in a slab of rock.
“There are some engravings here.” Hale shone his light on the wall.
Elin stared at them. “There’s the Star of David again. Hey, this symbol looks Phoenician.”
“What’s it mean?”
She looked at him. “Death.”
“Great.”
“I think this is a test. Only one door is the correct entrance to the mines. If you get the wrong one, it means death.”
“Really great,” Hale muttered.
Elin stared hopelessly at the text on the wall. “Hale, I can’t translate this.”
“Maybe you don’t have to.”
“How are we going to pick the right door?”
Hale stalked along the wall, with his flashlight aimed at the ground, not the doors. She followed with a frown. When he reached the end, he turned and moved b
ack to one doorway.
“This is it.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“Look.” He aimed his flashlight down.
That’s when Elin saw it. The ground was worn, impressions carved into the stone from what could only be long use. The ancient tracks of heavy carts, people, and animals moving through here. A quick glance showed the other thresholds didn’t have the same wear.
“You’re brilliant!” she said.
“I know.”
“And humble.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed.
Together, they moved closer to the door. Hale paused to study what looked like the locking mechanism. He touched a hand to it.
There was a rumble, and, a moment later, the slab of rock covering the doorway slid open. Elin stared at the yawning hole of darkness leading into the mountain.
“I need to call Dec,” he said, awe in his voice.
“Tell him to arrive in the morning to secure the mines. In the meantime, we’ll look for the Seal of Solomon.”
Hale quickly touched his ear, and Elin listened as he spoke with his boss. She peered into the dark mine and wondered just what they were going to find inside.
“Okay, Dec said to stay safe, and he’ll see us tomorrow. He’s also updating Burke.”
“Great.” She waved a hand at Hale. “After you.”
“How about we go together?”
She nodded, and when he took her hand, she linked her fingers with his. Together, they entered the mines of Ophir.
Chapter Ten
Hale and Elin’s footsteps echoed through the dark tunnel. He aimed the flashlight upward, studying the rough rock. “This looks natural.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the people who created the mines made use of any natural systems of tunnels through here.” She was looking at the floor. “There are grooves worn in the floor here, too. It has to be from mining carts.”
“Look.” Hale paused, his light aimed at the wall.
Elin hurried over, her fingers touching the Star of David symbol carved into the rock. “I can hardly believe we’ve found the legendary Ophir. King Solomon’s Mines.”
“You think an all-powerful ring is waiting for us in here somewhere?” Hale asked.
