Mercenary’s Promise

by Sharron McClellan

  “We need C4 and a detonator,” Xavier said. “Which means we need to hit their weapons cache.”

  Bethany hesitated. “Do we know if they even have one?”

  “They do.”

  “It seems reckless.” There were too many variables. Too many ways for one or both of them to get shot or captured.

  “Perhaps but anything less is fixable. Do you want to get away only to have them capture us five miles down the road?”

  “I vote no on that scenario,” Bethany replied.

  “My thoughts, as well.” He shook his head. “I wished to hell we’d grabbed a few C4 bricks while we were rescuing Samantha.”

  She shrugged. “You were busy trying to save us.”

  He didn’t reply, and she knew what he was thinking. That it wasn’t saving Samantha that had muddled his thoughts. It was her betrayal and Samantha’s revelations.

  “Do you think they’ll have C4?” Bethany asked when the silence stretched her nerves almost to the point of breaking.

  “I sure as hell hope so,” he revealed. He looked at her, his eyes dark and worried. “Or we are screwed.”

  Bethany nodded. “Okay. Tell me what you want me to do.”

  Xavier smoothed back his hair. “How good a shot are you?”

  “Good enough to keep you alive.”

  He sat up, searched the pack and handed her an earpiece. “Here. I’ll need you to be my eyes.”

  Next, he handed her his rifle and a box of bullets. “Use this. It’ll be easier to sight than a handgun.”

  Her hands shaking, Bethany took the weapon. She was committed now. Hell, she’d been committed the moment she stepped off the plane. She knew it. Xavier knew it.

  “Do not fire unless there is no choice,” Xavier instructed. “I’d rather them not know we’re here until we have the jeep in Drive.”

  Bethany fitted the earpiece over her ear and gave a sharp nod. “I’ll guide you.”

  Xavier fitted his earpiece in as well and picked up the night-vision binoculars. “Be careful. When I tell you, head for the jeep.”

  “Whatever you say.” His life was in her hands. The thought made her shiver. What if she failed? What if he were killed? “Xavier?”

  He froze. “Having seconds thoughts?”

  Yes. “No,” she replied, shaking her head. What if she let him down, again?

  He tilted her chin up, his mouth inches from hers. She closed her eyes, and for a heartbeat, he was the Xavier from before. The man who made love to her. The man who saved her sister.

  Her protector.

  He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I trust you to keep me safe,” he whispered. His breath warm against her mouth, and it brought tears to her eyes.

  Then he was gone, fading into the foliage.

  “Do you hear me?” His voice crackled over the earpiece, all business and no tenderness.

  Back to work. “Loud and clear,” she replied. Hunkering down, she sighted the camp through the rifle scope.

  “Heading down. I’m going to go around the right side and enter from there. I’ll be heading for the third building. The one covered in netting.”

  The locale was fifty yards away. Not too hard a shot but not easy either under these conditions. “I have your back,” she said.

  Five minutes later, she spied a dark figure step out from the jungle behind one of the buildings. He raised a hand and gave a short wave.

  “Hi to you, too,” Bethany greeted.

  “How’s it looking?” Xavier asked.

  She sighted the area between him and the bunker. Someone was making rounds. “Stay put. We have a player near the bunker.”

  “Stationary or moving?”

  “Moving. I’ll tell you when.”

  The sentry hesitated, lit a cigarette and continued his rounds. “Go now,” Bethany said.

  Pressed against the side of the building, Xavier edged toward the weapons.

  Bethany scanned the area again. How did snipers do this? Stay focused and immobile while adrenaline saturated every fiber of their body. Movement caught her eye. “We have a new player,” Bethany informed. “He’s at your two. In front of the building to your right.”

  “What’s he doing?” Xavier whispered.

  She squinted into the dark. “Either he’s short or sitting in a chair,” she remarked. “There’s a barrel in the way. I can only see him from the shoulders up.”

  “Probably guarding hostages while the others are looking for us,” Xavier guessed, “Anyone else close?”

  “No.” She wondered how much longer that bit of luck would last.

  She watched while Xavier moved behind the guard’s building then disappeared down the far side. “What are you doing?” she whispered. “Xavier?”

  He didn’t respond. Seconds later, the guard disappeared.

  “Xavier?” she whispered his name again. Still no answer.

  Her heart pounded hard enough to make her press her hand against her sternum. “Dammit, answer me. Are you okay?”

  Five more beats went past. “Keep your panties on,” Xavier demanded, his voice breathing life back into her.

  “Please don’t do that again,” she said, almost sobbing in relief.

  “I’ll try. Now, can you keep it together? We’re almost done.”

  She took a deep breath. He was right. It was time to stay frosty. “I’m good.” She wiped her eyes surprised to find them wet. “And you’re good to move.”

  She watched while Xavier went across the ten feet of dirt and slipped into the netted bunker.

  “Is it the cache?” she asked.

  “The netted bunker is always the cache,” Xavier said. “We have C4.”

  “Best news today,” Bethany concluded with a grin.

  “I’m going back the way I came. Maintain silence unless there’s a problem. Meet me at the vehicles in twenty.” She watched as he slipped out from under the netting then sighed in relief when he entered the jungle without incident.

  “I’ll hurry. See you in ten,” she countered, her heart beating with hope for the first time since Xavier discovered her secret.

  Twenty minutes later, she must have inhaled too much moss to think she could skirt the camp in that amount of time in the dark while watching for the occasional booby trap.

  “Where are you?” Xavier’s voice came over the headset, startling her, and confirming her tardiness.

  “On my way,” she replied, keeping her voice low. “It’s taking longer than I thought.” The light coming from the camp helped, but it also created shadows that caused the occasional misstep.

  “Get the lead out. I have the jeeps wired and ready to go.”

  “Wired?”

  “The C4 is wired to the headlights.”

  She shuddered at the imagery. “That’s gruesome.”

  “Necessary.”

  “No argument from me,” she replied, taking a short step as she twisted her ankle. She stopped and flexed it. No harm, but the last thing they needed was another problem. “I’ll be there in three. Now let me concentrate.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  She clicked the earpiece off in time to hear something rustle the bushes. The hairs on the back of Bethany’s neck rose. She squinted into the shadows. Was something there? FARC was her first thought, but she dismissed it. They wouldn’t watch her. Not even for a few seconds. They’d take her at gunpoint.

  Attention focused on the jungle, Bethany counted to ten. The leaves remained still and silent. She managed a grim smile at her own active imagination.

  She turned to continue, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement. Once again, the hairs on her neck prickled alarm. Dammit, there was something there. Another jaguar? There wasn’t much else. Besides puma, they were the only large predators in the jungle.

  “Don’t I ever get a break,” she muttered. She tapped her earpiece. “Xavier, I think we have a problem. One that requires catnip.”

  “You are kidding me,” Xavier said. Sh
e winced at the anger in his voice. “Back away. Slowly. I’m already on my way.”

  She took a step back. The predator followed her. “Hurry,” she whispered.

  Another step. Still, it tracked her. She stopped. It stopped.

  Clever beast. She swallowed the fear rising in her gut. But not that clever. Not like her. Bethany slung the rifle over her shoulder. She didn’t want to shoot the cat but given no other option, she would do what was needed and they’d deal with escape as it came.

  There would be no escape if she were dead. Keeping her gaze on the shadow, she slid her hand towards her handgun and unsnapped the leather strap that held it in place.

  “Don’t bother,” the shadow said, the command followed by the click of a gun being cocked.

  Bethany froze. She knew that voice. The shadow moved forward. “And as long as we’re talking, put your hands where I can see them.”

  Bethany raised her hands. “Hello, Eva.”

  Xavier’s sister smiled at her. “Did you think you could get away?”

  Bethany shrugged. “Did you think we wouldn’t try?”

  Eva sighed. “That’s why I came back and left everyone else to beat the bushes. I know my brother. Testarudo.”

  Bethany didn’t know what she said, but she could guess its meaning.

  Eva continued, “Call my brother. Tell him that the jaguar ran away and that you will be there in a few minutes.”

  Bethany remembered all she’d read about kidnappings. The books said that the victim should cooperate. Don’t fight. Don’t be stubborn. And don’t question.

  But the thought of cooperating with Eva made her nauseous. Bethany crossed her arms over her chest. “No. I’m not helping you.”

  Eva’s eyes widened. “Are you crazy? Do it. He will be here soon.”

  “So? I can see you shooting me, but you won’t hurt Xavier.” Bethany’s mouth twisted into a knowing smile. “You love your brother. You wouldn’t hurt a hair on his head.”

  Eva stiffened, and Bethany knew she’d drawn first metaphorical blood. Breathing hard, Eva hesitated then stepped forward, pressing the gun against Bethany’s sternum. “Why fight me? I have the gun.”

  Why indeed? There was no great answer to being stubborn other than she was pissed. Sure, she’d lied to Xavier but Eva had almost destroyed him.

  Bitch.

  “Maybe because I know you won’t pull the trigger,” Bethany said. Snapping her hand downward, she grabbed the barrel of the weapon, pushing it down and sideways, and swinging her other hand towards the woman’s jaw.

  Eva didn’t let go but yanked the weapon back. Bethany’s fist swished through the air. Missed. She tightened her grip on the weapon, pulling harder.

  Then her jaw exploded in pain, and she dropped to her knees. She had missed. Eva hadn’t.

  “Do not try that again,” Eva warned. Yanking the rifle from Bethany’s shoulder, she tossed it aside and did the same with her handgun.

  Bethany looked up. Eva clenched and unclenched her fingers, wincing. “Good, I hope it’s broken,” Bethany said, rubbing her jaw.

  Eva jerked Bethany to her feet then stepped back, leveling the weapon at Bethany’s chest. “Are you ready to do as I ask?”

  Bethany shook her head. “No. You take me and he’ll come after me. That’s the kind of man he is. Haven’t you done enough to him already?”

  Eva frowned and her dark eyes narrowed. “What I did? How about you? I may not know the details, but I suspect he might be grateful to leave you behind.”

  Bethany sucked air between her teeth and clenched her hands into tight fists as she fought the urge to launch herself at Eva. “What I did was stupid. Stupid and weak and I would do anything to take it back. Anything.” Her eyes watered with angry tears. “But I can’t, so I have to live with the knowledge that I hurt someone I care for.

  “But it is nothing compared to your betrayal,” she retorted, her voice rising. “Did you see your brother’s face? Did you see?”

  Eva took another step back. “Shut up.”

  She wouldn’t shut up. Couldn’t stop talking now that she’d started. “You can tell yourself what you want, whatever lets you sleep, but we both know who the real villain is.”

  “I did not—”

  “You betrayed him, Eva.” Bethany almost spat the words, anger at Eva’s selfishness taking over. “You turned your back on Xavier and everything he fought for and now you want to do it again.”

  “I had no choice,” Eva declared, her voice sharp.

  She meant it, Bethany realized. The power and anger in Eva’s words were as tangible as the weapon in her hand. But there was more. There was regret. And maybe she could use it to turn Eva. Give Xavier back his sister.

  If she brought Eva back to him, he might forgive her as well. “There is always a choice.”

  “Not in Colombia,” Eva argued.

  “Even in Colombia,” Bethany countered. “Don’t screw up your relationship with your brother. Help us escape. Come with us. He’ll forgive you.”

  “No, he won’t,” Eva declared.

  Bethany took a step forward. “He will. He loves you. You should have heard him talk about you and Miguel. How you grew up on the streets. How you always took care of each other. How you lost your brother.”

  “He spoke of Miguel?” Eva asked, surprised.

  “Yes. It broke his heart to lose him. Don’t do this, Eva. Don’t make him lose you, too. Come home.”

  “He hasn’t spoken of Miguel since his funeral.” Eva touched her mouth, and for a split second was lost in the past. In a blink and a sigh, she was back in the present. “Call Xavier. If he comes here, I will have no choice but to take him, as well. Do you want that?”

  “No.” Bethany sighed. So much for trying to heal a rift. For fighting.

  She tapped her earpiece. “Xavier, whatever it was ran away. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  “No need,” Xavier claimed. He stepped out from the bushes and pointed his gun at Eva. “I’m here.”

  Chapter 15

  “How long have you been standing there?” Bethany asked, her attention bounced from the weapon in his hand, to Eva then back again.

  “Long enough,” Xavier answered. And longer than he cared to admit. He was faster and quieter than either Bethany or Eva, and he’d arrived in time to hear both Bethany’s confession and her attempt to talk Eva into coming with them.

  As much as he didn’t want to admit it, the catch in her voice as she made her confession touched him. Made him want to pull her close. To dry her tears away and tell her everything would be okay.

  He wanted to believe her claim of regret. Wanted it so much it made him ache, but doubt whispered in his ear, making him cautious.

  Eva wasn’t so swayed. The only way Eva changed her mind or direction was when Eva decided to do so. Otherwise, she didn’t budge.

  “Bethany, head toward the jeeps,” Xavier said.

  “Take a single step and I will kill you,” Eva vowed, her weapon still pointed at Bethany’s heart.

  His sister had killed in the name of freedom. He’d seen her pull the trigger with little regret, but to shoot Bethany now would be murder in cold blood. Some things weren’t lost no matter what changed or who you tried to be. He stared down Eva using his best big brother glare. “You forget that I know you. Bethany, go.”

  “Don’t. I will shoot.” Eva’s voice broke. “I swear.”

  “Go,” Xavier ordered. Bethany said she trusted him. Now was the time to prove it.

  Bethany gave a curt nod and pushed her shoulders back, the epitome of a soldier. Proud. Strong. Fearless. She gave Eva a nonchalant shrug. “Good luck.” Picking up the discarded weapons, Bethany walked away.

  When she was out of sight, Eva growled in anger and holstered her weapon. “Thanks for nothing,” she snarled, facing Xavier with her hands on her hips.

  “Did you think I’d let you take her?”

  Eva gave him a halfhearted shrug. “I’m your sist
er. You might. Besides, you’re angry with her.”

  “Not that angry,” Xavier corrected, surprised to find the words to be true. He hadn’t forgiven Bethany. Not by far. But between the long walk to get to Bethany, the fear at seeing Smith try to assault her and her confession, the consuming rage faded to a dull roar. “Now, can I trust you to stay here or are you going to raise the alarm?”

  Eva tossed her long hair with a careless hand. A familiar gesture courtesy of the girl he used to know. “Take her. Go.”

  He hesitated, hope urging him to extend the olive branch. “Come with me, hermanita. She was right. We’re a family, and with family, there is forgiveness.”

  “You heard her little monologue?”

  He nodded and held out his hand, willing her to take it. “Come home, Eva.”

  Instead, she took a step back, widening the space between them. Xavier let his arm drop.

  Hands still on her hips, she glared at him with the arrogance of FARC. “I am doing you a courtesy to let you leave. Do not make this harder than it needs to be.”

  Who was this woman? He’d hoped…

  Anger flickered back to life, and Xavier swallowed down his disappointment. “Don’t come home, Eva. Ever.”

  “Your words were empty then?” Eva challenged. “There is forgiveness only when one does as you request? Only when someone does as Xavier thinks they should do?”

  Xavier clenched his jaw. “No.”

  “That is what it sounds like,” Eva persisted. “Forgiveness with strings attached. Really long strings.”

  He wanted to argue, but there was no arguing with FARC. And Eva was FARC now. He turned on his heel, heading back toward the jeeps.

  “You tried,” Bethany reiterated, stepping out of the shadows.

  He didn’t break pace.

  “Maybe she’ll come to her senses,” Bethany offered.

  Xavier clenched his jaw tight and reminded himself that she was trying to help. “I don’t want to talk about this. We have a mission.”

  “You’ll have to at some point,” Bethany said.

  Xavier stopped. “Do you think now is the time? Here?” He waved a hand toward the FARC encampment just in view to their right.

  Bethany hesitated then continued toward the jeeps. “I guess not,” she commented, the stiffness of the words belying her cool delivery.