Mercenary’s Promise

by Sharron McClellan

  Xavier rolled his eyes in exasperation. Sometimes, he wanted to shake some sense into her. She made him crazy with the way she twisted words. They passed a large mango tree—his marker—and all anger and tension faded as the mission took control.

  Xavier touched Bethany’s shoulder, bringing her to a halt. “We’re here.”

  She shrugged his hand off, and he pushed the flash of irritation away.

  “How does this work?” she asked, all business. “We have to drive the length of the camp.”

  “I know.” It wasn’t the best scenario, but there weren’t any others. “We get in, gun it and hope for the best.”

  “Who drives?”

  He grinned despite the tension. “I’m the man. Who do you think?”

  Bethany didn’t rise to the bait but shrugged and holstered her weapon. “I’ll ride shotgun, as it were, and make sure we get out in one piece.”

  A chill washed over Xavier. Having her as sniper from the jungle was one thing, but this would be up close and personal and he didn’t want her to step over that line. Not even for him. “I do not think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why?” She raised a dark brow. “I’m not going to hide in the backseat while you take all the risk.”

  Laying low in the backseat was exactly what he wanted her to do. “You’re not battle-tested, and this isn’t your fight. It isn’t your mission. It’s mine. I’ll take the risk. I just want to get you out in one piece.”

  Bethany looked up at nothing, blinking hard. Hell, was she going to cry? Then she looked back at him, her eyes dry. “I appreciate the sentiment, but this is my mission, too. It’s my fault you found out about Eva.”

  “I needed to know,” Xavier responded, though a part of him wished he’d remained ignorant.

  “But not like this.” Bethany flattened her hand against his chest, as if sensing his heartache at losing Eva. Any remaining irritation fled at her touch. “Not hearing it from a stranger.”

  She looked up at him. “Don’t take this away from me, Xavier. You need backup or we’re both dead.”

  He shook his head.

  Bethany continued, “You trusted me to guard your back when you went for the C4. Trust me again. I’ve earned it. Please. Trust me.”

  Trust her? She wasn’t talking about the escape. She was talking about what they had before he found out her lies.

  And he wanted to trust her again. A little. He placed his hand over hers. Her skin was damp but smooth, and she was impossible to deny, despite everything she’d done. “Try not to kill anyone unless you have to.”

  She smiled up at him. All Bethany.

  All his.

  Just one kiss, he told himself. For luck. To make her feel better. He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm.

  Now who was lying, the sly voice in his head whispered.

  Her eyes wide, she stared into his eyes, her silence saying more than words.

  Fine, he was a liar. In this case, he could live with it. Xavier brought his mouth down on Bethany’s, consumed by the need to feel her, to taste her, one more time.

  Her breathing deepened, and she slid her hand up his chest, wrapping her arm around his neck and matching his passion with her own.

  Mine. The primal urge overwhelmed him, intensified by adrenaline. Yanking her hat off, Xavier wound his fingers through Bethany’s hair as he tasted the salt on her lips.

  He kissed a path along her jaw then worked his way to her neck, wanting to forget the deceptions and pain. Wanting to go back to what they were.

  Wanting Bethany.

  A shout caught his attention, and Xavier pulled himself away, his heart pounding.

  Bethany stared at him, her breathing harsh and hurried.

  He looked toward the far end of the camp. The teams were returning. He took a deep breath. This was why he didn’t like to bring women on a mission. Well, at least bring Bethany. She made him crazy. Made him forget who he was and where he was.

  Still, it was up to him to save her. He took a deep breath and his pulse steadied. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  She grabbed her cap, held up her handgun, all business. “Let’s go home.”

  The gorge was easier, Bethany decided as she crawled along the jungle floor towards the jeep, her head just a few inches away from Xavier’s shoes. Less mess. A good view. And almost zero chance of someone shooting at her.

  They reached the vehicle, and Xavier motioned for her to wait. She’d heard the expression “a minute felt like an eternity” but had never understood it until now.

  The jeep rocked as Xavier crawled into the cab then stopped. Once again, time sputtered and struggled as they both waited to see if any of FARC noticed the movement.

  Nothing but chatter punctuated with shouts drifted from the other end of the camp.

  Xavier leaned over and motioned for her to get in. Bethany crawled inside and flattened herself on the bench seat, trying to keep below the jeep’s profile.

  Xavier lay on the floorboard, wires in hand. “Ready?” he whispered.

  This wasn’t like guiding Xavier through the encampment or shooting someone from a distance. Anyone she shot here would be close. She’d see their face. Watch them die.

  They’re terrorists, she reminded herself. They took your sister and they’ll take you, if they don’t kill you. They’re the bad guys.

  While the platitudes didn’t quell the flock of butterflies in her stomach, neither did the butterflies quell her determination. Besides, maybe she’d get lucky and the soldiers wouldn’t notice them until it was too late. “Ready.”

  “Remember to breathe,” he said, touching the wires together. The jeep sputtered.

  “Come on,” Xavier said. He touched the wires again, and the engine came to life.

  Someone shouted from the far end of the camp.

  So much for not being noticed.

  Bethany rose in the seat, sitting on her knees for better mobility. Xavier slid behind the wheel, shoved gears into place and pressed the pedal to the floor.

  In seconds, they were speeding toward the road at the far end of the camp. Bethany counted five men running toward them, guns raised. Bile rose in her throat, and she swallowed it back.

  “Hang on,” Xavier shouted. She grabbed the dash as he jerked the jeep to one side and then another, zigzagging the vehicle and forcing the men to miss their shots.

  But the camp wasn’t that big, and in a few seconds they’d be on the soldiers and not even serpentining the jeep would keep them safe.

  It was up to her.

  She scanned the enemy. Ready. Watching. One of them focused on Xavier and raised his weapon.

  Oh, hell no.

  Breathe. Xavier’s voice replaced the panic.

  Bethany took a deep breath. Held it. And time slowed with her exhale, came to a halt and gave her time to notice the rage in the enemy’s eyes. His receding hairline. The spittle flying from his mouth as he shouted at them.

  Everything.

  His finger tightened as he took aim.

  She raised her weapon and pulled the trigger.

  The impact knocked him backward, and his chest bloomed red as he fell into the dirt.

  Time jumped to normal. She turned from the body. Her first kill. And probably not her last.

  The butterflies in her stomach took flight.

  She refocused her attention on the rest of the men firing from the shadows.

  A bullet hit the back of Xavier’s seat, sending packing everywhere and jarring Xavier.”

  “Xavier!” Bethany screamed his name.

  He didn’t even glance at her but kept his attention on the road ahead and on the men coming at them.

  That was too close. Lips pressed tight, Bethany pivoted on her knees. A soldier chased them.

  Bastard. She fired. Missed. Breathe. She took a deep breath, focused on the man—

  And he fell sideways, grabbing the mangled flesh that was once his thigh.

  “What the hell?” B
ethany took her finger off the trigger, confused. She hadn’t fired. But someone had. And from the jungle.

  Eva?

  Xavier veered right and Bethany’s cap flew off, leaving her hair to whip in the wind. She shoved the tangled strands aside, staring into the dark, but whoever had helped her—saved Xavier—was gone.

  Was it Eva? She wasn’t sure. But who else could it have been?

  More movement behind them drew her attention as soldiers ran for the wired jeeps. “Drive faster!” Bethany shouted, not sure how much explosives Xavier had used to rig the other vehicles. Would the explosion take out the compound or just the jeeps?

  “Almost there,” Xavier shouted back.

  Seconds later, they cleared the gauntlet and found themselves on the dark, rutted path that served as a road. Xavier flicked on the headlights.

  Behind them, there was a roar and a ball of fire rose in the night sky. Men ran and shouted, but the explosion was small and localized.

  Anyone else was safe, including the hostages.

  “Yes!” Bethany punched the sky as they turned a bend in the road, and the camp disappeared from sight leaving an orange glow on the edge of the tree line.

  She flopped back in the seat, allowing herself a small smile. It wasn’t a total win, but they’d hurt FARC and the hostages were alive. And with life there was hope.

  Xavier slowed the jeep. “Any wounds?”

  “I managed to dodge the bullets,” she said. “How about you?”

  “I’m all right,” he said.

  But no matter what he claimed, he wasn’t all right. He wasn’t even in the vicinity of “all right.”

  Bethany leaned back in the seat, an arm over her eyes, shaking with adrenaline. The fight was over, and they’d won the battle. Together, they’d saved her sister. Escaped the bad guys.

  And lost Eva.

  It was the last bit that struck Xavier harder and deeper than any bullet. And there was nothing she could do or say to save him from that pain.

  “Wake up.”

  Bethany opened her eyes at Xavier’s voice. They were parked on a ridge with open sky in front of them. The horizon was pink, and the birds in the trees behind them screamed and screeched as the sun rose over the jungle.

  She sucked in cool air, loving the sky, the open air and anything that wasn’t green and mossy. “Where are we?” she asked, stretching.

  Xavier handed her the binoculars. “Take a look at the valley.”

  Tents. Campfires. Military vehicles. “Captain Veron’s camp?”

  “Not many other options,” Xavier replied.

  Last night, as she’d fallen asleep and Xavier drove, she’d thought they’d won the battle. But she hadn’t felt it. She couldn’t feel it until she was sure Samantha was safe.

  And now…

  Bethany scanned the camp, desperate for a sign of her sister. Other than the sentries, there was no movement.

  “Do you think they made it?” The binoculars slipped from her fingers to her lap. What if they’d failed? What if Samantha and her protectors were captured? “We should go check. I can’t see anything from here.”

  “My guess is that they are still asleep.” He put in an earpiece and handed one to her. “Sebastian? Tomas? You there? Come back.”

  Static answered.

  Bethany squeezed her eyes shut.

  Xavier patted her hand. “Sebastian. Tomas. Wake the hell up.”

  “Ese.” Sleep clouded Sebastian’s voice, but she’d recognize it anywhere. “You made it back. What the hell happened?”

  Xavier leaned back in the seat and looked sideways at Bethany. “It’s a long story.”

  “Does it involve explosions?”

  “Of course,” Xavier replied. “That can wait. Where’s Samantha?”

  “Please,” Bethany cut in. “Is she there? Is she okay?”

  “Right here. She wouldn’t let them separate her from us. Bethany,” his voice dropped to a whisper, “I think she has a little crush on Tomas.”

  “I heard that,” Tomas said.

  Bethany could almost hear him blush. “Duke it out later, boys. Can I speak to her?”

  Seconds ticked by and anxiety twisted her stomach into knots. “Where are they?”

  “Bethany? Can you hear me?”

  Samantha’s voice rang in her ear and all curiosity was lost in her relief at hearing her sister’s voice. “I hear you loud and clear,” Bethany said as two-years’ worth of tears filled her eyes. Her sister was free. Safe. They were a family again.

  For a long while, she’d thought this day might never arrive. “Are they treating you right?” she asked, sniffing.

  “I’m fine. Captain Veron was a little wary when we showed up, but once he realized I’d been a hostage, he was great.”

  “How about it, guys?” Xavier asked. “Is he buying the story? That you found her?”

  “Not at all. He was pissed once he figured out that Samantha is Bethany’s sister,” Tomas explained.

  Bethany couldn’t blame him. No one liked to be made the fool.

  Tomas continued, “He’s cool now. He’ll take the credit for the rescue and we’ll call it even.”

  “I’m good with that,” Bethany said. He could have whatever he wanted as far as she was concerned.

  “Bethany?” Samantha’s voice cracked with tension. “Where are you? When do I get to see you?”

  Bethany looked down over the valley. “We’re close.” She wiped her cheeks, smiling through the tears.

  There was a rustling on the other end. “They’re coming to bring us breakfast,” Samantha said. “Tomas says I have to go. They don’t want Veron to know about the earpieces.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you soon,” Bethany said. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  The static returned.

  Bethany pulled off the earpiece and let it fall to the floor. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “You’re welcome,” Xavier said.

  She watched the sky lighten above them. It was a new day and a new life for her and Samantha.

  But not for Xavier. The man who deserved a happy ending as much as, if not more than, anyone else. “I’m sorry that you didn’t get Eva back.”

  He nodded. “Me, too.”

  The apology wasn’t enough. There were things that needed to be said. Things Xavier needed to know. “She saved us. I thought you should know.”

  Xavier’s brows knit together. “How so?”

  “I was aiming for the man behind us, and I missed. She took him out before I got a second shot and kept him from firing again.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind,” he said. She saw appreciation in his gaze.

  But no absolution.

  “It’s not enough to forgive her, is it?” Bethany muttered.

  He shook his head. “She took hostages. She threatened you. She betrayed our people and our cause. I let her live. That is all the forgiveness I can offer her.”

  “She betrayed you,” Bethany said, knowing where the conversion had to go. “Like I did.”

  With a sigh, Xavier opened the door of the vehicle, got out and paced its length. “You lied to me, Bethany. Used me.”

  There was no reason to deny the obvious.

  Xavier continued, “I am not going to say it was all right. It is never all right to use someone like that.” He stopped pacing. “But I understand why.”

  Bethany’s breath caught in her throat. “I am so sorry. I took from you and hid the truth. I should have said something sooner.”

  “You were selfish.”

  She nodded, keeping her head down, not wanting to see the disappointment in his eyes. “I was.”

  “You were scared.”

  She buried her face in her hands. “I was so scared.” Her voice broke, regret overwhelming her. “I didn’t want to lose Samantha. Then I didn’t want to lose you. I knew I had to give up one or the other. It was stupid and foolish, and I should have told you everything. Let you make that choice.
” She looked up at him, willing him to believe her.

  She continued, “But I didn’t. I kept up the lie even after I knew I could trust you with anything. With my life. I am so sorry.” She reached out to him. “I wish I could take it all back.”

  Xavier took her hand, pulled her from the jeep and into his arms.

  Bethany inhaled him. He smelled like the jungle. Like sweat. Like everything she ever wanted.

  “Not all back,” Xavier whispered, his mouth pressed against her hair. “Not you. Not us.”

  Fear whispered for her to remain silent. To not ask what she didn’t want to know. Bethany shook the fear away. She’d let it make her decisions before and she’d be damned if she’d do that again. She might not like the answer, but she’d take it. Whatever it was.

  “There’s still an us?” she asked.

  He smoothed her hair back. “I thought a lot last night while you slept. Mostly about something Eva said. That forgiveness should not have strings.”

  He sighed. “My sister is confused right now. I don’t know why and I can’t fix it. But she was right about that. Either I forgive or I don’t.

  “I forgive you, Bethany.” He kissed the top of her head. “And there will always be an us. Always.”

  Bethany pressed her face into Xavier’s chest. She didn’t deserve this. This easy forgiveness. But she’d take it and be grateful. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. You’ll be stubborn. I’ll get frustrated. I am sure it will be a bumpy ride.”

  Bethany looked into Xavier’s eyes and saw something she’d never seen before. A future.

  She grinned. “Stubborn? Me?”

  “Yes. You.” He grinned back and this time, it went all the way to his eyes. “But there will be forgiveness, as well. For both of us. No strings.”

  It was a heady thought. But she wanted more. And this time, she wasn’t going to let fear keep her silent. “And love?”

  “And love.” Xavier brushed his lips against hers. “I promise.”

  Epilogue

  “Moss is going to grow on me if I don’t move soon,” Bethany muttered.

  “You talk too much,” Xavier said.

  Wearing camouflage and paint, she and Xavier lay next to each other, watching Cesar and his men in the valley below.