Through the binoculars, she watched the FARC leader emerge from his hut. Arms waving and bald head shining in the sun, he shouted orders and then backhanded a hostage.
New camp. New location. Same jerk.
Bethany frowned. It had taken them six months and a lot of inquiries, but she, Xavier and his team were fulfilling their promise to her sister—they were rescuing the other hostages. Today, if all went as planned.
Her mother had pitched a fit when Bethany told her that she was returning to Colombia with Xavier, but it was her home now. It was where she was needed.
And it was what Samantha needed. Still in therapy, two years as a hostage had changed her little sister. She acted as if she were better. She smiled. Said and did all the right things.
But that was a show Samantha put on for the sake of Bethany and their mother. Bethany couldn’t ignore Samantha’s cries at night or the shrieks when nightmares woke her. She couldn’t turn away from the pain that her sister fought to hide. Samantha might act as if she was healing, but her inner demons still held her in their grip.
But at least she had Samantha.
Eva had never returned and there had been no word of Xavier’s sister in the past six months.
She’d tried to talk to him about her, but he refused.
Maybe one day…
But it would have to be when he was ready.
Bethany glanced at her watch and sighed. “Seriously, what’s taking them so long?”
“Be patient,” Xavier suggested, watching the camp.
She flicked a bug off her wrist. “Patience was never my virtue.”
“Nice excuse, but I know better,” Xavier replied, ignoring her agitation.
It was true. She had learned patience over the past few months and that skill had helped save them. Building and rebuilding her relationship with Xavier hadn’t happened over night. There had been more talking. A few fights. And great makeup sex.
“There’s a lot to be said for makeup sex.”
Xavier froze then looked at her, his expression confused. “Where did that come from?”
She grinned. “Nothing.”
Xavier rolled his eyes and went back to watching the camp.
Yes, patience had paid off.
They’d weathered the hard time and came out stronger. She clasped Xavier’s hand in hers. “Have I told you how happy you make me?”
Eyes still on the movement below, Xavier smiled. “You have. Except when we’re out here.”
Bethany grinned. “You make me happy.” She flicked another bug. “Bugs creep me out.”
“You can go back,” Xavier suggested.
“You wish.” It was their one constant battle—his desire to keep her safe and her desire to be the person who did the right thing.
He shrugged in response.
“You don’t want to fight about it?” Bethany pressed, a little disappointed at his easy acquiescence.
Xavier’s smiled morphed into a grin. “You just want great makeup sex.”
Mr. Funny-man. She chuckled. “And would you turn me down?”
“You two ready to make some noise?” Sebastian’s voice came over Bethany’s earpiece before Xavier could respond. “We’re in position and ready to move.”
“Ready,” she replied, Xavier’s answer mixing with hers.
“Do what I say.” Xavier set the binoculars down, all humor gone and his eyes boring into her. “And be careful.”
“Of course,” Bethany said, shaking as adrenaline rushed through her. “I’m always careful.” She took a deep breath. This was it—her first rescue.
She rolled away to rise but Xavier gabbed her arm and rolled her back.
“What now?” she asked.
Xavier cradled her head in his hands, so they were face-to-face. “I’m serious. Be careful. I don’t want to lose you.”
She heard the fear in his voice and felt it in his touch. She recognized it because she felt the same fear when she thought of him on a mission without her. Not that she was a talisman capable of keeping him safe, but if he were wounded, her place wasn’t sitting at his bar, waiting.
It was at his side. It didn’t matter if they were crossing a gorge on a zip-line, freeing hostages or waking up in the morning. They were partners. Lovers. A team. And there wasn’t enough fear in the world to change that.
Leaning in, she kissed him. He returned the kiss, his mouth warm. She breathed him in. “You will never lose me. I promise.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3941-2
MERCENARY’S PROMISE
Copyright © 2009 by Sharron McClellan
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Mercenary’s Promise Page 20
