by Lynn Ames
“That does not matter to me. I am a warrior, descendant of a long line of warriors, and I will finish out my time with honor.”
“Like you were going to let that woman finish out her life?”
“That was regrettable. I…” Nassir stopped talking. He had already said more than he intended.
“You what?” the woman asked.
“You may torture me forever. I have said all I will say.”
As the man raised his hand again, the woman reached out and stopped him. She motioned him to the side. Although they moved several steps away and Nassir was fighting to stay conscious, he thought he heard her instruct him to stop, that they would not get any more useful information, and that they were not barbarians.
It was the last thing Nassir heard before oblivion took him.
Vaughn supported Sage with an arm around the waist as they exited her prison. She watched as Sage blinked hard in the brightness of the corridor.
“Close your eyes for a second and open them slowly. Give yourself time to adjust.” Vaughn stopped their progress and waited for Sage to follow her instruction.
“That’s a little better. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Vaughn noticed that as they moved forward, Sage clung to her more tightly.
Vaughn turned toward her and gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re safe. I promised…remember?”
“I—” Sage gasped, stopped short, and ducked behind Vaughn.
Vaughn looked around to see what had caused such a violent reaction. Jackson was walking toward them, gun out, blood spattered liberally on his Kevlar vest and pants.
“Put it away,” Vaughn commanded, gesturing at the weapon. She pulled Sage gently into her arms, careful not to jostle her shoulder. Sage was shaking and crying.
“It’s okay. He’s with me. Shh. It’s okay. This is Jackson. He’s an old friend.” She motioned for Jackson to stay where he was, and continued to soothe Sage until she quieted and the shaking stopped.
“I’m sorry. I—”
“Don’t apologize.” Vaughn’s heart bled for this innocent woman who would carry the scars of this episode for the rest of her life. “It’s to be expected.” She tipped Sage’s chin up to meet her eyes. “I meant what I said, Sage. Anyone who wants to do you harm will have to go through me first.”
“And me,” Jackson said.
“And him,” Vaughn said, smiling into Sage’s frightened eyes. She faced forward once again, turning Sage with her. “Dr. Sage McNally, this is my good friend Jackson. Jackson is chief of security services for Burkina Faso.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Sage McNally. Any friend of Vaughn Elliott’s is a friend of mine.”
“I-it’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“I taught Jackson everything he knows.” Vaughn winked at Sage.
“It is true. I trust her with my life, and you can also.”
“That’s good to know,” Sage said.
“What’s the news?” Vaughn asked Jackson.
“We could not get anything out of him. I am sorry.”
Vaughn shrugged. “I didn’t really think you would, but it was worth a try. He’s gone?”
“Yes. I have seen to it personally.”
“W-what do you mean, gone?” Sage asked Vaughn.
“That man will never hurt you, or anyone else, again.”
“Y-you killed him?” Sage directed the question to Jackson.
He looked at Vaughn before answering, his expression conveying a question of its own. Vaughn nodded.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh.” Sage said, her voice hollow and small. She shivered against Vaughn’s side. “Was that really necessary?” She looked up at Vaughn. “I mean, he was very apologetic about what he had to do. I got the feeling that he truly regretted—”
“Sage, that man was about to kill you.”
Sage trembled again. “I know, but it wasn’t his idea, and he seemed honorable…” She paused. “I guess that sounds stupid. It’s just…”
“I know. I’m sorry,” Vaughn said, marveling at the ability of this woman to see the best in a person who had been about to end her life. “We had to.”
Sage said nothing more as they continued down the corridor. When they turned the corner, Justine was coming toward them. This time, although there was a hitch in her step, Sage continued bravely forward.
“You must be Sage,” Justine said. Vaughn watched Justine eye Sage appraisingly.
“Yes.”
“Hi. I’m Justine. I’m a friend of Vaughn’s.”
“Boy, Vaughn, you sure seem to have a lot of friends for someone not very likeable.”
The comment surprised a laugh out of all of them.
“That, my dear, is the understatement of the year,” Justine said. She finished closing the distance between them and squinted into Sage’s eyes. To Vaughn, she said, “Concussion for starters.”
Vaughn nodded. “A dislocated shoulder too. Can you do anything for her here?”
“I think so.”
“Among her many talents, Justine is a trauma nurse,” Vaughn explained to Sage. “She’s a handy person to have on your side.”
“There’s a room around the next corner. I’ve already set it up as an examination room.” Justine winked at Sage. “I always like to be prepared.”
“Wow. I guess so.”
“Bring her this way,” Justine said to Vaughn.
“I do not want to intrude, Vaughn Elliott,” Jackson said, “but I do not think it wise to stay here too long with Mr. Torgensen still in the picture.”
“Who is Mr. Torgensen?” Sage asked.
“Nobody you need to be concerned with,” Vaughn answered, before anyone else could. She looked at Jackson. “You’re right. I just want to get Sage stabilized and make sure she’s okay before we travel.”
“I will check the perimeter while you and Miss Justine help Dr. McNally.”
“The hell you will,” Vaughn said sharply. “Nobody steps outside this building alone.”
“I meant only that I would try to assess the situation from inside. Also, I will find something to secure the back door again.”
“Okay.” Vaughn relented. “But I don’t want you taking any risks, do you understand? If you find anything odd or out of place, you’re to come get me. No heroics.”
“I understand.”
“I mean it, my friend.” Vaughn shook her finger at him.
“Right.”
Vaughn turned to Justine. “Lead the way.”
Justine had done well setting up a trauma area, Vaughn thought. A long table was positioned in the middle of the room. A smaller table to the side held some instruments, gauze, and strips of cloth of varying sizes.
“Help her onto the table,” Justine said to Vaughn.
“I can—”
Before Sage could finish the sentence, Vaughn lifted her up and deposited her gently on the table. When she looked down, she realized she was between Sage’s knees, in almost exactly the same position they’d shared in Sage’s kitchen. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
Sage’s eyes met and held hers for a second, and Vaughn wondered if she was thinking the same thing.
“Okay,” Justine said, breaking the spell. “Let’s have a look.” If Justine had any idea what had just transpired, she didn’t show it. She picked up a flashlight from the side table. “I’m going to shine this in your eyes. I’m pretty sure you suffered a concussion, but I’d like to see your pupil responses just the same.”
“I think I might have suffered more than one, if that’s possible. They hit me several times with something hard. I tried to escape more than once.” Sage said it matter-of-factly, and Vaughn’s admiration for her courage grew.
“I wish I had a pen light, but this will have to do,” Justine said, holding up a regular flashlight.
“That’s okay.”
Vaughn moved to the side and watched Justine check Sage’s pupils, then do several visual acuity tests with
her fingers to see if Sage was suffering from any double or blurred vision.
When she was done, Justine replaced the flashlight on the instrument table. “Yep. I think it’s safe to say you had a couple of good knocks on the noggin. I don’t think there’s any permanent damage, but if we were in the States, I’d insist on you having a CT scan to be sure.”
“I’ll make sure we get her one when we get her home,” Vaughn said.
“Home?” Sage asked, looking from one of them to the other.
“Can you check her shoulder?” Vaughn ignored Sage’s question. Oh, yes. When I get us out of here, you’re going back to the States until I can be sure you’re out of danger.
“I’d say you’re right,” Justine said, looking at the odd angle at which Sage held her arm. “It’s definitely out.”
“I got banged around on the ground a few times,” Sage said meekly.
Justine smiled at her. “You were very brave to fight back, you know.”
“Not really,” Sage said.
“Oh yes, you were,” Vaughn said, stepping closer. She understood that Justine was trying to distract Sage from what she was about to do.
“Help me get this off her, Vaughn.” Justine gestured to the robe.
“Right.”
“Lift your hips for us?”
Sage did as commanded, and Vaughn and Justine pulled the robe up to Sage’s abdomen.
“Now stay still. Let Vaughn and I do the rest of the work, okay?”
“Okay.”
Together, Vaughn and Justine worked the garment over Sage’s head, and finished by sliding it off her bad arm. Vaughn sucked in a quick breath as anger flooded her. Sage’s body was a mass of dried blood and bruises. She clenched her fists. It was lucky for her captors that they were already dead. What she wanted to do to them at this moment was far worse than a quick bullet to the head.
Her eyes met Justine’s and, for the briefest second, she saw her own rage reflected there. Just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by calm professionalism.
“I’m going to put your shoulder back in place first, and then we’ll get you cleaned up so we can see what else we need to do, okay?” Justine addressed Sage as she put together a makeshift sling.
“Sounds like a plan.” Sage smiled bravely. “Will it hurt much?”
“It will hurt a lot less than it did when it was dislocated. When you get home, you’ll need to see an orthopedist. There could be something torn in there, and you might need surgery to repair it.”
As Justine judged the angle she would need to take in order to put Sage’s shoulder back in place, Vaughn moved forward. “If you want, you can squeeze my hand. Grip it as hard as you want, you won’t hurt me.”
“Thanks.” Sage slid her good hand into Vaughn’s and entwined their fingers. “I’ll try not to be too much of a baby.”
“Nobody would accuse you of that,” Vaughn said. With her free hand, she reached out tentatively and stroked Sage’s cheek. She was keenly aware of Justine observing her out of the corner of her eye, but she didn’t care.
“Ready?” Justine looked at Vaughn over Sage’s head. “Brace her on that side, will you?”
“Of course.” Vaughn spread her feet slightly to improve her balance. She pulled Sage toward her until her head was burrowed against Vaughn’s shoulder.
Vaughn watched as Justine moved directly in front of Sage and applied pressure to the front of her shoulder. She felt Sage’s breathing quicken in anticipation of pain.
“Let your arm go lax. I’m going to move it for you, okay?” Justine asked Sage.
“Okay.” Sage’s eyes were tightly shut.
Justine manipulated Sage’s arm until the elbow was bent at a ninety degree angle, palm facing out. Then she rotated the forearm downward toward the floor while continuing to push on the ball of the shoulder with her other hand.
Vaughn felt Sage go stiff against her, then slump forward. Sweat dotted her forehead. “You okay?” she whispered into Sage’s ear.
“Uh-huh,” Sage said tightly. “Dandy.”
“Feel better?” Justine asked, watching Sage.
Sage straightened up and shrugged her shoulder experimentally, never letting go of Vaughn’s hand. “Much. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Justine moved Sage’s arm until her hand was over her heart. “Keep it in this position. After we get you cleaned up I’ll put the arm in a sling.”
“Is there running water?” Vaughn asked.
“Surprisingly, yes. Walk this way.” Justine led them down the hall.
“I’ll check on Jackson while you work on Sage,” Vaughn said. She felt Sage go rigid against her side and the hand holding hers tightened its grip.
“Hey, you’re all right. Justine will take good care of you.”
“Please, don’t leave me. Don’t go.”
Vaughn was helpless against the plea in Sage’s voice. When she turned to look at her, there was real fear in her eyes. “I’m right here. I won’t go anywhere. I promise.”
“Thanks.” Suddenly, Sage’s eyes were filled with tears.
“Hey, hey. It’s okay. You’re safe, honey. You’re safe.”
Sage stopped walking and threw herself into Vaughn’s arms. Vaughn staggered back a step at the unexpected onslaught.
Justine caught Vaughn’s attention and mouthed that she would check on Jackson. Vaughn nodded. She wrapped her arms around Sage and rocked her, resting her cheek on the top of Sage’s head.
After several minutes, Sage sniffed and lifted swollen eyes to Vaughn’s. “I-I’m s-so s-sorry. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.”
“I do. Sage, you’ve been through an incredibly traumatic time. It’s natural for you to be afraid. For a while, you’re probably not going to want to be alone. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You’re a very, very brave woman.”
“You’re just being nice to me.”
Vaughn caressed Sage’s cheek and shifted a lock of hair out of her face. “No, I’m not. You did great. You fought and you used your head to stay alive. Most people would’ve panicked or given up.”
Sage wiped her eyes with her good hand. “I knew you would come for me. That’s what kept me going.”
“You…” Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat.
Sage smiled and nodded. “I kept telling myself that you would know what happened, and that you would find me.”
“That’s a serious amount of faith.”
“I knew it was well-placed.” Sage rested her forehead against Vaughn’s chin. “I just needed to stay alive until you got here.”
Vaughn didn’t know what to say to that, so she said nothing.
Justine reappeared a moment later. “Everything appears to be secure. It’s getting dark out there.”
“That’s a comforting thought. I’d rather deal with Torgensen in the dark than in daylight. Where’s Jackson?”
“I’ve got him preparing Sage a little something to eat.”
“Good idea.” Vaughn pulled back so that she could look at Sage. “When’s the last time you had anything to eat?”
“I don’t remember. One of the men brought me something earlier in the day. I think it must’ve been breakfast. Who is Torgensen?”
“Torgensen is my problem,” Vaughn said. The last thing she wanted was to tell Sage that the ambassador had replaced her with a trained assassin.
“Vaughn—”
“Let’s get you cleaned up. We can’t stay here too much longer.” She walked forward, propelling Sage along with her.
Twenty minutes later, she and Justine escorted Sage into the kitchen. Her arm was restrained in the makeshift sling; she had stitches in her head and in her thigh where dirt and grime had hidden a long gash. They eased Sage into a chair by the small table.
“Everything okay?” Vaughn asked Jackson.
“Yes. I was able to contact some friends using Justine’s phone. They will meet us and get you out of the country. If something happens to me, they will still be expecting
you.”
“What could happen to him?” Sage looked at Vaughn, confusion in her eyes.
“Nothing’s going to happen to anybody. You should eat.” Vaughn picked up the plate Jackson had prepared and slid it in front of Sage.
“All appears to be quiet,” Jackson said. “Perhaps too quiet.”
“If Torgensen is here, why hasn’t he made a move?” Justine asked.
“Why would he?” Vaughn countered. “Remember, he thinks I’m alone. Assuming he’s out there, he will have seen the dead guards.” Vaughn saw Sage flinch and paused. “Maybe we should discuss this outside.”
“No!” Sage cried. She looked around wildly. Vaughn moved to her and took her hand.
“We’ll be right outside in the hallway.”
Sage shook her head vigorously.
Vaughn tried one more time. “This isn’t going to be pleasant conversation.”
“I don’t care. I can hear it.”
“Vaughn—” Justine’s voice held a warning.
“Okay. We’ll talk about it here.” She ignored Justine’s glare. “If Torgensen saw the dead guards, he’s got to assume either I’ve taken out the rest of them, or I’m already dead. Either way, there’s no reason for him to come charging in. He can wait me out and have the advantage of not giving away his position.”
“I agree,” Jackson said. “Which means we might want to split up when we leave. At least one of us should go out the back door.”
Vaughn frowned. She didn’t like the idea of leaving someone uncovered. It was clear to her that Sage would not go with anyone but her. That made their exit more difficult. Whatever else happened, Sage had to be protected.
“Can I talk to you over here for a minute?” Justine asked Vaughn. “We won’t leave the room,” she said to Sage.
Vaughn moved to the far corner where Justine joined her. “What?”
“Have you asked Sage if she knows why she was taken?” They were both whispering.
“No. You see her. She’s in no condition emotionally to be subjected to questioning.”
“Agreed. But it’s obvious that she has information that someone thought was worth killing her for. If anything happens to her…” Justine let the thought hang in the air.
“Nothing’s going to happen to her. Hasn’t she been through enough for one day? Can’t you see that she’s hurting and exhausted?” Vaughn knew she was being unreasonable.
