Cameron, Paige - A Fling with the Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Paige Cameron

  “I’ll run it by Mick and have him call you. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice if he accepts the assignment.”

  “I’m ready now.”

  Brent chuckled. “Must be a very good friend.” He hung up.

  Dirk threw basics in a back pack and paced the floor waiting for his call. Thirty minutes later the phone rang.

  “Dirk Brodie?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is Mick Holster. I talked to Brent and to two of my men. One is an ex-SEAL, the other a crack sharpshooter. If we’re going to do this, we have to get in and out quick.”

  “I agree.”

  “I’m not sure about taking you along. We don’t need an inexperienced person to snag things up.”

  “I’ve done a few covert operations in the past. I’ve never told anyone, family or friends, just you. And you aren’t going without me.”

  There was silence on the other end for several seconds. “Brent said you were a good man. All right, I’ll take a chance this one time. We’ll pick you up in a helicopter in about two hours, and then head for a private airport I use. We’ll fly a roundabout way to our destination and make our plans during the flight. I have some contacts on the ground that can furnish us with an unmarked helicopter. We’ll bring our own weapons and ammunition.”

  “I’m ready and waiting.”

  * * * *

  The fierce gunfire had startled her, but she had confidence they’d manage to get through. When she saw the three men die and the other two outnumbered, her heartbeat went into overdrive.

  The fighters were covered in long cotton caftans. On their heads they wore turbans, and black kohl had been rubbed around their dark, fierce eyes.

  The one who appeared to be the leader grabbed her by the arm. “You are the trophy from this fight, and mine, for now. I may share you with my men if you displease me.” He reached out. A man handed him a large folded dark blue square. The leader shook it out and threw it over her head. “Now no one will see your fiery hair but me, as is proper. Tie her hands and throw her over my horse.”

  They put the two wounded men on horses and pulled the reins along behind them. The men were bent over, and Chelsea saw blood on them. She feared they’d never make it to wherever these animals were taking them.

  The leader kept his hand on her back. She bounced, jarring her middle every step his horse took. Once he let his hand roam down her back and cupped her buttocks. When she tried to move away from his touch, he laughed.

  “Get used to my touch. You are mine to do with as I please.”

  His harsh words sent a cold chill throughout her body. No one knew where they were. She doubted even if she was rescued that it would be in time to save her from this man’s assault.

  She’d never been afraid, not really, until now. She’d ridden motorbikes fast and hard, bungee jumped over a wide canyon, and canoed down a rapid river. When she’d left home, she became a daredevil, wanting to experience all she’d missed. But now in this dark place, far from home, for the first time she was really frightened.

  Dirk had warned her many times that she had been lucky, but luck never lasted forever. Why was he in her thoughts? He was home in Montana. He’d wanted a different life. He’d looked like a handsome cowboy when she tried to sneak onto the Terrell ranch. What would have happened if she’d gone back after her mother’s surgery and subsequent recovery? Would she still be here, a prisoner to a madman?

  She raised her head a little and saw a small village built against the side of the mountain. They’d arrived. Her time had run out.

  Chapter Two

  Dirk, Mick, and his men bent over a map of the area where it was thought the soldiers and Chelsea had been taken. They held flashlights to better see the roads and the small villages that were marked. So many weren’t even listed.

  “Our plane lands at this spot.” Mick made an X mark on the map. “We’ll pick up any new information and head out in the helicopter. My guess is they headed to this mountain range just over the border. They’ll believe no one will come in their direction right away. The soldiers will have to get permission to cross over. Whereas we don’t ask.”

  One of the men, called Devil, spoke up. “If we’re caught, we won’t be treated well by either country, theirs or ours.” He looked at Dirk. “You understand the risk you’re taking?”

  “I do.”

  Satisfied, he shook his head. “Good.”

  Dirk tried to sleep like the others, but he couldn’t. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her face.

  A few more hours and they’d finally be close to where they thought she was being held. He doubted they’d get there in time to save her from an assault. Hopefully they’d be able to save her life. Thoughts buzzed around in his head until finally the pilot announced they were landing.

  The plane curved to the left and began to descend. Dirk’s heart beat quicker. Finally they were going to be doing something.

  “Ready, team?” Mick glanced at them all, including Dirk. “This is it. We get the copter and head out. Chuck, you’ll pilot the helicopter, too.”

  As soon as the plane landed, they got off. Two tall, dark-skinned men wearing turbans met them outside the tiny, wood office.

  Dirk saw money change hands, and then Mick was handed a key. They spoke low to Mick. Dirk couldn’t catch enough of the words to know what info they were relaying.

  Mick motioned them to the helicopter sitting to the right. They ran across the tarmac and got in. Mick handed the key to Chuck. In minutes they were in the air.

  “Those two said rumor had it that a small band had taken prisoners, one a woman. He gave me an idea of where they might be hiding out. As we expected, it’s over the border. We’ll fly close to the area, land, and go the last distance on foot. In the back of the helicopter are caftans and turbans. We’ll use dirt as a camouflage to cover our faces. Any questions?”

  “No.” They all responded.

  It was in the middle of the night, and the copter sounded loud in the emptiness of the sky and below. Chuck went higher and circled first one set of mountains and then another. Nothing. Time was of the essence and running out.

  “Take a pass over that small group of mountains to the left,” Devil said. He adjusted his night goggles and leaned out the side window. “There, see? It blends right into the wall of the mountain, and it’s smaller than we expected. But I’ll bet that’s them.”

  Dirk saw what he meant when the helicopter turned away and he could see it out of his side. “I agree,” he said.

  “All right. Let’s put this baby down, not too far. If we fuck up, we don’t want to have to run a long distance with prisoners who may be wounded.”

  Chuck eased the copter into a small area on the other side of the mountain. From there they’d be hidden fairly well.

  “If they didn’t hear us, we’ll have the element of surprise. If they did, this is going to be messy. Chuck, you stay here with the machine gun to protect our escape route. Dirk and Devil, follow me.”

  Mick led the way carrying a rifle and another one loaded and slung over his shoulder. They crept around the mountain and sat to survey the camp. The fires were out. No one moved around the tents. One guard at each end sat watching the darkness. Both were nodding off. Mick motioned to Devil. He raised his rifle equipped with a silencer. First one guard and then the other fell over.

  “Damn, that’s the finest shooting I’ve ever seen,” Dirk whispered, and stared at Devil.

  Mick motioned them forward. They moved from boulder to boulder, keeping hidden as long as they could. Finally they had to step out into the open. Mitch motioned for Devil to take the tent on the end at the right, and he’d take the left. The middle tent, bigger, and obviously a bit grander, must belong to the leader. They’d discussed that he probably had Chelsea.

  Dirk had taken a step forward when a head poked out between the tent flaps. It was a woman, but she was covered from head to foot in a burka. Still when she moved into the open, he knew fro
m her height and walk that it was Chelsea. She hadn’t seen him yet, but she’d glimpsed the other two going into the tents. She swung her head in his direction and then took off running toward him.

  “What the hell?” Dirk whispered. “Were you trying to escape?”

  “I was going to.”

  Dirk nodded toward where they’d left the copter. “Go in that direction, turn right, and you’ll find a man protecting our helicopter. I’m going to wait to make sure the other two don’t get into trouble. Run.”

  Chelsea nodded and took off running barefooted across the dirt filled with little stones. If it hurt her feet, he’d never know. She went quickly in the direction he’d pointed out.

  Meanwhile Dirk had seen Chuck peek in the end tent on the right and step back outside. He moved toward the tent where Mick had entered. Mick came to the door carrying one man and motioned to Chuck to get the other.

  Mick handed the man to Dirk. “Take him to the copter. If things get bad here, take off and save at least the two.”

  Mick ran back to help Devil.

  Dirk ran as quick as he could with the wounded soldier. Thank goodness someone had undressed him. If he’d had his battle armor on, there was no way Dirk would been able to run. As he got to the helo, he heard the first gunfire. “Take him.” He saw Chelsea huddled in the corner. “If it gets to rough take off and save them.”

  He ran back and saw Mick coming toward him carrying the other soldier. Devil was following behind and shooting as fast as he could. Dirk passed Mick and joined Devil in the gunfight.

  Between them, they were winning. Devil didn’t miss a shot. Dirk only missed a few, but bullets still whizzed around them.

  They rounded the corner and saw Mick putting the man on board and climbing into the copter. Dirk waved for them to take off, and the helicopter rose straight up and flew right out of sight. As they’d risen, Mick had dropped more ammo and waved.

  Devil and Dirk hid in the shadows as the fighters came around the mountain too late to hit the copter with bullets. But they tried.

  Dirk and Devil held their breath and had their guns ready. But the men must have thought they all got away. They turned and walked back around the mountain.

  The men said something as they went out of sight. Dirk had a thing for languages. He knew quite a few of the words.

  “They’re planning to check this area out in the morning. They figure if anyone was left behind, they’ll never be able to hide from them.”

  “Let’s get the ammo. We’ll surprise them at how well we can hide and make our way to the border. We know where Mick will be looking to pick us up. We need to start walking now.”

  Keeping on their night goggles they checked their compass and headed out. They hid behind boulders and small hills as much as possible. The quickest way home was not the most protected. With luck they’d make the meeting place by early morning.

  Whatever happened, Chelsea was safe. That was the most important thing to Dirk.

  “Where’d you learn to shoot like that?” Dirk asked when they stopped for a few minutes to take a drink of water.

  “It’s too long a story for now. But I started early in the bayous of Louisiana.”

  “I thought I heard a hint of an accent.”

  “Damn, I thought I’d lost it long ago.” Devil grinned. “Guess when a man’s under pressure, a lot of things come out.”

  Devil stood. “We’ve got to get on our way. You’re in pretty good condition for a cowboy.”

  “Cowboys stay in good shape,” Dirk said, and grinned back at Devil.

  * * * *

  Both wounded soldiers had bled a lot, and they were unconscious. Mick ran his hand through his hair. He couldn’t wait until morning to get them to a base. They needed help now.

  “Patch me into the American forces.”

  Chuck glanced at him.

  “I know. We’re going to have trouble, but we don’t have a choice.” He thought for a second. “Wait. Ask for Major Howard. I think he’ll work with us.”

  “Before you do”—Chelsea put her hand on his arm—”you’d better know I think I killed their leader.”

  “What?” Mick stared at her.

  He was going to attack me. He planned to do it the first night in camp, but some high chieftain came to visit. They had meetings through the night and all day.” She swallowed and looked out the window. Mick waited for her to continue. He noticed her trembling hands.

  “He left just after dark. The leader of the group who kidnapped me sent for me a few hours later. Everyone was settling down for the night. The guy pushed me into the tent. The place was empty.

  “I was lucky. They had untied my hands when we got to the camp. They didn’t believe I would be any problem. I searched all around the tent and found a short, thin knife hidden under clothes in a trunk.”

  Chelsea bit her lip. “When he came into the tent, I was ready for him. I shoved the knife into his gut, and before he made a sound, swung a heavy kettle at his head. He groaned, but not too loud.” Perspiration formed on her brow as she talked.

  Mick started to stop her talking. She waved him aside. “Let me get it out. I figured he probably told his men not to bother him during the night. It was nerve-racking, but I waited until all went quiet and decided to step outside. If anyone questioned me I’d say I had to relieve myself. I’m doubtful it would have worked. Still I had to think of something to say if caught. And then Dirk was there and you all.”

  “Shit, I’m not sure who you killed. Hopefully it was someone the soldiers have been wanting to capture.” He tipped her face up to look him directly in the eye. “This is what we’re going to do. When they find him dead, they’ll be sure one of us killed him. They don’t know our identity. No one but us will know you did it, and we won’t tell.

  “Your life would be in too much danger if they thought you’d done it. They won’t suspect a woman could kill such a man.” Mick glanced at Chuck. “Right?”

  “Right.”

  “Make that call for the Major. We need to get these men help and get back to rescue Devil and Dirk.”

  When the Major got on the line, Mick gave him a brief review of what happened. “Where can we meet and give you the soldiers?”

  “What about the war correspondent?” the Major asked.

  “We’re taking her to a secure location. She’s fine, but not ready to deal with the press and all the questions. Can you do this and keep our identities out of it?”

  “Hell yes. I’ll send a helicopter with my SEALs and a medic. They know how to keep their mouths shut. We’ll say a friendly village sent us word, and we picked them up. We won’t name the village, either.”

  “Sounds good. Make it fast. I’m stopping where I hope to meet up with the two men I had to leave behind. They’ll be here at daybreak or a little after.”

  “We’ll be on our way in minutes. Give me the coordinates.”

  * * * *

  Dirk climbed the last hill as the sun peeked across the horizon. Devil was right behind him. Dirk had never been so glad to see that helicopter. The blades were turning, so they’d been sighted. They both ran a zigzag path toward the copter.

  Mick reached out and helped each one of them inside. They fell on the floor exhausted as they took off into the blue sky. Light was coming fast.

  “We have to get to the small airport where we left our plane and get out of this territory,” Mick said.

  Chuck responded by flying the copter as fast as it would go. Dirk rose up and looked around. Chelsea sat in the back, her knees pulled up to her chest. Her arms wrapped around them.

  “I’m glad you’re safe. I’d have never forgiven myself if you’d died rescuing me.”

  “All in day’s work,” Dirk said, hoping to bring a smile to her face. But she looked pale and haunted.

  “There’s the hut and our plane.” Chuck pointed to the west. “They all spotted the wooden shack, and the plane shining silver in the morning light. In the distance they spotted
a dust cloud.

  “As soon as we land this, run for the plane,” Mick directed. “I’ll throw some more money at the guys at the landing strip. Chuck, you have the plane geared up and ready for takeoff. There’s no time for a long checklist. We’re going on faith.”

  The men nodded. Dirk motioned for Chelsea to come to him. “I’ll help you across the tarmac.”

  Her face flushed. “I’m not injured. I can probably outrun you with all the walking you had to do last night. Don’t baby me.” She pulled away from where he had his arm around her.

  The dust cloud was moving quicker in their direction. Chuck landed the helicopter and gave the key to Mick. They all ran toward the plane. Dirk glanced back and saw Mick greet the two men from last night. Money and the key changed hands, and then Mick ran to the plane. Dirk waited and they both got on last. Devil slammed the door shut as Chuck started taxiing down the strip.

  Dirk and Mick looked out the side window. “The jeep is full of armed guerillas. Step on it, Chuck, they’re trying to catch us,” Mick said.

  “This baby won’t just jump into the sky. Hold on.” He gunned the motors and tilted the nose up.

  A bullet hit the side of the plane just as the front lifted. They moved up fast into the clouds.

  “We’re out of their reach. I hope they didn’t hit any vital parts,” Chuck said. “Devil, come up here and do a belated checklist for me.”

  Mick nodded his head at Chelsea. She was pulled up into the fetal position again. “What are we going to do with her?”

  “I have an idea. But tell me how you took care of the soldiers.”

  “That’s a long story. Have a seat.” He handed Dirk and Devil a bottle of water and an energy bar. “I had a friend in high places.” Mick began to tell them how the SEALs had met them a few hours before dawn. “They weren’t sure the men would live, but we gave them a shot at surviving.” Mick explained what story the Major was going to tell.