Out of the Dark

by Geri Foster

  “Well, we’re safe now,” said Emily, crossing her legs. “We’ll leave London and be in the States before nightfall. The adventure comes to an end.”

  Mac hoped she was right, but he doubted it. Instinct told him an inevitable collision was about to take place.

  Could he protect Em? The last thing he wanted was her to become collateral damage.

  The plane taxied to the gate and Sam killed the engines. Mac stood and helped Emily to her feet. Releasing his hand she went to Sam and thanked him for all his help before departing the plane. When Mac passed the cockpit Sam crossed his arms and gave Mac a ‘dumbass American’ glare, but Mac didn’t care what that ‘rod up the ass’ thought. “Keep the skies friendly,” he said.

  As they entered the terminal, customs awaited. Since he’d left all his weapons on the plane, Mac had nothing to claim. Em only had her laptop, briefcase and purse.

  When his turn came, Mac pulled out the papers Tony had prepared for him. Knowing Tony, those papers were good as gold. They’d stand up to any standards in any country.

  The noise in the busy terminal gave Mac a headache. As he glanced at the milling crowd, he wished for a deserted island somewhere in the tropics with nothing but coconut trees and soft waves lapping at the beach. And Em.

  A mixture of different cultures of food traveled up his nostrils and made his stomach growl. Once through security, they learned their plane would be departing three gates away. Thank God. Nothing he hated more than running through airports hoping to catch a flight. When they finished with customs, Em looked down at her clothing. “I need to make a stop at one of the stores and find something to wear.”

  Two corridors down was a small clothing store situated between a souvenir shop and a coffeehouse. Once inside, the only thing Mac picked up was a toothbrush and toothpaste kit. That’s all he needed.

  On the other hand, Emily picked up a change of clothes and they met at the cash register. Em pulled out her credit card and paid for the purchase. Who knew a woman could shop so fast? He’d expected to spend at least an hour waiting while Emily browsed for something to wear.

  Another surprise. The woman could make up her mind.

  In the men’s restroom, Mac splashed his face with water and gargled. He took out the toothbrush and cleaned his teeth. While he didn’t look better, he felt pretty good. Now he wanted to get back to Dallas and figure out this mess.

  Closing his eyes he thought back to him and Em making love. It had been amazing, but not something he would dare hang on to. As the company’s attorney, Mac knew she was off base. He’d have to let all that go. He knew better than to dream of a different life. That didn’t exist for guys like him.

  When he emerged from the men’s room, Em waited nearby. She’d purchased a clip to bunch up her hair and that disappointed him. He liked her curls down, but she didn’t look like she was in the mood to hear his opinion.

  Damn, his heart sped up with just looking at her. How could he get across the ocean without taking her again? In a flash, Mac thought of the hot sex they’d had earlier and wondered if she was, too. Her face looked like she’d spent all afternoon in the August Texas heat. Without speaking, he nodded his approval of her new outfit. A white pullover, a pair of tight, faded jeans and flip-flops.

  As Mac fell in beside her, she waved two sheets of paper in front of him. “I have our boarding passes. We’ll be home before you know it.”

  “I’m ready for that.”

  Slyly, she glanced sideways at him. “You look a little better.”

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  Em didn’t reply as they made their way toward their designated gate. In the boarding area she looked around. “There’s a restaurant.” She pointed to a small, franchised shop. “Let’s eat before we board. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

  “Sounds good. I could eat something.”

  The waiter led them to a table near the main walkway and took their drink order. From where they sat, they could see the plane parked outside that would take them to Dallas. With a little time to kill, they placed their food order and relaxed. Mac sipped a Heineken and Em had a small glass of white wine.

  Rolling his shoulders, Mac leaned back in the leather chair. Their food came and the delicious aroma had Mac picking up his fork, ready to eat. His eating utensil inches from his lips he felt the hard barrel of a gun pressed against his side.

  One wrong move and he was a goner.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The salad Emily ordered looked delicious. While she poured dressing on top of the lettuce, three strange men approached their table. Emily stilled. These guys didn’t look friendly, ready to have dinner, or likely there to welcome them to London.

  No, definitely not a hospitality committee. As a matter of fact, their mean snarls didn’t look good at all.

  She dropped her fork and tried to stand.

  “Not so fast there, young lady,” the largest man said with a strong British accent. Emily looked into the meanest eyes she’d ever seen. Her leg muscles tightened, ready to run.

  The redheaded man with the gun whispered against Mac’s ear, but she clearly heard him. “Hello there, you little fucker.” Then he twisted his face into a brutal sneer. “Long time no see, ay?”

  “What do you want?” Mac asked. Tension straightened his body. “And get that damn gun out of my ribs or I’ll scream like a girl being raped.

  “You do that and I’ll blow ye head off in a hurry, I will.”

  The shortest of the three said, “Bruno sent us.”

  Mac paled and swore under his breath. “What the hell does he want?”

  “Ain’t what he wants. It’s what Ramón Marino wants. And he always gets what he wants. Y’know what I mean?”

  “Go to hell.”

  “You first, mate.”

  “I keep askin’ meself how this fucker’s still alive,” the redhead said. “He killed two of our best men, didn’t he, Charlie?”

  In response, Charlie smiled showing rotted teeth. “Yeah, and he’s still walking around.” He cracked his knuckles and Emily’s heart slammed against her ribs with the impact of a sledgehammer. “I’m gonna mess him up real good before we kill him.”

  Mac tried to stand, but the man who told her not to move placed his hand on the chair, and the other guy jabbed harder with the gun. Mac raised his hands. “Okay, gentlemen, let’s go.” Mac forced the chair backwards and rose. The bigger man latched on to Mac’s bicep.

  Looking around, Emily noticed not a single person in the airport paid them a token of attention. Even their server disappeared. Emily wondered how these men managed to get into the airport armed, let alone past security.

  Mac glanced at her with a sadness that practically broke her heart. They planned to kill him.

  The bigger guy grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the chair. She struggled against his strength but it was useless.

  Yanking free, Mac stopped. “I’ll go with you, but leave the girl alone. She stays here.”

  “No deal, bloke,” the redhead said. “We got our own plans for her. Cute little chit, she is.” He stroked Emily’s cheek and she jerked away. “Sides, she’s got what we’re after.” He grabbed at her purse but she refused to relinquish it. “Where’s the flipping film, Emily?”

  Three sets of hungry eyes turned and stared. Emily felt flesh eating Piranhas were consuming her and she had no escape. The hair on her arms rose, her body tightened and she feared she might vomit any moment. After looking at the three villains, Emily vowed she’d find a way to kill herself before she’d allow these animals to touch her.

  Still hordes of people traversed the corridor, yet none noticed the danger surrounding her and Mac. “I’m not going anywhere.” Emily grabbed the edge of the table, flipped it over and screamed until her lungs burned. “Terrorists!” She sucked in a gulp of air. “There’s a bomb!”

  People within hearing range shrieked and ran for the nearest exit in a panic.

 
The table and its contents forced the man holding Mac at gunpoint to jump back. When he did, Mac moved in the opposite direction. In a blur of action, Mac punched Charlie in the jaw, twisted his arm behind him and rammed his head into a nearby wall. Then he turned his attention to the redhead. Mac beat him with both fists, kneed him in the groin then slammed his face against a table.

  Two armed British soldiers patrolling the airport turned and charged toward them. Two other security guards came from the other side of the terminal. Emily kicked the short guy in the shins. “That man’s got a gun,” Emily screamed. As police and military personnel reached the area, Emily and Mac backed away.

  Not wanting to stand around and be dragged into hours of interrogation, Mac took her hand and they headed for their gate as if nothing had happened. When she dared a look, chaos ruled the moment until the three men were handcuffed and led out of the airport by a security patrol.

  “You’re pretty handy to have around, Em.” Mac said.

  Shaking, Emily couldn’t think of a reply. A quick dose of fear drenched her to the core, making her hands tremble. “What were those men after?” Emily demanded. “They were going to kidnap us...kill us. Why?”

  Glancing at the tile floor before looking at her, Emily saw his sadness. His eyes searched her face. Taking her arms, he’s said. “Em, I have enemies all over the world. Those bullies work for a guy I had a run-in with four years ago.” Letting out a sigh, Mac released her and combed his fingers through his hair. He glanced out the large window toward the waiting planes. “Short story, there are people who want me dead. It comes with the job.”

  She pointed behind them. “But back in the plane you told me no one was trying to kill you right now.”

  Lie.

  He’d lied to her. For what? So she’d feel better?

  “What’s the deal, Mac? Obviously, people are always trying to kill you.” She backed away. “It comes with the job. How insane is that?” She bit back tears. “How can you stand it?”

  Nothing prepared Emily for the wrenching in her chest. Yes, she’d suffered a broken heart, but this was a different feeling altogether. What a sacrifice Mac made for his country. To constantly be hunted, forever on the lookout, never able to relax and live a normal life.

  “I’m sorry.” She reached up and patted him on the shoulder when she wanted to pull him into her arms and not let go.

  “None of this is your fault,” he said. “I chose this life a long time ago and I’m resigned to my fate. I just plan to do as much damage to the bad guys as I can before they take me out. Then we’ll be even.”

  The PA system announced that it was time to board. As a gesture of kindness and feeling it was the least she could do, Emily left Mac and went to the counter and asked if they could get their tickets upgraded. After what they’d been through, Frank could pay the extra money. If he dared complain, she’d punch him.

  Being part of the first group to board, Emily and Mac passed through the jet way and entered the plane. Maybe they’d get a nice meal and a good movie. Home sounded better by the minute.

  As other passengers settled around them, Emily handed Mac her briefcase and laptop to put in the overhead bin. After all the pushing and shoving, Emily scooted to the window seat while Mac took the aisle. Ready to leave England, Emily buckled her seatbelt, closed the window blind then leaned back and took a deep breath. The rich aroma of coffee and canned air lifted her spirits. The engine purred like a love song.

  After adjusting his seat, Mac settled in.

  Smiling, Emily said, “Frank is going to have a fit when he sees how much this flight cost him.”

  “No, he won’t.” Mac chuckled. “Money doesn’t mean anything to Frank. It’s all about justice to him. After what you went through, he’d gladly buy you your own private plane.”

  She smiled at him. “Hmm, wish I’d known that earlier.”

  The passengers settled, the ‘Fasten Seat Belt’ sign came on and doors closed. Another sigh escaped her lips when the pilot slowly steered the plane away from the terminal. She felt safe for the first time since Mac had entered her hotel room.

  While traveling to Heathrow, Mac had fallen asleep right after their lovemaking. It didn’t hurt her feelings because she knew he must have been exhausted. While he rested Emily had moved to the other seat and called Brenda to assure her they were going to Belize regardless. Nothing, absolutely nothing, could keep that vacation from happening.

  She’d made their flight arrangements and contacted her office. Then she relived every second they’d spent making love so wildly she nearly passed out from pleasure. No man had ever made her feel so whole and completely satisfied. Chills ran a race up and down her spine just thinking about her body connected to his.

  Once the plane leveled out, the flight attendant offered them a delicious meal and wine. Afterwards Mac turned to Emily. “What was that goon in Heathrow talking about when he said he wanted the film?”

  She’d hoped Mac had forgotten about that. Guess she couldn’t get that lucky. “Hmm, I’m not sure.” As a distraction, she opened the window shade and stared at feathery white clouds.

  “I am.” Mac wore that ‘tell me the truth’ stare. “I heard it clearly. Now tell me what’s going on. And how are you involved?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Do you have a camera?”

  No way. She refused to discuss that with Mac. It wasn’t any of his business. And she had no idea how the guy at the airport knew she’d taken pictures. She made sure no one saw her. “I might have a camera.”

  “Did you take pictures in Moscow of something confidential?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, why did that guy want to see the film? And Em, I want the truth. If you’re tied up in anything...”

  Angry that he’d insinuated she’d done something wrong, she twisted in her seat to face him. “How dare you accuse me after all I’ve been through?” Her voice shook.

  “I’m not accusing you. I’m asking a simple question.” He leaned a pulse away from her lips. “Now, where the hell is the camera?”

  Insecurity made her hesitate. Did he have to know everything? If he knew the entire story, she wouldn’t be able to stand the humiliation. Not after being as intimate as they’d been. Unable to face him, she looked away.

  Before she could react, Mac reached down, grabbed her purse and started rummaging through the contents. Furious at his boldness, she snatched her bag back. “Don’t you dare pry through my things.”

  He gripped her chin. “Tell me or I’ll strip search you right here, right now.” He narrowed his eyes. “And I’ll enjoy every minute of it.”

  Her breath caught in her chest and she struggled to swallow. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  He raised a brow, his cobalt blue eyes burned hot as a poker. “I think by now you know what I’m capable of doing, Emily.” That said, he released her and held out his hand. “Give it up.”

  Not able to trust herself to speak, Emily reached in her purse and removed a contact case. She slapped it into his palm. “There.” He looked at her with a puzzled look on his face. “Well, you wanted it.” She nodded toward his hand. “There it is.”

  “You wear contacts?”

  “No, I don’t wear contacts. But one of those lenses is a camera.”

  Mac popped open the case and saw the two lenses soaking in a clear liquid. “Which one,” he asked.

  “The right one.”

  “It looks like a normal lens.”

  “Of course it does. That’s the whole idea.”

  Mac stared from the contents in his hand to her and back again. His brow wrinkled

  Ha! Let’s see the great spy figure that out.

  “What the hell are you up to, Em?”

  “I’m not up to anything.”

  “The hell you’re not. This is some serious confidential shit.”

  “No kidding.”

  “What’s it doing in your possession?

  Emily stared at the back of the
seat in front of her and folded her arms. “It’s a long story.”

  “Yeah, well, we have hours with nothing to do except you tell me what the hell’s going on.”

  Mac leaned closer, took her arm and pulled her toward him. She captured his scent, felt his heat, and sensed his anger.

  “Now.” The word slipped out of his mouth as smooth as water off glass.

  There was so much she didn’t want to tell him, things she didn’t want him to know. But somehow, someway, someone had found out about her taking pictures and now she had to come clean. It would hurt, but she had to own up to her part in this crazy game. “It’s an invention.”

  Mac closed the case and placed his elbows on the arms of his seat. “Whose invention?”

  Emily held up her hands. “Let me finish then you can ask questions.”

  “Okay.”

  “A friend of mine is an inventor. He creates gadgets for the government and military and stuff like that. After years of research, he developed that lens camera and I agreed to try it out for him. I went to Red Square one evening and snapped several pictures. It was sort of dark, and I honestly wasn’t paying attention to whom or what I shot.”

  The flight attendant came by and asked if they needed anything. When she asked for another glass of wine, Mac gave her a warning look. Oh yeah, if she ever needed to get drunk, now was the time.

  “Lay off the sauce until I get the whole story.”

  Accepting her wine Emily shrugged. “That’s the whole story.”

  “Why at night?” he asked.

  Emily took a sip of wine then replied, “That was one of the problems. The elimination of a flash. That and certain images.”

  “A camera without a flash?” Mac shook his head.

  “It wasn’t about the flash. My assignment...I mean favor, was to test the trigger device.” She pulled a small plastic stick out of her purse, about the size of a pair of tweezers. “You wear the lens, look at something and click the pen like this.”