by Zara Chase
Sabine punched his chest, delighted to have measured up to his expectations. Since returning to his room the night before, Sabine hadn’t actually left it. Rick kept her fed, watered, and fucked, not necessarily in that order. There was nothing they hadn’t done together, expect appear in the dungeon. Rick had come and gone. Taking Ruben out, fetching food for them both, going up the mountain to check on the eagles, but he never left her for long. She missed him the moment he left the room, but found she could sleep soundly, her insomnia a thing of the past, if she cuddled the pillow bearing his unique masculine smell in the absence of the man himself.
Rick always returned with new, inventive ways to wake her up, as her pleasantly sore backside could attest. Who would have thought she would enjoy being spanked quite so much as she did? And as for anal sex…well, the joys to be had from that particular activity were a real revelation. She turned her head sideways, conscious of Rick watching her intently, but she knew this time it wasn’t because he had another game to try. He had done a pretty good job of distracting her from what they must, in a few hours, face. He clearly hadn’t wanted to talk about it, and she stopped asking him what he had planned, knowing she would find out soon enough.
“Come on, darlin’,” he said, reaching out to gently touch her face. “Much as I would prefer to stay in bed with you, it’s time to get showered and get this show on the road.”
“Then you’d better tell me how it’s going to go down.”
“Is there even the remotest chance of you coming up with me, and then going down again in another cable car?”
“Not the remotest.” She covered his lips briefly with her own. “It’s lovely that you want to protect me but—”
“But if anything happened to you, Sabine, I would have nothing left to live for.”
She gasped, both at his words and his tortured expression. It was obvious he meant what he said, but she wasn’t ready to believe him. “I bet you say that to all the girls who warm this bed for you.”
A cloud passed through his eyes at her flippancy. “I need to focus, and I can’t do that if I’m worried about you.”
“I have to be there, Rick. I thought you understood that. This is no longer just about you. The only person apart from you whom I’ve ever trusted has set me up. I can’t let that happen.” She buried her fingers in his chest hair so tightly it had to hurt. “Besides, you need me to watch your back.”
“Okay.” He sighed. “I had to try.”
“And I love you for it.”
He flexed a brow. “Only for that?”
“I thought you were shagged out.”
“Well, I was.” The long fingers of one hand drifted to her breast and tweaked its nipple. “But unfortunately there’s no time.”
“Let’s hear it then. What’s the plan?”
“One of the advantages of having a load of law enforcement clients in the dungeon is that they’re always willing to do Leo a favor. So, this is what we have planned. You and I will go to the refuge as planned. We will know before then if the assassins are already up there, and if they happen to go down again.”
“Which they won’t.”
“Well, if they do, we’re off the hook, but I’m not counting on it.”
“So, they will be up there when everyone else has gone. So they’ll stand out like…well, like assassins.”
“Not necessarily. There are serious walkers up in the mountains who camp out overnight. I’m betting that’s what they’ll be posing as.”
“Yes, but there are none between the refuge and where the eagles are nesting. The Govern has declared that a no-camping zone so the eagles are left in peace.”
“People still wander around that area at sunset. That’s often when the eagles are most likely to be seen bringing in food for their mates.”
“Ah, I see.”
“I don’t know what they have planned. Probably a straightforward approach to the refuge on the pretext of asking us a question.”
“Well, we know what they look like so we know who to expect.”
“Yeah.” Rick shook his head. “I guess.”
“What is it? You look worried.”
“I am. I have Leo and a couple of heavily armed policemen waiting in the only place they can get back down the mountain.”
“I was going to ask about that. How will they do it?”
“There’s a trail. It’s a long one, especially on foot, but I’m guessing they will have sneaked some quad bikes up it. They aren’t permitted that far up the trail because of the rare flowers they might destroy, and because they might disrupt the eagles, but the place is teaming with tourists during the day. All they needed to do was dress up like rangers—”
“Who are permitted to have bikes up there?”
“Right.”
“So what makes you think they will come up in the cable car?”
“Because they need to get the bikes up there and hidden in the woods in advance, just in case they got stopped going up on them today.”
“Do you know if they have bikes up there?”
“We have people looking but they don’t want to make themselves too obvious. The pine trees are densely packed up there. There’s a lot of area to search. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. There’s only two ways they can possibly get down. The most likely is by that trail. The other is if they’re flown out by chopper. There is a place where helicopters can land, not far from the eeries, but it’s out of bounds while the eagles nest. That won’t stop the assassins, of course, if they have an accomplice. But Jack is on stand-by tonight with his chopper. He has permission from the chief of police to put it down in the only spot where the assassins could land theirs.”
“Won’t they be able to see Jack waiting there?”
“No, it’s not visible from the refuge side.”
“Okay, so their escape routes are covered. What are we supposed to do when they approach us? Will we have an armed policeman in the refuge with us?”
“Can’t risk anyone else being seen in there because we’ve made it known it will just be the two of us.”
“Tell me you at least have a gun.”
“Oh, I do, but we have to be careful. Leo’s contacts can only stick their necks out so far. It’s illegal to carry handguns in this country. Hunting rifles are a different matter, but this isn’t the hunting season.”
“Let the assassins kill us, then a gun would be justified?” Sabine rolled her eyes. “That’s reassuring.”
Rick clasped her hand. “That’s why I don’t want you involved.”
“You’re stuck with me, buster.” Sabine dredged up a crooked smile. “So, we play it by ear when they approach us. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Not quite. Remember all the campers up there?” Sabine nodded. “Gun shots will bring them running, so the guys almost certainly won’t use guns.”
“So we die of stab wounds instead? That makes me feel a whole lot better.”
“Not on my watch, babe.” Rick flexed his jaw as he picked up photocopies of the assassins’ passport photos taken by their hotel. “We know to expect them, and what they look like, so I intend to take them down before they get a chance to pull anything, and before any of this can come back to bite Leo on the ass.”
“Yeah, I realize his position here is awkward.”
“It is, but don’t worry, I have a few weapons of my own.” He pointed to an array on a side table, including a can of mace.
“That’s good to know.”
“I need this to be over with, babe,” he said, looking lethally determined. “I’ve lived with threats from these big shot bully boys for too long.”
“You don’t need to explain to me.” She placed a soft kiss on his chest. “I understand better than you could possibly know.”
“Yeah,” he replied, tousling her hair. “I think you do.” He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Okay, if you’re sure I can’t talk you out of this, let’s hit the shower.”
* * * *
Talking the plan through with Sabine made Rick realize just how many things really could go wrong. He was fairly sure he could take down both guys, provided they really weren’t carrying guns they were prepared to use. Getting guns into Nevalla was risky, but it could be done. Still, he had his contingency plans in place, and if he didn’t come out of this, at least the truth would find its way into print. He had thought he was focused and ready for this long-awaited confrontation, and so he would have been if he didn’t have Sabine to worry about. Still, it was the way it was and keeping her safe strengthened his determination. He now had something even more important than his conservations projects to live for.
They showered and dressed in silence, then grabbed their loaded backpacks.
“Ready?” he asked.
“As I ever will be.”
“Right, let’s do this.”
Rick, all business now, whistled to Ruben and the three of them left the room. They encountered Leo in the lounge.
“No sign of quad bikes hidden in the trees,” he told them.
“Ah, so they’re gonna use a chopper.”
“Or we haven’t found the bikes.” Leo smiled at Sabine. “Sure you want to get involved in all this crazy stuff?”
“Don’t you start. Rick and I have already had this conversation.”
Leo chuckled. “Ah, so that’s what you’ve been doing all this time. Talking.”
Sabine blushed. “Occasionally.”
Leo roared with laughter. “You’ve got a lively one here, buddy.”
Rick rolled his eyes. “Don’t I just know it.”
“Okay, my friend.” Leo slapped Rick’s shoulder. “By the time you get up there, we’ll be in position, and in radio contact. I just heard the scumbags went up this afternoon, and haven’t come back down as yet.”
“They are so predictable.” Rick used heavy sarcasm in a clumsy effort to ease the tension. “Right, let’s get up and at ’em.”
“You take care now,” Leo said. “Get on the radio the moment you have a problem and we’ll move in to save your sorry ass.”
“Count on it.”
Rick and Sabine walked the short distance to the cable car station. At this time of day, few people were going up and they had a car all to themselves.
“Ever had a blow job in a cable car?” Sabine asked him with a wicked smile.
“Sabine!”
She pouted at him. “Just trying to take your mind off things.”
“I seldom seem to think about anything but sex when I’m with you, even at times like this.” He shook his head. “Go figure.”
“It’s my feminine wiles that have gotten you tied up in knots.”
“It’s sure as hell something you do. Probably that cute little mewing noise that you make just before you come.” He shook his head. “Gets me every time.”
“I aim to please, Master.”
“You sure as hell do that, darlin’.”
When they reached their stop, the station was busy with hikers waiting to go back down the mountain. Everything appeared normal, tranquil even, which just went to show how deceptive appearances could be. Rick, tense and alert, saw shadows where none existed. Assassins behind every rock.
The afternoon shift at the refuge had nothing of significance to report, other than a healthy stream of human traffic asking about the eagles. Left alone with Sabine, Rick’s first action was to take a close look at the eeries and their surroundings through his binoculars. In spite of his much greater concerns, he hadn’t lost sight of the need to protect the birds, but couldn’t see any movements out of place on the rocky escarpment.
The radio crackled into life, and Leo’s calm voice echoed over the airwaves, startling them both.
“We’re in position, buddy.”
“Right,” Rick replied. “All quiet at the moment.”
“We’ve got the refuge in sight,” Leo assured them. “Stay safe.”
“Roger that.”
“What happens now?” Sabine asked, throwing herself onto a bench and wrapping her arms around her torso.
“Now, we wait. That’s the hard part, especially for you.” Rick flashed a tense smile. “I happen to know patience isn’t one of your strong points. We’re gonna have to work on that. Anyway, our visitors won’t come calling until it’s dark and no one else is around, so we have an hour or more to kill.”
Time seemed to stand still, which was more than Sabine managed to achieve. She paced the length of the refuge, tapping her fingers on every surface she passed. Sat down, stood up again, picked up her binoculars, and stared through them into the gathering dusk.
“It’s getting dark,” she said unnecessarily.
“Won’t be long now, darlin’. They can’t wait until it’s totally dark.”
“Unless they have night vision goggles.”
“We have them, too.”
“I think…hey, what’s that moving over there?”
Rick grabbed his own binoculars. “Where, babe?”
“Over by the rocks where the eagles are.”
“Shit, a couple of guys trying to rappel up for the eggs.” He sighed. “Tonight of all nights. How come we didn’t notice them getting set up?”
“We haven’t paid as much attention to the birds as we should have. We’ve been on assassin alert. It could be our guys, trying to draw you out.”
“Yeah, possibly.” Rick adjusted the focus on his binoculars. “No, it’s definitely not them. These guys are taller and younger. The guys we’re interested in are small, wiry Spaniards. I need to stop those idiots before they disturb the birds. Will you be okay? It’ll only take a minute to scare them off. No one wants to end up in jail in Nevella so when they realize they’ve been caught, they’ll leg it.”
“Are you sure they aren’t some sort of decoy?”
“Unlikely. We’ve had the guys under surveillance ever since they were identified and they haven’t spoken with anyone else, far as I know.”
“As far as you know. Precisely. Don’t go, Rick. I don’t like it.”
“I have to, darlin’. It’s taken so long to get those eagles established here. I just can’t risk them getting close.”
“Send Leo in.”
“No, it would blow his cover.”
“He has armed protection.”
“I’ll only be gone a couple of minutes. The assassins aren’t anywhere near us. It’ll be okay.” Rick touched her shoulder. “Get on the radio to Leo if you see anything the slightest bit suspicious. Talking of which.” Rick picked up the radio and called his buddy. “Someone’s trying to get at the eggs,” he said tersely. “I need to stop them.”
“Sure it’s not our guys?”
“I’m sure.”
“Want me to go?”
“No, just keep a close eye on the refuge. It’ll only take me a minute to put the fear of God into the jerks.”
“Okay, Rick. Do it.”
Rick gave Sabine a brief kiss and left the refuge at a run, Ruben at his heels. Sabine watched him through the binoculars, a strange premonition stealing over her as his reassuring figure got farther away. She was used to being alone, preferred it that way, so why did she feel so discomposed without Rick to hold her hand? She wasn’t worried for herself, she realized with a jolt, but for him. The coincidence—that nest thieves should choose tonight of all nights to strike—seemed highly suspicious. Why couldn’t Rick see that? Because it was just the sort of ruse to make him act without thinking it through, she supposed. The people who had employed the assassins knew just how single-minded he was when it came to his causes.
This was definitely a set up. A diversionary tactic. It had to be.
What could she do to warn him? Short of following him, there was nothing. He had left the radio behind for her, and cell phones didn’t work up here. She could run after him, but would never get to him in time. Shit! She should have insisted he sent Leo. The only thing she could do now was to get Leo to move in and cover his back. Sh
e picked up the radio to do just that, but screamed when a masculine hand covered hers, preventing her from doing so. She whirled around and saw the two Spaniards they had been waiting for standing in the doorway to the refuge.
“Quick!” one of them said in broken English. “While he is gone, give us the documents you have for us.”
* * * *
The idiots rappelling up the rock face hadn’t gotten far. They didn’t have the proper gear and had no real idea what they were doing. Rick yelled and they almost fell off the rope.
“Come back down here,” Rick shouted. “You’re breaking the law.”
Rick hadn’t known how they would react, but was surprised when they meekly did as he asked.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he asked, angry enough to deck the fools when they stood before him, their breath smelling of alcohol. “Do you have any idea what damage you could have done?”
“Sorry, mate,” one of them replied in an English accent. “We were just playing the game.”
“What game?”
“Some Spanish geezers told us about it at lunch. It’s a treasure hunt for daredevils. This was the first stage. Get up to that ridge and there’s a clue where to go next.”
Rick was barely listening. “Get the fuck out of here.” He pointed to the track that led back to the village. Eventually. “Now!”
Rick headed back to the refuge at a run, Ruben loping along beside him, calling himself every kind of numbskull. Sabine had warned him it was a set up and he hadn’t listened to her.
Sabine! Shit, they wanted to get her alone to collect the documents. Geez, he was so stupid he wasn’t safe to be let out alone. He was so single-minded when it came to his causes that he was a danger to himself and everyone who came into contact with him. Talk about arrogant. He loved Sabine, worshipped the ground she walked on. He had known it almost since first meeting her, and would now probably never get the opportunity to tell her how he felt. What she meant to him. How she had already changed his life in all sorts of important ways. How he never wanted to spend another second separated from her.
“Come on, buddy,” he said to Ruben, increasing his pace. “You love her, too, I can tell, so let’s see if it’s not too late.”
