SEALs of Honor: Swede

by Mayer, Dale

  “What do these people want?”

  “Anything and everything I’d say,” he said in a hard voice. “This could be any number of things, regardless of what the rebels were saying, including a deal gone wrong.”

  He slipped outside to hide beside the huge set of shelving that stood on the porch. It was from days long gone for men to store their dishes or boots or some damn thing. It was odd, but seemed to fit the rest of the old verandah. She forced herself to turn and look around. Focusing on the shelving allowed her to get past the sight in the kitchen.

  “Where do you think the others are?” she whispered.

  From their vantage point, she watched the horses graze in the far pasture. An innocent sight. Surreal when side by side to what was behind her. “I guess that means the fire is out.”

  “The fire was only a distraction,” he muttered.

  She watched him as he surveyed the corrals. It was dark and calm and almost…empty.

  “Are they gone then?”

  “Maybe, but if so they will be back.”

  A bird cry sounded overhead. Swede grinned. He stepped forward, cupped his hands around his mouth and sent out a similar call.

  With a happy sigh, Eva listened to the calls being exchanged. She recognized Hawk’s voice. They’d both practiced bird calls growing up. That he was okay had to mean the other men were either long gone or weren’t going anywhere ever again.

  She hoped it was the latter. She’d never have considered herself blood thirsty, but considering what these men had done…well, she’d have nightmares for months. If she knew for a fact they were all dead…it would be easier.

  And home was the only place she wanted to be. Right. Now.

  As they stood in the cool darkness listening to the night, she wished she could see someone, anyone. But the darkness was so black. “It is really dark out.”

  “It’s late, the moon is up behind those trees, and it looks to be a waning moon so it’s only a sliver. Perfect for an ambush.”

  The casual way he said that made her blood chill. This was what he did, but it was not what she did. Unable to help herself, she reached out and slid her hand into his much bigger one.

  She felt his gaze but deliberately didn’t look at him. He squeezed her hand and tugged her close to stand in front of him, there he wrapped her up into his arms and held her against his chest.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he said, his voice low, deep.

  She nodded but didn’t trust her voice. She was fine. The men inside weren’t. And she had no idea the injuries the other women had sustained. How was any of that okay? Given that uncertainty, she leaned back and soaked up his comfort. “We need to find Isabella.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched but he nodded. “Let’s check the barns.”

  Holding onto her hand, he led the way to the first horse barn. Under the cover of the night, they managed to get from one end to the other without seeing anyone. “Now the other one,” he said, his voice close to her head. “This one might have some unpleasant surprises.”

  “I know,” she whispered.

  He led the way as the crossed the corral to the entrance to the tack room. There were no lights on anywhere. Still, the room appeared to be empty. She watched as he gave it a cursory glance then led the way to the many horse stalls. All the horses had been moved out but they had doors letting them back in. A few stood head down as if sleeping. That should mean all was well. Then again, it could also mean they’d adjusted to whatever they’d seen and experienced. She was happy for them. The adjustment wouldn’t be so easy for her.

  Tugged along at Swede’s side, she came to an abrupt stop as his arm shot out stopping her from taking another step.

  On the ground, a bullet through her head, was Isabella.

  *

  Now that he hadn’t expected. Swede had been damn sure Isabella had been part of this nightmare.

  “Isabella,” Eva cried and rushed to the dead woman’s side. Swede watched as Eva reached out to check for a pulse. A common reaction even though she had to know Isabella was dead.

  Eva looked up at him, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks. “Why her?”

  He couldn’t say. He stood up and tugged Eva into his arms, holding her close. Damn it. Eva shouldn’t be here. They should have removed the women hours ago. This had gone from bad to worse in a heartbeat.

  And what had happened to the vehicle they’d heard earlier? The road ended at the hacienda. Was it bringing the commander the others had spoken about earlier? That it hadn’t arrived, he presumed the team had taken care of it.

  Or maybe the commander had parked down the road and came in on foot cross country. Then finding all not to his liking, had cleaned up? Made sure no one was left who could identify him? That would explain Isabella.

  Then what about the rest of the men here?

  “Swede?” Shadow called from the far end.

  With Eva close to his side Swede walked down to the end. “What did you find?”

  “More destruction.”

  He reached Shadow and tucked Eva behind him. “This wasn’t just a kidnapping…”

  The two men stared at each other. “Gang style? Two sets of rebels?”

  “Maybe. The rebel camp? Anything happen there?”

  Shadow shook his head. “Mason and Dane are there. So far they haven’t had any movement in this direction.”

  “Maybe the women were going to be taken to them anyway?”

  “By a supplier?” Shadow nodded slowly. “That’s possible. But this…” he motioned at the carnage around them. “This is something else again.”

  “Maybe they thought Isabella had somehow sold them out?”

  “All the traffic here yesterday? The horses.” Shadow looked out to where the remaining horses grazed. “Not that the horses are much to look at.”

  “No, but they just need long term care,” Eva said quietly. “They aren’t sick as much as worn out and run down from lack of food and care.”

  Shadow frowned and nodded. “Then why take out Isabella?”

  “For someone to take over.” Eva took a deep breath. “It’s not a castle but it’s a really nice place.”

  “Could be,” Shadow said noncommittally. He wasn’t so sure. But then people had killed for a lot less. “Depends on who owns it now. There are laws that have to be taken into consideration.”

  “It’s not our problem,” Swede said. “The authorities need to be called and we need to get the hell out of here.”

  “And the horses?” Eva asked. “We need to get them out of here. They have new homes to go too. A new start. They need that.” She glared at the silent man at her side. “We don’t know what the new owners will do to them. And they aren’t their property. All the paperwork has been taken care of already. They need to go.”

  Swede looked down at his watch. “It’s already past two in the morning.”

  “Meaning?” Eva asked.

  “Meaning it’s almost morning.” He smiled at her. “Aren’t the first trailers supposed to be here at six?”

  Chapter 16

  Eva didn’t want to leave now that the worst was over. The authorities were on their way and would need to speak with her. Swede was here as were the rest of the SEALs. She had no idea what to do next, so with a nod to the men deep in conversation, she said, “I’m going back to the women.”

  “Wait, I’ll take you,” Hawk said.

  She rolled her eyes at her brother’s protectiveness. “I’ll be fine.”

  In fact, with the early morning sun breaking over the horizon and the silence of the last few hours, she figured they were fine now. The rebels were gone and life could resume in the horrific aftermath and continue as usual.

  Lifting her face to the sun, she walked back to the main house. She’d texted April a few times. The other women were just now waking up. The men had already dragged the dead men out to the barn where they were laid beside Isabella. The SEALs had also done a cursory look over the hacienda. Looki
ng for some clue as to what and who just happened.

  She reached out to open the door, but Swede’s big hand reached around her and grabbed the knob before she could.

  “I said I was fine.”

  “I know what you said,” he murmured in that deep voice so close to her. How was it she hadn’t noticed how damn sexy that voice was? Well she had, but she hadn’t let herself dwell on what could never be. She’d been stunned by the man she’d kissed, and now everything she’d buried deep was rising to the surface and all the small details were making themselves known. That voice of his…what a number it was doing on her senses. She’d have dreams of him, she knew that now, but it would be that voice ringing through her mind that would send her back in time to this place.

  It had been brutal. So how could there be anything good from it? She’d seen men killed. In front of her. Someone had tried to kidnap her, threatened to shoot her. Been shot herself – no, only a scrape. But still a wound – a scar that she’d take home with her. She’d avoided thinking about it, avoided looking at it, hoping the sting would finally leave. Instead as she grew more tired, it ached and bit at her with every movement – a little more each time.

  But his voice, the memories of him would ease the pain, the horror. For that she was grateful.

  “How’s your side?” Swede asked.

  She followed his gaze to realize she had slapped her hand over her side. “It’s fine.”

  He snorted. “Obviously not. You’re holding it as if that will minimize the pain.”

  “I haven’t looked at it yet.” She shrugged. “I should probably clean it.”

  “Clean what,” April asked at the entrance to the living room. “Are you hurt?”

  Not wanting to make a fuss, she said, “I’m fine.”

  “She has a burn from a bullet,” Swede said, his tone stiff. “It wasn’t bad, but it stings.”

  “Come sit. Let me take a look,” April ordered. “I can at least clean it and put a bandage on it.”

  “You found some?”

  April nodded. “I did. In the kitchen – once I could get in there.”

  Eva winced. “Right. I can’t say I’m too eager to go back there again myself.”

  “He’s gone,” Swede said. “We’ll need coffee and food soon.”

  “I know,” she said. “It feels wrong somehow.”

  “Actually Lena has already gone to put on some coffee,” April said with a bright smile. “She appears to be okay after her ordeal.”

  “She’s awake? Since when?” Now Swede was all business. Eva looked at him curiously. What did he want with Lena?

  “She woke up about twenty minutes ago. She got up, looked confused then started to walk away and I asked her if there was a chance of coffee.” April shrugged. “Honestly she looked happy to have something normal to do.”

  “You stay here. I’ll go find her. There’re a few questions I’d like answered.”

  “I don’t think she speaks English,” April said.

  Swede just nodded.

  That’s when Eva remembered her brother mentioning something about Swede speaking three, or was it four languages. She figured Spanish was one of them. And would be very helpful right now. She wished she’d learned something useful for a time like this. But all she knew were animals. Not exactly what was called for in this situation.

  April tugged her farther into the living room and motioned for her to sit down on the couch. The other two women took one look at her and burst into tears.

  “Oh my God. Is it true what April was saying? They killed Isabella and they were going to kidnap us?”

  Eva winced. “I’m afraid so. At least as far as we can figure out. Looks like everyone else either took off or was shot. Except us.”

  “Even Isabella,” Mary said tearfully. “That’s horrible.”

  “Yes. She was shot in the head.”

  That sent the women off into another wailing session. She wanted to join them. Cry her outrage over all of this, but it wasn’t going to happen. Not now. Not here. Not until this was over and she was home. Then she’d pull the memories out and examine them. When it was safe to do so. For now, she had to stay in control.

  And…she couldn’t help worry it wasn’t safe yet.

  “I just want to go home,” Mary said. “Mom, please.”

  “We’ll all be leaving soon,” April said. “The horse trailers should be here in less than an hour.”

  “I want to go home now,” Mary snapped.

  Eva nodded. “So do I. But it doesn’t much matter what we want at this point, does it?”

  Mary was nothing if not persistent. Then again, she’d had a huge shock and much less time to come to terms with it than Eva had.

  “And the authorities? They are on their way. Do you want them to contact the police back home to talk to you there?”

  The young woman leaned back, then bolted forward. “Yes, I do. It’s better than being here right now. Besides, then we’re in our own country. What if we’re arrested by the Mexican authorities?”

  At that, her mother gave a small gasp and reached out to grab her daughter’s hand. But her gaze was on Eva. “They wouldn’t do that, would they?”

  “There’s no reason they would.” But inside Eva had the same worry. There were so many things that were different here. They were in a foreign country and it didn’t matter how she wanted to wrap it up – the rules – the laws – were different. Then she remembered the SEALs. “No, Swede won’t let them.”

  Mary snorted. “If I were the authorities, he’d be the first one I’d arrest.”

  “Shh. Don’t say that,” her mother said.

  Eva leaned back and closed her eyes. She might have had the same thought if he wasn’t a SEAL. Hopefully, the team had permission to be here. So they might get detained, but it wasn’t likely they’d be arrested. She hoped. But with that thought now in her head…

  Lena arrived at the door pushing a cart ahead of her. It was full of coffee mugs and some kind of food. Muffins maybe. There was no sign of Swede.

  The women let out cries of welcome. Lena gave them a wan smile and quickly served up four cups of coffee.

  Eva thanked her and put it off to one side to cool. “Okay, April, take a look at the wound. Clean it if it needs to be cleaned then I can stop worrying that it’s worse than it feels.”

  “Haven’t you looked at it?” April motioned for her to lie down. “I figured Swede would have at least.”

  “He tried but I wouldn’t let him.”

  The blood had dried on the material of her shirt making it tug on her skin as it was pulled away. She cried out softly.

  “Sorry,” April said. She poked then prodded. “It’s not bad. But it’s got to sting terribly.” She stood up and walked to the table by the door. From Eva’s position, she could see it held a few items. April returned with a bottle of peroxide and a bandage to wipe up the liquid. “This is old school and will bite, but it will clean it out nicely.”

  And sting it did. Eva bit her lip to stop herself from crying out. The other two women did enough gasping and moaning on her behalf.

  By the time April was done, Eva was done too. She was desperate to have some food and coffee then she wanted to close her eyes and will this day to be over.

  Unfortunately, it had just started.

  *

  Swede chafed at the bit. Inaction drove him crazy. Lena had been of no help. He’d sensed fear and hadn’t wanted to push her. But he wasn’t leaving Eva alone. That meant he was on watch here. They needed to know what was happening with the rebel camp, so Hawk was on his way to meet Mason and get an update. Shadow had backtracked the attackers and ascertained that all had come from the rebel camp – and none would be returning. But it was the vehicle that had come for the pickup that he was currently hunting. Who had arrived? And had the same people left again? Or taken anyone new away. Swede knew Shadow loved the hunt. Dane was on watch outside the hacienda. Hopefully while he was out there he’d find out some
thing.

  No one had managed to find much and that alone was eating at him.

  He spun and paced the long living room yet again. He was out of sight of the windows and yet could see all five women drinking coffee.

  Eva had insisted that Lena stay and have the simple meal with them. She’d been grateful. Swede figured she didn’t want to be alone after what had happened.

  Eva was likely in the same position. And she was a smart cookie. After he’d taken up a position away from the window, she’d studied him as if wondering at his choice. He’d watched her facial expression change as she worked her way through it. Then the color on her face paled and she got up and moved to a chair deeper in the house. He’d caught her eye and nodded in approval. She’d been relieved and he’d been intrigued. Even tired and still in shock she was thinking.

  And that was important.

  It was when one stopped thinking that life bit you in the ass.

  “I’m going to do a trip around the buildings again,” he said to the women. It was his fourth pass. At this point they weren’t bothered. Several never even acknowledged his comment but Eva did.

  “Be careful.”

  He nodded and with a last glance at the coffee drinkers, slipped down into the direction of the kitchen. He did a fast survey to make sure it was all the same as it had been on his last pass, stopped for a moment to determine that nothing sounded out of place, that his instincts weren’t screaming at him, then opened the large pantry and the small cooler to be certain no one was hiding. Nothing. He shifted to his patrol of the other buildings. He did a quick sweep. His gaze not missing but not lingering on the damage and death before him. They’d be dealt with soon enough. Although if they were in the US, the authorities would be here already. He wondered at whether the bodies should be moved to a more discreet spot, not lying inside a stall barely out of sight. He was contemplating doing so until sounds of an engine filtered his way. He moved to the side of the house where he could see the approaching vehicle.

  Dane messaged him that the truck was hauling a horse trailer.

  Good, they could start loading the horses. Fourteen to go.