CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

September 30, 8 A.M.

Sedona, Arizona

IT TOOK THE CIA nearly eight hours to pinpoint their location, contract with a local helicopter, and fly them out of the remote section of the Navajo Reservation. With the small spring they dug out before chaos erupted, they had been able to keep hydrated, but they were hungry, exhausted, grieving, and feeling hopeless, unable to do anything to prevent additional tragedy while stranded in the desert.

Cash wanted nothing more than to get everyone to safety, and then hunt Zara down and make her pay for Ian’s death and for Hong Kong. But, so far, she and her people seemed to be moving at will, striking down everything in their path, while he scrambled just to keep up.

Interpol relayed the information about what transpired at the cathedral in Salta to the CIA. They confirmed that Ahmed had died as a result of wounds received in the incident, and the other man, identified simply as Reza, remained in critical condition and unconscious.

Diego was en route back to Buenos Aires with a serious gunshot wound. They expected him to fully recover and anticipated he would spend at least three or four days in the hospital. An agent was on his way to rendezvous with Marjorie in a small village in northern Argentina to help get her out of the country and into Peru, hopefully to tie in with Cash in less than thirty-two hours.

Cash hated picturing Marjorie out there alone with the likes of Zara. He could do nothing to keep her safe, not that she apparently needed his inept protection. To make matters worse, he had no luck convincing Elizabeth Ryan, the Director of the CIA, who he now reported to directly since Washburn’s death, to let him go after Zara alone. Pete and Diane argued to stick together, and no matter what Cash countered with, he had been out voted. He realized making his case while sitting on an exam table getting his ribs wrapped and multiple gashes on his head, arms, and torso stitched up probably hadn’t helped his argument that the mission was too dangerous for Pete and Diane, but not for him.

After Elizabeth refused to take Pete and Diane off the operation, they left him at the hospital to work on separate projects. Pete wanted to run a scenario on a vibration and sound wave theory his colleagues developed as a potential way to unleash the relics’ power, and Diane needed to work out the logistics of getting the three of them to Peru as soon as possible.

Cash was still fuming when Olivia walked into the room, but just seeing her smile made his foul mood instantly soften. He didn’t know why this woman always affected him so deeply. Her mere presence lightened a room, her tender touch soothed his soul, and he missed her the moment she left his side.

“The doctor said the scan showed no internal injuries. You’re done, and I can get you out of here.” Olivia handed Cash his shirt. “How do you feel?”

“Why don’t you tell me?” he said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him.

“I would, but there aren’t a lot of places to touch you that aren’t wrapped, stitched, or bruised.”

“I can think of a couple.” He cupped her face with his hands and touched his lips to hers.

He kissed her gently until her arms slid around his neck. He deepened the kiss, loving the taste of her and wondering how he could ever get enough. The thought scared him more than chasing a killer into a blind alley. He knew he wasn’t worthy of such a caring and gentle woman, even without Diane continuously reminding him, but whenever Olivia stepped within his reach, he caved to temptation, and so far, he noticed she hadn’t tried to resist.

“You’re lucky you already have two broken ribs, or I’d break a few,” Diane stated as she strode into the room.

“The doctor wouldn’t give me any drugs until he checked for internal injuries, and your sister has a way of making all my aches and pains go away.”

“Save it, Romeo. I made the arrangements to fly us to Peru. We need to clean up, get some sleep, pack, re-group, and catch a flight in a couple hours. You don’t have time to play doctor with Olivia.”

Cash saluted Diane as he listened to her ramble off orders.

“Where are we staying?” he asked.

“As much as I hate having you anywhere near my sister, we’ll be bunking with Olivia again. You can’t shower with all those stitches and bandages, and I have no intention of giving you a sponge bath. I’ll leave that to Florence Nightingale,” Diane replied as she cast Olivia an annoyed look. “I’ll go get the car. Be out front in five minutes, or you can take a cab.”

Cash laughed despite the sharp pain in ribs. He couldn’t stay away from Olivia even if he wanted to, which he didn’t, and the fact that it annoyed Diane so much was just a bonus. He doubted Olivia had a spiteful bone in her body, but he thought he could detect a trace of enjoyment in her as well. Her devious little smile made it almost impossible for him to dress and leave the hospital without reaching for her once again.