The last embers of sunlight were dying in the west as Havoc and his compatriots approached the outskirts of the village. Filthy, weary, but relieved, they split into two groups.
After a brief but heated exchange over who would accompany Loretta, a disgruntled Wolf and Hawk left her in Christian’s care and set off for the town center while the Carmichaels, Loretta, and he headed to where the brothers had hidden their vehicle.
Both groups had agreed to meet at Donastia’s where Beth had left the jeep. Loretta and he would then change to the other vehicle, and if all went according to plan they’d all meet up at the airstrip.
By some miracle, the jeep Nick and Christian had camouflaged in the scrub was right where they’d left it and was still intact. As for the other one, well, that remained to be seen.
Nick climbed into the driver’s seat. Christian settled Loretta into the back and eased in beside her. Beth scooted in from the other side, leaving him the front passenger seat.
“All set?” Nick asked as the engine turned over.
“Ready when you are, mate.” His was the only intelligible reply, the rest was a chorus of grunts and groans.
“Okay then.” Nick let in the clutch and steered onto the rutted road. The half-mile drive was covered in silence. The place seemed deserted. It was eerie. There was no car, beast, or villager in sight. It was as if the whole town had just packed up and left.
As they approached the rendezvous point, Wolf and Hawk could be seen waiting by the side of the road.
“Damn.” Nick cursed as he changed down gears and pulled to a halt beside the two men.
“I hope Rhys isn’t going to be too pissed,” Wolf said as Nick jumped out of the car.
Havoc peered out the open window and bit back a groan. This was turning into one stuff-up after another. Of course, it was Murphy’s Law—whatever could go wrong would go wrong—but as he watched Hawk muttering under his breath and pacing, a half smile tugged at his mouth, and unable to contain his mirth at the kid’s antics, he laughed out loud. “Surely, you didn’t really expect our jeep would still be there?”
“Damn thieves. Is nothing sacred in this hellhole?” Hawk peered at the passengers already seated in the only vehicle available. “We’re going to have to cram in there like fucking sardines in a tin.”
“It’ll be tight, I admit, but as I don’t see a Hertz office anywhere nearby, unless you want to walk the whole bloody way to the landing strip, you’ll just have to suck it up.”
The older Carmichael’s comment earned him a disdainful glare from Hawk, but heck, did the kid honestly think he was the only bastard who’d be inconvenienced?
Before Hawk could respond, Havoc unlatched the door and stepped onto the road. His strength was fading, and his shoulder burned like a bitch, but this fiasco needed sorting.
“Listen up. The only way I can see this having the remotest possibility of working is if Wolf gets in the front with Beth on his lap. As it’s your jeep, and the Marine’s tending Loretta, you should drive, Nick. Hawk, and I’ll squeeze into the back.”
“You’re not just a pretty face.” Wolf grabbed his chin and gave it a firm waggle. He then walked around to the passenger door and folded his long legs into his allocated spot. Beth scooted out of the backseat and scrambled into the front and settled onto his lap.
“Shove over, sailor.” Hawk slid in next to Christian, and Havoc took the remaining spot by the door.
“How’s she doing?” Hawk asked.
“No change. Swing her legs up across your lap, it’ll make her more comfortable.”
Hawk obeyed without question. Nick resumed the driver’s seat, and when the door banged shut, he turned the ignition, shifted into first, and headed toward Bogotá.
Havoc studied Loretta. Her long legs draped his lap as well. They were filthy and crusty with scabs and dried blood. Hawk’s shirt swamped her; she was tall but skinny, and her tattered skirt was bunched at her thighs. He took the ends and tugged it lower.
She stirred, her eyelids fluttered, her lashes so dark against her waxy complexion.
“How are you feeling?” Christian asked. He had one arm around her for support, her head resting against his chest.
“Tired…thirsty.”
It was little more than a croak, her tongue licked over cracked and peeling lips.
Hawk whipped out his flask and after unscrewing the cap put it to her mouth. “Drink slowly, sugar, don’t gulp,” he instructed as water trickled from the corner of her mouth and wracking coughs shook her body.
“Sit her up,” Wolf instructed as she struggled for breath. “For God’s sake, are you trying to drown her, you idiot?”
“He’s only trying to help,” Christian explained, lifting Loretta into a more upright position and thumping her back.
“What, help her into her grave?” Wolf snapped back, his usual cool and calm façade not in evidence.
“Lay off, Wolf.” Havoc placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. “She’s a long way from that.”
“Don’t, Zach, please.” Beth hooked an arm around his neck, a single tear slipped down her cheek. “I can’t bear it when you say things like that.”
Wolf scooped the tear with the pad of his thumb. Nick looked across at Wolf and his sister, a vertical line creased his forehead. His attention then shifted back to the road.
They were all on edge. Fuses were short and tempers frayed, but being at each other’s throats served no purpose.
Wolf was acting like a jerk. He was the only one who truly had to be here. Havoc was about to tell him to blow it out his ear when the legs were cut out from under him.
“Hell, I’m sorry, Hawk. I’m such a dick. I’m indebted to you all for what you’ve done for Loretta and me, and I can’t thank you enough. Without your help things could have turned out quite different. I lost my temper, and I apologize.”
“Forget it.” Hawk was never angry or out of sorts for long. He was an uncomplicated, what you see is what you get, kind of guy with a good nature to boot.
Loretta fidgeted. “I’m sorry too, if I…hadn’t…” She wheezed and started to cough again.
“Shh, don’t talk, save your strength. It won’t be much longer, and we’ll be on a plane headed home.”
“Speaking of home,” Havoc announced. “You’d better call Monroe on the sat phone, Hawk. Ask him to contact Ice, and have Frosty get the hell down here ASAP.”
“I’m one step ahead of you, buddy it’s already done.”
“Good one, kid.”
They all settled into an anxious silence. The vehicle ate up the miles without incident, and although they were cramped and uncomfortable, no one complained. When Nick turned off the road and onto the track leading to the airfield, there was a collective sigh of relief.
*
Beth tipped her head back and stared up at Zach; they were both standing by the jet and both equally determined to have their own way.
“I told you I’m not going, and nothing you say will change my mind.” She folded her arms and compressed her jaw.
“That’s nonsense. Of course you’re getting on the plane.”
“No, I’m going back to Bogotá.”
“After what we’ve been through, you’re being ridiculous. Now get on the plane before I pick you up and carry you on.”
Zach’s attempt to justify his statement fell flat and only served to make her cross. Not once had he asked her why, he just told her what to do and expected her to obey. Just like the other men in her life.
Well shove that. She drew herself up to her full unimpressive height of five-feet-three and prepared to explain, but before another syllable escaped her lips, he grabbed her injured hand.
“Ouch,” she cried as he started pulling her toward the plane. Pain radiated from wrist to shoulder. “Let me go.”
Her protest carried across the runway to where Christian, Nicholas, and Rhys were talking. When their heads turned and three pairs of inquiring eyes peered her way, she groaned.
She groaned louder when Nick broke away and marched toward her, snorting like a bull in a bullring. Thank God, Christian stayed put. One brother to deal with was one too many.
“Get your hands off her before I break your neck,” Nick yelled and shoved Zach in the shoulder.
“Nick.” She squeaked as Zach dropped her hand, and fearing retaliation, she thrust her body between the two men.
Zach threw his hands into the air. “She’s your sister, you talk some sense into her. She’s refusing to get on the plane.”
“You’ve lost your wits, Buchanan, of course she’s getting on the plane.”
“I’m not speaking Chinese, so are you deaf or just plain stupid?”
“Why you…”
“Stop it, both of you.”
“Tell him, Beth.” Zach thrust his chin at Nick and then jammed his hands into his pockets, presumably to prevent him from clobbering her brother.
“What rot is this imbecile talking, sis?”
“It’s not rot. You heard correctly. I’m. Not. Going.”
“But that’s crazy talk. Come on, be a good girl and get on the plane and we can talk about what’s bothering you.”
She stamped her foot as Nick tried to lead her away and reiterated, “Are you two suffering from the same disease? How much plainer can I make it? I am not getting on that damn plane, not now, not later, not ever. Do I make myself clear?” She switched her glare from one man to the other.
“It’s shock.”
Nick addressed Zach as if she weren’t there. His prior hostility toward him seemed to have evaporated.
Zach pushed his fingers through his hair, it was becoming a familiar gesture. “Yeah, you may be right, shock can make you do strange things. I’ll get her settled on board while you round up Christian and Havoc.”
That was the proverbial straw. “Don’t either of you move.”
She was fed up to the back teeth with being bossed and bullied, and the throb in her arm was making her less than polite, but seriously.
“Do either of you know why you are at each other’s throats all the time?” Her gaze oscillated from one to the other. “No? Well let me tell you. You’re both exactly the same, two freaking peas in a pod. Bossy, opinionated, domineering, ooh, you both make me so mad I could spit. Have either one of you even bothered to ask me why I’m not going?”
To be fair, both men opened their mouths to speak, but she was not the least interested in anything either of them had to say. She was dirty, tired, in pain, and out of sorts, and all they wanted to do was boss her about. Well, screw that.
“No, of course you haven’t. You both think you can order me about, and I’ll just obey like a meek little mouse. Well, you can both shove that where the sun don’t shine.”
Pumped with adrenaline from her volatile speech, and still having hold of the ransom pack, she shoved it into Zach’s hands. With a heaving chest and not another syllable, she spun away and stalked off in the direction of the hangar.
The amused glint in Rhys and Christian’s eyes was every bit as annoying as the smirks on their faces as she strutted up to them. “So help me, Christian, don’t you start too, or I’ll…”
“Um, I think I’ll just make myself scarce.” Rhys walked off.
Christian’s hands shot up in surrender, palms facing outward. “Hey, I wouldn’t dream of it. So tell me, Sis, what’s got you all riled up?”
“Ooh, they make me so mad.” She flicked her head toward the source of her annoyance. “I told Nick and Zach they are so much alike they could be twins…”
“Good one. I don’t know about Zach, but that’ll go down like a lead balloon with Nick.”
“And I won’t be bullied onto that plane by either of them,” she continued as if he hadn’t spoken.
“Simmer down and tell me what’s up. I know you dislike flying, but you’re rational enough to know it’s the only way out, so what’s the real problem?”
“Thanks, Chris.”
“You’re welcome, but for what?”
“For asking and not just ordering me aboard.”
“Which brings us back to my original question.”
She sighed, and lifting her uninjured arm, swept it over the area. “If I ever want to come back to Columbia, I can’t just sneak out of the country. Career-wise this was my big break. Daniel was impressed with my work and said ‘I’d built up an excellent rapport with Pedro, and that I was an asset to the company.’ He’s going to recommend me for next time.”
“That sleaze.” Christian’s nose turned up as if something unpleasant had wafted beneath it. “Don’t be fooled into believing he’s got your best interests at heart.”
“He has, Chris.” A pang of remorse burned in her chest. “I’ve misjudged him. I saw a different side to Daniel this trip. He’s nice, not the jerk I made him out to be. That aside, there are records of my entry into the country, if I don’t return by the conventional methods, then I’ll never be able to come back. You know how important my work is to me. I can’t take that chance. You understand where I’m coming from, don’t you?”
“Sure, I do. You and I will fly home commercial, not that I want you coming back here, but I get your point. Nick will agree when I explain. Now stop fretting.”
Chris gave her a wink and walked over to Rhys who was a few feet away tinkering with the jeep’s engine. “Buddy, we may just need to borrow that jeep again.”
“Not a problem, I can drive you to the capital if you like.”
“Much appreciated, I’ll take you up on that offer. Now to calm the savage beast.”
“Better you than me, buddy.”
Christian laughed as she headed over to the plane with him. Zach was nowhere in sight; she presumed he must have boarded already.
Nick was standing by the nose talking to the pilot when they approached.
“Christian, this is Patrick Frost, he’ll be flying us back to the States. Patrick, this is my brother Christian, and my sister Beth.”
The men shook hands, and she smiled at the friendly-faced pilot.
“Good to meet you, Beth, and you too, Christian. Wolf tells me we owe you a special gratitude for getting them all out in one piece.”
“It was nothing. If Hawk hadn’t been taking care of Loretta, he would have been riding shotgun not me.” Chris played down his part in the rescue.
“I heard you’re pretty sharp, but we’ll talk more later; right now, wheels off the ground in ten minutes, so you guys best get on board.”
“That’s what I came to talk about. I’m taking Beth to Bogotá, and we’re flying home commercial, and before you blow a gasket, Nick, let me explain. It’s to do with her job. There’s a record of entry into the country, so has to be one of her exit if she hopes to return, and with her career that’s a real possibility.”
“Women! I don’t like the idea of you coming back, but why the hell didn’t you just say so?”
Beth rolled her eyes. “Are you serious?”
“Geez, bro, if I was a betting man, I’d say it was because you didn’t give her a chance.”
“You always were a smartass.”
“Smarter than you. I’ll see you back home, then.”
“No way, little brother, after the crap we’ve been through, the Carmichaels fly home together.”
Nick slapped Christian’s back and put his arm around her shoulder. He steered them away from the plane as Patrick climbed the steps and secured the door for takeoff.
Beth sniffed. Zach hadn’t even bothered to say good-bye.
*
Loretta was curled in fitful sleep beside Hawk as Zach made his way down the cabin aisle. Her head was cradled against Hawk’s chest, and he was bathing her brow with a damp cloth.
“How’s she doing?” Zach asked.
“On fire and drifting in and out of consciousness.”
He leaned across and touched her forehead to confirm for himself, and yes, she was indeed burning up.
“Zach,” she moaned and shifted her weight.
He was relieved to hear her speak. “Easy, kid, I’m right here.”
Hawk and he swapped positions, and he took her hand in his. It was so small and thin, the blue veins visible through her translucent skin. A band around his chest tightened.
“How is she?” Frosty inquired from somewhere behind them.
“Not too good. How soon before takeoff?”
“A few minutes tops. I’ll make preparations now.”
“Where are the others?” Zach looked up in expectation.
Frosty halted in his tracks and replied with a puzzled frown. “They’ve decided to fly commercial.”
“You’ve got to be joking. Hold the damn plane while I go talk to Beth.” He made a move to rise, muttering under his breath, “The whole family have fucking rocks in their heads.”
“Don’t leave me.” Loretta’s eyelids struggled up, and the grip on his hand tightened.
Frosty slanted him a concerned look. “You won’t change her mind, Wolf; she’s got her reasons, so let her go.”
Although he hadn’t asked for it, Hawk then gave his opinion. “Loretta and Havoc need medical attention. Beth’s with her brothers. They’ll see she gets home safe, and it’s not like you don’t have her number or know where she lives.”
“Come on, mate, you know Hawk’s right. If it was just about me, I’d say go talk to her, but it’s Loretta too, and it’s more important to get her back stateside.”
Zach was between a rock and a hard place. His sister was real sick. Havoc, though putting on a brave face, still had a slug lodged in his body. Beth was fine, albeit a bit shaken, and she had two very capable brothers to see her home safe. It was a no contest, but he needed to say good-bye to Beth. “This will only take a minute,” he said to Loretta and the guys.
As Frosty and Hawk got seated in the cockpit, he stepped into the aisle and glanced out the window. Rhys Monroe and the Carmichael clan were already in the jeep. And as he watched, it accelerated away in the direction of Bogotá, the spinning wheels creating a dust cloud that billowed out behind and obscured his view.
“Brilliant. Just fucking brilliant,” he muttered, resuming his seat. Beth hadn’t even bothered to say good-bye.
“Don’t take it personal, man,” Havoc called from across the aisle. “It’s an unreal situation for a civilian to be in. You can’t expect her to act normal, and you can’t blame her for it.”
Zach leaned back into the leather and grumbled under his breath, in no mood to engage Havoc in the merits of Ms. Carmichael’s departure. It would be wiser to say nothing on that particular subject. “How’s the shoulder?”
“The bleeding’s stopped, but crikey, it burns like a bitch.”
“Man up, you big girl.” Zach summoned a smile, knowing Havoc would not take offense. He was paler than his usual Aussie bronze coloring, but the big fellah had the constitution of an ox, so he wasn’t overly concerned.
“Chin up, mate. Your sister will be fine.”
He glanced at the thin, frail girl and skimmed his fingers across her pallid cheek. His heart lurched. “She’s bad, Havoc. She needs antibiotics. I don’t mind telling you, I’ll breathe much easier once we’re back home.”
“We all will, but hey, Hawk seems to have taken quite a shine to her.”
Zach stilled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, he’s been fussing around her like a mother hen ever since he rescued her from that creep Carlos. I think he has her in his sights.”
“Well, he can rethink that.”
“Relax, what’s the problem? You like him, don’t you?”
“The problem. Seriously, you have to ask? You know what he’s like with the ladies. He flits from one to the other like a bee sucking pollen, remember ‘pussy’s pussy.’”
“You know he’d treat her right.”
“Until he breaks her heart. Besides, the kid’s lost his mind. Did you get a load of that nipple ring he’s sporting? And I’ll bet money he’s waxed his chest.”
“Ye-ouch, well, let’s hope that’s all he’s waxed.”
“You can’t be serious. No guy in his right mind would do that.”
“I shit you not, it’s the latest with the youngsters. My brother was telling me the girls expect it. He says the word on the street is, if you want the care get rid of the hair.”
“Noo.”
Havoc raised a single brow and gave him a, would I make something like that up, look. Zach couldn’t decide whether the Aussie was pulling his leg or not. “Makes my eyes water just thinking about it. Do you think Hawk’s done it?”
“Done what?” Hawk piped up as he walked down the aisle from the cockpit, in all probability to check on the patients.
Havoc snagged his Akubra from the seat beside him, shoved it on his head and lowered the brim, effectively covering his face. Cop out.
Zach shook his head. The answer to that particular question was in his no-go zone. “Ah, whether you’d…ah, clocked up enough hours to get your pilot’s license yet.”
“Almost.” Hawk’s whisky eyes were puzzled. “Why?”
“Oh, no reason.” Zach was noncommittal.