On The Run (16 page)

Computers. “Nevins,” she whispered. “But how could he gain control of it? How would it be possible?”

“He’s brilliant. High-school hackers have broken into top-secret war rooms with no problem. Nevins is smarter, more experienced, and motivated. It’s definitely possible. I just don’t know if he’s done it yet or if we got lucky. I’m not taking any chances.” He started for the door. “Get out of here, Grace. I don’t know how much— Shit!”

She heard them too.

Rotors. A helicopter.

“Out!” Kilmer grabbed Frankie up in his arms and started at a run for the door. “Drop everything. Move.”

Grace was already running through the hall and down the stairs.

Robert was waiting at the foot of the stairs. “The jeep’s parked in back.” He grabbed Frankie’s hand as Kilmer set her down and strode toward the kitchen door. “Kilmer, how safe is that cabin?”

“It’s in the backwoods. A day or two. I should be able to reach you by then.”

The rotors were louder, lower as they reached the jeep.

“I won’t count on it,” Robert said. “If you don’t call me within twelve hours, I’m going to find another place to take them.”

He meant that Kilmer might be dead within twelve hours, Grace thought, chilled. She looked up at the night sky and saw the blue-white lights of the helicopter. She turned to Kilmer. “What are you going to do?”

“Take them out.” He lifted Frankie into the jeep. “What else?” He stepped back. “Move it, Blockman. Don’t turn on your lights. Get out of here before they see you. And no matter what happens, keep on going.”

A spatter of bullets splayed over the house from the helicopter.

A bedroom window shattered and glass showered down on the roof of the jeep.

Take them out? Grace thought frantically. That was military artillery the helicopter was firing. They had to dodge those bullets while waiting for the helicopter to get close enough to take their shot.

She glanced back over her shoulder as Robert tore down the road. The helicopter’s bullets were strafing the stable yard, and by the beam of the helicopter she could see men moving, running, ducking.

“Mom . . .” Frankie cuddled closer. “What about Jake?”

“He’ll be fine.” God, she hoped she was telling the truth. She wanted nothing more than to jump out and run back to the house that was now riddled with bullet holes. “He knows what he’s doing.”

“But I don’t see him.”

Neither did Grace. And the helicopter was lower now, the lights illuminating the scene with daylight clarity.

Where was Kilmer?

D
o you want me to take the shot?” Donavan asked.

“No, I’ll do it.” Kilmer sighted down the barrel of the Springfield. “Of course, if you want to help, you could distract them by running across the stable yard.”

“Very funny. It better be soon. I figure that they’ll make one more pass to do as much damage as they can. Then they’ll land out of range in one of the paddocks and pour out of that tin can like gangbusters.”

“How remiss of me to not have a ground-to-air missile launcher. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“You should be. After my recent experience at El Tariq, my nerves are in a very delicate state. Just get it—”

“They’re coming back.”

Smart. They were moving fast and changing directions with every assault. This time they were coming in from the north. If the helicopter didn’t swerve from its present course, he should get a clear shot at the gas tank.

One shot.

“It better be good,” Donavan murmured. “Or you’ll never hear the end of it from me.”

“So what’s new?”

Coming fast. Make the shot a little ahead of the target. . . .

T
he helicopter exploded in a fiery detonation that lit up the night sky.

Grace’s arm tightened fiercely around Frankie. “Got them.”

Frankie was staring at the flaming wreckage plummeting to the ground. “Is Jake safe now?”

“I think so.” She supposed she shouldn’t display this barbaric satisfaction in front of Frankie. To hell with it. It was what she was feeling. She could explain later. “At least, safer.”

“Then can we go back?”

“You heard Jake,” Robert said. “We’re not to come back until he phones us and gives us the okay. I doubt if that’s going to happen. He’s probably going to arrange to meet us somewhere.”

Frankie obviously couldn’t take her eyes from the wreckage. “Because there will be someone else coming to the ranch,” she whispered. “Another helicopter?”

“I don’t know,” Grace said. “But, yes, someone will be coming.”

“I hoped maybe after Charlie—” Frankie’s hands clenched at her safety belt as she was flung about the jeep. They had reached the foothills and the jeep was bouncing over the rutted road. “We have to hide again?”

Grace nodded.

“That man must hate you to want to hurt you this much,” Frankie said.

“Marvot? Yes, he doesn’t like to be beaten. He wanted something from me and didn’t get it.”

“Then I hate him too. I hope he was on that helicopter.”

“He wasn’t. Marvot hires people to do his dirty work. That’s why we have to keep on running. There’s always someone else for him to pay.”

“It shouldn’t be that way.” Frankie’s voice was shaking with anger. “He should be punished. Someone should make him stop. Why don’t we do it?”

“I’ve told you that—”

“Jake could do it. Is he going to try?”

“Perhaps.”

“Then we should help him.”

God, this was hard. “Frankie, Marvot could hurt you. It’s crazy, but it’s not only me; he wants to hurt you too. I can’t let that happen. Even if it means hiding for a while. It can’t last forever.”

“It’s wrong, Mom. We shouldn’t let him—”

The jeep veered wildly to the left as the front tires blew!

“Christ.” Robert fought wildly for control as the jeep jolted down the incline. “Hold on. I can’t keep it on—”

A pine was looming dead ahead!

“No!” Grace released her seat belt, grabbing Frankie closer, trying to protect her from possible flying glass. “Keep your head down. Close your eyes, baby! It will be—”

Pain.

Darkness.

M
ove out,” Kilmer called as he watched the burning helicopter hit the ground. “Donavan, tell Estevez to get the equipment and men in the truck. I want to be heading for those mountains in five minutes. Set up the helicopter to land near the cabin in thirty.” He turned to Dillon, who had run up to him. “Casualties?”

“No deaths. Vazquez has a splinter piercing his left shoulder. I stopped the bleeding.”

“Can he function?”

Dillon nodded. “No problem.”

“Then go help Donavan round up—” His head suddenly lifted to the sky. “Christ,
no
.”

“What is it?” Dillon asked.

“Rotors. Another damn helicopter.”

“I’ll tell the men to take cover.” He sprinted away.

“Yeah.” But the rotors didn’t sound close. What the hell? And he should be seeing lights.

Then he saw them in the distance. Not heading in this direction. The helicopter was circling, coming down somewhere in the foothills.

“No!” He ran toward the truck. “Donavan!”

T
he helicopter was ascending again by the time they reached the foothills.

“Shall I try to take it down?” Donavan asked. “The distance isn’t too—”

“No.” His gaze was searching the sides of the road. “It’s not safe. Where the devil— Blockman didn’t have time to reach the cabin when the helicopter popped up. He has to—”

“On the slope,” Dillon yelled from the back of the truck. “I see something on the—”

Kilmer screeched to a halt and jumped out of the driver’s seat. “Fan out. Look sharp.”

It could be a trap. A decoy. But he could see the outline of the jeep ahead.

No shots.

The terrain was bare and stark except for his men heading down the slope. The moon was bright and full, and he should be able to see anyone lying in wait.

“I see something,” Dillon called softly. “On the ground by the driver’s seat.”

Kilmer saw him too. Blockman was lying on his back, blood pouring from his leg. He couldn’t see Grace or Frankie.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He skidded the rest of the way down the slope. “Blockman, what the hell happened?”

Blockman opened his eyes. “Trap. They must have guessed you’d try to send Grace away from the ranch and dropped some men down here in the foothills. Tried to stop them. Grace . . .”

“They took Grace?”

Blockman shook his head. “Took Frankie. Didn’t get . . . Grace. The ravine. Bastards. I tried to stop them, but they—”

He stiffened. “Stop them from doing what?”

“Hurt her . . .” His eyes closed. “Tried to—”

“You said the ravine?”

Blockman didn’t answer.

Kilmer jumped to his feet and glanced in the wreckage of the jeep on the way to the ravine on the other side of the road.

No Grace. No Frankie.

Maybe Blockman was out of his head. Why would they leave Grace instead of taking her with them?

Don’t think about it.

Search for them. Find them.

“Donavan, turn the truck and beam those lights down in the ravine.”

She was lying on her side at the bottom of the ravine like a crumpled doll.

“Christ. Get me a first-aid kit.” He was skidding down the thirty-foot embankment. He fell, got up, and fell again before he finally reached her.

He dropped to his knees and shone his flashlight on her face. Unconscious.

So still.

He checked her pulse.

Alive.

He was dizzy with relief.

“Okay?” Donavan was beside him with the first-aid kit.

“No,” Kilmer said unevenly. “She’s not okay. I don’t know how bad it is. But she’s alive and I’ll keep her alive.” He turned to Dillon as he checked Grace for broken bones. “Search the area to make sure Frankie’s not here. Blockman said they took her, but he could be out of his head.”

“The helicopter should be here within five minutes,” Donavan said. “We’ll get her fixed up, Kilmer.”

“You’re damn right we will.” He rose to his feet. Concussion? Internal injuries? “Phone them and tell them we’re going to need medical help. How is Blockman?”

“Okay. The bullet passed through and he’s not bleeding much now.”

“No Frankie.” Dillon was back. “It’s pretty clear terrain up beyond this ravine. We’d see her if she—” He bit his lower lip. “But the guys don’t want to give up. Could we stay and keep on looking for her?”

All the guys cared about Frankie. They didn’t want to let there be even the tiniest chance that she might be alone in these hills.

Or not alone.

Kilmer felt the same way. But Blockman had said they’d taken Frankie. The chances were almost nil she’d still be around here.

He pushed Grace’s hair back from her forehead. Dammit, why didn’t she wake or at least stir?

Screw it. He had to stay with Grace, but he wasn’t going to think logically and miss the slightest chance of finding Frankie.

“You and Vazquez stay behind and keep looking. I’ll send the helicopter back for you in the morning.”

13
                                                                                                                                       

K
ilmer’s face was a swimming blur before her as Grace slowly opened her eyes. He was bending over her. . . . Had they just made love? Love? She mustn’t confuse sex for love, but sometimes it was difficult to—

The jeep crashing into the pine tree.

“Frankie!” Grace sat bolt upright on the bed, her gaze frantically searching the room. “Where’s Frankie?”

“Easy.” Kilmer’s hand tightened around hers. “Frankie’s alive.”

“But she’s hurt? I tried to keep her from—” She swung her feet to the floor. “I’ve got to see her.”

“That’s not possible.”

Her gaze flew back to his face. “You lied to me,” she whispered. “She’s not alive. She was killed in that crash.”

“I’m not lying to you, Grace. Blockman says she was alive and conscious the last time he saw her.”

“The last time he saw her? What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m trying to tell you. Calm down. Be quiet and listen to me. Okay?”

She wanted to scream at him, tell him that she couldn’t be calm, not when Frankie was— She drew a deep breath. It wasn’t going to do Frankie any good if she was hysterical. “Tell me. Where’s Frankie?”

“I’m not sure.” He paused. “Probably El Tariq.”

“Oh, my God.”

“I’ll get her back, Grace.”

Don’t fall apart. Keep control. “No, I’ll get her back. What happened? The last thing I remember was Robert crashing into that pine tree.”

“There was another helicopter. It landed in the foothills. The first helicopter must have dropped men on the mountain, and they worked their way down and were waiting for you. They shot out the front tires and you went off the road and banged into the tree. You were tossed out of the car and rolled down a steep slope to the bottom of the ravine. Blockman said Hanley sent a few men down to get you, but he called them back when he saw the headlights of my truck in the distance. He was cursing a blue streak, but he grabbed Frankie and took off for the helicopter.”

“Hanley,” she repeated. “Marvot’s number-two man. How did Robert know it was Hanley?”

“Hanley wanted to make sure he knew. He told him before he shot him in the leg to drive it home. He gave Blockman a message to give to you. He said Marvot would be in touch.”

“Why Frankie?” she whispered.

“I’m sure Marvot will give you the opportunity to ask that question.” He paused. “I can guess. So can you.”

Yes, she could guess. “He’s going to hold Frankie as a hostage.” She could feel the waves of anger and terror wash over her. “Son of a bitch.”

“I’ll get her back, Grace.”

“You won’t do anything that will give that bastard an excuse to hurt her.” She closed her eyes tightly. “What if she’s hurt now? Robert said she was conscious. He wouldn’t know if she was hurt or not. They wouldn’t care if they hurt her.”

“Blockman said Frankie kicked Hanley in the nuts as he dragged her into the helicopter. I’d say she’s in pretty good shape.”

“She’ll fight them.” She opened her eyes and brushed the hair back from her face with a shaking hand. “I taught her to fight. But what if she makes them angry? She’s only a little girl.”

“Grace, you’re not thinking. If they’re holding her hostage, they won’t want her hurt.”

“Damn you, how do you know? And no, I’m not thinking, I’m feeling. She’s my daughter. You couldn’t possibly realize how scared I am.”

“Maybe not.” He looked away from her. “But I know how scared I am. You don’t have the monopoly on loving Frankie. I may not have the right to feel possessive of her, but I have the right to love her. She gives me that right by being what she is, not who she is.” He added roughly, “And I’m going to keep on loving her and doing what’s best for her. So don’t you dare try to shut me out of getting her away from Marvot. It’s not going to happen.”

“You . . . love her?”

“For God’s sake, Grace. How the hell could I help it? Did you think I just wanted to be with her out of some sense of paternal pride? She’s bloody wonderful.”

“Yes, she is.” The tears were running down her cheeks. “And she’s probably scared. She won’t let them see it, but she’ll be scared.”

He sat down beside her and pulled her into his arms. “I know.” He rocked her back and forth. “It’s killing me.”

The comfort of his arms didn’t stop the terror, but the knowledge that she wasn’t alone in that terror helped. Her arms tightened around him. “Why take a helpless little girl?”

“Who managed to kick one of his men in the nuts. I bet he’s not thinking she’s so helpless.” He pushed her back to look down at her. “And we’re not helpless either just because he found a way to take Frankie. We’ll get her back well and safe.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead. “I have to leave for a few moments and talk to Dr. Krallon. He should have a report for me on Blockman and Vazquez.”

“Vazquez was hurt too?”

He nodded. “But it wasn’t bad enough to keep him from searching the site of the wreck all night on the chance of finding Frankie. He doesn’t believe affection should be dictated by blood either.”

Another name hit home. “Dr. Krallon.” She looked around her at the rough but comfortable furniture of the living room. “Is this the place where you sent him?”

“It was convenient. I needed medical help and this place is safe. The ranch is closed down, and I’m transferring the horses to Charlie’s farm in Alabama.”

Her lips twisted. “I’m so upset, I didn’t even notice where we were.”

“You’re a little preoccupied.” He headed for the door. “And you didn’t even ask about your own injuries. You have a banged-up right knee, a bruised rib cage, and a minor concussion. The knee may cause you the most trouble. It will heal, but it’s going to hurt like hell.” He opened the door. “And it would be smart to try to get some rest. You were out for the last eight hours and that will help, but you’re nowhere near normal. You may have to be a hundred percent pretty damn quick.”

She didn’t want rest. Her nerves were screaming and she wanted to throw on her clothes and go after Frankie.

“I know.” His gaze was reading her expression. “I feel the same way. But we have to wait. It’s not our move.”

“Wait for Marvot to call me.” That would be the next move.

“Yes.”

“How will he know how to reach me?”

“Blockman said that Hanley scanned his number into his cell phone. Marvot will be using that number. But I don’t believe he’ll be in any hurry. He wants you to be frantic. He wants you to think about all the things he can do to hurt Frankie.”

“I will think about it,” she whispered. “I can’t help it.”

“Neither can I.” The door shut behind him.

She hesitated and then forced herself to lie back down on the bed. Rest, heal, and wait.

And pray.

T
he phone call came from Marvot over twenty-four hours later. “How delightful to hear your voice again, Grace. I was very disappointed when you deserted me all those years ago. I had great plans for you.”

“Where’s my daughter?”

“Charming child. So deliciously lethal. I’d know she was your daughter if I ran into her in the middle of the desert.”

“She’s a frightened little girl.”

“Tell Hanley that. She bit his wrist so badly that he had to have it cleaned and bandaged. Did you know that human bites are particularly subject to infection? He was very angry.”

“He deserved it.”

“I had a good deal of trouble convincing him of that. He wanted to tie her legs together and throw her into the sea. He doesn’t admire spirit the way I do.”

“Don’t hurt her.”

“Are you pleading?”

Her hand tightened on the phone. “Yes, I’m pleading.”

“I thought you’d be willing to beg for the sake of your child. I have a child of my own and I know how they have a tendency to weaken us. I fight it all the time. Tell me, is Kilmer equally upset?”

“No. Why should he be?”

“Really, Grace, do you believe I wouldn’t pay to know everything about you? Including the name of the father of your child? But it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t have the same pain as you. He hasn’t had the experience of raising a child that we have. It’s different seeing a baby born and knowing that your blood flows through his veins.”

“How can I get my daughter back?”

“You have to complete the work you started. I believe you’re aware that would be the price.”

“I don’t know what you want from me. I’ve never known.”

“I want you to tame the Pair. I want them to love you. I want them to obey you. I want them to be happy to take you wherever you wish.”

“Why?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“What if we work a trade? I give myself up and you turn Frankie over to Kilmer.”

“No deal. I’ll have you both. At first, I was very angry with Hanley for not getting the two of you. But on consideration I believe it may be better this way. If he’d taken both of you, then I’d have had to deal with Kilmer. He’d have come roaring after you. He’s a man with warrior instincts and his own agenda. He might weigh that agenda against your daughter’s life. I understand that conflict. But you won’t permit that to happen. You’ll be the one to control Kilmer. You won’t let him be unduly precipitous and force me to kill your little girl. Isn’t that true?”

“Yes, it’s true.”

“Then we can proceed with our plans. You’ll come to El Tariq immediately. Kilmer will do nothing. Is that clear?”

“It’s clear.”

“If there’s any sign of him or any of his men, I’ll give your little Frankie to my men to rape and then I’ll kill her myself. Do you understand?”

She closed her eyes. “I understand.”

“Then I’m looking forward to seeing you and introducing you to my son. He can’t wait to see you with the Pair.” He hung up.

W
ell?” Kilmer asked.

“I’m to go to El Tariq immediately. If you interfere in any way, Frankie dies after being gang-raped.”

Kilmer muttered a curse. “You can’t go. Leave it to me.”

“The hell I’ll leave it to you. Marvot doesn’t bluff.” She met his gaze. “You know that as well as I do.”

His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “I know you’ll both die if you walk into that trap.”

“Kilmer.”

He drew a deep breath and then nodded jerkily. “Okay, we have to protect Frankie. I’m not arguing that.”

“You’d better not. Marvot said you had warrior instincts. He’s right. But you’re going to suppress them or so help me God I’ll kill you myself.” She got to her feet. Her knees were shaking and she had to reach out to grab the back of the chair to keep from falling. “Nothing’s going to happen to Frankie.”

Kilmer gazed at her for a moment before he said quietly, “You know that your going will only be a temporary reprieve. He’s not going to let either one of you live after you give him what he wants.”

“He didn’t even make the offer,” she said bitterly. “He knew I’d come because there was a chance I could delay the inevitable.”

“Or in the hope that you could save her.”

“It’s not a hope. It’s going to happen.” Jesus, she was sick to her stomach. She kept picturing Frankie with those bastards. She had to stop it. She couldn’t think when she was this scared. “It has to happen.”

“You’re shaking. Would you like me to fix you a drink?”

She shook her head. “Coffee. Black. I’m going to go to the bathroom and splash water on my face.”

He nodded, his gaze on her face. “Good idea.”

Frankie . . .

She made it to the bathroom just in time before she threw up. Oh, God . . .

“Okay.” Kilmer was beside her, holding her steady as she heaved.

“Go away.”

“No way.” His grasp tightened. “Never again. Finished?”

She nodded.

He turned her toward the sink. “Lean.” He flushed the toilet and grabbed a washcloth and dampened it. He gently washed her face before throwing the washcloth down and gathering her in his arms. “Hold on to me.”

She shook her head. “I’m not weak. I can’t be weak.”

“Who said you were? I need someone to hold on to.” His voice was husky. “Do you think you’re alone in this? I . . . love that little girl. And I’ve got a good chance of losing both of you.”

He was shaking. She’d never known Kilmer to be this traumatized. Her arms slowly slid around him. “I’m so scared, Kilmer,” she whispered.

“So am I.” He buried his face in her hair. “Warrior, shit. I’m not going to make a move that could hurt her, Grace. I just want to keep you both alive.”

She wanted to stay here, held safe and secure against the harshness that lay ahead. But Frankie wasn’t safe or secure.

She pushed him away. “Then we’d better find a way to do that.” She tried to steady her voice. “Get out of here and let me wash my mouth out.”

He hesitated, staring at her. Then he turned away. “Ten minutes.”

Y
ou were longer than ten minutes.” Kilmer looked up as she walked into the kitchen.

“I was upstairs throwing things into a suitcase.”

He poured her coffee. “Gun?”

She shook her head. “Marvot will have me searched. I’ll leave that to you to plant when I need it.”

He went still. “Me? I’m going to be allowed to help?”

“Don’t try to con me. You know you wouldn’t stand by if you could find a way to make a move.”

“A safe move,” he corrected.

“I trust you.” She moistened her lips. “I have to trust you. I can’t get her out by myself. But I’m the one who has to call the shots. You don’t do anything until I let you know it’s safe for her.”

“And how are you going to do that?”

“You’re going to have someone watching me. I’ve packed four blue chambray shirts and one khaki shirt. If I wear the khaki shirt it will signal that something’s going to happen, a change, maybe an escape attempt. It will signal you to be on the alert.”

“An escape attempt? At El Tariq?”

She thought about it. “Maybe. But after you plucked Donavan out of his hands, it’s going to be difficult. Maybe it will be to signal you we’re going to that oasis in the desert. I can’t be sure that Marvot won’t take us there.”