Resurrection River: Men of Mercy, Book 2 (25 page)

“Allah? Shane-“

He grabbed her throat so fast she couldn’t finish the sentence. “Abdullah.”

Amy gave a hysterical nod and he let go. “I’m sorry. Abdullah. You have to understand, I have always known you as your previous name.”

“Not allowed to say that word. He’ll punish me.” Shane’s words became distant, almost childlike, and Amy realized this Al Seriq had done a number on her husband’s mind.

“I’m sorry I interrupted you. If Al Seriq nursed you back to health, what happened to your hand?”

“He needed it.” His sentences were becoming shorter now, and she had the feeling she was losing him.

“For what?”

“For our true purpose. To destroy the infidel.”

Amy let go of his bleeding hand and fell back on the rug. “Infidel?”

Only terrorists spoke that way.

Shane kept staring at the same spot on the wall behind her.

Amy started to crawl backwards, restricting her movements so she didn’t alert him. Shane had gone somewhere else. Somewhere she never, ever, wanted to visit.

A phone trilled from his pocket, the shrill sound making them both jerk. Amy’s bottom hit the floor and her heart bounced up in her chest. Shane answered immediately, but his face was pale and his expression shaken. “As-salam alaykom.”

Amy inched back another degree. She had to get the hell out of here. She might have reasoned with Shane Carter. Abdullah what-the-hell-ever was another matter entirely. He had no connection to her. No marriage. No memories. No life.

And if Amy stayed, she’d have none either.

“Ana faahim. I understand.” Shane wasn’t staring at the wall anymore, but he wasn’t looking at her either. Whoever was on the phone had his full attention.

She kept inching back, denying the urge to scramble to her feet and run. She was willing to sacrifice her life, but not willing to be kidnapped and taken to Afghanistan. The thought sent her heart skittering. Women over there had no rights. They weren’t allowed to even show their face. Completely at her husband’s mercy. Never to see Chloe again.

Not her. No way. Amy turned onto her knees and jumped to her feet. Shane’s hand wrapped around her ankle and she hit the ground. Her ribcage screamed in protest, paralyzing her with pain. Shane rolled her onto her back. “Such a liar.”

Amy cringed away, but he pinned her down.

“Where is my box? I know you didn’t leave it to rot in some storage unit.” Shane pulled a knife from his pocket with is bleeding hand and held it at her cheek. “It’s time you started telling the truth.”

Amy swallowed. What was it with his box? He had something in there, something she must have missed. Could it have been some kind of secret code on the letters? Would he kill her when she told him the truth? “I-I really don’t have your box anymore. I threw it away when I found out about Hayden.”

“You threw it away? Everything?” His scream made her ears ring and she turned her head to try and avoid the spit flying from his lips. Amy felt the first sting of the knife pressing into her flesh.

“No. Not everything.” He stopped, but a trickle of blood dripped down her cheek and into her hair.

“What then?” He pressed deep again and the blade slid across her flesh.

“T-t-the pictures. I kept the pictures.” She longed to close her eyes and block out the man on top of her. Block out the knife slicing into her cheek. The hot blood trailing to the carpet.

Shane expelled a breath and lifted the knife. “Good girl. Take me to them.”

Amy nodded. She couldn’t talk. Nothing. She was too scared to move.

“I said to take me to them.” Shane’s roar snapped her out of her paralyzed state.

“Okay. Okay.”

Shane yanked her to her feet and propelled her in front of him. Amy stumbled but caught herself. She needed to find out what he was up to. If he was working for a terrorist, then he had malicious intent. What if he’d been turned into a suicide bomber? He wouldn’t just kill her, he’d kill everyone around him. Including her family.

She had to stop him. But her ribs hurt so bad she couldn’t see straight. What to do?

No solution came before she reached the bedroom. Maybe she could distract him with the pictures and grab her gun. She’d never shot anyone before.

“Under the bed. I put them up to give to your daughter when she was grown.”

Shane seemed not to hear her. “Pull them out.”

She clutched her side. “I can’t. I think you broke my ribs.”

“Stupid woman.” Shane shoved her to the side and she sucked in a breath at the wrenching agony. Shane fell to his knees and pulled the clear tub containing the picture frames from beneath the bed. He picked up the tub, sat it on the mattress and lifted the lid. Inside lay the heavy black frames, carefully wrapped in cloth to protect them from getting scratched.

Shane unfolded the cloth on one of them and then slammed the butt of his knife down, cracking the first frame.

What the hell?

Amy watched as he flipped shards away with the tip of his knife. Light glinted off what was beneath, and when she saw what was hidden inside, she gasped.

“I will let you live because of this.” Shane seemed as mesmerized as she.

“Where did you get that?” The pain forgotten momentarily, she eased forward for a better look. Gold inlaid with a multitude of gems glittered in the light. Red rubies. Emeralds. Diamonds. Others she didn’t have a name for.

“A foolish villager who thought to hide them from me.”

“What did you do to him?”

Shane sneered, “What do you think?”

Amy paled. “You killed him.”

“And his family.” The way he said it, like it was just another day, like he hadn’t destroyed innocent lives for his own gain.

“Murderer.” Amy whispered the word, recoiling from the very thought.

Shane got in her face, not one single drop of regret lining his eyes. “They sacrificed themselves in the name of Allah. They have been well rewarded.”

She took a step back. There was no coming back from that kind of crazy. Or escaping it.

“
D
id
that look like Amy in the passenger seat?” Ranger bore holes in the back window of her pickup. Ranger and Hunter had pulled down her road, lights off, intending to approach her house on foot, only to have them leave before the two men could get out.

“Yep.” Hunter cranked the truck and put it in drive, lights off.

“Copy that, team two?” Ranger spoke in the comm at his throat.

“Roger. We’re on your tail.” Aaron, Riser and Merc followed in a jeep. Ranger glanced in his rearview, but couldn’t see them. Both teams were operating dark tonight. No lights. No signals. Nothing that would alert their former team member to their presence.

“Where are they going?” Hunter kept a steady foot on the gas, maintaining enough distance not to spot them, but close enough to follow.

“Hell if I know, but I’m sure it’s not good.” Ranger answered.

“Do you think he knows about Chloe and is headed to the house?” Hunter leaned forward on the wheel and Ranger felt the truck accelerate.

“He’s headed the wrong direction if that’s the case.” Amy and Shane turned right off her gravel road and onto Highway sixty-five.

“Could you see her? Did she look okay?”

“Shit, I couldn’t tell if she was injured though.”

“Are you sure it was her?” Hunter said.

As sure as the bugs splattering their windshield. “Yes.”

He didn’t get a good look at the second person in the truck, but he felt her. Knew it was her without a doubt.

Hunter didn’t respond, he focused forward and tailed her old Dodge. The truck had to be pushing eighty, which was asking a lot from the rust bucket.

“Sure are in a hurry.”

“Yep.” Hunter increased speed, keeping close.

The truck hung a hard right onto Cypress Bend road. The only thing down that way was Coldwater Papermill and the levee.

“Where the heck are they headed?” Hunter said.

“I have no idea. Night shift is on at the mill. Shane didn’t hang out with anyone there. No one lives on this end of the levee anymore, not since the flood last year.” The flood that had nearly taken both Hunter and Evie’s lives.

Which left absolutely nothing for them to do. So why did they turn off down the back road beside the paper mill? Hunter followed at a more distant pace. The truck hung a right and headed up the levee, and then their lights disappeared.

“Go faster. We’re losing them.” Ranger hit the dashboard, wanting the truck to go faster.

“Team two, we lost sight of the target. In pursuit.” Hunter floored it, the truck careened down into a cattle gap then bounced back up, throwing Ranger into the roof before settling down.

“I said faster, not kill us.” Ranger grabbed the oh-shit handle above his head and braced for the sharp curve up and to the right onto the levee.

“Hold on.” Hunter spun the wheel, gravel flew and they slid sideways for a second before the truck righted itself.

Aaron’s voice came through the comm. “Holy shit boss, you trying to kill us back here?”

“Mind the cattle gap, boys,” Hunter answered blithely and then spun up onto the top of the levee. The long winding road built on top of the nearly forty foot tall hill bordering the Mississippi River had been the only obstacle stopping the flood last year from wiping Mercy off the map.

“All due respect, sir, but fuck you.”

Ranger couldn’t help the grin. Folks not from the south didn’t understand its precious beauty or its deadly deterrents.

“Where did they go? Do you see headlights?” Ranger scrutinized their surroundings. The papermill lit up the sky behind them, its huge column of steam rising steadily into the clouds. Nothing but flat fields lay beyond that to the right. Huge oak and pine trees lined the right side of the levee, and beyond that was the river.

“There, down there.” Hunter cut left and dropped into thin air.

“Holy crap, what are you doing?”

“Getting your girl.” The truck hit the road halfway down the levee, bounced forward and then back, slinging Ranger’s head into the headrest.

They didn’t slow down. Hunter increased speed down the gravel road, disappearing into the woods. The road quickly turned into a dirt road littered with potholes and mud puddles. Any other time Ranger would cuss out his brother for driving like this, but not tonight. Not when Amy’s life was on the line.

“Straight ahead. He’s there.” Ranger’s heart accelerated with the truck.

“He’s stopping at the sandbar turn off.” Hunter slowed and then stopped a few hundred yards away.

“Hold back, they stopped at the river.” Ranger spoke into the comm.

“Roger.”

Ranger pulled out his night vision binoculars. Shane exited the truck up ahead first and rounded to pull the passenger door open. When Amy stumbled out, Ranger’s heart stopped. She was alive and okay. For now.

Shane held her with one hand and then reached into the truck and pulled a bag out with the other.

“What’s he got?” Hunter asked.

“I don’t know, but let’s find out.” Ranger opened his door and exited the vehicle, damning himself again for not bringing night vision goggles. The binoculars were great for staking out someone, but not suited for travel. They would have to walk in the dark.

“We’re on foot. Follow the road past our truck and flank left at the ramp. Set up a nest and see if you can get a visual.”

“Roger,” Riser answered through the comm.

Hunter slid his rifle over his back and pulled his pistol from its holster. Ranger did the same. “Ready?”

“Yep.” Ranger led, the two brothers moving down the dirt road with sure feet. They’d been down here often enough as teenagers seeking a place to do some necking with a girl. The road curved on to the right, and if you followed, it would lead to an old hunting club. The other option was the boat ramp, which led straight down to the river. Amy and Shane had headed that way, so they would follow.

Ranger stopped at the top of the ramp. He saw two figures standing at the edge of the water. That was it. “What the hell are they doing?”

“Beats me. Maybe going for a late night swim?”

Ranger shot his brother a killer glare and refocused on Amy. She seemed to be bending at the waist and holding her stomach. Had Shane hurt her?

A sound drew his attention. “That’s a boat engine.”

“Sure is. Team two, you got eyes on that boat?”

“Roger. Merc’s locking in now. Hold.” Riser answered.

“Who in the holy hell would know he was home? Have you told anyone?” Ranger asked.

“Hell, no. No one has.”

“Shit. Mavis came over this morning with Darla and her camera man. Then Cord showed up. They each saw Shane.” Ranger recalled the scene. The morning’s drama had left him wrung out.

“Never seen Mavis on a boat, and that twit Darla wouldn’t know how to drive one.” Hunter pulled his rifle and sighted down the scope. “Can’t see a damn thing in this dark.”

“Come on.” Ranger crept forward, pistol raised and aimed at Shane. He didn’t know who was on the boat, but right now the biggest threat was the man standing next to his woman.

They got within twenty feet when Merc spoke. “Son of bitch. It’s Brown.”

Ranger and Hunter shared a look of surprise.

“
W
ho is that
?” Amy wheezed out the words, the pain in her ribs unbearable now. She kept flickering between some sort of strange haze, walking the edge of conscious and back to her harsh reality.

“That is the man who will help me fulfill my destiny.” Amy didn’t even cut a glance in her husband’s direction. All the way here, he’d talked about his destiny and praise to his savior and what the hell ever else. She’d done her best to tune him out and keep an eye on an escape opportunity.

Too bad none arose. She could have opened the door and jumped from the truck when they’d slowed to turn off the highway, or on the levee, but her ribs wouldn’t hold up to that. She could have run when he’d put the truck in park at the top of the ramp, but every step she took was pure agony. Her only other rout of escape lay straight ahead, but she didn’t have the strength to fight the currents. “Hope it works out for you.”

“It will.” Shane stepped forward and raised a hand in greeting. Amy couldn’t make out the man on the boat yet, but he waved in return. No help for her there, then.

The boat engine cut off and it continued to float forward, stopping just far enough out so that they’d have to swim if they wanted to reach him. “You got it?”

“Yes. Do you have the package?” Shane asked, his whole body one tight tense wire ready to snap.

“Yep. But I want to see the payment first. Hold it up.” The man bent down and came up with a flashlight.

“You move an inch and I’ll kill you.” Shane let go of her arm. Amy stumbled to the side without his support and barely caught herself from pitching into the water. He dug into his bag and pulled out the broken picture frame and held it up.

The light zeroed in on the prize. The man let out a low whistle. “Alright, I’ll pull closer and throw you a rope. You set that bag down, away from the water.”

The boat engine started again and he eased forward, pitching the rope when he was close and killing the engine again. Shane pulled him to the side, onto the grass embankment lining the ramp and river. The man hopped down and extended a hand. “Great doing business. The boat’s yours. Head up river a quarter mile, your package is in the barge.”

He walked to the bag, scooped the straps over his shoulder and headed up the ramp. Amy watching, wondering what had just occurred and wishing the damn moon would come out so she could get a glimpse of the man’s face.

Shane glanced at the boat and then back at the man. He then reached behind his back and pulled out a pistol. Amy gasped as he took aim at the man walking away. He pulled the trigger. A shot blasted loud like a cannon, and she slapped her hands over her ears and screamed. The man fell flat forward and didn’t move.

“Oh, my God. What did you do that for?”

“I can’t leave any witnesses.” Shane strode forward and retrieved the bag. He didn’t even check the man. By the time he returned, Amy was a big ball of shaking fear. “Get in the boat.”

“No.”

He grabbed for her arm but she resisted. He had one hand holding his pistol, the other holding his precious bag. “Get in the boat. I’m not telling you again.”

“Never. I’m not going with you.”

He slung the bag over his shoulder and made a grab for her, but she stepped back, barely missing his hand.

“The lady said no.” Another voice, this one heartbreakingly familiar.

“Ranger.”

“You okay, baby?” Ranger kept his pistol trained on Shane.

“Yes. Now that you’re here.” She wanted to run to him. Hurl herself into his arms and never let go.

“Move another step and she dies.”

Amy froze as she felt, more than saw, Shane’s gun point in her direction. Ranger stopped, but didn’t drop his gun.

“Put your gun down. Slowly,” Shane ordered and then he stepped closer to Amy and pulled her in front of him. Shielding his own body.

“Okay. Anything you want. Don’t hurt her.” Ranger held his hand out and bent at the waist, lowering his gun to the ground.

Amy wanted to weep. Shane would shoot him now and Ranger would be defenseless. “No, Ranger, don’t do it.”

“How sweet, the whore pleading for her lover.” Shane’s hot breath touched her neck and Amy wanted to vomit.

“Don’t listen to him, baby. Look at me. Focus on me.” Ranger spoke as if Shane hadn’t said a word. He held her gaze with his own, silently commanding her to look at him.

“That’s right, baby, look at him. Watch him die.” Shane raised his arm, his pistol aimed straight at Ranger. Amy tensed, ready to knock his hand down.

She heard a whizz past her ear, then a thunk. Shane’s arm fell. Amy turned in time to see Shane collapse backwards, a small red hole in the middle of his forehead.

She gagged and the movement nearly ripped her in half. Ranger was there in an instant, holding her in his arms. “It’s okay baby. He’s gone. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

“What...who?”

“Damn, Merc, good shot.” Hunter appeared from the woods to her left. Merc, followed by Aaron and Riser stepped from the woods at her right.

Merc didn’t verbally respond, just nodded and crossed his arms over his massive chest.

“Thank God you’re okay. I should have never left you. Ever.” Ranger squeezed her to him and Amy cried out. Ranger immediately let go, and she almost hit the ground. He swept down and caught her, holding her loose away from his body.

“What’s wrong?” Ranger’s sweet tone went deadly serious.

Amy found herself surrounded by four towering men in the next second. “Check her for broken bones.”

“Gunshot wounds?”

“I’ve got a first aid kit in the truck.”

She couldn’t keep up with who was saying what, all she heard was concern, for her. And for the first time since Shane came home, she felt warm. “I’m okay, really. It’s just my side.”

“Let me see.” Ranger didn’t wait for her response but pulled up her shirt to her ribcage.

Aaron produced a flashlight and she cringed away, the bright light hurting her eyes. “Son of a bitch.”

She wanted to glare at Aaron, tell him to put the dang light up, but she knew how bad it looked. “I know it looks bad...”

“That’s not bad. That’s broken,” Riser piped in.

Amy stuck out her tongue and he just smiled in return. Ranger turned green. Then red. Then purple. Amy felt sorry for him. “Ranger, look at me. I swear, I’ll be okay.”

Aaron lifted the light to their faces, Ranger’s gaze met hers and then his expression turned black. “I’m going to kill him.”

“Too late,” Merc said.

Ranger reached a trembling hand to her, skimmed down her face without really touching her. “I’m so sorry. I can never forgive myself for leaving you there, with him.”

“I asked you to leave,” Amy reminded him and tilted her face into his open palm.

“I shouldn’t have listened. I’m sorry.” Ranger’s tone was ragged and raspy.

Amy didn’t want or need it. “If you apologize one more time, we’re through, you hear me?”

“Sounds like she knows what she wants,” Aaron broke in.

“It’s Lee Brown.” Hunter approached the group.

“Are you sure?” Riser said.

Ranger hadn’t taken his gaze off her.

“The one and only. What do you think he was doing meeting Shane?” Hunter said from right behind her.

“I love you,” Ranger said and she couldn’t drag her gaze away.

“I love you, too,” she whispered in return. The world seemed to rush around her, the lights fading as the adrenaline left her system.

“Aaron, get that damn kit. Now.” Ranger lowered her to the ground, resting her head in his lap. “It’s okay. We will get you to the hospital.”

Amy licked her lips, her mouth dry. “Look in his bag.”

Hunter took off and returned a second later with the bag. He dropped it to the ground and pulled out a black frame, his face a mask of confusion.

“Keep going.” Amy said and then coughed.

Hunter dug in and pulled out the right frame this time. He’d shown his flashlight and a cascade of colors reflected back. “The jewels. He had them.”

“I’ll be damned, that old villager was telling the truth.” Riser said.

“Shane was crazy. The man that captured him turned him. He was working for someone named Al Seriq.”

The entire group went silent and stared down at her. Amy tried to discern what they were thinking, but hadn’t a clue. All she knew was, she wanted them to quit.

“Are you sure he said that name?” Ranger asked.

“Yes. I remember it very distinctly. And he was supposed to give Brown the jewels in exchange for something.” Fatigue wrapped its comforting arms around her. Amy let her eyes slide shut, just for a minute.

“For what?”

“I don’t know, but Brown said it was on a barge a quarter mile up river.” Speaking took all her energy. She didn’t know how much longer she could resist the pull of sweet oblivion.

“The weapons.” That was definitely Hunter’s voice. “Riser, you and Merc go check it out. I’ll call in support and Ranger and Aaron can get Amy to the hospital.”

Amy heard footsteps, the boat crank and then Hunter talking on the phone.

She heard Aaron unzip his first aid bag.

She heard the crickets and the bullfrogs along the river.

And then she heard a sound much sweeter than anything she’d ever imagined. “I love you, Amy.”