Chapter 16
16
C am slept fitfully, taking short catnaps during the night, staying vigilant, but there was no repeat passing of the boat. Had it been the cartel looking for them? He shifted slightly on the bed of sand knowing no comfortable position was possible. But what the hell? In his arms dozed Miriam.
He could barely make out her features in the dark but knew them by memory. Ebony hair, drying slightly curly, framed her beautiful face. Shadows were under her eyes making her translucent complexion seem pale in comparison. Her cheekbones were more prominent than the photograph he had seen, bringing her drastic weight loss of the past month to the forefront of his mind.
The idea of taking her out for a huge, expensive dinner filled his mind as he yearned to take care of her. Smiling, he knew from what he had learned from her, she would rather have a hotdog while watching a college baseball game .
His mind rolled back over the mission, pleased they had made it out, but knowing that without the fortuitous storm it would have been almost impossible. Sighing heavily, his hand moved to his chest where his St. Camillus medallion rested. Patron Saint and founder of the Red Cross. Jesus, he smiled, clutching the pendant knowing that they still needed all the help they could get to make it back home.
Miriam stirred next to him, snuggling her body closer to his in her sleep, tossing one leg over his as one arm landed on his chest, near his hand still holding the medallion.
He reached out gently and held her hand for a moment. This woman, I could spend the rest of my life with. He watched her breathe slowly, her face sometimes twitching as she dreamed. But what of her? Can she love a man with my career? A man whose future is sometimes as uncertain as the missions I take. Unfamiliar doubt crept in, leaving him with a feeling of uncertainty. What’s better for her…fighting for her or walking away to give her a chance at a normal future?
He now understood his boss’ dilemma over the last year as Jack battled with the knowledge that he had fallen in love with his pretty neighbor, Bethany, and wanted to give her the white picket fence future. What seemed obvious to Cam at the time, was now just as confusing as it must have been to Jack.
As the early morning light began painting the sky with colors, he felt his phone vibrate. He slid quietly away from the sleeping beauty and walked away toward the beach while still staying within the shadows of the rocks.
“Yeah?” he answered, knowing the call was from Marc.
“All’s good,” came the response.
“Thank fuck.”
“Got the plane and got it fueled. Alberto’s coming also in case we need some help.”
“Why? What’s going on?” Cam asked suspiciously.
Marc quickly replied. “Intel’s that they’ve been tearing up the compound looking for the missing nurse. They didn’t make a connection to you at first until they finally started putting two and two together. With the missing vehicle and knowing you had been to the river, they finally got their search going, and located it. Alberto’s been able to find out that they’ve flown a few passes over the river and even taken a boat out to where the river meets the ocean, right where you are.”
Cam sighed, knowing that the news was not unexpected, if unwelcome. “You think you’ve got trouble with our plans?”
“Don’t know. Alberto is coming to provide firepower if needed. From what he can tell, the assumption is that you two are dead, never making it out of the storm, but these fuckers don’t want anyone escaping, so they’re on the lookout.”
“What’s your ETA?”
“Give us about two more hours to get everything ready. Got to check in with Jack one more time to make sure our trip home is ready. I’ve got us cleared with Homeland Security and Blaise has taken care of DEA. We’ll land somewhere unknown and refuel before making it back to Richmond. But warning, bro, it’ll be intense once we get back. You may need to prepare her.”
“Already on it. She knows there will be intensive debriefing.”
“Good.” After a pause, Marc asked, “How’s she holding up?”
“Like a fuckin’ champ,” Cam stated, his admiration evident.
The men continued their conversation for a few more minutes, detailing the rescue. As Cam disconnected, he remained still, looking out over the surf, his mind focusing on the rescue. Thoughts of her slipped back in, but he pushed them to the side. Not now. Gotta focus on getting us the fuck out of here. Sighing once more, he forced his mind to the mission.
Miriam woke, suddenly chilly after having been so warm. She realized that Cam had slipped away, and her body missed him snuggling close to her. Blinking in the early morning shadows with the sunrise barely painting the sky, she saw him standing nearby talking on the phone.
His back was to her and she watched the muscles in his broad back as he moved around the beach. His waist was trim but, with his size, even that appeared powerful. His smooth shoulders were burned into her memory as she held them when he entered her. Sucking in a deep breath, she remembered every feeling of their coupling. The way he took her with such power…and care. Closing her eyes for a second, she forced her mind to abandon those thoughts.
His black hair, lightly curling on the ends, beckoned her fingers. When he turned his head to the side, she could see the dark stubble of beard on his face.
He exuded danger…a man on a mission. Me. I’m that mission. How could a man like that ever be interested in me? She knew she had fallen in love with her rescuer and tried to convince herself that the emotions were only due to their extreme circumstances. But when he held her last night, all doubts flew from her mind, and she knew her love was real. Based on the man and not the mission. Is this one-sided? Doubts filled her, but she pushed them to the back of her mind as she watched him disconnect his call. His face was etched in thought, and she instinctively knew his mind was on the day’s necessities.
Forcing her mind to do the same, she prayed, Please God, help us get home.
Cam walked back over to where he had left a sleeping Miriam only to find her awake and staring at him.
“Did I wake you?” he asked, kneeling in front of her, lifting his hand to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.
Smiling, she shook her head as she stretched her body from its cramped position. Sitting up, she peered into his face searching for his thoughts. His face blank, she asked, “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” he replied, wondering how much to tell her.
“There’s something you’re not saying.”
Chuckling, he deflected, “You think you can read me that well?”
Lifting an eyebrow, she cocked her head and answered, “Um, yeah. I think, Mr. Perez, that after the time we’ve spent together, I know you very well.”
Throwing his head back in laughter, he agreed. “Okay, Ms. Delaro. I guess you’re right.” Lowering his head back to hers, he leaned forward placing a kiss on her cheek. “I reckon you do know me, carina .”
Her eyes flashed with desire and he wanted nothing more than to take her again, here on the beach, and prove to her the depths of his feelings for her. But regretfully, now was not the time.
She saw his flare of interest and then watched as it died in his eyes. Sighing, she said, “I suppose you’re all business this morning?”
Chuckling again, he replied, “Babe, I’d give anything if we were on this beach as a getaway vacation. Swear to God, I’d be doing nothing but worshiping your body right now in a way that would leave no doubt in your mind how I felt.” Sighing heavily, he added, “But I need to let you know that according to Marc, the cartel definitely knows you and I left together.”
He watched as her expression hardened and he wished to fuck he could make it soft again. Plunging on, he continued. “It was them doing flyovers on the river and checking out the shore last night.” Hearing her sharp intake of breath, he plunged on. “Marc’s ETA is about two hours, so, we need to be vigilant, be ready, and stay on target.”
She nodded slowly, letting his warnings take root. “Okay,” she said softly. Her gaze moved to the blue waters beyond his back and asked, “How does this work?”
Sliding easily into mission planning mode, he answered, “Marc’s bringing our DEA contact along with him to provide extra security. He’ll fly in and maneuver as close as he can, but he may have to stay back from the shore. We’ll need to get to him.”
He watched her face carefully, but so far, her expression had not shown concern…just concentration. That’s my girl. His thoughts stumbled as he realized, My girl. Fuck yeah, she’s my girl.
“Cam?”
“Right here, babe,” he responded.
“Um…I’m a decent swimmer, but not great. And I’ve never swam in the ocean,” she confessed.
“Gotcha.” He looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, “As soon as we can, we’ll get in the water when we know he’s close and then you swim as hard and fast as you can. Once beyond the waves, it’ll be just like swimming anywhere else. I’ll be right with you and if you get tired before we make it to the plane, I’ll get you the rest of the way. Okay?”
Sucking in a huge breath, she agreed.
“That’s my girl,” he stated firmly, touching his lips to her forehead.
She looked up in surprise at his declaration, hoping it was more than just a phrase. Smiling, she moved forward slightly and kissed his lips. She could tell he was surprised for only a second until he took over the kiss. Long. Hard. Wet. And full of promise.
At the appointed time, the whir of a plane’s engine could be heard over the surf and Cam grabbed Miriam’s hand, leading her into the water. They watched as the aircraft flew over and then circled around, its nose aiming toward the water. At the last minute, the plane leveled, and the floats touched the surface.
“Let’s go,” Cam ordered, tugging her further into the surf.
The waves were difficult to manage, but she dove under a few and swam out trying to keep moving. He did not leave her side even though she knew he could have made the swim much faster. A large wave hit causing her to swallow water. Coughing as she came up, she felt his arms latch around her waist and hold her above the surface until she could catch her breath.
“You good?” he asked, worry lacing his voice.
Nodding her answer, they continued to swim toward the approaching plane. Its engines were propelling it forward slowly. Almost there, she thought with excitement.
The side door popped open, and a man stepped out onto the pontoon. It was hard to focus on him and try to keep her head above the surface at the same time. A loud bang was heard, and she jerked her head up at the same time she felt Cam’s body stiffen. The other man was pointing a gun toward the back of the plane and firing.
“Fuck! We’ve got company,” Cam yelled. “Go and keep your head down!”
She pushed off, adrenaline coursing through her system and she forced her arms and legs to swim faster than she ever had. She could not see what was happening but was determined to get to the plane.
Touching the pontoon with her hand, she heard the pilot yell through his open window, “Hold on!”
The water splashed over her as the plane created waves on the surf, but she could still hear the ping of the gun.
“Now!” the pilot yelled and before she knew it, Cam was behind, boosting her up. The man with the gun reached down with one arm and easily hauled her out of the water onto her knees on the slick pontoon.
Cam hoisted himself up beside her and with a quick glance to the right, saw a boat veering to the side. He grabbed her around the waist and shoved her through the open cabin door, realizing he was rougher than he meant to be, but urgency was needed. He followed quickly and Alberto jumped in behind as well, shouting, “Go, go!” as he closed the plane’s door.
Before the passengers could be seated, the pilot engaged and the plane lurched forward, tossing Miriam against the floor. Scrambling to pull herself up, Cam grabbed her head and pushed her back.
“Stay down!” he yelled, throwing open the window and firing out of one side while the other man was doing the same from his side.
Cam focused on the boat that had circled around and was making another pass.
“Marc! They’re trying to come around to the front.”
“Got ‘em,” came the response.
Miriam could not see anything from her position on the floor, but knew Cam expected her to stay where she was. The plane rattled as it picked up speed and she wondered if they would be able to get airborne. Heart pounding, she clutched the leg of the seat to keep from rolling back again as the aircraft’s nose tipped up.
Lifting off the water, Marc turned the plane toward land to get away from the men firing at them from the boat. As it banked in the curve, Miriam rolled in the other direction, bumping into Cam’s legs.
Seeing they were away from immediate danger, he handed his gun to Alberto and crouched over her. “You okay, baby?” he asked, as he assisted her into a seat and buckled her in tightly, noting her shaking.
He buckled into the seat next to hers and threw his arm around her shoulders, maneuvering her body so that it was pulled in close to his.
“Was that them?” she asked, twisting her head to look up into his face.
He nodded, then before he could answer a towel was thrust toward them from Alberto. Offering him their thanks, he dried her arms and face quickly before using it himself.
“Miriam, let me introduce you to our rescuers. That’s Marc up front piloting and this is Alberto. Gentlemen, this brave lady is Miriam Delaro.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ms. Delaro,” Alberto said, offering her a blanket, which she took gratefully. Her scrubs were soaked and plastered to her skin. Wrapping the blanket around her body, she tried to calm the adrenaline shivers.
Her eyes shot toward the pilot, who threw up his hand in salutation before looking back, a broad smile on his face.
“Marc,” Cam started, “you’re one helluva pilot to get us out of there. And Alberto, thank fuck you came along with some firepower.”
“You’re the one who made it out of the viper’s den,” Marc said, with Alberto’s nod in agreement. “You and Ms. Delaro.”
“Please, call me Miriam,” she said softly, her voice raspy from the salt water that she had swallowed.
Alberto moved to a chest next to him, saying, “It’s not prime rib, but we know you two haven’t eaten much.” He pulled out water bottles and protein bars.
Her hands still shaking, Miriam took the bar then struggled to get it unwrapped. Cam’s hand came over and pulled it from her.
“Here you go, babe,” he said, handing the unwrapped bar to her. “Now, eat and drink slowly.” He made sure she was taken care of then gratefully accepted the food himself.
Marc moved the aircraft back over the water now that they were safely airborne and the threat from the boat was over. Twisting around, he caught Cam’s actions as he hovered over Miriam. “You good?” he asked.
“We are now,” Cam sighed heavily, the adrenaline slowly draining from him.
“I…I want to thank you,” Miriam said, looking toward Marc. Then she turned to Alberto, adding, “Both of you.”
“From what I hear, Miriam, you should be standing up taking bows for how you handled the past month,” Marc said sincerely.
“Agreed,” Alberto said.
“Abso-fuckin’-lutely,” Cam added, throwing his arm back around her once more, making sure the blanket was tucked around her carefully.
“What now?” she asked, chewing the bar.
“We’ve got permission to land in Texas at an undisclosed airfield. We’ll change planes and be flown to Virginia,” Marc commented.
Cam watched as a confused look appeared on her face. She kept her eyes on Marc as she asked, “Is that all?”
Chuckling, Marc said, “No, but I was just trying to give you the easy version.”
“I think you’d better sock it to me, Marc.”
Cam saw Marc quickly twist around and catch his eyes with a questioning expression on Marc’s face. “You’ll find out,” Cam explained, “Miriam’s as tough as they come, so yeah, go ahead and let us know what’s in store, but uh…maybe the abbreviated version.”
“You got it,” came the response. “All right, Miriam, here’s what’s going to happen. When we get to Texas, we’ll be in a hangar and the only people around will be the DEA and FBI. They’ve got a doctor and nurse waiting for us and will check you and Cam out first. That may take a while because they will want to be thorough, and then you’ll be fed. After that, the DEA and FBI will speak to each of you individually.”
Cam heard her sudden intake of breath and tightened his embrace. “It’s going to be fine, babe. They need to find out whatever you know. So, you just answer all their questions and give them as much information as you can. I’ll be doing the same.”
His eyes cut over to Alberto, “You know these guys? Don’t want any dirty DEAs talking to Miriam.” He knew it was a cut to Alberto, implying that there were DEA personnel on the take with the cartels, but every agency had them.
“I talked to the lead investigator. Know him. Know his family. Known him for years. His name’s Manuel Reyes. He’s clean and his team’s clean.”
Cam held his gaze and then nodded. Miriam glanced between the three men, not understanding their conversation but trusting Cam enough to take care of her.
Marc continued, “Once that’s done, they’ll fly us to Virginia. They’ll arrange for your family to meet us again at an undisclosed location. Cam? You want your family brought in as well?”
He shook his head. “Nah, they know I’ve been working. I’ll call them when we touch down in Texas and let them know. ”
At the mention of family Miriam jerked up, asking, “My family! Does my family know we’re out?”
“Soon as we cross into the United States, I’ll give the go ahead to let them know,” Marc replied.
Nodding, she settled back into her seat and into Cam’s embrace.
“Once back in Virginia, you’ll still be questioned…and protected,” Alberto added. He did not add more after a pointed glance from Cam. The three men knew that her ordeal was far from over but were determined to protect her as best they could at the moment.
Miriam rested her head on Cam’s shoulder, occasionally looking out of the window at the scenery below. How different from when I flew into Mexico last month. What had seemed an adventure had turned into a nightmare. A nightmare that hopefully is over!