CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Irene, Matthew and the other ghosts floated near the entrance of the chapel, smiling at the young couple standing before the priest. The Jordans, and their blonde heads, dotted the first few rows and Irene chuckled to herself.
“More babies to come, my love,” whispered Matthew.
“More babies that I get to see because of you,” she said kissing his cheek.
Even with all that was happening in Bolivia, the food and celebration lasted well into the night.
This was what they wanted their children’s world to be like.
Peaceful, loving, warm, and inviting. They wanted them to come home.
They wanted them to nest near where they belonged.
And most of all, they wanted them safe and hidden from the world they fought hard to protect.
Peace. Peace is what they were feeling right now.
But it would be short-lived.
“That’s her,” whispered Tobias. “Third table from the left in the back of the room. She’s got a hat covering her hair but that’s her.”
“We have to be sure,” said Jalen. “She just looks like the rest of the peasants and farmers around here to me. We need to be certain before we approach and give ourselves away.”
“How many peasants or farmers have a solid gold bracelet secured to their wrists with screws?” asked Rush looking at the designer bracelet worth thousands of dollars. It was probably the one piece of jewelry she couldn’t get off by herself.
Jalen looked back at the woman and nodded. She must have taken off her other jewelry or sold it. No doubt she would have had difficulty getting the bracelet off of her wrist.
“How do you want to handle this?” asked JT, staring at Jalen.
“She doesn’t appear to have anyone watching her or with her,” said Rush. “Maybe we can get her to speak with us, take her out of here before anyone recognizes her.”
“Do it fast. We think Bora and his men are headed toward the cantina,” said Tanner.
“Shit. I’ll go,” said Rush.
The others waited by the door, Tobias moving toward the back door behind the woman’s table and Rush.
“Don’t be frightened,” said Rush calmly staring at the woman. “I’m not here to harm you.”
“Who are you?” she asked anxiously.
“We’re friends I assure you, Mrs. Ruvienne.” She stilled, staring at the handsome young face. “We’re going to get you out of Bolivia and then help you to take your rightful place.”
“No. No, you can’t,” she said. “If I leave the country, it will be seen as cowardice and I will never have a life here again. Please, I must stay. I’m safe, I assure you.”
“You’re not safe. There’s a man headed this way. His name is Bora. He’s a former American Marine.”
“Former?” she frowned.
“Former. He’s no doubt going to attempt to take you and probably use you with the cartel.” She frowned, then noticed the man behind her. “He’s with me. So are those other two men. Listen, I can’t force you to come with me, but I don’t think you’re safe here.”
“I promise, I am safe. These are my people and they care for me. They’re hiding me and I will be safe until the time is right to make an appearance. You have to trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
“Are you ready?” asked a young girl standing beside the table. Rita nodded and stood. The girl couldn’t have been more than sixteen or seventeen but she was holding an old rifle that looked bigger than she was.
“She is leading me to the safe house for tonight.” The girl started to speak but Rita squeezed her hand.
“It’s alright. These men won’t harm me. I will remain here.
I will work from the inside to become the rightful ruler of Bolivia, while you help me from the outside.
I do not fear this American. They won’t allow him to lead our country.
Just keep the cartel away from my door.”
She bent over the napkin on the table and scribbled a phone number.
“You can reach me at this number. Text or call me and I will keep you informed of what’s happening here. For now, you must leave.”
Before they could stop her, she scurried out the back door with the young girl in tow and disappeared into the night.
“That’s a brave fucking woman,” said Tobias.
“Or stupid,” said Rush. “If Bora really wants this, he won’t stop until he gets it, even if that means killing her.” Jalen nodded.
“Then I guess we kill Bora first.”
“Get the fuck out of there. He’s headed straight for you,” said AJ.
“On our way, brother.”
As the four men left the cantina someone called Bora.
“They’ve just left, heading into the jungle on the south side. They’re armed.”