Chapter 5

JANIE INCHED CLOSERto Sawyer as the helicopter flew over the tops of trees toward an unknown destination. She decided she wasn’t a fan of flying in a helicopter. Give her a large plane any day and she’d be fine. Flying this way was too open for her liking. She preferred a small window to see the tops of clouds rather than the tops of trees.

Sawyer glanced at her, then squeezed her hand again. “You’re doing great, Janie. Just hang in there. We’ll be landing in five minutes.”

Surprised, her eyes widened. “So soon?”

He chuckled. “You get where you’re going in a hurry, traveling like this.”

“I still don’t like it,” she muttered.

All the men chuckled at that.

Just as Sawyer had said, five minutes later, the helicopter set down on a grassy knoll. The team from Fortress bailed from the vehicle and grabbed their gear. Four of them formed a wall of muscle near the side door, creating a ring of protection for her. Only Sawyer remained beside her in the helicopter.

“Ready?” he asked. When she nodded, Sawyer stood, tugged Janie to her feet, and helped her to the ground. After grabbing his pack, he touched Brody’s shoulder.

The team leader signaled the others, and they set off at a fast pace. When Janie lagged behind, Sawyer scooped her into his arms again and picked up the pace.

“Why are we hurrying?” she asked. Was there some danger she was missing?

“We aren’t far from the Vatos Locos compound, and we’re still in the middle of their territory. Some of their soldiers are probably close by.”

She tensed. Oh, man. She thought after escaping the compound that her problems were over. Apparently not.

“It’s all right, Janie. I’ve got you.”

“You’re not safe. None of you are safe.” She didn’t want these kind and brave men to be targets on her account.

“Janie, look at me.” When she did, Sawyer squeezed her gently. “We chose to come, and I’m glad we did. Freeing you from Vatos Locos is worth every risk we’re taking. This is what we’re trained to do, and we’re good at it.”

She smiled. “Such modesty,” she teased.

“It’s a simple truth. We’ll get you out of here. You have my word. Trust me a little longer.”

Brent Maddox was no fool. He didn’t skimp on training. Brent trusted them with her life. She either accepted his judgment or she’d make the rescue underway even more difficult and dangerous for the men risking all to save her. The more she cooperated, the easier things would go for everyone.

Slowly, Janie relaxed against Sawyer. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You just left a terrifying situation, and you’re still not in a safe place. Plus, we’re strangers to you. Brent knows us, but you don’t. What you’re feeling is understandable.”

Tears burned her eyes. A terrifying situation was an inadequate description for feeling as though she would die any minute for hours on end. She’d never forget the experience and prayed she never had to repeat it.

The team ran along an unseen path from Janie’s perspective. Good thing these men were wearing NVGs. Perhaps later, Sawyer would have time to show her how they worked.

Soon, they emerged from the jungle into another clearing. Parked in the shadows of the trees were two SUVs.

“Logan, Max, check the vehicles and let’s get out of here.”

Fascinated, Janie watched as the two men circled the vehicles while looking at black gadgets. Curiosity got the best of her. “What are they doing?”

“Checking for trackers and explosives.”

Her blood ran cold. “Explosives? Seriously?”

“We’re in enemy territory. Anything is possible.”

Janie wrapped her arms around her middle. This was insane. Explosives? Trackers? If she’d escaped from Scar Face and his buddies, she wouldn’t have thought to check for hidden dangers.

Logan and Max gave a hand signal, and the rest of the team left the safety of the jungle to climb into the vehicles. Sawyer set Janie on the backseat of an SUV and climbed in beside her. Jesse, the medic, handed Sawyer a backpack, then took the shotgun seat while Brody climbed behind the wheel.

In seconds, the caravan drove through the clearing and onto a dirt path leading away from the area.

As they drove, the sun lightened the sky to a steel gray. “We may be in for a rough ride,” Brody said.

Jesse and Sawyer checked their weapons.

Janie’s stomach knotted. That couldn’t be good. Was ‘rough ride’ a euphemism for more danger? “What’s happening?” she whispered to Sawyer.

“Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.” He smiled. “Standard operating procedure, Janie. Don’t worry.”

“Easy for you to say.”

He chuckled. “We’ll handle whatever the Vatos Locos dish out.”

“I don’t suppose you carry a bazooka in that backpack of yours.”

“Oh, you might be surprised what I carry in my bag of tricks.”

“One day, when we aren’t in a life and death situation, you’ll have to show me what you carry.”

“Deal.” He stiffened. “Brody.”

“I see them. Get ready.”

“Yes, sir.” Sawyer turned to Janie. “Get on the floor and lay as flat as you can.”

“They found us?”

“Looks like it.”

“More likely that they staked out the obvious escape routes,” Brody said. “The road is a natural choice.”

“What road?” Janie slid to the floor and curled up on her side. “It looks like a cow path to me.”

“You’re not wrong,” Brody said. “Sawyer, in the back.”

“Yes, sir.” He rested his hand on the top of Janie’s head for a few seconds. “It will be noisy in here. Stay on the floor. We’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

She gave him a small smile and tried to curl into a tighter ball.

After a last stroke of his fingers over her hair, Sawyer grabbed his rifle and climbed over the backseat to the cargo area. He rolled onto his back and kicked out the back window.

Janie flinched. Someone wouldn’t be happy when the vehicle was returned. She paused. Unless they stole the vehicles. Surely not. Did she care? She considered that a moment and decided she didn’t care since they might have committed a crime while rescuing a hostage from terrorists.

Where were the other passengers? Did the terrorists take them away when they fled from Sawyer and his team? Something told her the answers she wanted weren’t as simple as they seemed and likely ones that she didn’t want to hear. Janie feared her fellow passengers were dead, not merely moved to another location.

If that was true, why was she alive? Did the hijackers run out of time to deal with her or had the decision to leave her alive at the compound been deliberate? If so, what reason could they have? She made soap and bath bombs for a living. What could Scar Face and his buddies want with a small town soap maker? None of this made any sense.

“Two bogeys moving up fast,” Sawyer said.

“I see them.” Brody made a call. “Max, keep watch up ahead. We have bogeys closing in on us.” Seconds later, he said to Sawyer, “We need breathing room to get Janie into the jet.”

“Copy that. Restrictions?”

“None. Just get it done. Our principal is the priority. Period.”

“Yes, sir. Janie?”

She jerked. “Yes?”

“Cover your ears.”

When she complied, Sawyer aimed and fired his rifle three times. “One down. Second one is gaining ground and moving into position to attack us from behind.”

Her blood ran cold. Two vehicles were chasing them. Were the hijackers after her or the team that rescued her?

Someone’s phone signaled an incoming message. Seconds later, Jesse said, “Two more vehicles coming toward Max and Logan at a high-rate of speed.”

“Pincer move,” Sawyer said as he aimed at another target. Two shots later, he said, “Two down.”

“How’s the shoulder?” Jesse asked.

“I’ll live.”

“How bad is it?”

“Let’s just say I think you’re right about me needing stitches.”

“You good enough to take on another vehicle?” Brody asked. “And don’t lie to me. I won’t be happy if I find out you did.”

“Would I do that?”

A snort. “In a heartbeat if you thought you were likely to be sidelined. Climb back into the middle and be ready to help Logan with the terrorists in front of them if he needs the assist.”

“Yes, sir.” Sawyer slid over the seat into the middle section. “Doing okay, Janie?” he asked as he settled near the door. He lowered the window.

“You weren’t kidding about the noise level. I never realized guns were so noisy.”

“To protect our hearing on the practice range, we use headphones to muffle the sound. In combat situations like ours, we frequently fire weapons from a moving vehicle.”

“I heard Brody mention two more vehicles. Are you going to stop them, too?”

He studied her for a moment. “I could, but I probably won’t need to take care of them. Logan is an excellent shot.”

“We all are,” Brody said. “Law enforcement training and Fortress Security training.”

Her heart skipped a beat, then all of her tension melted away. “All of you were in law enforcement?” A team of former cops? Who could ask for more protection than that?

“That’s right,” Sawyer said. “We’re called Texas Team because we were in various branches of law enforcement in Texas.”

In the distance, Janie heard gunfire. She waited, listening for any other sounds like a car crashing or glass breaking. Amazing how many things she heard when two windows were down. More shots were fired.

Then silence.

Another signal of an incoming message. A moment later, Jesse said, “Bogeys one and two are down. Logan says we’re clear.”

“Excellent. Tell Max to step on it. I want no more delays.”

“Yes, sir.” After a short, low-voiced conversation, Jesse said, “Message delivered.”

Brody made a call. “Jordan, we’re five minutes out and coming in hot. The jet needs to be wheels up as soon as we board.”

Sawyer raised the window. “I know you’re not comfortable, Janie, but can you wait for five more minutes? The floor is the most protected place in this vehicle.”

Uncomfortable was an understatement. Janie’s ribs were killing her. “I’ll deal with it. How’s your shoulder?”

“Not good,” he admitted.

“Can you wait?” Jesse asked.

“I’ll survive five more minutes. I’m more concerned about getting Janie to safety than a temporary patch job on my shoulder.”

Suddenly, Brody make a sharp right turn and floored the accelerator. “Sawyer, when we reach the jet, your only job is to transport Janie to safety. Jesse and I will grab your gear and provide cover fire if needed.”

“Copy that.”

“Wait,” Janie protested. “I can walk.”

“As soon as we stop, we’ll be running to the jet,” Sawyer said. “Unless we’re very lucky, we’ll have company on the tarmac. We need you inside the jet, where you’ll be the safest.”

But what about them? Sawyer and his friends would be in the middle of a firefight yet again because of her. To protest, though, would delay them and put these men in even more danger. She couldn’t have that. Better to keep quiet and cooperate. It was the best way to protect this amazing team.

Brody slammed on the brakes. The SUV went into a skid and stopped seconds later. Immediately, the three men bailed from the vehicle. Two beats later, Sawyer scooped her into his arms again and ran for the jet parked nearby. He took the stairs two at a time, hurried into the cabin and set her on a seat partway down the aisle. “Stay here.”

Sawyer ran back to the doorway, accepted a rifle from one of his teammates, and aimed the weapon at a target outside. He began firing on an enemy Janie couldn’t see from her vantage point.

Soon, the rest of his teammates hustled into the cabin of the jet. Brody and Max raised the stairs and secured the door. Brody pressed an intercom button and said, “Go, go, go.”

He and Max dropped into the closest seats and strapped in as the jet taxied faster and faster down the runway. In seconds, the jet was airborne.

For the first time in hours, Janie could take a full breath. The jitters were still a real thing, but at least she could breathe now.

“Sawyer, let’s go,” Jesse said as soon as the jet had leveled out. “You, too, Janie.”

She frowned. “I’m not injured.”

“You’re shivering. If nothing else, you have a large case of adrenaline dump. You can lie down for a while on a bed while you watch me work on Sawyer.” He winked. “Cheap entertainment. My friend hates needles with a passion.”

“Who doesn’t?” Janie looked at Sawyer. “Do you mind? If you do, I’ll stay here and wrap up with a blanket.”

He held out a hand to her. “Come with me.”

That settled, Sawyer tugged Janie to her feet and led her to the back of the jet. He opened a door to a small bedroom with a bathroom. As Jesse laid out the supplies he needed to work on Sawyer’s shoulder, Sawyer nudged Janie to the bed and went to a supply cabinet to get a blanket for her.

When she settled back against the headboard, Sawyer draped the blanket over her, then brought her a bottle of water. “How long has it been since you ate anything?”

“Breakfast of the morning we were taken hostage.”

Sawyer and Jesse exchanged grim glances. “We’ll find something for you to eat while the lidocaine works on Sawyer’s shoulder,” Jesse said.

“Anything is fine. I’m not picky. More than anything, I’m thirsty.” But she wouldn’t complain about a sandwich or even crackers. Anything to dull this gnawing ache in her gut.

“Drink as much water as you want. We have plenty on board.”

Janie took him at his word and sipped the water in earnest. No guzzling, she reminded herself. No matter how tempting, drinking too much at once would make her sick.

“Take off what’s left of your shirt,” Jesse told Sawyer.

He reached back, tugged his shirt off, and tossed it aside. He sat on the edge of the bed near Janie. “Do your worst.”

Janie couldn’t help staring at his muscular chest and back. Good grief. How long did he work out every day?

“Oh, I intend to.” Jesse’s voice was mild. “One of these days, I’ll teach the rest of you I would rather not ply my trade.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just get it done, all right? I need to feed Janie.”

Jesse grabbed alcohol wipes and went to work. “Tell Janie about your life before you joined the police force.”

Sawyer stared at him. “Really? This is the way you plan to distract me from what you’re doing?”

“Got any better ideas? It’s a good story.”

He snorted. “It’s an old story, and I’d prefer to keep my checkered past to myself.”

“You’re chicken?”

“No, but it’s not a pretty story, all right? Janie’s been through enough trauma to last a lifetime without adding my baggage to keep her awake at night.”

Shivering, Janie wrapped the blanket tighter around herself. “Will you tell me later?” she asked. “I love good stories.”

“This one isn’t good, but if you want to hear it, I’ll tell you.” Sawyer glared at Jesse. “When we’re alone. I don’t want to provide a sob story for the entertainment of my teammates.”

Now she was really curious. What was so horrid that he felt the need to hide it from his best friends, and why was he willing to share the information with her? Good questions that she’d have answered if she listened to his tale. “Deal. Jesse, how can I help Sawyer?”

“Talk to him while I stitch him up.” After injecting lidocaine under Sawyer’s skin, Jesse tugged off his gloves and stood. “Now’s the time to prepare Janie’s meal, Sawyer. We have about fifteen minutes before I can work on your wound.”

“Perfect.” Sawyer rose. “Do you need another blanket, Janie?” he asked.

“I could use one,” she admitted. “I can’t stop shivering.”

“The shakes will pass soon,” Jesse said as he walked to a cabinet and pulled out another blanket. “We all have different methods for dealing with an adrenaline dump.”

Sawyer took the blanket from Jesse and draped it over Janie. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” When Sawyer returned, he brought a plate with a sandwich, chips, and a banana. “This is a chicken salad sandwich. If you don’t like it, I’ll get you something else. We have several options in the galley.”

Janie took a bite of the sandwich and moaned. “This is wonderful.”

He smiled. “I didn’t know how much food to bring. If this isn’t enough, I’ll bring more.”

“Sit,” Jesse ordered Sawyer. When he did, the medic grilled him with questions about other injuries.

Sawyer shook his head. “My shoulder is the only place you need to check. The rest of my injuries are bruises and scrapes. I’ll deal with them after we land in the states.”

Jesse scowled. “We’ll deal with the scrapes now, and I’ll give you cold packs to apply to your bruises. You have to stay mobile, Sawyer.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Stitch me up, Jesse. I’ll take care of the rest after you finish with me.”

“We have a few more minutes,” the medic said. “Janie, do you have any injuries? A scrape, bruises, anything. Even a minor scrape or cut could get infected.”

“Some of both.” She wrinkled her nose. “We were thrown around the back of the van when the hijackers transported us from the plane to the compound where you found me.”

“Take a minute to settle, then consciously do an internal assessment of how your body feels. Start at the top with your head and work your way down to your feet. As you do, catalog every ache, burn, and pain.”

She did as he suggested. When she opened her eyes, Janie said, “My legs and hips ache from being tossed around in the back of the van. My wrists are bruised from rough handling. I have scratches on my arms and back.”

Jesse studied her, then said, “Is that all?”

“You expected more?”

“Jesse,” Sawyer murmured.

The medic held up his hand to forestall Sawyer before he answered Janie’s question. “Frankly, yes. Vatos Locos has a reputation as human traffickers. Look, Janie, I understand you don’t know or trust me. However, if the members of Vatos Locos assaulted you, you must see a doctor for the sake of your health.”

Janie stared. Human traffickers? Now everything she’d heard in that building made sense and confirmed her worst fears. Tears burned her eyes. Scar Face had assaulted and killed the woman imprisoned in the cell next to her.

Tears escaped and trailed down her cheeks. Oh, man. Now it all made horrid sense. What about the other passengers? Had the other women been assaulted and killed? What had happened to the men, including the man who sat next to her on the plane?

“Janie?” Sawyer sat beside her again and reached for her hand. He froze before he actually touched her skin. “May I hold your hand?”

She nodded and swiped at her tears. “I’m okay, Jesse. They didn’t rape me.”

Sawyer’s hand gripped hers. “Why are you crying?”

Jesse set up his stitch tray.

Janie focused on Sawyer. His touch and focused attention gave her the courage to answer his question. “That building was filled with women before I arrived with my fellow passengers. The men were sent somewhere else. The rest of us were forced into cells in the building where you found me.” Her cheeks burned. “Several men visited the women.”

“No one visited you?” Sawyer asked softly.

She shook her head. “Scar Face visited the woman in the cell next to mine. He hurt her, Sawyer.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No. You don’t understand. He and one of his men carried something wrapped in a blanket from that cell. Scar Face killed Emily.” More tears slipped down her cheeks. “I think he murdered everyone except me.”