Page 67 of The Death
“Because you know me too well. There’s no way I’d be able to nap. But as for satisfying appetites…” He smiled grimly. “There are all sorts of ways that can happen. Did I mention that we’d no sooner finished the repairs than Seth Caleb came to me and asked if he could do an exploratory trip and verify that Shafira was at the end of the trail as we thought?”
“You know you didn’t,” Rashid said. “You gave permission?”
“Of course. I didn’t tell you because I was jealous as hell. I wanted to be the one to do it.” He scowled. “But I was in charge, and there are rules. I knew Caleb could do it, and I didn’t have any excuse. He’s damn good when he’s on the hunt. MI6 told me once he’s like a ghost the way he fades in and out of the enemy lines, and I agree. I should be getting a report from him anytime now.” He paused. “And he’s aware that I need to know about Celine. Though he didn’t realize that the situation has changed, and she’s managed to slip away from Quinn and Kontara. After that, I may have to go take a look for myself.”
“It doesn’t sound like she slipped away. More like she didn’t want to leave any buddies behind.”
“I know,” Dominic said hoarsely. “Because that’s what she’d do. It’s still hard for me to accept. That’s why I might have to go looking for her myself.”
“If you decide you want company… She’s my friend, too.”
“I’ll call you. Don’t I always?” Dominic asked as he headedback toward the camp. “But first we have to find out what’s happened to her and how much damage we’re going to have to contend with.” He added through set lips, “And how many of those bastards we’re going to have to punish or kill for even daring to touch her.”
CHAPTER
18
A CAVE IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR SHAFIRA
TWO HOURS LATER
Celine could hear voices outside the cave again. They were speaking English; it had to be Caldwell’s men. It was the third time they had come this far into the valley, so they must suspect that she was hiding here. She’d tried to clean up all the bloodstains on the trails outside after she’d doctored the wound in her shoulder, but she’d had to keep moving; the hunt was on by both Caldwell’s and Zakira’s men, and their separate teams appeared to be getting closer all the time. She’d thought she might be safe here in this shallow cave, because there was another opening on the upper level that she might use to escape if necessary. So far, she hadn’t had to use it; she’d just waited it out when she heard the search teams and hoped they’d get discouraged. But she might have to change her plans, because they definitely were not getting discouraged. The next time Caldwell’s men left the area, it might be better for her to leave the cave and head down to the lake to find another hiding place.
But they weren’t leaving the area!
And a voice boomed out that was chillingly close to her. “This is Caldwell, Celine. You should be flattered that you’re important enough to get my personal attention. We know you’re somewhere near here, but I’m getting bored with this game. So come out and give up and I’ll promise not to turn you over to your old friend Jossland anytime soon. He’s very eager for me to do that. But he has such crude ideas, and Zakira might get upset—he has elaborate plans for you himself.”
She froze in place and held her breath. Maybe it was a bluff and he had no idea where she was.
Don’t move.
She was silent. Waiting.
Then she heard Caldwell cursing and then the sound of the movement and clink of weapons and departing footsteps.
She might have been right about it being a bluff. Still, she’d take her time and be very sure…
She waited for fifteen minutes. Caldwell’s men did not return.
But that didn’t mean she was safe here.
She began slowly crawling up to the outer opening. It was slow going. Her shoulder was throbbing with pain as she used her elbows to pull herself over the rocks up to the second level. When she finally reached it, she was panting and had to stop to get her breath before she managed to push aside the rock she’d used to barricade the opening.
Then she was peering outside and wriggling out onto the trail and looking around.
Silence.
No Caldwell.
No sign of Zakira’s soldiers.
Now to get down past the waterfall to the lake in the valley…
“If you make one more move, I’ll blow your head off.” Caldwell stepped out of the trees pointing a rifle at her. “I’m tempted to do it anyway. You’ve caused me far too much trouble in the last twenty-four hours. I do admire ingenuity and endurance, but not when it gets in my way.”
“I’m glad I got in your way,” Celine said fiercely. “I’d do it again. Anyone who hires scum like Jossland should expect any decent person to know that they’re a pitiful loser and not worth bothering with. Michael will be safe by now, and you won’t be able to get near him.”
“I’m afraid you’re right. But I’ll have you, and that may upset Dominic enough to keep me happy. We’ve had a long-standing and extremely unpleasant relationship, and he deserves any pain that I can inflict on him. In the meantime…” He raised a whistle to his lips and gave a piercing blast. “I’ll let Jossland have a little fun with you. Nothing too fatal. He has his orders.”
