Her Man Flint (11 page)

Chapter Twenty

“Adriana, it’s me.” Flint shook her gently when her eyes fluttered shut. “Sweetheart, we need to get out of here right now.” She opened her eyes and stared at him like he was a ghost.

“Honey, did they give you something?”

She nodded slowly. “Ah hah.”

“Do you know what?”

“Pretty… amber… liquid.” Her eyelids slid shut.

Shit
. How was he going to get her out of here without drawing everyone’s attention?

At this rate, he’d have to carry her. Robert had gone back to the tombs to wait for them, so he’d be no help.

“Who are you?” a deep voice from directly behind him asked.

Turning, Flint saw a huge, sullen-looking Arab standing just inside the room. He wore a scowl.

“I came to attend to our prisoner.” Flint was amazed at how high-pitched he got his voice. But would the guy fall for it.

“Are you new here?” he asked, eyeing him closely. “I have not seen you before.”

“Yes. I have just arrived from Riyadh.” Flint adjusted his veil, trying to hide more of his face.

“Ah,” the guard said, his gaze running over him from head to toe, hesitating briefly on his chest.

Robert had padded him too much. Now he had a man ogling his rack.

The man’s eyes took on an almost lustful gleam. “Are you spoken for?”

“No, I mean, yes.” Flint stomach lurched. How was he going to get out of this one with his manhood intact? Thank God Robert wasn’t here to witness it. He’d never live it down.

“Is it yes, then?” The guard looked crushed by his words. What was wrong with him? He was clearly blind as a bat. But maybe he could use the man’s admiration to his advantage, though he’d have to be very careful not let him get too forward. The mere thought made Flint cringe.

“Are you cold?” he asked Flint, his dark eyes showing concern.

“Flint,” Adriana whispered behind him.

He swung around to look at her. Now what?

“She’s been given the amber liquid to drink.” Flint hoped he’d understand what he meant.

“Ah, yes,” he said, his look of suspicion dissipating. “So, what is your name, woman?”

Flint’s mind raced for an Arab woman’s name.

“Fliteema,” he blurted out without thinking.

The guard smiled. “It is a beautiful name, for a beautiful woman.”

Flint could’ve rolled his eyes at the man’s comment, but he controlled the urge. In a way, he was thankful for the man’s eye impairment, but it still didn’t set well to have a man wanting to date him.

Adriana slapped Flint on the back. “Why are you wearing a dress?” He turned as her eyes fluttered shut again.

“She’s clearly delirious. She does not know that women wear such things.” Flint held his breath. Would he see through his ruse? If he did, Flint and Adriana were in deep shit.

The guard moved closer, sighing deeply.

“Can we meet later? Prince Lenon will be here soon and I will not be needed until after he has finished with her.” The guard pointed to Adriana and scowled. “She has been a difficult woman. I have wanted to wring her scrawny neck since she arrived. What the prince wants with her, only he knows. But you--you are beautiful.” He leaned into Flint.

Flint backed away, fanning his face with his hands.

“Will you meet me then?” He winked at Flint. Obviously he wasn’t leaving until Flint gave the guy an answer.

Flint swallowed hard, then said yes, gritting his teeth at the thought of meeting the man anywhere. Adriana was the most beautiful woman Flint had ever seen, yet this guard preferred him. Hell, he must like his women a little on the masculine side.

The guard turned to leave, then swung back and winked at him again. “Until later.” His words were said with a hint of promise, a tinge of something Flint didn’t even want to think about.

Flint forced a smile.
God. Why me?

After the huge man had gone, Flint shook Adriana again.

“Dray, we have to get out of here. Wake up.”

“Hum—what?”

“Honey, we don’t have much time. We need to get out of here and meet Robert outside the tombs. Do you think you can?”

Adriana looked at him through narrowed, sleepy eyes. “Who are you?”

“Baby, it’s Flint. Do you think you can walk?”

“Flitmeema is what you told Kadar.”

Flint sighed with frustration. “Dray, we don’t have time for this. We have to get out of here before this Prince Lenon character shows up.”

Adriana shivered at the mention of the man.

Her reaction didn’t go unnoticed by Flint. “Did he touch you? If he laid one hand on you, I’ll kill him.” His anger ignited. Just the idea of another man laying a hand on his woman sent his blood pressure soaring.

“He’s coming to do awful things to me. I tried to tell him I wanted to go home, but he hit me. I tried to tell him I loved you, Flint, but he didn’t want to hear anything I said.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “Did you know that I love you?”

Flint’s heart tightened. Did she mean what she said, or was it the drugs talking? A tear slid from one of her eyes, slowly rolling down the side of her face.

“Dray, honey, we have to leave, now. We’ll try to slip out the way I came in. Do you think you can?”

She nodded. “I’ll try.”

Flint eased her up onto her feet and carried her to the hole he’d cut earlier, hidden behind a large basket. He helped her crawl through first, which was made more difficult by the robes they wore. Once on the other side, Flint ripped off his veil that kept wrapping around his knees, then carried her to the next jagged hole that led outside.

Flint lifted her into his arms after they’d made it to safety, and ran toward the tombs. Flint hoped that Robert had stayed put. Once inside the cavern, Flint glanced around, but didn’t see Robert anywhere. Damn it. Now where had the man run off to?

“I’m back here, Flint,” Robert voice called from further inside the tomb. Flint tightened his hold on Adriana and headed inside the darkened catacomb.

“Robert, where are you?” Flint tried to keep his voice low, in case Robert wasn’t the only one in the tunnel.

Robert grabbed his elbow to stop him.

“What are you doing in here? I thought you were supposed to wait for me by the entrance.”

“Yes, that was the plan until two Arabs headed in my direction and I had to hide in here. I followed them into a closed off section, which had a lead encased crate inside.”

“What was in it?” Flint shifted Dray in his arms.

“What’s wrong with Adriana?” Robert looked down at her, then back at Flint with concern.

“They’ve drugged her. She’ll be okay. So what’s in the crate?”

“You’re not going to believe it. It’s the missing Uranium 235 stolen by Boris Malcopf and hidden here by the late Grant Hartford.”

Flint’s jaw dropped “How do you know that?”

“Because I read everything there was on the shipment after your father was killed. It’s dated, and there’s papers inside confirming it.”

Flint knew they couldn’t just forget they saw the stuff. This was a International Security issue. “What are we going to do?”

“Obviously this is what Hartford’s been looking for. Remember the fax that he received from Lenon the night we broke into the compound. It said the digging is slow. They clearly had found it, but were planning to do something with it themselves. Do you know what uranium would go for these days? Do you have any idea how many countries would love to get their hands on this stuff? Prince Lenon could name his price.”

“So, what do we do? I have to get Dray out of here.”

“I agree. I want you to go ahead and take her out. I’ll wait here until Billy and Bryce show up with the chopper.”

“But—”

Robert nudged Flint toward the entrance.

Flint couldn’t help but be concerned for his uncle’s safety, but also knew he had to get Dray away from Lenon. “I can’t leave you here by yourself. What if they find you?”

“I’ll be fine. You take Adriana out of here. I have to make sure this crate stays put. We don’t want it disappearing again.”

“But—”

Robert cut him off. “Flint, go. Billy and Bryce are on the way, remember?”

Flint shrugged. “Okay, but promise me you won’t do anything stupid or heroic.”

Robert crossed a finger over his heart. “I promise.”

Flint hated to leave him, but Robert insisted he go, taking the decision out of his hands.

“You’re not going to be able to carry Adriana all the way to the jeep. I saw some camels on the east edge of camp. If you stay close to the tombs you should be able to get to them without being caught. Signal me if you have trouble.” Robert slapped him on the shoulder. “Good luck.”

Flint slipped out the tunnel, noticing the sun was going down. In another hour it would be dark, and almost impossible to locate the jeep, especially since he didn’t know the area.

He kept to the shadows until he made it to a roped off area where over a dozen camels snoozed. One large guard stood watch. He placed Adriana gently on the ground and snuck over to the rope. If he was lucky, he could the knock the guard out before anyone noticed him.

He moved closer, within inches of the men when the Arab turned, then grabbed for the saber he had tucked into his robe.

Flint jumped back, the movement saving him from being impaled. Flint lunged at him and knocked the sword out of his hand, then sent a series of punches to the man’s mid-section until he doubled over. Picking up the sword, he used the wooden end and cracked it over the guard’s head, sending him to la-la land.

He quickly untied the rope and chose a camel, yanking the reins of the closest one, but the animal wouldn’t stand. Pulling harder, Flint strained with all his might to get the camel to move with no success.

“Damnable animal,” he cursed under his breath. What the hell was he doing wrong? What if he couldn’t get the stubborn camel to cooperate? This was all he needed, a drugged up woman and a surly camel. What next?

* * *

Adriana watched Flint though blurred vision. The liquid she’d been given made her feel like she wasn’t even in her own body, just hovering somewhere above it. But she’d begun to get her bearings back, and her vision was getting clearer. She could see Flint struggling to get the animal on its feet.

Easing herself up, she swayed as she tried to grab for the rope, but missed and stumbled forward. She shook her head vigorously, hoping it would help. She needed to get to Flint. If what Robert had found was missing uranium, they’d need to contact authorities as soon as possible so they could get it back into the right hands. In a manner of seconds, her vision cleared considerably. She watched Flint continue to do battle with the huge camel.

“Maybe if you ask nicely, he’ll obey you.” Adriana staggered up behind him.

Flint turned and cocked a brow at her. “Really. And how do you suggest I do that?”

“You could ask in a friendlier tone to begin with. Maybe you could start with telling him up.” Adriana watched as the camel stood. Flint turned to her, as shocked as she that it had worked.

Flint frowned at her. “When did you get so good with animals?”

She smiled. “I work with men. Enough said.”

Flint shook his head, then looked back at the camel.

He pointed to the animal. “Do you think you can ride one?”

“I imagine we have no choice. It’s either the camel or on foot, right? I choose the camel.”

“All right then.” Flint lead the animal from the roped off area, and then further into the shadows of the protrusion of tombs.

He and Adriana walked until they were a safe distance from the camp, then ordered the camel down so they could climb on.

The minute they accomplished this, they found out the camel wasn’t at all happy to have them on his back. He took off at a full run, just about sending them sailing to the ground.

“Hang on to me.” Flint tried not to lean in any one direction.

“Don’t worry. It’s a long way down.” Adriana watched the ground being swallowed up under her. The sand didn’t seem an obstacle at all to the four-legged creature, who continued to run at a breakneck speed.

“Is he going in the right direction?” Adriana clutched Flint tighter when they hit an incline and tilted forward.

“I can’t tell in the dark,” he said, glancing back at her. “You’d better hope so or we’ll end up in worse shape than before.”

“I don’t suppose you’d want to sugarcoat it for me? I guess not. At least I’m away from that monster, Lenon. Promise me that when we get out of this mess, he’ll be turned in for buying and abusing woman.”

“We’ll do what we can, but first we have to somehow retrieve that crate of uranium. God only knows who Lenon is planning to sell it to. I shudder to think of the consequences if it fell into the wrong hands.” Adriana leaned into Flint’s back, trying to push the image away.

“Bryce and Billy will help if they were able to get the helicopter they went looking for.”

“But in the meantime, what are we going to do?” Adriana asked.

“We’ll find a safe place to spend the night and wait. If we’re lucky, by morning, Billy, Bryce and Robert will find us and we can head back to the states.”

“What if we’re not lucky? What then?”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Now look around and find us a place to hide out until Billy shows up with the helicopter.”

Adriana glanced around, worried yet thankful Flint had found her. They’d get out of this safety. She knew that, just as surely as she knew she loved Flint with all her heart.

Chapter Twenty-One

Flint glanced around. There was nothing but sand for miles. He and Dray were lucky there was a full moon to light the way or they’d probably not be able to see their hands in front of their faces. What he wouldn’t give for his special DNS bag right about now and his night vision goggles. But more than anything, he hoped Lenon hadn’t discovered Dray missing yet. They’d need as much time as they could get to put some distance between them and the camp. The camel chose that moment to lurch forward, almost unseating them both. Flint clutched the animal’s neck while Adriana put a death grip around his waist.

“Flint, when are we going to stop? This animal is determined to kill us.”

“Soon, baby. We just need to get a little further from the Prince’s camp. Lenon could be following us right now and we don’t want him to catch up. All I have on me is a forty-five, and let me tell you, even that was hard to conceal under that damn dress.”

“Oh, that reminds me. I wanted to tell you, you make a hot looking woman. Kadar thought so, too.” Adriana burst out laughing.

“You tell anyone about that, Dray, and I swear...” Flint turned sideways and scowled at her.

“You should be flattered. Not only are women falling at your feet, now men are. What charisma.”

“All right, the joke’s over. Don’t say anything to Robert about this. He’d never let me live it down.”

“Oh, I promise. I won’t tell a soul.” She grinned at him, a smile that Flint recognized all too well. She wasn’t going to keep it to herself. She’d probably tell all his friends. It would become a running joke at DNS if she had her way.

Flint spotted a rocky area up ahead and decided that was as good a place as any to settle in for the night.

“We’ll stop here,” Flint said and reined in the camel.

Flint dismounted then helped Adriana off. He led the animal behind a rock enclosure, tucking the reins under a large stone to keep the camel from running off, then headed back to Adriana.

“We should probably get some rest.” Flint studied Adriana’s face for the first time since they’d been back together. There was a purplish-blue bruise on the side of her cheek.

“How did you get this?” Flint brushed her face, remembering she’d told him Lenon had hit her, but he wanted her to confirm it.

She shrugged. “Prince Lenon didn’t like my attitude.”

“Well, I don’t especially like it either, but I’d never hit you because of it,” he said, then winked at her.

Adriana’s lips twitched, then she smiled. It lit up her whole face and caused his guts to constrict. He couldn’t believe how much he loved this woman.

Flint placed his palm on her face again. “Why did you leave the cabin that morning without saying goodbye?”

Adriana brushed this hand away and turned. It was obvious she didn’t want to rehash everything, but he needed to know how she felt.

Her confession of love came back to him. Flint had to know if she meant it. “Did you mean what you said back at the tent?”

Adriana turned around to look at him. “What was that?”

“Do you remember telling me that you loved me?” Flint watched her intently. She had to or he’d be crushed.

“Yes. I remember saying it.” Adriana turned away again, kicking viciously at the sand under her feet.

“Did you mean it?” he prompted.

She sighed. “Yes, unfortunately I did.”

“Why is that unfortunate? Don’t you want to feel this way about me?” Flint walked up behind her and pulled her into his arms. She felt so right there.

“Not if you don’t feel the same,” Adriana whispered, trying to wiggle out of his arms.

“I do, Dray. I love you so much. I think I have since the minute I saw you that first day in Washington D.C.”

Adriana spun around to face him, doubt evident in her eyes.

“How can you say that? If you loved me, why did you have an affair with Lindsey?”

“I don’t remember a thing about that night. I know why now. Lindsey told me she slipped something into my drink. I don't even know if we had sex or not. ” He sighed. “The reason I didn't tell you how I felt when we were together was insecurity and fear, pure and simple. I didn’t want to love you, Dray. I didn’t want to love anyone. When my parents were killed, I promised myself I’d never love anyone again. Losing someone was too painful. I was afraid to go through that again. ”

She grasped his arms. “Do you have any idea how much you hurt me?”

“I know, Dray. If I could take it all back, I would.

Adriana lowered her gaze, trying to hide her face.

“Please say something.” Flint rubbed at the back of his neck. “Are you going to give me another chance or not?”

Adriana slowly lifted her chin and he saw the tears in her eyes—tearing at his gut. She was exquisite. More than he deserved.

“I’m sorry, Dray. I should have told you that I couldn't remember what happened. I didn't think you'd believe me and frankly, I was embarrassed that I couldn't. Please give me another chance to prove how much I love you. ”

“Oh, Flint.” Adriana reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing his lips down to hers. The sheer contact sent Flint’s blood boiling over, and his body responded immediately.

He needed to remain in control. He knew Lenon could be lurking about, but kissing Adriana had always been so mind consuming he couldn’t stop. His hand went to the nape of her neck, deepening the kiss, his tongue playing along the crease of her mouth. He would never get enough of her. Wanting her so desperately even when their lives were in jeopardy.

She responded to his urging by opening her mouth. Her tongue danced with his. She was in Flint’s blood. She was the only woman who could make him feel such intense longing—then total fulfillment in a matter of moments.

His hand slid up her body to connect with her silk covered breast, caressing it through the material of the robe she wore, her nipple tightening in response. He’d always thought Adriana had the most amazing breasts, perfectly shaped, and as soft as velvet to the touch. His thumb rubbed at the tip as his lips left hers and trailed up her delicate neck. Flint took in the jasmine scent in her hair, stirring him further.

“You smell incredible, Dray,” Flint whispered into her ear before he took her earlobe into his mouth. A low, throaty moan escaped her, and only served to ignite the fire burning in Flint’s groin, heat he knew he should douse before it blazed out of control.

A low roar in the distance drew Flint’s attention away from his heated passion. Regretfully, he tore his lips from Adriana’s ear, scanning the sky, listening intensely.

The roar got louder.

“Is that a chopper?” Adriana asked breathlessly, pulling out of Flint’s arms and looked up, making a one-eighty turnaround.

Adriana pointed up at a green light glowing in the distance. “There it is.” They both watched the light get closer, then saw the outline of a helicopter hovering above them. A bright light flashed, making it easier to see that it was a military-type chopper landing.

“Cover your eyes and keep your mouth shut,” Flint told her as the propeller action sent sand flying everywhere, its impact almost painful to the skin.

“Let’s go.” Flint grabbed her arm and dragged her to the chopper.

Opening the door, Flint allowed Adriana to jump in first, then noticed Robert sitting in the back. When they were settled inside, Flint turned around to talk to Robert as the helicopter lifted off.

“I thought you were going to stay with the uranium?”

“That was the plan, but we made sure Lenon wouldn’t be able to move it until we could get the authorities out here.”

“How did you do that?”

“Actually we buried it, but they’ll think we took it with us.” Robert grinned wickedly. “It’ll be right under their noses and they won’t even know.”

“Brilliant. But Bryce, how were you and Billy able to land, get in to help bury the crate, with all of Lenon’s security around?”

“Apparently Lenon and his men are out looking for you and Adriana, so we were able to get in, and put the ones that were left to sleep for awhile.”

“Is that right?” Flint was amazed by their ingenuity.

“Look down there.” Bryce pointed to sand flying in the distance, and seconds later the helicopter flew over a band of Arabs on camelback. They had stopped and were looking up.

“They’ve spotted us. We better get out of here before they start firing.”

No sooner had Robert said it than a bullet ricocheted with a ping off the side of the chopper. “Okay, is it just me or does this whole thing seem familiar. Billy, let’s go home.” Flint ducked as another bullet hit the side window, whizzing just inches past his head, and exiting out the windshield. “Damn, that was too close. I almost lost what’s left of my brain.”

Robert slapped Flint on the back. “What’s left?”

Everyone in the chopper erupted into laughter as they flew off toward Riyadh to alert authorities to Prince Lenon’s illegal activities.