Wednesday's Child (24 page)

“Oh, can we check something first? I found some crates.”

“Sure, show me. We’ll need to be very quick, though.”

The sun was rising, and a pale light flooded the room as he peeked outside. Taking firm hold of her hand, they made their way back to the outbuildings Jacqui checked earlier. She pushed open the door and showed him the crates. Liam took a couple of photos on the pen camera and was about to open one when he heard shouting. “They’ve worked it out. We need to get out of here, now.”

Liam was about to put the pen away when Jacqui shook her head. “What?” he asked.

“Give it to me.”

Confused, he nevertheless did as she asked, his confusion giving way to a wide grin as she tucked it inside her shirt. “What
are
you doing?”

Jacqui winked. “It’s now perfectly safe along with the note. No one would dare look there for it. And if they do, I’m depending on you to protect a lady’s honor.”

Liam just hoped she was right, but if she wasn’t... “I’d die to protect your honor, Miss Jacqui.”

“Hopefully that won’t be necessary, but it’s a lovely offer.”

He gave her a lopsided grin. “All right, then let’s go.” He took her hand and moved towards the door. He pushed it open and glanced around. “All right. Maybe we’ll manage to get out...”

He broke off as something hard hit his back, making him cry out involuntarily as more pain ripped him in two. “Or maybe we won’t.”

“Turn around. Very slowly and put your hands up.”

Liam turned, moving in front of Jacqui, shielding her with his body.

Two armed men stood in front of them—Terry and Simeon. Terry sneered. “Some people don’t know when to give in.” He reached out, punching Liam hard, sending him staggering away from Jacqui and onto the ground.

Liam struggled upright, desperate to protect Jacqui. “Leave her—” He broke off as Terry shoved his gun into Jacqui’s side, the fingers of his other hand digging into her arm.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Terry’s voice was cold.

She looked at him, her eyes wide with fear.

“Or you’ll what?” Liam asked.

“Vince wants her alive. He’ll accept hurt.”

Liam struggled as Simeon grabbed hold of him. “You won’t get away with this.”

Terry laughed. “I think you’ll find we already have. Vince wants to see you both. Now.”

20

Jacqui walked as slowly as she could. Terry led her to where Vince waited. They left the safety of the compound, walking the hundred paces or so down a well-worn path. She could hear water running and guessed it was the river. Under normal circumstances, she’d have been impressed with the beauty of the wide blue water, but not today. She glared at Vince. “What do you want?”

Vince stood by the river, gazing out over it. He turned ice cold eyes on her. “I want you. I thought I made that abundantly clear. But you insisted on bringing this Irish riff raff with you.”

She shook her head, feeling sick. “You set this whole thing up to get me back?”

“Not just that. You’re the icing on the cake. With you in charge here, no one will question what Terry and I are doing. There’s a huge diamond mine worth millions under this place. Your work here will be the cover to get them out. While you stand at my side as my wife.”

“Why not do it legally? You own the land and the mining rights.” Her brows creased. “Wait a minute. Is that why you slaughtered everyone here? Money?”

“We tried negotiating with them, but they wouldn’t listen.”

“But you own the land. You could just have terminated their contract,” she insisted.

“It’s not just the land, is it?” Liam interjected. “You’re using the money to fund Liberaté.”

Vince’s eyes narrowed and his whole body exuded hatred and anger. “How do you know about Liberaté?”

“I have my sources—you should take better care of your files.” He looked at Jacqui. “He’s funding a revolution. You’re looking at the man who would be potentate or despot of this region, and then the entire country, eventually. That’s why he blew up the restaurant and tried to assassinate the vice president.”

“What?” She looked at Vince. “You’re seriously trying to lead a rebellion here?”

“It’s not a rebellion. It’s giving these people the freedom they crave. And yes I am funding it. The mission was in the way. This will make the perfect base of operations to train the men.”

Liam shook off Simeon’s grip and took a step towards Vince, his eyes narrowing. “You killed my wife and the others because we were
in the way
?”

“They were casualties of war. A terrorist attack that everyone, apart from you, has long since forgotten. You’ll die here, just like your wife did and be reunited with her. A bittersweet reunion, but nonetheless a touching one.” He jerked his head at Terry and Simeon.

The two men grabbed his arms and dragged him to the river’s edge.

“Let go of me.”

“Vince, please, don’t.”

Vince grabbed hold of Jacqui, pulling her towards him. “Vince, please, don’t,” he mimicked. “Don’t what?” He drew her closer. “I can do whatever I like, princess. Your boyfriend is going to meet a tragic end. So sad, but he should never have gone swimming in a crocodile infested river in the first place. Especially after both you and I warned him and begged him not to. He just couldn’t stand the idea that you returned to your old lover and chose him instead. We’ll marry tonight as planned, and live happily ever after.”

She closed her eyes and turned her face away as he tried to kiss her. “You’re sick.”

Vince laughed. “It’s all arranged. You and I marry at sunset, and finally you are mine and can put me off no longer. There is nothing you can do to stop it. I win.”

She struggled. “Want to bet? Liam-m-m-m-m-m-m.”

****

At the sound of her desperate cry, Liam pulled away from the two men. He used his left leg to knock Terry to the ground. The gun went flying across the earth. Before he could reach it, Terry’s hand gripped his ankle and tugged. Liam plunged quickly into the dirt.

The breath whooshed from his lungs as he landed hard, face down in the mud and sand, already sore ribs screaming in protest at yet further damage. He rolled, pushing himself upright, lashing out with his leg again, and aiming for Simeon who landed hard and rolled.

Liam glanced at Jacqui needing to make sure she was safe.

Vince had firm hold of her, despite her struggles.

That brief glimpse cost him dear, as he found himself flying through the air before landing on his back close to the river. He rolled over, trying to escape Simeon’s fist as it pounded into him relentlessly. Managing to get a few blows of his own in, he realized he was defending more than anything else.

A splash from the opposite bank caught his attention and he jerked up. The crocodiles had started to take notice of what was going on and one of the bigger ones started swimming across the river. More splashes echoed across the water, each one as loud as a death knell.

Liam struggled only to be floored by a punch which sent him sprawling. Sand and grit filled his mouth and nose, and he choked. As he tried to scramble up, Simeon kicked him. Liam grunted as he landed on his stomach, inhaling yet more sand. A knee landed heavily on Liam’s back and a firm grip twisted in his hair before pushing his face under the water.

The pressure in his chest grew, sounds becoming muffled. Darkness began to descend and his movements slowed.

He heard someone calling his name. Jacqui. He had to get to Jacqui.

Not like this. Not while Jacqui’s in danger
.
God, please, help me. If You want me that’s fine. I’m willing to die, but not yet. Let me get Jacqui safe first. She’s the only thing that matters.

Something brushed against his face, and he jerked, losing more of the air he had left. He struggled and managed to roll clear. He lay on his back, gasping for breath, and then sucked in a short breath of pain as someone kicked him in the ribs. He turned and pushed himself to his hands and knees, twisting as his attacker lunged at him.

Water flew into the air as Simeon misjudged the leap and fell into the river.

Screams and splashes came as a waiting crocodile launched into a death roll.

Liam stood watching, hands braced on knees, his breath coming in gasps. There was no time to take in the water slowly staining red, before Terry came at him with a right hook which sent him to the ground. Pushing up, he fought back, kicking and spinning.

As he swept out with his right leg, Terry went down, and Liam was grateful Patrick had insisted on martial arts classes for stress relief in the early days after Sally’s death.

They drew closer to the river, forcing Liam backwards under the onslaught. He lashed out with his leg again, sending Terry sliding over the bank and into the water.

Terry cried out, looking in fear over his shoulder at the crocodiles busy tearing apart their previous spoils. He tried to reach the shore, but the current pulled him towards the huge river beasts. “Help me. I can’t swim.” He screamed and went under. His head bobbed up, stark terror in his eyes.

Without a second thought, Liam dived in.

21

“Liam…no!” Jacqui screamed as Liam dived into the blood red water.

The crocodiles turned and headed towards the two men.

“Liam.” She turned to Vince. “Do something.”

He shook his head.

Jacqui kicked back and up with her foot, making sharp contact with the apex of Vince’s thighs, something she wished she’d had the courage to do years ago when he hurt her. As Vince doubled over, she tore free and ran to the river. “Liam…”

Liam grabbed Terry and started swimming to the bank, pulling him as fast as he could. Dropping to her hands and knees, Jacqui leaned out, ready to help pull the men out of the water.

Liam heaved Terry upwards, and Jacqui grabbed his shirt, tugging the unconscious figure to dry land. She glanced up as the crocodiles got closer. “Liam, take my hand.”

He grabbed her outstretched hand, and she pulled him clear as the crocodile pounced, missing him by a fraction. He knelt on the ground, water dripping from every part of him, shaking hard, gasping for breath.

Jacqui wrapped her arms around him tightly, not caring she was going to get soaked. “You’re an idiot.”

Liam’s lips brushed hers. “Maybe…but…I wasn’t…going to let…him…die.” He interspaced his words with small, frantic kisses.

“He almost killed you.” Jacqui helped him to his feet.

“No reason to let him die.”

A click sounded, and they raised their eyes to see Vince holding himself with one hand and pointing a gun at them with the other. “Unfortunately for you, I don’t have the same morals.”

Jacqui caught her breath. “Then you have to kill us both, Vince, because if you expect me to keep quiet about all this, you’ve got another think coming,” she said, wondering if her contempt of him was as palpable as it felt.

“If that’s what you want.”

“It is. I won’t marry you. Liam is worth a dozen of you any day.” She pulled the ring off and threw it at him. “Here. Even if you paid me, I—” She broke off as Vince slapped her. Her hand flew to her cheek.

“Leave her alone.” Liam took a step forward.

Jacqui stayed his hand, lacing her fingers firmly into his, and shook her head. She took a deep breath. “He’s not worth it.”

Vince waved the gun at her. “Get on your knees.”

She shook her head. “I bow to no one except God.”

“Drop this religious kick, and marry me, and I’ll let you live.”

“I will not betray my Lord, or the man I love.” Jacqui looked at him intently. “Want me to say it again?”

“One last chance.”

“You heard her, Vince. We belong to God first and to each other. There is nothing else that matters. You can kill our bodies, but our souls are safe for eternity.”

“So be it.” Vince scowled and fired the gun directly over her head. “I said on your knees. The next shot won’t miss.”

“No, we won’t.” Liam pulled Jacqui into his arms, shielding her as much as possible.

“No.” Jacqui shook hard, tears pricking her eyes despite herself. Liam’s arms tightened around her, and she closed her eyes.

Liam prayed aloud, and Jacqui wanted to, but she didn’t know what to say for fear of it sounding trite. “Lord, we come before You, asking for shelter in Your arms…” Liam’s voice was a balm to her soul.

“We could have been so good together. Goodbye, princess.” The smirk in Vince’s voice hung in the air.

There was a gunshot, and she tensed waiting for the pain, which didn’t come. Liam didn’t fall. Who’d been shot? Had Vince missed at point blank range? Shouts echoed and another shot, followed by a scream of pain.

“Everybody down!” She didn’t recognize the voice, but the authority in it resonated almost as loud as the gunfire.

Liam pulled her to the ground, covering her with his body, and she clung to him. She lay motionless, heart pounding, scared witless and praying hard.

After a minute or two the gunfire ceased and a deadly silence covered the whole clearing.

Jacqui didn’t move.

Liam’s unaccustomed weight was heavy, but she felt safe. As he moved, her whole being was filled with a sense of loss and she whimpered.

“Jacqui? Are you all right?” Liam’s voice was calmer than she expected.

“I’m fine.” She opened her eyes. “What happened?”

“The cavalry arrived.”

She sat up and followed his gaze. Patrick and a team of flak-jacketed agents, along with several uniformed officers, swarmed the area.

Vince lay face down on the ground, his hands pulled behind him in cuffs. He writhed and cursed everyone he could see.

Terry lay still, also in cuffs.

“Oh…” Jacqui turned to Liam, holding him tightly, allowing the tears to fall now that it was all over.

Liam ran his hands over her back, his soft lips trailing kisses through her hair. “It’s all right,” he whispered. Then he prayed quietly, thanking God for delivering them.