Page 53 of Hot Soldier's Rescue

It took nearly ten minutes, but finally, a grim-looking fellow who could use a shave stepped out from behind the front counter.

“Mr. Cantori. To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“I’m here to finish my deal with the Army of Freedom. I’m tired of playing along with your little games. Let’s either cut to the chase and close this thing, or I walk.” He shrugged to indicate that he didn’t care particularly which happened.

“People don’t just walk out of this place, Mr. Cantori.”

Ted grinned, belying the menace of his response. “I do.”

“How’s that?”

Ted ignored the question and instead examined his fingernails one by one. No way was he showing his hand to some flunky.

A growl rumbled in the man’s chest before he turned and stormed over to the elevator and punched a button angrily. The elevator came and left.

Ted looked at his watch. Thirty-seven seconds until the elevator door opened again and another man stepped out. He tsked at the next man up the ladder of command. “I’d watch that guy’s temper if I were you. His self-control is dismal.”

This guy pursed his lips in apparent amusement, but his eyes were cold and hard. “What brings you to this place at such a late hour, Mr. Cantori?”

Ted waved a casual hand. “My line of work has no regular hours. Business before sleep, I say.”

The other man didn’t seem impressed. “Who is this Eduardo Lentano you say you wish to speak with?”

Ted stood and took a step toward the front door, indicating his intention to leave. He pitched his voice in tones so gentle that Lentano’s man would cringe in fear if he knew what was good for him. “Don’t jack me around, amigo. You think a man like me doesn’t do my homework? I’m not some amateur you can lead around by the nose. I was willing to play along for a little while, but I’ve run out of patience.”

Lentano’s lieutenant snorted. “From where I stand, you’re worse than an amateur. What arms dealer collects nuns and children and hauls them around with him? They slow you down. Make you vulnerable. They make you soft.”

Ted’s heart skipped a beat. These guys knew about Elise and the kids? How badly had he underestimated this bunch? And how much danger were Elise and the children in? An urge to turn around and run back to them nearly overwhelmed him. Shocked, he stilled the urge. How badly had his brood of misfits gotten under his skin, anyway? Indeed, he was every bit as vulnerable as the man before him said. But at all costs, he couldn’t let on to it.

Ted laughed in what he hoped was a convincing manner. “Then they worked, the women and children. If you think I’m not dangerous or effective, then so does the Colombian Army. Haven’t you ever heard of establishing a cover, my friend?”

The man stared skeptically. “A nun? An old lady? Little children?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

* * *

Wouldthe rebels believe his lie that she and the kids had been merely a cover? It was a flimsy story at best. And her life, Grandma’s and the children’s, might very well depend on it. She shifted slightly in an effort to see the rebel’s face, her thighs screaming in protest at her awkward position under a table inside the dark, empty restaurant. All she saw were men coming into the lobby carrying guns of all shapes and sizes.

She ought to turn around and leave this very second. She’d head back to the hotel, collect Grandma and the kids, steal his Jeep and leave this place. But there were enough men out there now that she was terrified someone would spot the kitchen door opening if she tried to slip out.

She couldn’t believe Drago had dragged them into something this dangerous. Her heart screamed in betrayal that he would risk their lives like this, but her mind dropped firmly into denial. Surely, he wouldn’t intentionally endanger her. She’d been there when they made love, had looked into his eyes. Nobody was that good a liar, were they? Although, Lord knew, he’d lied to her constantly pretty much from day one. Heck, she was sure she didn’t even know his real name.

The man in the lobby was talking to Drago again. “…need you to have a seat.”

She frowned. What was up with that silky tone of voice? That sounded almost like a threat.

Drago took his time perching on the arm of the chair he’d been sitting in before. Not quite outright defiance, but enough to let Lentano’s man know he wasn’t cowed.

“You will have to wait for the others to join us. It is very late.”

“Or very early,” Drago replied. “It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it?”

He pulled out his cell phone and casually typed out a text message, almost as if defying the Army of Freedom man to stop him. Elise wondered who Drago was contacting and what he was saying. Maybe he was finally calling in some backup. She hoped that was what he was doing. He was alone—well, almost alone. She wasn’t exactly the cavalry—and he was firmly in enemy territory. Worse, the enemy seemed none too pleased to have him there.

If nothing else, sending a text message like that had to make the Army of Freedom people at least wonder if he did have armed support nearby. Yet again, she was impressed by Drago’s ability to handle himself in a tight situation. Very carefully, she eased into a more comfortable position to wait out the delay while Lentano and company woke up, got up, got dressed and came down to talk to Drago.

While she waited, she inched the tablecloth down and to the right to better cover her from the view of anyone in the lobby, or from the kitchen. Anyone passing through here casually shouldn’t spot her.

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