Page 52 of Training Rain
Chapter 9
“Doesyour mother know what is going to happen to us? Can she see if we’re going to win or lose?”
Why did she always have to ask exactly the question he didn’t want to answer? His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “Probably.”
“But she didn’t tell you.”
“No.”
Her light touch on his arm surprised and relaxed him. It was the first time she had initiated a touch in the hours since their argument. “Why not? We could use some help.”
“She won’t mess with the fate of others. She believes that if she told us what would happen, it would alter our course and lead to disaster.”
“You disagree?”
“I have asked her on many occasions what will happen and she never tells me anything. She’ll fix supper for four when she’s had no call saying I’m coming with a guest, but that’s as far as she’ll go.”
“It seems a waste of her gift.”
“Yes. I have had that discussion with her more than once. My mother keeps her own counsel and lives very much apart from the psi world. She will occasionally give her friends advice on career or romance, but nothing more serious.”
“But she sent you off as a child to be trained.”
“Yes. It was my destiny.” That word again. Why did it always come down to destiny?
“Do you believe that?”
He turned the car down the long road to the airfield. “I don’t know, but she has her own ideas and there is no changing her mind. I’ve had a good life, my parents love me. I have no complaints.”
Will’s plane sat on the tarmac with the steps down but the big man was not in sight. It was a small private airport with one large hangar and several small planes parked to the right.
Once he parked the car, he grabbed their bags and called out for Will. No response.
Rain said, “It’s too quiet.”
He agreed and drew his weapon. She did the same. He pointed toward the plane and she nodded understanding that he wanted her to check on Will while he made sure the hangar was clear. The barn-style doors were open about three feet. The sun had gone down hours ago. The spotlights from the building and the runway lights allowed him to see, but inside it was completely dark.
He was inches from the door. His stomach clutched, warning him to be alert. Almost there.
Rain screamed and something clattered to the ground.
Jess turned, weapon ready. She was at the top of the steps. A man in full black BDUs and body armor held her around the throat with a handgun pressed to her temple. Shit.
The hard barrel of a gun pressed to his skull from behind. “Don’t do anything stupid. Plans have changed and you are wanted alive, McMean, but I’m told that if I have to kill you to bring her in, I have authorization to do so.”
“Where is our pilot?”
The man behind him laughed. “Safe. You should start to worry about yourself and your partner. Now lift your hands and give me the gun.”
Jess did as he was told. Rain’s eyes were filled with fear and also anger. He kept his gaze locked with hers until her apprehender pulled her backward into the plane.
“What do you want?”
“For now just get in the airplane and don’t give me any problems. If you can’t do that, I’ll kill you and make sure that pretty partner of yours remembers this flight for the rest of her life, however long that might be. I’m considering killing you just to get my hands on that fine ass.”
He knew losing his temper would only get him killed. Rain wouldn’t benefit if he was shot and left dead here in Louisiana. Ignoring the taunt, he walked forward, hands in the air, and climbed the steps into the plane.
The second soldier held a gun to Rain. She sat quietly in one of the bucket seats with her hands in her lap.
