Page 53 of Training Rain
Jess was pushed from behind and fell into the seat on the opposite side of the plane. He didn’t resist. It was too soon and there was too much to find out. The guy who had been holding Rain made his way to the cockpit and the other sat in the forward-most seat with his gun aimed at her. It was smart. They knew Jess wouldn’t make a move as long as Rain was in danger.
He leaned back in the bucket seat and made himself comfortable. “I’m curious as to why you are taking us in rather than killing us. It seemed as though your boss’s plan has been to rid the world of our kind. He’s made several attempts on our lives. Why the change of plan?”
His captor pulled a plastic restraint out of the pocket of his vest. It was a single loop and he circled it around Jess’s right wrist and secured it around the steel support under the arm rest. “The plan has always been to take her in alive. I don’t know why you have suddenly become valuable.”
Jess studied him while he pulled the restraint tight. Not quite as tall as him, but very fit. They had been smart, quick and efficient in apprehending Rain. They had known she was his weakness. Damn. These soldiers were of a higher quality than the men who had attacked them in Yellowstone or the six from New Orleans. Breckenridge was stepping up his game. Mercenaries of this caliber came with a very high price tag.
They were speeding down the runway. His stomach dropped with the change in cabin pressure as they took off.
Rain’s hands ball into fists.
They banked to the right, heading east. How far east?
The mercenary took the seat across from Rain. A small table separated them and he leveled the gun at her head. He looked toward Jess. “Don’t try any of that psi stuff. You move so much as a magnet with your mind and I’ll wound you and her. Then you can watch while I take advantage of all her attributes.” Jess suspected he’d make good on his threats.
“Where are we going?” Rain asked.
Had she read his mind? No. That wasn’t her skill. Still, if she’d open her mind and he could get a message to her…
The soldier didn’t bother to answer, only stared back as the plane climbed to cruising altitude and continued east.
Firing a weapon in flight was dangerous. Would this mercenary risk it? Probably. Jess had other options, but he needed to wait. He needed to know where they were headed.
He pushed his thoughts toward Rain.Is your mind open,cher?
Very slowly, she leaned her head forward. The move could have been mistaken for her stretching her neck.
There’s a Taser in the console between the seats on your side. I’ll tell you when.
Her hand slid along the compartment. It too was a casual move.
Be patient. We have to wait for our moment.
She had obviously heard him. She didn’t respond, but he knew projecting thoughts was not her skill. However, because she was ultra-sensitive, she was the perfect receptacle for receiving information even from his substandard telepathic skills.
An hour slipped by and they banked to the left slightly.Northeast.Outside the window, there was a light cloud cover and the country below was shadowed in darkness. They were not flying very high, but they were still above ten thousand feet. It would be better if they could wait until just before the descent. But how long would that be?
The cockpit door opened. The pilot stepped out and narrowed his eyes at Jess.
“Trouble?” The one with the gun turned to talk to the pilot.
“No. Just need to use the head.” With that he walked down the aisle and back into the bathroom.
Jess’s heart sped up. That had been the perfect distraction. Had Rain used it to retrieve the Taser? He couldn’t watch her. It would have drawn their attention. He just had to trust. If he was wrong, he was about to put her in even more danger.
The pilot headed back to his station. They had to be getting close to the east coast. He assumed based on the direction and time of travel, their destination was the Washington D.C. area. As soon as the cockpit door was secured Jess sent the message he was going to regret. He hated the entire idea, but it was their only hope. You have to get him close to you. You’re going to have to put on a show.
He could only see her out of the corner of his eyes but he saw her eyes close briefly. Rain slid slowly out of her jacket. She arched her back, pushing her firm breasts forward to where they nearly touched the table and a breathy sigh pushed from between her lips.
Jess sent a wave of lust in the mercenary’s direction and didn’t bother to hide his own admiration for the woman in the cabin. She was stunning as she stretched her arms over her head and let out a low moan of satisfaction. Her gaze came to rest on the man across the table from her.
The guy didn’t have a chance, but Jess bent his mind a touch further for insurance. As if he were the moth and Rain the flame, the soldier eased out of his seat and rounded the table.
Jess tugged on his restraint and attempted to stand. “Hey, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
The merc turned around and pointed his gun at Jess. “Shut the fuck up and don’t move. I only have to bring you in alive. I have no problem shooting out both your kneecaps right now.”
Easing back into his seat, Jess had to hold back his rage at what he was putting Rain through.
