Defending Raven (Mountain Mercenaries #7)(76)

Mags wanted to protest. Wanted to insist that she go with the others to pick up her son, but she kept her mouth shut. They’d already done so much for her, and the last thing she wanted was to do something that might mess up her son’s rescue. Screw up their chance to get out of Peru once and for all. She was as close as she’d ever been to going home, and she was petrified something would happen and she’d end up back at del Rio’s compound.

“What about del Rio?” Zara asked. “Did you guys take care of him today?”

Gray shook his head. “No. He managed to escape the barrio with a few of his guards. We assume he’s looking for Dave right this second.”

“Why didn’t you kill him?” Zara asked.

Before any of the others could say anything, Mags spoke. “Because they aren’t like him.”

Zara frowned. “But he needs to die,” she insisted. “He’s ruined so many lives. I don’t understand.”

Meat kissed the top of Zara’s head. “Honestly? We all wanted to, but Dave told us if it didn’t happen, not to spend time tracking him down. He promised he’d get what’s coming to him. Dave has something planned. I don’t know what. But whatever it is, del Rio won’t be an issue for much longer.”

“Rex knows people,” Gray said quietly. “Now that I know Rex is actually a bartender, it’s hard to believe.” He grinned. “But we’ve been working with him for a long time, and we’ve always been amazed at the connections he has. If anyone can make sure del Rio gets what’s coming to him, it’s Rex.”

It was difficult for Mags to believe, as well, that her mild-mannered husband was the kind of man the Mountain Mercenaries had gotten to know as this Rex person. But then again, he’d always been stubborn and charismatic. If anyone could amass a secret network of very powerful and dangerous allies, all in the hunt for her, it would be him.

“Can you talk to him right now?” she asked.

Meat shook his head. “Our radios are only good for communicating within short distances. But we’re tracking him.” He went to his laptop and opened it, bringing it over so Mags could view it. “See? That blinking blue dot is Dave. He’s safe, hunkered down right where we planned.”

Mags stared at the screen, at the blue dot Meat indicated. It wasn’t moving. Dave was on the outside edge of a large neighborhood that backed up to the barrio where Ruben had claimed her son was being held. She took a deep breath and nodded. Dave had proved time and time again that he could take care of himself, and she trusted he’d take care of their son as well.

Her life had changed so much in such a short time, she was still reeling somewhat. But one thing remained the same—her love for and trust in her husband. She’d almost forgotten how stubborn he could be. But in the last two weeks, he’d found her, processed the fact that she’d been raped and impregnated by a stranger, and accepted with open arms the baby she’d had as a result. He’d somehow gotten past the shields she’d erected as a coping mechanism and had made her feel safe being touched by him. Sleeping next to him. Even being mostly naked with him in the shower after he’d been hurt.

In short, he’d performed a miracle. Made her think that maybe, just maybe, with him by her side, she’d be able to return to the States and not be a complete basket case.

Out of everyone in the world, she trusted him and him alone to keep her son safe and to bring him back to her.

“Okay, then. We’ve got a lot of work to do in a short amount of time if we’re all going to get out of here as soon as possible.”

She saw the admiration in the men’s eyes, and it helped her get control of herself even more. It was going to be hard to say goodbye to the other women, but knowing they could keep in touch, and that they were finally going to be safe from del Rio, made the sorrow not quite as painful.

And Gabriella being able to come with her made her very happy. Not only for her friend, but for herself as well. It wouldn’t be easy to acclimate back to a normal life, but with Zara, Gabriella, and Dave, and of course, David, it would be easier than if she were on her own.

After most of the men left the room, Zara came up to her and asked, “Are you okay?”

Surprisingly, Mags felt pretty good. She was worried about David and Dave, but knew deep down they were okay. Dave wouldn’t let anything happen to their son. “I’m good.”

“Are you excited about going home?”

Mags nodded. “Yes. And scared to death.”

“I was too,” Zara shared. “But I’ll be there to help you. You’ll have Dave too. Your son will keep you busy, what with shopping for him and enrolling him in school. Except I’m sure once the others find out about him, you and Dave will have to beg them to stop buying stuff for your son.”

“You haven’t talked much about them,” Mags said. “I’m sure I’m quite a bit older than all of them. Do you think . . . Will they like me?”

“Oh my God,” Zara exclaimed, “they already love you! See, the thing is, they’ve all been through their own kinds of hell, and they think the world of Dave. So you don’t have to worry at all about them accepting you. They’re good people, Mags. Swear.”

Mags sighed. “I’m really nervous about seeing my parents,” she admitted.