Defending Raven (Mountain Mercenaries #7)(82)

Dave sat back in the seat and held David to him a little bit closer. He trusted Ball with his life, and his son’s, but he didn’t trust the other drivers around them. Luckily, the highway was fairly empty since it was still so early. But that also meant that whoever was following them could more easily follow.

No one said a word as Ball weaved in and out of the light traffic.

They were about to pass an exit when, at the last second, Ball swerved and cut off a truck to take the off-ramp. He laughed after a few seconds and said, “So long, sucker!”

“Lost him?” Arrow asked.

“For now,” Ball confirmed.

“How in the bloody hell do you know where we are?” Ro asked.

“I studied maps of the area,” Ball said without pause. “You think I’d risk messing up this entire mission by getting lost?”

Ro chuckled, “No, but there’s always a first time.”

“Not with me. I’m a road savant,” Ball bragged. “I never get lost.”

David’s head was on a swivel, turning from one man to the other as they spoke.

Fifteen minutes later, Ball was pulling into the commercial side of Lima’s international airport across town. He was doing the speed limit and not driving like a crazy man, as he’d been just minutes earlier.

“You’ve got about five minutes after you drop us off to park this thing somewhere and get your ass inside,” Gray told Ball.

The team had discussed leaving the van right at the curb when they arrived at the airport, but decided it would bring more attention to them than they wanted.

“I know. I’ve got it. I’ll be there.”

Dave looked at his son. “Okay, champ. We’re almost there. Can you be brave for just a little bit longer?”

The little boy nodded. “I’m not scared, Papá.”

“Good. Your mom is going to be so happy to see you!” Dave enthused.

The second Ball stopped the minivan, Gray had the door open, and they all walked quickly, but not too fast, toward the entrance.

A man stepped forward as soon as they entered the building.

“Mr. Justice?”

“Who wants to know?” Arrow asked, putting himself between Dave and the man.

“A friend of Rex’s,” the man said.

Everyone relaxed a fraction, and Dave stepped forward. “Thank you for your assistance.”

The man nodded and said, “We must hurry. The plane is ready to go, but there’s a storm brewing, and it’d be best if you were gone before it arrives.”

Understanding the man’s not-so-cryptic meaning, Dave nodded. He leaned over and picked up David once more, knowing he could move faster if he carried him.

The group started walking through the terminal, and the man who had met them at the door asked, “You have your passports?”

Gray answered. “Yes, everything is in order. We’ve got one more member of our group coming. He’s parking the car.”

Lifting a cell phone to his ear, the man nodded and punched a button to call someone. He said a few words, then hung up. “He’ll be met at the door and escorted to the plane.”

Dave wasn’t surprised when they didn’t even have to go through any kind of security. His connections knew the importance of staying under the radar, and they’d obviously already greased whatever wheels needed to be greased in order to make their departure as smooth as possible.

Their escort stopped by a door and opened it. Dave could see a medium-size private plane waiting about a hundred yards out on the tarmac. The engine was on, and the steps were lowered.

Sighing in relief, but not completely comfortable yet—he wouldn’t be until they were in the air—he turned to the man and held out his hand.

They shook hands, and Dave said, “Tell your boss I owe him.”

The man shook his head. “He said you’d say that, and he asked me to tell you that you’re even now.”

Dave smiled. “How’s his daughter doing?”

“Good. Things were rough there for a while, but because you found her so quickly and got her home, she’s going to be all right.”

Dave knew his friends were listening with great interest, but he simply dipped his chin and said, “Good. That’s great.”

“Have a good flight,” the man said, then turned to head back into the terminal.

Dave didn’t look back as he headed for the plane. It was as if he could feel Raven’s eyes on him. He knew she was probably freaked out and worried as all hell.

He felt like he had tunnel vision as he walked toward the plane. He reached the stairs and took them two at a time, blinking as he adjusted his vision from the rapidly lightening tarmac to the bright interior of the plane.

He heard Raven’s cry of excitement and relief, then she was there.

She threw herself into him, wrapping her arms around both him and her son at the same time.

“Mamá!” David exclaimed happily.

Raven didn’t pick her head up, but kept it pressed against Dave’s shoulder as she gripped on to both of them tightly.

Knowing his team had to get onto the plane behind him, Dave walked her backward until they were farther down the aisle. He kissed her temple and said softly, “We’re here. We’re good.”

He felt Raven nod against him and take a deep breath. When she lifted her head, there were tears in her eyes, but she smiled up at him. “Hi.”