Defending Zara (Mountain Mercenaries #6)(21)

She also didn’t think he’d be able to walk all the way back to the barrio, so she’d have to use the bicycle and the hidden storage compartment again, which Meat probably wouldn’t like. She’d also have to hide the bike somewhere so the military men didn’t see it. She’d snuck him out when it had been dark. Now there were more military members around because of Meat’s disappearance, and she didn’t want them figuring out how they were able to smuggle people—including children—out of the barrio right under their noses.

“Stop thinking so hard,” Meat said quietly.

“I can’t,” Zara told him honestly.

She felt more than heard his chuckle. “We can worry about all the what-ifs tomorrow,” he said firmly. “Rest.”

For only the second time in the last fifteen years, Zara fell asleep feeling safe. The first time had been the night before, when she’d slept in this same position with Meat.

She knew it was dangerous, that she shouldn’t rely on anyone, but for just a moment, she wanted to be weak. To let someone else worry about roving bands of men looking for trouble, or the corrupt police, or someone who wanted to steal what little she’d been able to acquire for herself.

As if he could read her mind, Meat said, “Sleep, Zara. I won’t let anything happen to you.”





Chapter Nine

Meat wasn’t happy.

He hadn’t really remembered much about how he’d gotten to Daniela’s house, but when he’d seen the small wooden box disguised as trash that he was supposed to get into, memories came rushing back. The pain. The confusion. The darkness.

Now he was back in that box, being jostled as Zara towed him through the back alleys and streets of Lima toward the barrio where he’d last been seen. He hated not being able to see what was going on. Not being able to protect Zara. Which was ridiculous because she was obviously the expert here on her home turf.

He hadn’t slept much the night before, thinking about all the things that needed to be done to get Zara back to the United States. His fingers itched to get on his computer. If what she said was true, and he had no real reason to distrust her, the press back in the States was going to have a field day.

Her life would change in a big way, and things would be extremely hectic and probably confusing for her for a while. But Meat wasn’t going to abandon her. Not only did he owe her a debt he wasn’t sure he could repay, for saving his life from the gang in the barrio, he was drawn to her. She was unlike anyone he’d ever known. She was resilient. Strong. Shy. Kind. And all of it together was irresistible.

Meat felt the bicycle slowing down, and he tensed, not knowing what to expect. He heard lots of childish voices around him, and giggling. Not sensing any danger, he peeked out the small hole Zara had shown him before she’d shut the lid.

Zara had climbed off the bike and was talking and laughing with a group of children in ages anywhere from around five to twelve, at his best guess. She made a point to talk to each one, and they were smiling at her. After a few moments, she said something to the group, and they all waved at her and ran away. Meat saw a look of sadness on her face before she turned and climbed back onto the bicycle.

He realized in that moment how big a deal it was going to be for her to leave. She’d been on the streets since she was ten. Fifteen years. Scraping to get by, making friends with others in the same situation. Looking after those more vulnerable than herself, like the group of children he suspected she’d just said goodbye to. He might be able to rescue her, but how many others were being left behind? Not necessarily American citizens who were kidnapped and left to die, but just kids in need in general?

Forcing himself to concentrate on where they were going, Meat tried to shake off his depressing thoughts.

Zara had explained that when they got close to the barrio where she hoped his friends would still be, she’d hide the bike, and he’d have to walk the rest of the way in. He was all right with that. The clothes she got him mostly fit, except for the shoes. His ankle was still sore, but he’d wrapped it that morning as tightly as he could. He’d walked farther in more pain in the past. His head only slightly throbbed now, and thankfully the nausea he’d been experiencing was gone.

Getting Zara to wherever the team was staying would be trickier. The Brigade would still be assisting his friends, and they’d probably not take kindly to Zara showing up with him and finding she’d basically kidnapped him. Meat had no idea where his friends had been staying or how they were getting around the city, but he and Zara had discussed several possibilities on how to keep the military team from seeing her. He’d also promised that if nothing worked out, he’d return for her.

And he would. No way was she spending one more night alone in the barrio where she’d already spent fifteen years. The thought of her sleeping on the ground was abhorrent.

After another five minutes or so, Meat felt the bike slow again. He watched as Zara got off and pushed them into an alley. She waited for a minute or two, then finally lifted the lid on the box. As they’d discussed, he quickly climbed out, breathing a sigh of relief. But the alley they were in smelled disgusting, so he nearly choked on the large breath he’d just taken.

When he’d controlled himself, Meat helped Zara hide the bike amid the garbage. Finished, he stood back, impressed because anyone walking by wouldn’t have any idea there was a bicycle and trailer hidden there.