In the Arms of a Hero. BEVERLY BARTON

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СКАЧАТЬ “Has the United States sent down some military help for the Nationalists?”

      “I’m not with the U.S. government. I’m self-employed.”

      When he moved closer to her, she instinctively inched backward, taking a couple of steps up the stairs toward the clinic entrance. “Does that mean you’re a mercenary?”

      “Yeah, I suppose that could be one of my job descriptions.”

      She nodded, then turned and hurriedly raced up the stairs, leaving the stranger behind, escaping from the odd sensation his searching stare created in her stomach. There was something dangerously unnerving about the man.

      Just as she entered the clinic, she heard her name called out from somewhere behind her. Victoria. The voice that spoke her name was deep and dark and decidedly American. She whipped around and came face-to-face with the stranger. Sucking in her breath, she eased backward and lost her balance. He reached out and grabbed her shoulders to steady her.

      “How do you know my name?” Her heart drummed madly in her ears. Was this man really a mercenary hired by the Nationalists or was he working for the rebels? Did he know who she really was, that her father was Ryan Fortune? Was he here to kidnap her?

      “Don’t look so worried—” he lowered his voice to a whisper as he leaned over and placed his mouth near her ear “—Ms. Fortune.”

      She gasped, then tried to pull out of his captive hold. “Who are you?”

      “Quinn McCoy, mercenary, pilot, bodyguard. At your service, ma’am.”

      Victoria clenched her teeth. She didn’t like that decided twinkle in his eye, as if he were playing a game with her and enjoying himself immensely. “I don’t know what you have in mind, Mr. McCoy, but I can assure you that all I have to do is scream and a dozen men will come to my aid immediately.”

      “By all means, don’t scream.” A barely concealed chuckle underlaid his words.

      “Then let go of me!” The moment she renewed her struggle, he released her.

      Ernesto came up beside Victoria, taking a stance as her protector. “Is something wrong, Señorita Lockhart?”

      Before she could reply, Quinn McCoy said, “Using your mother’s maiden name as a ruse? Not a bad idea. But not even a fake name will protect you for very long once the rebels take over Palmira.”

      “How—how did you know that Lockhart… Just who are you, Mr. McCoy, and what are you doing here in Santo Bonisto?”

      “I’ve told you who I am. And as for what I’m doing in Santo Bonisto…I was hired to come here to—”

      “By whom?” Her heart lodged in her throat. She had the oddest notion that she knew who McCoy’s employer was.

      “Your father,” he told her, locking his gaze with hers. “He sent me to get you out of the country and bring you home to Texas.”

      “My father! I should have known.” Placing her hands on her hips, Victoria glowered at her rescuer. “You can leave right now—and without me. Go back to Texas and tell my father that I’m needed here.”

      “I’m afraid you don’t understand,” Quinn said. “What you want or don’t want doesn’t enter into this equation. You’re leaving with me today, before the rebel troops take over Palmira.”

      “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m not going anywhere. These people have no doctor. I’m the only trained medical staff here at the clinic. Now, with the war raging so close and all these wounded men being brought in, I can’t possibly leave.”

      “Look, princess—” when Quinn took a step toward her, Ernesto blocked his path “—we can do this the easy way or the hard way. It’s up to you. But one way or the other, you’re coming with me. Today!”

      “Then it’s going to be the hard way,” she told him, peering at him from around Ernesto’s shoulder.

      “Damn,” Quinn mumbled under his breath. “I was afraid of that.”

      Two

      “I don’t have time to deal with you, Mr. McCoy! There are men dying all around us. They’re my top priority at the moment.” Victoria Fortune spun around and rushed into the clinic.

      “Wait just a—” Quinn said as he bounded up the steps.

      But Victoria’s protector, a thin, haggard young native, held up his hand, halting Quinn’s ascent. “If the señorita doesn’t wish to leave with you, then we will not allow you to take her.”

      “You realize that her life is in danger, don’t you?” Quinn asked.

      “Sí, señor. I know what could happen to her if it is discovered by the rebel forces that she is an American heiress. But remaining in Palmira or leaving here is her decision to make, not yours.”

      “It’s nothing to me one way or the other.” Quinn shrugged. “But it matters a whole hell of a lot to her father. He wants his little princess home all safe and sound. And he’s paying me a small fortune to make that a reality.”

      “You cannot take her against her will. We will not allow it.”

      “If you care so damn much about her, then I’d think you’d want to help me get her off this island before—”

      “We will make sure that her true identity isn’t discovered. We will keep her safe.”

      “You can’t assure her safety and you know it. The only way she’ll be safe is if she leaves Santo Bonisto.” Quinn grunted when he noted the determined look in the man’s dark eyes. No way was this guy going to help him.

      “Go away, señor. Go back to America and tell her father that she will not leave the people who so desperately need her.”

      A frontal attack wasn’t working, Quinn thought. Time to change tactics. Use a more subtle approach. “Maybe I can help out around here. I know some basic first aid. I’ve treated knife and gunshot wounds. If I can’t get Ms. Fort—Ms. Lockhart to leave right now, then I could stay for a while and do what I can to help her.”

      The man eyed Quinn suspiciously, then held out his hand. “I am Ernesto Hernando. Your help will be appreciated.”

      Quinn shook the man’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Ernesto.”

      “Do not think that by working alongside Señorita Victoria, you can talk her into leaving us. Her mind is made up. You won’t change it.”

      Quinn gripped Ernesto’s scrawny shoulder. “I’m going to help you patch up the wounded the best I can, for now. But the honest truth is that somehow I plan to find a way to persuade Victoria to leave with me today.”

      “I will be as equally honest with you, Señor McCoy—if you try to take her against her will, we will be forced to kill you.”

      “Since we’re being so damn honest, Señor Hernando, you need to know that if any of you get in my way, I’ll be forced to retaliate.”

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