Page 57 of Echoes and Oaths
For a moment, the world hung suspended.
Then another soldier, who was younger and impatient, shouted something from the back of thecheckpoint, waving them forward. The man hesitated, then stepped back with a grunt, smacking the side of the truck twice.
“Move.” He said with a clipped voice.
Raven didn’t hesitate. She rolled up the window, shifted gears, and drove on, the truck chugging and choking forward like it had been holding its breath, too. Eira didn’t exhale until the checkpoint was just a smudge in the dusty rearview mirror.
And then, at last, the landing strip came into view. It was rough and ragged, but it was also the most beautiful thing she’d seen all day.
A man stood by the plane, his silhouette framed by the rising sun, arms crossed, watching the horizon for trouble. Raven didn’t slow down. She pushed the truck harder, getting them to safety before anyone could change their minds.
When she pulled up, the pilot walked over to the vehicle and took the small bundle of possessions from Eira. Raven walked around the vehicle and smiled at another man who appeared from the brush. “Z. Glad you’re here. Do you have the intel?”
The man nodded. “Got it. I’ve got his back, Raven.” When the man looked at Eira and Teo, a slow smile crossed his face. “Now I see the urgency.” He extended his hand to her. “I’m Z.” Eira shook it asshe let Teo toddle a bit before he had to sit down again.
“Eira. Do you work with Raven and Mateo?”
“I do. I’m here to make sure Mateo comes home to you.”
Eira smiled, her eyes misted with tears almost instantly. “Thank you.”
Raven handed the keys to the Land Cruiser to him. “Papers to get through the roadblocks are on the clipboard. New plates are under the driver’s side seat. Change them before you take off.”
“Got it. Safe travels,” Z said and gave them a two-finger salute.
“Ladies, we need to go. Now,” the pilot said as he opened the door to the small aircraft. The dogs went in first and settled into the very back space of the small cabin. Raven swooped up Teo, making him laugh. “Brando, we’re getting on the plane, and Z is on scene.”
Eira glanced at the pilot, who seemed to ignore Raven’s comments. She shook it off. Perhaps her statement didn’t need an acknowledgment, but it wasn't polite. She got into the plane, and Raven handed her Teo. She strapped in and held her son tightly. The pilot handed all of them earphones. Teo laughed and patted hers before doing the same tohis. She smiled at him as the aircraft roared to life. Raven strapped in next to the pilot, and the small aircraft moved. It bounced rapidly down the runway before it took off. Eira’s stomach lurched, and she closed her eyes and hugged Teo tightly. There was no turning back now.
CHAPTER 19
The low growl of engines pulled Jinx from his thoughts. He stood at the edge of the porch, arms loose at his sides, watching as two blacked-out SUVs rolled down the dirt track leading to Eira’s farm. Dust plumed in the heavy Venezuelan air, wrapping the vehicles in a cloud until they came to a halt in front of the house.
The passenger door to the first SUV opened, and Simón stepped out. As expected, he wore the uniform of all enforcers. Crisp khaki pants and a button-down shirt, with the sleeves rolled back. Of course, mirrored aviators completed the look. Everything about him said "casual," but Jinx knew better. That was what Simón had warned him about. This was his so-called invitation back into the cartel.
Behind Simón, four others fanned out, weapons holstered but hands loose at their sides. Jinx knew they weren’t there to intimidate him, at least, not immediately. They were sent as a reminder that if he didn’t comply, he’d be dead.
Jinx stepped down from the porch.
“Mateo,” Simón called, voice easy. Friendly, even. So much different than the honest concern the man had spoken to him with at the abandoned ranch. This was Simón’s persona, a cloak he wore to prevent anyone from seeing the man underneath the pretense. Jinx knew all about that protective barrier. He’d perfected it.
“Simón,” Jinx answered flatly, standing his ground.
Simón flashed a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Nice place you got here. Quiet.”
With that one comment, Simón had told him that Simón hoped Eira and Teo weren’t around. “Eira and Teo are visiting family.”
“Ah.” Simón’s smile sharpened. “Then you’ve got a minute, hermano.”
The "brother" was almost convincing. Almost. Jinx glanced toward the barn where one of Eira’s cousins was filling the tank with the morning’s milking. His jaw ticked once before he nodded. “Walkwith me.”
They moved toward the tree line, far enough for privacy but close enough that the tension stretched between the guards and Jinx like a live wire.
Simón waited until they were out of earshot, then spoke low. “She’s safe?”
“Yes,” Jinx confirmed.
Louder so the men behind them could hear, Simón said, “Boss is excited. You made an impression.” He paused. “Two impressions, actually.”
