The Soldier's Mission by Lenora Worth Page A

housekeeping.”
    Before she could panic, he shoved her and her big purse out the door and slid it shut. Holding her away from the open banisters, he said, “Don’t think about it. Just act. That’s how you survive sticky situations. You just have to take action.”
    She bobbed her head, her eyes glazing with fear. “I’ll try, Paco. I promise.”
    Good grief, did she have to go all girly on him now? The woman had faced down an intruder and shot him dead. He needed her to stay strong until he could find a safe place to stash her.
    â€œOkay, let’s do it then. I’m going to climb over first,” he said, dragging her stiff form along. “Then I’ll help you over. We do that until we reach the end, okay?”
    She strapped her bag across her body as if it were a shield. “Okay.”
    It was a weak “okay” but he’d have to go with it. “Don’t think about it and don’t look down. Just focus on getting from balcony to balcony.”
    She nodded again, her eyes so big and blue he had to look away—or he’d chicken out too just to spare her—and that would be bad for both of them.
    He leapt over the first sturdy railing then turned to take her hand. “That’s it. I’ve got you. Just about a half foot between them. Plenty of room.”
    She scooted across, holding on to him for dear life until he had her over the railing and on solid flooring again, her shoulder bag slung across her body and swinging out as he lifted her.
    â€œSee, not so bad. Just three more to go.”
    â€œIt looks like a lot more to me.”
    â€œJust three—then we’ll take the outside stairs and be on our way.”
    If they didn’t get assaulted at the corner of the building. He’d have to do a thorough overview before they could advance toward the parking lot and his truck.
    â€œHere we go,” he said as he pulled her over the second railing. Glancing inside the room, he noticed an old woman standing there in a jogging suit drinking coffee. Paco waved and kept going. He didn’t have time for explanations.
    â€œThe last one, Laura,” he said, not used to having to be so nice when giving commands or instructions. It was as foreign to him as holding her hand. Especially since she’d come charging into his safe, secure, quiet world and brought his heart right out its flat-lining existence.Holding her hand, however, was one thing. Keeping her alive was a whole different thing.
    â€œLast one. See, that wasn’t as hard as you thought.”
    She didn’t answer. But when he tugged her over the last balcony and settled her on the landing near the hallway door to the inside of the building, she held to his arms with an iron grip. Surprising since she didn’t seem to weigh much more than a doll.
    â€œLaura?”
    She wasn’t listening. Instead, she was staring off over his shoulder. Great. Had she gone into shock again? Or was she about to have that meltdown he’d been dreading.
    â€œLaura, we need to keep moving?”
    â€œPaco,” she whispered, her voice low and tight-edged. Then she pointed. “Look at your truck.”
    He whirled, gun lifting, his gaze moving across the big parking lot. Then with a grunt he dropped his gun down by his side and stomped a boot against the wall. “They slashed my tires!”
    â€œThat means they’ve been watching us. And now we can’t leave.” She moved near him with an almost automatic need, as if she knew he was her protector now, whether she liked it or not. And whether he wanted to be or not. “What do we do now?”
    He let out a breath of pure aggravation then pulled her back against the wall while he scanned the empty parking lot. “Well, beautiful, you did say you wanted to do some hiking. I’d say now’s your chance.”

SIX
    â€œM y other hiking boots are in my car back at the café.”
    Paco