Part 14 (2/2)

He crossed his arms and she knew it was one of his defenses. He had a hard time keeping his hands off her, even though he was perturbed with her. ”No, it wasn't a lie.”

That was all she needed to hear.

Mar grabbed both of his hands in hers. She saw the flicker of need in his eyes when she touched him. He really was like a wild mustang who needed taming, but she needed the right approach.

”Do you understand how much I care about you? That I would do anything for you, Jackson?”

He crossed his arms against his chest. ”You don't know me. You know parts of me, Mariska, but you don't know what I'm capable of and you can't help me.”

Mar kissed him. At first he kept his mouth tight, until she used her teeth to nip at his lips. His mouth opened and he kissed her back.

She really could lose herself in the man.

He groaned as he lifted his head away from her. He gently pushed her back to her side of the car. ”We can't do this. The people who are after me are more dangerous than those guys back at the hotel,” he warned her. ”I'd given up before I met you. I can tell you this. I would give anything to be with you, but it isn't possible.”

That was all she needed to hear. He wanted to be with her. What Jackson didn't know is that she was the grand facilitator of problem fixing. The past year, she'd discovered that she could tackle most anything if she broke it down into small steps.

What Jackson needed was a way out of his trouble. She would do whatever it took to make that happen.

”Come with me now, Jackson. We'll get on a plane and be back in the States tomorrow. I know how this sounds, but I know people, Jackson. We can help you.”

”Mar, I can't jump on a commercial flight. Interpol will be all over me. Once that happens I'll disappear. That's what happens to people like me. It's one of the reasons they call us ghosts. One minute we're there, the next we're gone, and no one cares.”

”I care.” Mar tapped her finger on his thigh as she thought. ”If we can get you home to the States can you clear up the problem with your bosses?”

Jackson put his hand on hers to stop the tapping. ”Please. Let me do this my way. Go to the airport and get on a plane. If I know you're safe, it'll make everything so much easier.”

Mariska had a network of family and friends that could make almost anything possible. And if that didn't work there were always Chi's friends. Something snapped in Mar's tired brain and she realized Chi was the answer.

Mar held up a hand. ”You're really cute when you're worried. Hold that thought.”

She picked up her phone and remembered the battery was almost dead. She didn't have enough juice to make one call. ”Hey, do you have a phone I can borrow? I need to call home and let them know I'm coming.”

Jackson handed her his phone. It was one of those you bought on the street with a certain amount of minutes. Then you tossed it when you were done.

”That's so Jason Bourne.”

”What?” He was thoroughly perplexed.

”You know, in the movies he always has these phones so they can't be traced?” She tried to explain.

”I have no idea who you are talking about. Are they recent movies?”

Jackson acted like he didn't know who Jason Bourne was? ”Are you kidding me, you haven't seen those movies? My G.o.d, Jackson, what kind of hole do they keep you in?” She waved her hand. ”Don't answer that. Anyway, it's funny that you're like this superspy guy because when I first saw you I thought you were Matt Damon, and he plays that role.”

”Sorry. I've never heard of him,” Jackson said as he shrugged. ”I don't have much time to get out and see movies.”

”Whatever.” Mariska grinned. The guy must have been a real twenty-four-hour-a-day spy not to have gone to the movies in the last ten years. Feeling sorry for him, she decided she'd have to fix that at the first opportunity.

Well, he wasn't the only one who had tricks up his sleeve. Picking up the phone, she dialed Chi's number.

19.

THE CAR STOPPED AND Mar glanced up from the phone to see why. She watched while a man tried to shepherd a cow and several pigs across the road. He wasn't very successful, and it appeared they might be there awhile.

When Jackson opened the door, she thought he was going to help the guy with the cow, but he turned and went the opposite direction. There was a black sedan behind them. Two men jumped out with guns.

A shot rang out. Instinct had her ducking behind the seat. But worry about Jackson made her raise her eyes up so she could peek out. As she did, she watched as he kicked the gun out of one man's hand while twisting and turning so that the other one missed a punch.

The punch landed on the man's partner, and he stumbled back, giving Jackson enough room to pop each of his knees with wicked kicks. Mar grimaced and could almost feel the bones breaking as the man went down.

Jackson turned his attention to the last one standing, and threw an elbow into the man's neck. Then punched him solidly in the nose, blood spurting out.

It was horrific and mesmerizing at the same time, and it all happened so fast she didn't have time to respond. Jackson antic.i.p.ated every move, and it was like watching an action film, except the man she loved was the extreme bone cruncher.

Wow.

The man he'd hit in the face fell forward. The other one writhed in pain. He wouldn't be walking anytime soon.

Jackson patted them both down searching for more weapons, and picked up their guns along with some knives. Opening the door, he threw the weapons in the front seat with their driver. Then he grabbed his backpack.

”Are you-What the? What are you doing?” she stuttered, confused.

”Getting some rope.” He reached into his backpack.

The absurdity of the situation caught up with her. ”You carry rope in your backpack?”

Jackson wiped some sweat off his brow. ”Sure.”

Then he shut the door.

Mar opened it, but she stopped when Jackson turned toward her and pointed a finger. ”Get back in there. It still isn't safe.”

She started to argue she could handle herself, but stopped when the man who fell down last tried to get back up. Jackson slammed his face into the hood of the car again. He didn't move after that.

Mar winced and returned to the car.

”Fine, I'll wait in here.” Her superspy was a cutthroat a.s.sa.s.sin. ”I'm really glad he's on my side,” she whispered to no one in particular.

Jackson tied the rope around the men and then dragged them to the back of the car. She couldn't see what was happening, but the trunk lid popped open. Then he shut it and hopped in the driver's seat. Mar couldn't for the life of her figure out what he was doing until he pulled the vehicle off into the field to the right.

After that, he jumped out of the car and walked over to the shepherd, handing him several bills. Then he climbed back in the car.

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