She grabbed it by the waist and pulled it over her head. Off her back but now wrapped around her restraints. Still, inside out kept the reflective strips hidden.

She gasped for breath, struggling to find her natural stride. At home she used to jog every morning. Then that was before the kidnapping. This last week of healing had helped her feet, but they were not up for a twenty mile sprint. She breathed through her nose, tried to ma.s.sage the st.i.tch in her side. A st.i.tch was deadly to a runner. She tried to take long slow breaths and find that natural rhythm. She lengthened her stride and dodged around a tree and up a small hollow. She shifted around rocks and headed down an easier pathway. She was still running parallel to the road. She had no idea how far away the main highway was, but she wanted to reach it fast. She'd still have to flag someone down and get help, but she'd take her chances with a stranger over these two men.

She could hear a vehicle approaching ahead. She slipped into a thick stand of brush and caught her breath. The black SUV raced down past her. It never slowed. She shivered. Thank G.o.d.

However, it also meant they were ahead of her and could be waiting up ahead. That was dangerous. She had to see them first and she was running toward them.

d.a.m.n it. What if they were out of the vehicle and running toward her?

She didn't know what to do. If she did nothing, she'd be sitting there until dark and chances were good she'd get lost for real. They could just sit there in the dark and wait until she showed up on the main highway.

Then what was she going to do?

Stilled by indecision, she froze as she heard another vehicle. What was she going to do? She c.o.c.ked an ear, trying to see who else was arriving. Instead, the sound approached and disappeared without her seeing it. Then she got it. The vehicles were on the highway.

She slipped out of her spot. And crept forward to the next grove. There were a lot of hiding places and she moved carefully. There was no sign of the SUV. Or any other vehicles. So now what? She could walk parallel to the road, staying in the shadows, or she could stay and let Mason find her.

d.a.m.n it. Which way to go?

"THAT'S DANIEL." MASON swore as he caught a glimpse of his archenemy whipping past. Mason turned the vehicle around and ripped down the road after the SUV. The road was curvy and the SUV seemed to be always just that little ahead. He gunned the motor.

The plan to get ahead had worked, but he only just realized how well. What was the chance Tesla had been right there within twenty feet of him? He hadn't expected to see them within minutes of hitting the road.

"Keep an eye out."

"That had to be her," Hawk said. "It's the same license plate."

"I recognized Daniel." Mason swore again. "I should have killed him before."

"Yep, you should have," Swede agreed.

"I'd hoped to get more information from him. Pick him up on the way back so we can stop these attacks on Tesla. She has to be safe."

But the SUV was gone from sight. He pushed the vehicle as fast as it would go. They had to be ahead of them still.

Unless they'd taken a turn off.

"So far she's been nothing but in trouble," Hawk said. "I can't imagine her safe. It seems too preposterous."

"We'll find her." Mason searched the road, but there were no signs of anyone. Or any vehicle. No sign of a pedestrian or wildlife even. "Where the h.e.l.l are they? We should have seen them by now."

"Unless they left the highway somewhere and we missed it."

Mason considered that information for a quick second then hit the brake hard. The SUV came to a bone shuddering stop. He made a quick change of direction and started back the way he'd come at half speed. "If that's the case, we need to look for any signs of where they'd have turned off the road."

"There..." Hawk pointed to the left. "Back up, back up."

Mason hit the brakes, shifted into reverse and backed up, tires squealing.

He saw it then. He pulled off the road onto the tracks and stopped.

"We'll continue on foot. We've blocked the trail, so they aren't going to be able to leave this way. The ground is soft, wet. We should be able to track them easily enough."

Mason smiled. "Good."

He pulled slightly forward until he found a place where the road diverged. Take the road less travelled, and he parked. "That will do it."

The men got out. After a quick check over their firepower and ammo situation, Mason took the lead. The others spread out. Now to find Tesla.

They moved forward in a steady encircling ring like a noose tightening on the enemy's head. There was no sign of anyone. And no sign of anyone having pa.s.sed.

An odd sound came from the left, more of a whisper of a sound. He didn't recognize it. And that made it very interesting. He slipped off of the side and came around behind the noise. And frowned. There was the SUV, but it appeared to be empty. This was the old airstrip, but it didn't look to have seen any maintenance in the last many years. h.e.l.l, from a decade at least. They were going to land a plane here? Take her out that way? That was taking a chance.

So what had gone wrong?

Besides Tesla?

And where was she?

He c.o.c.ked his ear. There was someone now running. He grinned. She still favored her sore feet. He'd recognize those footsteps anywhere.

He signaled to the others and took off after her.

She was running at a great clip. He was amazed. But she still wasn't going to get away from him. He hadn't come all this way to lose her now.

And yet...he lost her. He strode forward listening, his eyes glued to the trail she'd left behind. They were almost to the highway. But they were on the wrong side of where his SUV should be.

He wanted to call out to her but couldn't take the chance.

He closed his eyes and imitated Hawk's bird cry. She might recognize it.

After sending the second cry he crept forward again.

He turned, looking for her, and realized she'd slipped from the back grove to the next stand of trees. He grinned. She'd done well. He needed her to keep that up. To keep her spirit up.

With a quick glance around he made his move and crept up to her.

He quickly wrapped an arm around her ribs, slapping his other hand over her mouth to stop her from crying out.

"Shh. It's me, Mason."

Chapter 19.

TESLA CRIED OUT, but no sound erupted as a hand had clapped over her mouth. Strong arms held her. Instinct said to run. Instinct said to fight. But her heart said she was safe. Then his words filled her ears and she understood. It was Mason. She sagged in place, her knees weak and her spine suddenly boneless.

He'd come for her.

He spun her around until he looked down at her. "Are you okay," he whispered in a hoa.r.s.e guttural tone. "Did they hurt you?"

She clasped her hands on either side of his head and shook her head wildly. "No, they didn't hurt me. They didn't have time. You came, oh thank G.o.d."

"Are you sure you're okay."

"I'm fine. I'm so glad to see you."

"Shh, it's okay. Be quiet. Shh. Be quiet."

She tried. Honest she did, but it was so freakin' hard. She finally looped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Then pulled back and kissed him. A heart-wrenching kiss of loss and longing.

She felt his surprise, felt his arms wrap around her. She recognized the moment when he got over his surprise and kissed her back. She loved that about him.

Suddenly she was set back, cool air between them. She hated it. But she understood it. She smiled up at his hard face. "It's good to see you again."

"d.a.m.n it, Tesla." He groaned. "When do you ever stay out of trouble?"

"Ha, I was working alone when I was attacked. What was I supposed to do, ask them to come back later?"

"That's not what I meant."

She laughed. Forgetting his admonishment to be quiet until his mouth came down on hers. Hard.

She hugged him hard. In joy. She didn't want to let him go. She'd felt so alone. But he'd come for her. He set her back slightly and picked up her hands still caught in handcuffs. He studied the mechanism for a long moment then released her. He pulled out a small tool set from his back pockets and got to work.

"What about the others, are they here?"

He nodded, did something, she heard the click, and he popped the handcuff open. "Searching for you and the enemy. So far no sign of the men who attacked you."

She rubbed her wrists in relief. "Thank you. And as for the enemy...that was Daniel again. And his partner." She gave him a quick description of the second man. She could see him cataloging the details to fit into the puzzle pieces in his own mind.

"Do you know where they are?"

She shook her head. "No. Not really. When they stopped the vehicle I slipped out the back and ran. I haven't stopped since."

She sighed and ran a hand over hair. "I heard a vehicle go by but was turned around. It was a black SUV and I thought it was Daniel but wasn't sure. I figured they were heading to the highway."

"Good. It's not for you to go and look."

"I'm happy to let you chase after them and bring them down. Although I'd rather be a long way away before that happens."

"You will be. We're taking you to town. The others are going hunting."

"Town?" she asked hopefully. "As in a hot bath and a bed and would it be too much to ask for some food."

He laughed and led her out to the SUV. He knew the others were watching. He gave the signal she was unhurt and he was moving forward with the plan to retrieve the package and move her to safety. He'd be travelling with her regardless of where she went. He was on her like glue now.

It took a few hair raising hours, after making their way back to the airport they'd flown in to. But they made it.

Hours later she was flown back to her home.

Just in time for the evening's reception.

Something she had no wish to attend. But it was part of the job. If she could pull that off after the day she'd had and make it seem like nothing had gone wrong, then...

She had a shower, not as long as she'd have liked, not as hot as she'd have liked but still she was clean. There was little she could do about the d.a.m.n scratches, thankfully there were none on her face. Her arms showed the mad dash through the brush still so she went for a very simple but elegant dress with long sleeves.

A quick glance in the mirror and she ginned. She'd do, although her cheek was puffy from the last hit she'd taken.

She hoped makeup had taken care of the worst of it. She walked downstairs to find Mason in uniform whites.

She stopped, her heart beating like mad. "Don't you look wonderful," she said warmly.

He grinned. "I think I'm supposed to say that to you."

"Yes, you are," she said pertly. "So?"

He laughed. "In truth, you're glorious."

On that note, he helped her into the private car that was at her disposal and with an armed guard riding escort front and back, she was taken to the reception.

She came to a dead stop at the ma.s.sive entranceway. Chandeliers glittered all around them. Women moved a short flight of steps below her, their beautiful long gowns flowing in a sea of luxury and elegance. Brilliant colors blended and shone in a glittery display of money and people in the know.

And she'd never felt so much like a fish out of water.

"Are you okay?" Mason stood at her side, a gentle hand at the small of her back.

"A few hours ago," she muttered, "I was running for my life through the brush, having escaped a horrible end. Now I'm here staring at all this glittery gold...and," her voice dropped, "wondering if I should be looking to escape all over again."

She felt his sharp glance.

"Any particular reason for wanting to bolt?"

"Someone here could have betrayed me. Many people are looking at my work with envy and might be tempted to sell me out," she answered, and when she saw his nod of agreement, she added, "And I feel like I don't belong. That I'd rather be in my sweats running the trails than trying to navigate the predators down there tonight. Not to mention, I clean up just fine but this isn't my world. I'm not comfortable in this setting with these moneyed people. I'm just me."

He slipped his arm around her lower back and tugged her slightly closer. "I'd put my money on you any day. You are more than everyone in here. You have created a program to save lives. You've done something special. You don't just clean up, you have set the standard. Now straighten up and walk down there as if you own them, because in truth you do."

She grinned. "Thanks."

"No thanks required." He turned and waited while they were announced. "You got this."