CA 46.5 Operation Second Honeymoon Read Free

inside. Numerous other smaller rooms and narrow corridors threaded through the adobe walls of the main floor. Though the burden of transformation was extensive, Victoria could imagine the rooms filled with the equipment and medicines necessary for healing. Salvadore provided an eloquent and detailed story of the broad revitalization plan. Victoria sensed his determination and fervor. The job would get done.
    Long shadows had fallen, overtaking the high walls around the monastery by the time Victoria strolled back into the courtyard. The cool breeze made her shiver, but inside she felt warm with contentment. The promise of this effort made her giddy.
    Lucas draped his arm over her shoulders. "Sloan will be pleased we're interested in this project."
    "He will indeed." Victoria wished their friend would call. The news a few hours ago had not been the best. His wife had suffered complications in delivery and things were touch and go. "I hope he has better news about Rachel and the baby by now."
    "I'm certain they're in good hands."
    Victoria knew Sloan—he would ensure only the best treatment for his family. Still, she worried.
    The distinct, cold sound of bullets exploding from their muzzles suddenly echoed in the air a split second before the hollow crack of rounds boring into ancient adobe shattered the silence.
    Lucas closed himself around Victoria like a cloaking armor and they tumbled to the ground. "Stay down. Stay down," he murmured in her ear. It wasn't until he'd rolled away from her quaking body that she became aware of moaning to her right. Not daring to raise her head, Victoria scrubbed her face through the dirt in order to turn far enough to see.
    Salvadore was hit. He lay facedown. Blood spread across the dirt around him in a crimson pool.
    The deep-throated blasts of a large caliber handgun and the softer thwack, thwack of another lesser weapon filled the air.
    They had been ambushed.
    Victoria's heart burst with fear. Where was Lucas?
    With her next breath her mind calmed and she focused on the wounded man. Lucas could handle himself. Salvadore needed help. She grabbed her courage and began to scoot toward him.
    Chapter Three
    Three shots sent the enemy scattering from the gate. The silence lingered a full ten seconds but Lucas held his position behind the old stone well. The timeworn wooden bucket still hanging from a frayed rope rocked ever so slightly in the cold desert wind. The two men who'd fired through the towering iron gate were still out there. There was no guarantee there weren't more. For now Lucas had gained a reprieve.
    His heart dropped into his gut when he looked over at Victoria. She dragged Salvadore's lifeless body toward the monastery's open doorway. Lucas's gaze swung back to the gate. Still clear. He scanned the top of the crumbling wall for as far as he could see. If these bastards scaled the wall, he and Victoria would be in trouble.
    Lucas didn't dare call out to his wife and risk drawing the enemy's attention to her. All the while monitoring the perimeter, he held his breath as he gauged her struggle with the man's weight. The sky grew darker with every passing moment. The night would work to their advantage once they were all safely inside. For now, he needed to keep a distance apart from Victoria in order to draw the fire his way if their assailants regrouped and reengaged.
    Cell phone service was sketchy at best. Calling for help would be all but impossible.
    Victoria hauled the fallen guide through the entrance of the ramshackle structure that was their only sanctuary. Thank God. Lucas pulled in a breath. He couldn't measure how badly Salvadore was injured. Very, judging by the broad, dark pattern of blood on the ground.
    Lucas listened for movement beyond the walls. Nothing. His muscles tensed in preparation to make a run for the monastery door. Still quiet.
    Go!
    He rushed for the entrance. Two rapid blasts splintered the quiet. Lucas hit the ground. Rolled. He fired once at the