* * *
Dani's hands shook as she kept her gun ready. She led now, since Caleb was stuck behind the big man, the shotgun prodding him forward.
Things were quiet, exceptionally quiet, as she led them across the large chamber toward the big machines. She knew the entrance lay just past them. Glancing down at the cell phone in her left hand she prayed for the No Service light to go away.
Soon she could see the dim outline of the cave entrance, and she sped up, full of nervous energy. It was almost too easy.
Suddenly the sounds of a struggle reached her ears, and she turned around. Two men had come out of the shadows and grabbed the ranger. "Stop!" she shouted, pointing her gun at one of the interlopers but the big man grabbed her arm and squeezed it painfully, making her drop the gun.
She ripped her arm from his grasp, watching helplessly as Caleb struggled to fight off the two men. They'd knocked the shotgun from his hand and were trying to wrestle him down to the ground.
There was nothing she could do for him at the moment, not without her gun, and her eyes flashed to the big man. He was headed for her, so she sprinted forward, out of his reach.
Dani ran toward the entrance, frantically watching the cell phone for signs of life. She had almost reached the entrance when the No Service light disappeared, and one bar beeped into life. She pressed the "Send" button, watching as an envelope with wings flew across the screen.
In her moment of distraction, the Chief caught up with her, grabbing her by the neck with one of his large hands and ripping the cell phone from her with the other. He threw the phone to the floor of the cave and smashed it under his heavy boot.
"No!" Dani cried, praying that the message had gone through, but unsure if it had.
"You little bitch."
The big man dragged her back toward his companions. He threw her to the ground in front of Caleb, who was currently struggling against the two men who held him back. One had several wide bandages taped across his nose.
"Bitch broke my nose," the injured man scowled. "I oughta break hers. Then we'll be even."
"Later, Martinez," his companion said. "I'd rather break her in than break her nose if you know what I mean."
Their words caused Caleb to struggle harder against their grips, and he nearly got free. The Chief put a stop to his struggles, however, delivering a kick to his ribs.
Dani screamed as the man kicked him again and Caleb slumped over.
"Did you really think you'd get away?" the big man barked in the ranger's pain-filled face. "I told you we had surveillance, and not just outside the caves. It was foolish to try and escape. It shows you aren't seriously thinking about accepting an offer from my employer. And I'm going to have to tell that to my boss."
"You're going to have to tell me what?" a voice asked. All heads turned toward the cave entrance to see a short, well-dressed man striding in, followed by a tall bodyguard in an oversized jacket.
"Mr. Masterson, good to see you," the Chief said.
"I highly doubt that."
The short man came to a halt in front of the big guy and looked down at the two prisoners on the cave floor before him. "And just what in the holy hell is all this?" he asked, his anger evident. "I told you I didn't want the locals involved."
"They involved themselves," the big man said by way of explanation.
The well-dressed gentleman wasn't satisfied. "Goddammit, this is supposed to be a secret operation, Stevens. What the hell am I supposed to do with these two?"
"Well, I figured you'd want to talk to them about their options. If you're not interested in chatting, me and the boys would be happy to take care of the problem for you." The big man's smile was much more sincere this time.
"All right," Wesley Masterson said with a heavy sigh. He pulled off his small round glasses and polished them with a white silk handkerchief. "How much is it gonna take to buy your cooperation?"
"More than you've got," Danielle said.
"Dani," Caleb warned.
"Is that so, little girl?" The short man replaced his glasses and slid the handkerchief back into the pocket of his expensive suit. "You'd rather I let these goons have you? I warn you, you aren't going to like what they have in mind."
"No," Caleb said firmly. "We'll do whatever you want. Just let her go."
"Ah, a gentleman," the short man said, bending down to look into the ranger's face. "Looks like you put up a fight."
"He's been causing us some trouble, yes," the big man, Stevens, confirmed.
"And why should I trust you?" Masterson asked, a smug smile on his shiny, round face.
"You shouldn't," Stevens said with a smirk. "He'll betray you in a second. I know the type."
"Not true," Caleb said with a decisive shake of his head.
"And why is that?" Wesley peered inquisitively into his face.
"Because I love her," Caleb said, "and I'd do anything to keep her safe."
A strange thrill ran through her body, and Dani realized she was shaking all over. He loves me, she thought with wonder. This strong, beautiful, and haunted man loves me. And he's willing to give up everything just to protect me.
But she couldn't let him.
"No!" she cried, struggling against the man who held her arm.
"Aw, looks like she doesn't love you back, partner," Stevens mocked.
"That's not what--" Dani began, an indignant look on her delicate features, but the short man interrupted her protests.
"Enough!" Masterson yelled. "It doesn't matter. You know too much, and I can't count on either of you to keep your mouths shut. I've got better things to do than hang around here. I just came by to make sure the shipments are on time this week. You won't be too distracted by our little problem to get them out, will you?"
"No sir," Stevens said, with a predatory look. "And I assume you don't care what happens to these two?"
"Make sure it looks like an accident," Masterson ordered before he turned back toward the entrance and motioned for his bodyguard to follow. "And don't fuck up again. Or you'll be the next one to have an accident."
With that the short man left, his bodyguard exiting behind him. Their shadows disappeared around the corner and out of the cave, and Stevens began to rub his hands together greedily.
"Did you hear that boys?" he said, his tone excited. "Who's ready to have some fun?"