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Caleb had no time to do anything but remove the immediate problem. He dove for Bohdan’s gun and was there only a second before Bohdan’s hand closed on it. “Never again, bastard.” Caleb pointed the gun directly at Bohdan’s chest and pulled the trigger. He stopped him with a single shot in the heart.
“Is he dead?” Jane asked.
“Absolutely.” Caleb was on his feet and running toward her. “Are you okay? What the hell are you doing here? I told you that—”
“You told me a lot of things. But there was no reason for me to listen to you.” She turned and headed out of the forest. “And I refuse to do it right now. Did you think I wouldn’t find a way to follow you?”
“I was hoping to God that you wouldn’t. How did you do it?”
“I waited until the train turned the curve to go into the rail yard; that slowed it down even more. It had almost stopped, but I decided the little girl might need a cushion.”
“A cushion? There were no cushions.”
“I improvised. She had to be protected. So I pointed my gun at Rodland and told him to jump off the train and cushion me as I made the jump myself. It worked very well. Practically no jarring.”
He blinked. “You used Rodland as a cushion?”
“Why are you surprised? He wasn’t about to argue with me. He knew I was dead serious.”
“I imagine he did. You had a gun in your hand.”
She shrugged. “We both knew I probably wouldn’t use it, but it gave him an excuse when he realized he’d have to face you for helping me.”
He shook his head. “‘Probably’ was the key word in that sentence.”
“Yes, it was.” She looked directly into his eyes. “Because he also knew I had to keep my daughter safe, and there was no question in my mind that I had to get to you.”
He was suddenly jarred out of his stunned incredulity. He started to laugh. “I would have liked to have seen Rodland scrambling to get back on that train to stop it after you were safely on the ground.”
“He made it. I looked back just before I entered the forest. Besides, that was his problem. He had his computer to help him, and I had other things to do. I’ve spent the last quarter of an hour running through this blasted forest worrying about what you might do when you caught up with Bohdan.” She was looking straight ahead now, and her pace increased. “I’m out of breath, and upset, and I have my baby to take care of. So I’m getting out of here, away from all the monsters. You can come with me if you like.”
“I like.” His concerned gaze was on her face. “You didn’t have to worry about me. I knew what I was doing.”
“I know you did. You always do. But there was too much ugliness and bitterness this time. Youwantedto hurt him.” She still wasn’t looking at him. “Some of it was because of me. Would he have deserved it? Of course. But I’m never sure what using that blood talent might do to you. I couldn’t bear it if destroying him hurt you, too.” The sun was beginning to rise as they came out of the woods and her gaze was once more searching his face for answers as she turned toward him. “I knew I couldn’t let it happen this time. It didn’t matter how you felt about it. I can’t let it matter if you’re angry or not. I have to take care of you.”
“Do you?” He reached out and touched her lips. “I believe I said something of that nature to you recently.”
“That was different.”
“It always is, but it just means adjustments and understanding. But thenI’mdifferent and you’re probably right.”
“I was right this time.” She was looking around the forest. “I don’t hear gunfire any longer. I want to rest. Do you think we’re safe here?”
“Considering all the men and weaponry MacDuff showed up with, those mercenaries would be crazy not to be on the run. But I’ve been keeping an eye out just in case.”
“Good. Nothing gets past you. Then keep on doing it.” She gave a sigh and dropped down on the ground to sit beneath the trees. “I thought you’d be more angry. Are you giving in too easily about all this?”
He shook his head. “Not if it means I can keep you away from the monsters, or thinking I’m one. It’s worth it to me to have you ordering me about occasionally. Now can we discuss something besides Bohdan or me?”
“Such as?”
“Are you really all right?” Caleb fell to his knees beside her. “I didn’t like how short of breath you were.”
“It happens when you’re chasing two idiots through a damn forest.” She took a deep breath as she threw the carbine gun aside and then launched herself into his arms. “Now be quiet and just hold me. I’m fine, but I don’t believe our daughter approved of that last few yards I bolted when I went after you.”
“Or maybe she didn’t think that cushion you used was to her liking.” He pushed her back to look down into her face. “I repeat, are you all right? Should I get you to a doctor?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I felt fine after that jump. Yes, of course I fully intend to have a checkup after we get out of here. That’s the responsible thing to do. It’s time I’m under a doctor’s care. I would have done it even if nothing had happened during the last twenty-four hours. But it’s not because I think anything is wrong.” She paused. “I just felt a…flutter. She might have moved a tiny bit. It’s a little unusual this early, but she evidently has her own set of rules, and I must have violated one of them.” She touched her abdomen. “I like it that she has a mind of her own.”
