That would be nice. If the helicopter opened up with a machine gun, they could take out the engine—or kill them both.
Connor took the left, saw the river up ahead. “Hey, Shanti, are you with me?”
Her head came up, and she looked around, clearly confused and in pain.
“See that? There’s the river. Just ahead.”
Okay, that was a bit of an exaggeration. They had maybe three hundred meters of fields and sand between them and the riverbank. But that’s why God had invented four-wheel drive.
“We’re going home?”
“Hell, yes, we are. Stay awake, because you’re going to have to swim.”
“I can swim.”
God, he loved her.
“That’s what you told me. Hang on. It’s time for a little off-roading.”
Shanti fought to stay conscious,her face throbbing where the soldier had struck her, pain splitting her head in two. “Is there a boat?”
What was happening? It was hard to pay attention.
“Yes, there’s a blue fishing vessel. Swim straight for it. I’ll be right there. When we get to the boat, we’re safe. You’re almost there.”
Blue vessel. Swim. Almost there.
Darkness dragged at her, tried to suck her down.
Another helicopter buzzed overhead, so close she could see soldiers with weapons staring down at them. It flew straight ahead of them, and for a moment, she thought it would set down in their path.
Then it abruptly gained elevation and veered to the south.
Connor chuckled.
“What’s funny? Where’s it going?”
“Remember the DEVGRU guys? They’re making trouble somewhere nearby.”
DEVGRU. SEAL Team Six.
Shanti must have drifted for a moment because the next thing she knew, Connor had stopped their vehicle.
“Unbuckle, princess. I’ll come help you out. The river’s right here.” He hurried over, slipped a strong arm around her, and lifted her onto her good leg, bending down to grab his backpack and rifle.
She hopped alongside him, one strong arm steadying her.
“We’re attracting some attention. Border Patrol. We need to go faster.”
But Shanti struggled to keep up with him, black spots dancing in front of her eyes.
Connor hurled his rifle into the river, shouldered his pack, and then scooped her into his arms—and ran.
A splash of water. Cold enfolding her, jarring her awake.
“Okay, Shanti, show me how you can swim. The fishing boat is headed straight for us. So is Border Patrol. We need to get to the fishing boat before Border Patrol reaches us, or it’s all over.”
Shanti kicked and cried out, pain shooting through her right leg, the resistance of the water pushing her foot back. She gritted her teeth, used only her good leg and her arms, and moved into the river, swimming as hard as she could.