CA 46.5 Operation Second Honeymoon Read Online Free PDF Page A

that."
    Victoria collapsed into his strong arms, the tears she couldn't hold back flowing like a hot, salty river against the cold harsh reality of their situation. They were supposed to be enjoying this vacation escape. How much longer could they continue to fight this battle of good versus evil? Not just this one, but the ones that appeared to find them on a regular basis?
    He held her close, whispering soothing words that only opened the emotional floodgate wider. She could not lose him.
    She would not lose him.
    Victoria stepped from his embrace and squared her shoulders. "We're both going down there and we're staying put. If they want us, they're going to have to come in after us."
    "You're right."
    Surprised, she managed a decent breath. "Let's get Salvadore to safety and take it from there." Depending on how long this standoff lasted, they could very well have a baby to deliver, as well.
    Victoria served as lookout as Lucas helped Salvadore down to the long-forgotten cellar. Lavina moaned softly with the building contractions. It wouldn't be long now.
    Once Salvadore was settled, Lucas worked to secure the door as best he could with the available decomposing junk. Using the faint light from her cell as little as possible, Victoria cleared a place for making Lavina more comfortable. Her water had broken so time was short. Victoria found an old cotton tarp folded on a sagging shelf. The inside of the tarp would be less dusty than the outside, so she turned the best side up and spread the tarp over the clearing she'd arranged, then she helped Lavina to move there. Lucas offered his jacket for a pillow. Lavina and her son shared one bottle of water while Victoria helped Salvadore to a few sips from the other bottle.
    "Too bad we don't have any matches."
    Victoria glanced up just as her cell's screen went dark again. Lucas held his own cell in one hand, the screen glowing, and what appeared to be an old lantern in the other. "Do you think it still works?" Hope dared to prick Victoria's senses.
    "There's fluid in the base and a wick. I think so."
    "Here."
    Victoria turned to Salvadore. He reached toward her and she immediately moved closer. "I wish I had something for the pain," she said. The man was suffering but the first aid kit had offered nothing for pain relief. A small tube of antibacterial salve. Antiseptic hand cleaner and a few bandages. The gauze and tape had provided a dressing for his wounds. But nothing else.
    "Use this." Salvadore placed a small object in her hand. "I guess my bad habit has finally come in handy."
    A lighter. Victoria smiled. "Very handy," she agreed. She passed the small plastic lighter to her husband. Within a few seconds he had the lantern lit. Victoria pressed her fingers to her lips, gratitude welling inside her. With what they had ahead of them, the meager light was a true blessing.
    Lucas pulled Victoria to the side, away from the others. "When they figure out no one is monitoring movement around the courtyard, they'll move in."
    Victoria nodded. "We took down two, but there's no way to know how many more are out there."
    "I'm guessing two or three at most." Lucas looked thoughtful for a moment. "If there were more, they would have stormed the place by now. Still, they have to know our resources are limited."
    His point was valid. "We can take out at least one more if they try coming through that door." Lucas had done a fine job of making it a less-than-easy feat considering what he had to work with. "Maybe two if they charge in together." But the enemy knew they were armed. Their retreat to this hiding place would suggest that they were out of ammunition.
    "I'll listen for signs of their arrival," Lucas offered. "If you need me, just say the word."
    Victoria squeezed his arm before letting go. "We'll get through this."
    He brushed his fingers across her cheek. "Yes, we will. You have my word."
    Her determination and courage shored up, Victoria checked on Salvadore once more before