SEALs of Honor: Markus Read Online Free PDF Page A

cobbler and grabbed a flipper and started to cut pieces, her mind whirling with options.
    She pulled out plates and served up four pieces including one for Barry who’d gone outside.
    The man she could no longer see.
    Had he made a run for it? Did he not like the kidnapping twist and wanted no part of it? Or was he just out cruising to make sure no one had come looking to rescue the women. Had he gone after Mary’s father?
    She found forks and placed one on each plate. She carried two over to the table and silently set the plates down. Then returned for the other two.
    After delivering the food she returned to the stove and the sink and washed up the flipper she’d used. She was stalling.
    She twisted to see the men diving in. She walked back to the bathroom and grabbed up toilet paper then standing next to the door she blew her nose. The men never noticed. She walked to the outside door, opened it quietly and stepped out.
    And ran for her life to the closest tree.
    The men would likely be able to follow her footsteps, but she was young and lighter than they were and very…motivated.
    There was no sound behind her as she raced across the yard.
    She made it to the tree line and ran deeper then pulled up against the backside of a thick trunk and listened as she caught her breath. Then she heard shouting. No time to slow down, she dashed forward and started going in a zigzag motion. She needed to find cover and get as far away as she could as fast as she could.
    That’s when she realized she was wearing a bright pink sweater. Without breaking stride she tugged it off and clutched it in front of her.
    It was over a half hour later that her footsteps slowed. She had no idea where she was, or how far she’d come in the meantime, but her feet where killing her. Suddenly she tripped over an exposed root and was airborne before hitting and sliding through the leaves belly down, face first.
    Instantly she was back on her feet.
    And racing forward. But slower.
    Finally when she came to a large evergreen she slipped under the boughs and curled up to catch her breath.
    That’s when she realized she’d lost her sweater. Likely when she wiped out.
    With her knees to her chest and her chin tucked to her knees she quietly sobbed as she recouped her energy and tried to recapture her breath.
    Don’t work out, don’t do anything that will tax your strength. Take time to recover . Words from her doctor. How prophetic. And sad.
    Still that had been over seven months ago so…she should be better…stronger.
    Time.
    Like she’d had any of that.
    With the sweat drying on her skin she could feel the shudders of exhaustion hitting every spine bone on the way down. She was a bone rack now. Severe illness did that to a person. And it sucked.
    She peered around the corner of the tree trunk and tried to look through the boughs.
    The world was silent. Yet, she hated knowing someone was likely hunting her. The men would be after her – the question was when would they give up the hunt? When would she be safe from them?
    Nothing stirred around her. That was almost more eerie. Was she alone?
    Her heart knew it wasn’t safe. She closed her eyes. Okay, she’d escaped. And now what? Chances were she’d run five miles in the wrong direction and was lost. She leaned her head on her knees and closed her eyes.
    Pity wasn’t part of her makeup. But she was well and truly hooped.
    Exhausted, physically and mentally, she fell into a light sleep.
    *
    “Did you see that?”
    Markus nodded. “I’m assuming one of the women made a run for it.”
    “Not good. It’s too damn easy to get lost out here. It’s going to be the young one too.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “The older ones are smarter. They know the dangers of getting lost. It’s as fatal as being shot but a whole lot slower and more painful.”
    “Except we know she’s slipped away so we’ll be looking for her.”
    “Good luck. Once she’s out a few hundred yards she’ll get turned around