Free Whatever It Takes by Dixie Lee Brown Page B

use a little discretion. Okay?”
    “That’s my middle name.” Alex flashed him a wide smile.
    He groaned and shook his head. “Just like talking to a brick wall.”
    They remained side by side for a few minutes, silently waiting. Walker was the first to appear and hop on board. He was followed quickly by Jim and Nate. Ty and Rayna showed up to see them off, but their transportation would be a commercial aircraft later that evening.
    Joe had told her once that his chopper, the Bell UH–1 Iroquois helicopter, was the same style the military used to fly for medical evacuation because of its large cargo bay. The chopper’s original designation had been HU–1, shortened to Huey. Even when the letters were switched later, the nickname stuck. There were only a few seats, forward and aft, with the biggest part of the bay open for cargo.
    As Nate approached, Joe stood and moved forward to the controls. Alex scowled when Nate slid into the seat Joe vacated.
    “Did you get something to eat?” Nate reached into his coat pocket. “I saved you half of a sandwich.” He held the baggie up between them.
    Her gaze drifted to his face. What was his game? Give her food and then demand whatever he wanted from her? Joe’s words floated back. You can trust him. How could she be sure? The fact she wanted to trust him only made him that much more suspect.
    He reached for her hand and laid the baggie on her palm as he leaned close to her ear. “I don’t want anything in return.” His stiff smile gave way to a worried frown before he sat straighter and turned away.
    Alex glanced at the sandwich and her stomach growled. The few bites of pie she’d had last night weren’t meant to hold her over forever. With so much emotional upheaval, she hadn’t stopped to notice she was starving. It was nice of Nate to think of her needs, and it was just a friggin’ sandwich, but it would be one more thing she owed him for. God, she hated that.
    Her empty stomach wouldn’t allow her to give up the food, though, so maybe she could think of something to do to repay him that didn’t involve losing control. Cook him a meal in their little RV love nest, or perhaps something as simple as not drowning him in Patagonia Lake.
    She hummed the theme song to Mission: Impossible as she opened the baggie and drew out the sandwich.
    The chopper was only five feet off the ground when Jimmy leaned forward and rifled frantically through his gear. “Oh hell!” He looked toward the front and swore again.
    Nate tensed and his gaze darted around the helicopter as though seeking the source of the trouble.
    Joe and Walker turned from the controls as soon as they heard the commotion and their gazes locked on Jimmy. It was obvious from their expressions they knew immediately what the problem was. Everyone who was acquainted with Jimmy knew.
    “Damn, Jim. We can’t keep doing this.” Joe shook his head as he brought the Huey down.
    Jimmy jumped out before the chopper had settled and sprinted toward the house.
    “What the hell was that about?” Nate looked from Alex to the two men in front of the controls, the strain obvious in his voice.
    “He forgot his handgun . . . again.” Alex felt like she was betraying her friend.
    Nate expelled a deep breath. “Huh . . . how does a guy in his line of work forget his weapon when he goes on a job?”
    Everyone was silent for a few seconds before Walker spoke up. “He’s just as lethal without one.”
    She turned away from Nate as understanding dawned on him and watched Jimmy race back toward the chopper. As soon as he was on board, Joe lifted off again. From the corner of her eye, Alex watched Nate turn gray and then white. He sat stiffly, eyes straight ahead.
    “Let me guess. Afraid to fly?” Alex nudged his arm where it brushed against hers.
    Nate released his breath. “Flying is awesome. My fear stems from being stuffed in this itty-­bitty sardine can and having no control over whether we fly or crash.” He