Training Rain (12 page)

Jess locked the house. “We’ll meet you at the airstrip in
Opelousas tonight. Call when you’re airborne.”

“Will do.” Will gave Rain a knowing smile and drove down the
dirt road away from them.

Jess carried both their bags and tossed them in the car.

“There must be a closer airfield. What’s in Opelousas?” Rain
asked.

“My parents.”

“I am not going to meet your parents.”

She kept him blocked, but she could see the disappointment
and even a bit of anger in his eyes. He shrugged. “I made a promise and I
intend to keep it. You can wait in the car if you want, though I seriously
doubt Amalee will stand for that.”

If she was honest with herself, she was curious about the
people who had raised Jessé McMean. He was such an odd combination of
gentleness and deception. Of course she didn’t tell him that. In fact, she
didn’t say a word as she opened the back door for Yas, closed the door and got
in the front.

He drove fast. She said nothing. They got on Route 49 and it
was a straight shot north to the Louisiana town where his parents had lived for
the last ten years. She knew this because, although she was silent, Jess had
barely stopped talking since they pulled onto the highway.

“I grew up on the bayou until the Agency came to collect me.
My father is a salesman and a good one. He’s sold everything from cars to
vacuum cleaners, even bibles for a while. Still, they were just making ends
meet. When I started with the Agency and it was obvious I wouldn’t be coming
back to live, they moved to a nice little community not too far from what they
were used to.”

He paused for a long time. “My father’s Irish.”

She wanted to keep quiet, but the statement was so
ridiculous. She couldn’t keep the sarcasm from dripping out. “I figured with a
name like McMean.”

“No. I mean he’s really Irish. Well, you’ll see in a little
while.”

“Are you nervous because I’m meeting them or because you
haven’t been home in a long time?”
Why did you ask him that? You don’t care.
But she did. That was the problem.

She’d kept him blocked for most of the trip but then it
occurred to her that she was handicapping him. What if they were attacked? They
would have no warning from his psi senses. She lifted her block, but kept her
mind shielded.

He smiled. “Both, I guess.”

“Just because I’m not blocking you doesn’t mean you have
leave to go poking around in my head. Don’t you dare manipulate me.” She was a
shrew. She hated the tone, but she was hurt and angry and she couldn’t help it.

“I promise you I will never manipulate you again. I will
only use my psi abilities to protect you. You have my word.”

“Fine.” She didn’t want to believe him.
Damn him.

He reached across the console and took her hand. Her head
said,
don’t let him touch you
, but her heart loved the feel of his calloused
fingers rubbing hers. “I’m sorry,
cher
. If I hadn’t known you’d be
making a mistake going back to the reservation, I would never have done it. I
didn’t want you to live your life regretting a bad decision.”

She disengaged her hand from his. “It wasn’t your call.”

He nodded and they spent the remaining half hour in silence.
The suburban neighborhood was an array of simple but nice homes with neat lawns
and gardens. They pulled in the driveway and stepped out of the car. Early
February in southern Louisiana was a long way from the cold of Yellowstone
National Park. The comfortable mid-fifty-degree temperatures only required a
light sweater.

Rain tried to picture Jess growing up there. Of course he
hadn’t. He was too wild for this kind of order. The swamps suited him much
better. A couple alighted from the house, both wearing grins. They rushed down
the driveway toward Jess.

“Jessé,” his mother cried and pulled him down to hug him
around the neck while his father patted his back and waited his turn.

The elder McMean hugged his son and then they all started
talking at once and Rain had no idea what was being said. Between the thick
Irish accent of his father and the Cajun of his mother, it was a muddle of
words that Rain interpreted as gibberish.

Then suddenly they all turned toward her. Her cheeks heated,
but she managed a smile.

“Momma, Dad, this is Rain Silver my…friend.”

Is that what they were, friends? She didn’t know.

She shook hands with his mother. “I’m Amalee and this is
Sean. We are both just so happy to meet you. You must be hungry. I made some
food.”

Rain said, “How did you know we were coming?”

Sean answered. “The woman knows everything. I learned long
ago not to ask too many questions.” With that, he took Rain’s hand and pulled
it through the crook of his elbow before leading her toward the front door.

Rain locked eyes with Jess for a moment and saw him nod at
her unspoken question about his mother’s psychic abilities.

Amalee was dark and petite with blue eyes. Her short hair
was streaked gray. She wore a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved tee-shirt with
the American flag beaded on the front.

Sean was the opposite of his wife, tall, blond though also
graying, and his eyes were more gray than blue. Both had an easy manner and
they welcomed Rain as if she were a relative. Rain had a feeling the older
couple treated everyone with their brand of warm Southern hospitality.

The kitchen and den were just to the left of the front door
with a living room on the right. The entire house smelled of spice. There had
been no breakfast and Rain’s stomach growled loudly at the scent.

“Oh good you’re hungry. I made a big pot of etoufee.” Amalee
had set a table for four.

It amazed Rain that she had known how many were coming. She
even had a plate of meat cut up and ready for Yas. The dog lapped up the steak
and drank some water. Jess let him out the back door before they all sat and
Sean placed the large pot in the middle of the table while Amalee filled bowls
that already contained rice with the sumptuous stew.

Sean took several bites before he spoke. “So, you’re in some
kind of trouble, Jess?”

“Nothing we can’t handle.” The two men stared at each other
for a long time.

Amalee broke the silence. “How did you two meet?”

“We work together, Momma.”

“Yes, of course. I know.”

Rain was trapped in his mother’s gaze. It was as if she were
an open book and this woman could read it at will. She had her walls in place,
but whatever skills Amalee McMean possessed they were unaffected by blockers or
shielding techniques.

“Forgive me. You saved my son and I am being rude.”

“No,” Rain said.

Jess kept his head down.

“You did save him, from a fate much worse than death and for
that we are forever in your debt.”

Rain looked at Jess.

“No, he didn’t tell me. I know these things. I knew the
moment when my boy was about to die. My heart broke into a million pieces and
then I saw your face, so beautiful and kind. I knew he was in the best of
hands.”

“How could you see all of that?” Rain asked.

Amalee shrugged. “It’s what I do. Relax. Eat. You are safe
here.”

She again tried to gain Jess’ attention, but he would not
look at her. Soon his parents started telling him all about what was happening
with them and dozens of cousins. The conversation was lively and Rain found
herself smiling at the exuberance. She longed for a family that fought and
laughed. She hadn’t realized she craved it. The people on the reservation cared
about her, but they didn’t love her. Jess said he loved her, but he couldn’t be
trusted. He’d proved that.

After an hour, Rain excused herself and went out the back
door. The McMeans had a wood deck that overlooked a pond. It was picturesque
with all the pretty houses surrounding the water. Yas ran to meet her, his tail
wagging happily. She leaned on the railing and the dog sat by her side.

She expected it to be Jess when the back door opened and
closed, but Sean stepped out and walked up beside her. They watched the light
breeze on the water. “They don’t mean any harm, you know?”

“I’m not so sure.”

“Whatever he did, he only wanted to protect you.”

Rain turned to look at the older McMean. It was amazing how
much Jess resembled his father. “How do you know he did anything?”

A low rumbling laugh pushed up and out of him. “I know women
and I know them.”

“I’m one of them.”

“Aye, you may have psychic skills, but you don’t seem that
comfortable with them.”

How could he know that? Her heart started pounding. “Are you
psychic, Sean?”

“No. I’m Irish. I have a knack for knowing people. My wife
told me you were a healer, but when I met you I could tell it was more than
that and you didn’t quite know where you fit in.”

“That is an understatement.”

He chuckled and put his arm around her shoulder. It was a
fatherly embrace and Rain nearly burst into tears.

“The thing is, being psychic or psi is normal to them. The
same way having skin is normal to everyone else. They do what they think is
right even if they overstep their bounds.”

“Did Amalee overstep hers?”

“At the beginning she did it all the time. It nearly sent me
running back to Ireland. Then I asked her to stop and… she tries. She still
sometimes goes too far, but I’ve grown accustomed to it. She means well.” Sean
gave her a squeeze.

“I’m not sure I’m as forgiving.”

Sean turned toward her and held her shoulders. His eyes, so
similar to his son’s, captivated her. “If you love him, you’ll forgive him. You
can either torture the both of you for days and weeks or let it go now and
savor your time together.”

“How do you even know I’m any good for him?”

“Amalee told me so.”

They both laughed.

The door opened and Jess walked over. “What are you two up
to?”

Sean winked at her and walked back toward the house,
slapping Jess on the back on his way.

Rain returned her attention toward the lake. “Your mother is
immune to my blocking.”

“She’s precognitive and retrocognitive as well as being
clairvoyant. Those skills can rarely be blocked since she saw them long before
you walked in the house or even knew she existed. She sees the future, has
visions and sometimes sees the past. She also has the natural ability to remain
unseen.”

“What does that mean? She’s perfectly visible.”

He was watching her. “My mother naturally creates a bubble
around herself and those in her presence. No one will find us here.”

She was so stunned, she turned to face him. “Why did you
ever leave home? You would have been safe with her.”

“Safety is not what I crave. I don’t think it’s what you
crave either,
cher
.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

She couldn’t help it, her eyes closed of their own accord as
the warmth of his lips spread through her. “Is that why you convinced me to
remain in Yellowstone?”

“Partially. But try to understand, I only stopped you from
acting on an impulse. If you had still been determined to leave, you would have
packed your things the next morning and gone.”

She watched his expression. He looked over her shoulder at
the lake, anywhere but at her. “Okay, but you said ‘partially’. What was the
other reason?”

“I was selfish and I didn’t want to lose you so soon. I knew
eventually you would realize I’ve seen and done too much to be loved. The
things I’ve done have left their mark. I know it, but I wanted to be near
something as pure as you, if only for a while.”

Her gut twisted. “I’m not pure. I told you about my past.”

He touched her cheek, sliding his finger along her jaw. “You
think I care about a past that was hardly even you? You did what you thought
was necessary. You were just a girl. You are still pure. Your aura is
unclouded.”

She didn’t know how he could not care about the things she’d
done, but the idea was heady. The sun was getting low on the horizon. “We’d
better go to the airfield. It’s getting late.”

He nodded. “I’m surprised we didn’t hear from Will yet. I
guess we’d better say goodbye and go.”

As they were leaving Amalee scratched Yas’ head. “Maybe it
would be best if this one stayed here with us for a time. You can meet us in
New Orleans for Mardi Gras and take him back.”

Part of her didn’t want to leave Yas behind, but it was the
safe thing for the dog. Rain agreed and knelt down to hug him. He licked her
cheek and wagged once.

“Does your mother know what is going to happen to us? Can
she see if we’re going to win or lose?”

Why did she always have to ask exactly the question he
didn’t want to answer? His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “Probably.”

“But she didn’t tell you.”

“No.”

Her light touch on his arm surprised and relaxed him. It was
the first time she had initiated a touch in the hours since their argument.
“Why not? We could use some help.”

“She won’t mess with the fate of others. She believes that
if she told us what would happen, it would alter our course and lead to
disaster.”

“You disagree?”

“I have asked her on many occasions what will happen and she
never tells me anything. She’ll fix supper for four when she’s had no call
saying I’m coming with a guest, but that’s as far as she’ll go.”

“It seems a waste of her gift.”

“Yes. I have had that discussion with her more than once. My
mother keeps her own counsel and lives very much apart from the psi world. She
will occasionally give her friends advice on career or romance, but nothing
more serious.”

“But she sent you off as a child to be trained.”

“Yes. It was my destiny.” That word again. Why did it always
come down to destiny?

“Do you believe that?”

He turned the car down the long road to the airfield. “I
don’t know, but she has her own ideas and there is no changing her mind. I’ve
had a good life, my parents love me. I have no complaints.”

Will’s plane sat on the tarmac with the steps down but the
big man was not in sight. It was a small private airport with one large hangar
and several small planes parked to the right.

Once he parked the car, he grabbed their bags and called out
for Will. No response.

Rain said, “It’s too quiet.”

He agreed and drew his weapon. She did the same. He pointed
toward the plane and she nodded understanding that he wanted her to check on
Will while he made sure the hangar was clear. The barn-style doors were open
about three feet. The sun had gone down hours ago. The spotlights from the
building and the runway lights allowed him to see, but inside it was completely
dark.

He was inches from the door. His stomach clutched, warning
him to be alert. Almost there.

Rain screamed and something clattered to the ground.

Jess turned, weapon ready. She was at the top of the steps.
A man in full black BDUs and body armor held her around the throat with a
handgun pressed to her temple. Shit.

The hard barrel of a gun pressed to his skull from behind.
“Don’t do anything stupid. Plans have changed and you are wanted alive, McMean,
but I’m told that if I have to kill you to bring her in, I have authorization
to do so.”

“Where is our pilot?”

The man behind him laughed. “Safe. You should start to worry
about yourself and your partner. Now lift your hands and give me the gun.”

Jess did as he was told. Rain’s eyes were filled with fear
and also anger. He kept his gaze locked with hers until her apprehender pulled
her backward into the plane.

“What do you want?”

“For now just get in the airplane and don’t give me any
problems. If you can’t do that, I’ll kill you and make sure that pretty partner
of yours remembers this flight for the rest of her life, however long that
might be. I’m considering killing you just to get my hands on that fine ass.”

He knew losing his temper would only get him killed. Rain
wouldn’t benefit if he was shot and left dead here in Louisiana. Ignoring the
taunt, he walked forward, hands in the air, and climbed the steps into the
plane.

The second soldier held a gun to Rain. She sat quietly in
one of the bucket seats with her hands in her lap.

Jess was pushed from behind and fell into the seat on the
opposite side of the plane. He didn’t resist. It was too soon and there was too
much to find out. The guy who had been holding Rain made his way to the cockpit
and the other sat in the forward-most seat with his gun aimed at her. It was
smart. They knew Jess wouldn’t make a move as long as Rain was in danger.

He leaned back in the bucket seat and made himself
comfortable. “I’m curious as to why you are taking us in rather than killing
us. It seemed as though your boss’s plan has been to rid the world of our kind.
He’s made several attempts on our lives. Why the change of plan?”

His captor pulled a plastic restraint out of the pocket of
his vest. It was a single loop and he circled it around Jess’ right wrist and
secured it around the steel support under the arm rest. “The plan has always
been to take her in alive. I don’t know why you have suddenly become valuable.”

Jess studied him while he pulled the restraint tight. Not
quite as tall as him, but very fit. They had been smart, quick and efficient in
apprehending Rain. They had known she was his weakness. Damn. These soldiers
were of a higher quality than the men who had attacked them in Yellowstone or
the six from New Orleans. Breckenridge was stepping up his game. Mercenaries of
this caliber came with a very high price tag.

They were speeding down the runway. His stomach dropped with
the change in cabin pressure as they took off. Rain’s hands ball into fists.
They banked to the right, heading east. How far east?

The mercenary took the seat across from Rain. A small table
separated them and he leveled the gun at her head. He looked toward Jess.
“Don’t try any of that psi stuff. You move so much as a magnet with your mind
and I’ll wound you and her. Then you can watch while I take advantage of all
her attributes.”

Jess suspected he’d make good on his threats.

“Where are we going?” Rain asked.

Had she read his mind? No. That wasn’t her skill. Still, if
she’d open her mind and he could get a message to her…

The soldier didn’t bother to answer, only stared back as the
plane climbed to cruising altitude and continued east.

Firing a weapon in flight was dangerous. Would this mercenary
risk it? Probably. Jess had other options, but he needed to wait. He needed to
know where they were headed.

He pushed his thoughts toward Rain.
Is your mind open,
cher
?

Very slowly, she leaned her head forward. The move could
have been mistaken for her stretching her neck.

There’s a Taser in the console between the seats on your
side. I’ll tell you when.

Her hand slid along the compartment. It too was a casual
move.

Be patient. We have to wait for our moment.

She had obviously heard him. She didn’t respond, but he knew
projecting thoughts was not her skill. However, because she was
ultra-sensitive, she was the perfect receptacle for receiving information even
from his substandard telepathic skills.

An hour slipped by and they banked to the left slightly.
Northeast.
Outside the window, there was a light cloud cover and the country below was
shadowed in darkness. They were not flying very high, but they were still above
ten thousand feet. It would be better if they could wait until just before the
descent. But how long would that be?

The cockpit door opened. The pilot stepped out and narrowed
his eyes at Jess.

“Trouble?” The one with the gun turned to talk to the pilot.

“No. Just need to use the head.” With that he walked down
the aisle and back into the bathroom.

Jess’ heart sped up. That had been the perfect distraction.
Had Rain used it to retrieve the Taser? He couldn’t watch her. It would have
drawn their attention. He just had to trust. If he was wrong, he was about to
put her in even more danger.

The pilot headed back to his station. They had to be getting
close to the east coast. He assumed based on the direction and time of travel,
their destination was the Washington D.C. area. As soon as the cockpit door was
secured Jess sent the message he was going to regret. He hated the entire idea,
but it was their only hope
. You have to get him close to you. You’re going
to have to put on a show.

He could only see her out of the corner of his eyes but he
saw her eyes close briefly. Rain slid slowly out of her jacket. She arched her
back, pushing her firm breasts forward to where they nearly touched the table
and a breathy sigh pushed from between her lips.

Jess sent a wave of lust in the mercenary’s direction and
didn’t bother to hide his own admiration for the woman in the cabin. She was
stunning as she stretched her arms over her head and let out a low moan of
satisfaction. Her gaze came to rest on the man across the table from her.

The guy didn’t have a chance, but Jess bent his mind a touch
further for insurance. As if he were the moth and Rain the flame, the soldier
eased out of his seat and rounded the table.

Jess tugged on his restraint and attempted to stand. “Hey,
what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

The merc turned around and pointed his gun at Jess. “Shut
the fuck up and don’t move. I only have to bring you in alive. I have no
problem shooting out both your kneecaps right now.”

Easing back into his seat, Jess had to hold back his rage at
what he was putting Rain through.

She looked up at the other man as if he were a cherry lollipop
she couldn’t wait to get her mouth on. Licking her lips and running her hand
down the side of her breast. That same hand disappeared beneath the folds of
the jacket she had disregarded at her side.

The soldier leaned over her, nearly climbing into the same
seat as he dipped his head to taste her full lips.

Jess’ fingers were balled so tight they began to cramp. If
he’d made a mistake… No, she could handle this.
Trust her.

Jess absently put his gun on the table. His other hand
clutched the back of her seat. His body descended slowly and nearly touched
hers.

The familiar crackle of electricity sounded in the airplane
cockpit. The merc stumbled backward and Rain moved forward with him, holding
the Taser’s head flush against his neck. He jerked several more times and
collapsed on the floor.

A wave of extreme pride washed over Jess. “Great job.”

She winked, pulled the knife out of the sheath on the
soldier’s belt and cut Jess’ restraint. “Now what?”

Jess took the Taser, found an extra battery in the
compartment where Rain had gotten it and slapped the new charge into place.

“See if he has any more restraints on him and secure him to
something. Check him for additional weapons. I’ll take care of the pilot.”

He stepped toward the door. This would have to be quick.

“Wait, can you fly this thing?” Her expression, wide-eyed
and open-mouthed, was comical.

He grinned back at her. He wondered if she noticed the
hesitation in his smile. If she did, she kept it to herself and worked to immobilize
the merc.

A second later, his full attention was on the door. He
opened it. The pilot was relaxed, watching the instruments while the autopilot
flew the plane. His mouth opened as if to ask a question of his partner and
Jess put the Taser to the side of his neck. His body went rigid and he
collapsed. Jess dropped the weapon and unbuckled the inert body of the pilot
before dragging him out of the cockpit and pulling two handguns off him.

Rain came forward with additional plastic restraints and helped
secure the pilot to the table base.

She stood up and wiped her hands on her jeans as if she was
soiled from touching the enemy. Jess wrapped his arm around her waist and
pulled her tight against him. “You were amazing.”

Her arms wrapped tightly around his back. “Thanks. I’m glad
you know this plane and all the things Will has hidden here.”

“There’s probably a full arsenal in the pantry. Will’s a bit
of nut when it comes to collecting firearms.”

Gently, she pulled away from him and he reluctantly released
her. “I can go and check that out, but can you land this plane?”

She hadn’t missed his hesitation. “I’m going to be honest
with you. I’m not the greatest pilot and I’ve never flown anything this fancy.”

“So that’s what, a maybe? I’m not that keen on jumping out
of a perfectly good airplane.”

Neither was he. Plus, he had a feeling that they were headed
for a pretty populated area and when this aircraft plummeted to the ground it
would not be good. Maybe he could adjust the autopilot to dump someplace out in
the Atlantic. “I’m going to try to call Tessa and see if Joshua can talk us
down.”

If it were possible, her eyes got even wider. She released
her breath slowly. “Okay. You go call for help and I’ll see if we can put up a
fight when and if you get us down from here.”

“You’re calmer than I expected.” In fact he’d begun to
wonder if she understood the seriousness of the situation.

Leaning forward, she gave him a quick kiss. “I have faith in
you. Besides, I expected to be killed back in Yellowstone. What’s one more
emergency after what we’ve done in the last forty-eight hours?”

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

“Of course not.” She grinned, belying her words. “But if
we’re going to die in the next few minutes, I’d better stop being pissed off at
you.”

Jess sat in the pilot’s seat and strapped in. The digital
flight deck blinked colorfully in front of him. The plane was state of the art
with touch-screen navigation, traffic and 3-D surface views. He was out of his
league. Worst-case scenario, he knew where the parachutes were. He pulled out
his cell phone and dialed.

“Where are you?” Tessa practically screamed over the phone.

He pulled the microphone away from his ear. “At the moment
I’m in Will’s airplane, but I don’t know where Will is.” He checked the
navigation screen and looked out the window at mountains and clouds. “I’d say
we’re over North Carolina heading toward Washington D.C.”

“What happened?” He could hear the concern underneath her
all-business demeanor.