"Yes, that's his name." He looked at Elena. "May I?"

She nodded curtly. Dominic was stirring and she didn't want Barry to be present when he found out what had happened.

Forbes was staring out the window down at the ground below. "Come here for a moment, Elena."

She went to the window. "What's wrong? Is there-`

Black smoke. Flames spiking up against the sky.

"Dominic's house?"

"Yes," she whispered. All those memories of Barry's childhood-gone, destroyed in one cruel act. She closed her eyes for a moment until the pain subsided. "We're not going to tell Barry."

"I'm sorry."

"So am I. I have to break it to Dominic. He spent six years in that house. It was his home too." She sat down beside Dominic and leaned back against the fuselage. She could feel the craft vibrate against the muscles of her spine, and she shifted to ease the pressure. Her wound was throbbing again and she felt a little light-headed.

Hold on. She could let go soon. But it wasn't safe yet.

She closed her eyes and waited for Dominic to wake.

"You shouldn't have let Galen do it," Dominic said.

"It was done before I realized what was happening." Elena was silent for a moment. "But I won't lie to you. I would have done it myself. I was planning on it."

He shook his head. "You can't take people's choices away from them, Elena."

"I can if it means keeping them alive. I don't have that many people in the world that I care about. I won't let any of you be taken from me."

He smiled crookedly. "Even if it means taking us on one by one."

"Chavez burned your house. He would have killed you."

"I'm no novice at hide-and-seek. Remember all those years I spent with the guerrillas. I'm just a little out of practice."

"Chavez wouldn't have given you the opportunity to regain any lost skills. He would have tracked you down and butchered you. He'll do anything to hurt me now."

"Now?" He reached out and gently touched her cheek. "He's already tried hard to ruin your life."

"He didn't care before. It didn't mean anything to him. I was only an amusement." She added bitterly, "I guarantee he's not amused now." She took his hand, her voice vibrating with feeling. "I know you're thinking about not getting on that plane in Medell¡n. Please come with us. What would happen to Barry if I don't get through this? We need you."

"You have Forbes and Galen."

"They're strangers. They don't care anything about him. He's only a pawn to them." Her grasp tightened. "Come with us for a few weeks, a month. You've given me six years. Just give me a little more time."

"Elena."

"I'm begging you," she said unevenly. "Just until Chavez is caught."

He sighed and then slowly nodded. "A few months. Then I have to get back."

"Thank God." She let her breath out in a profound sigh of relief. "And thank you, Dominic."

"Since when do there have to be thanks between us? Now, where is Barry? I've got to show him I'm alive and stirring."

She nodded at the front of the helicopter. "Galen has him."

He flinched as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Galen seems to be taking charge in a number of ways."

"Only until we get to the U.S. Then we're done with him. Forbes told me he only brought him into the picture to get us out."

"That may not be such a good thing. He seems to be a handy man to have around. You're going to be on unfamiliar ground and you're going to need help."

"Forbes will take care of things. We made a deal and he'll keep it." She glanced out the window. "I think we're descend-ing. We must be landing in Medell¡n."

"So she persuaded him to come along." Forbes's gaze was fastened on Dominic and Barry, who were hunched over a game of checkers toward the front of the jet. "I wasn't sure she'd be able to do it."

"She would have moved heaven and earth to see that he wasn't left behind." Galen's gaze shifted to Elena, who was sitting by herself across the aisle. She was bolt upright, staring straight ahead, her muscles locked into place. "And she's got a damn strong will. I don't know how she's even managing to sit up." He stood. "But I believe it's time to pull the plug."

Elena stiffened warily when he crossed to stand beside her. "Yes?"

"Time to go to bed." Galen checked his wristwatch. "It will be at least seven hours before we reach the coast. There's a sleeping compartment and bathroom behind those curtains. Go and hit the sack until we get there."

"I'm fine here."

"Bullshit. You're just afraid you'll fall apart if you relax. Go on and lie down. I'll get some painkillers and bring them to you."

"I won't have Barry worried."

"He won't be worried. I'll take care of it. He'll be more worried if you collapse. He's going to an entirely new environment. He'll need you to be able to help him adjust."

"I'll be able."

"Right." He helped her to her feet. "If you get some rest. You don't look so good." He gave her a push toward the curtains. "Wash your face and try to get comfortable. I'll give you a few minutes."

"Your concern is touching."

"I'm not concerned. It's a matter of professional pride." He moved down the aisle toward Dominic and Barry. "You were my assignment, and I have to make sure you're still alive and kicking when I bow out."

Elena moved her cheek, trying to find a cooler place on the pillow. There wasn't any coolness. So hot.

"Here I come. Ready or not." Galen had pulled back the curtains and entered the enclosure.

Elena sat up quickly on the bed. "What do you want?"

"Nothing to be alarmed about. Don't you remember? I was going to bring you something to ease the pain. You don't have to be defensive."

How else did he expect her to be, she thought hazily. Every minute that he was in the room she was aware of who he was, what he was. No, not what he was. She doubted if anyone knew what lay beneath the surface, but she knew he was dangerous and could be totally ruthless. Though he didn't look dangerous. He was lean and fit and his sparkling dark eyes held both humor and intelligence. Some women would have called him handsome. It wasn't until you studied him that you saw the threat.

He drew the curtains shut behind him. "Your cheeks are flushed. You probably have a fever. Unbutton your shirt and let me look at my handiwork."

She didn't move.

He came forward. "I need to change your bandage and make sure you haven't broken any stitches." He pulled two containers of pills out of his pocket. "Then, if you're a good girl, I'll give you a couple penicillin pills to fight the infection."

She stiffened. "I don't have to be a good girl. Neither Forbes nor Dominic would let you withhold medicine from me."

"It was just a turn of phrase." His gaze narrowed on her face. "What did you think I meant?"

She didn't answer.

"You thought I was talking about sex." His lips twisted. "You must be out of your head. I'm not that hard up."

"Men don't have to like a woman or even find her attractive to want to screw her. They only see us-they use us. You know that."

"I don't know that. And I don't like to be lumped in with the rest of mankind. It hurts my ego. Don't generalize."