Diana Palmer Collected 1-6: Soldier of Fortune / Tender Stranger / Enamored / Mystery Man / Rawhide and Lace / Unlikely Lover

“A mercenary,” she said in a choked tone.

“Yes,” he replied, his whole stance challenging.

But she didn’t say anything more. She couldn’t. Her dreams were lying around her feet, and she hurt all the way to her soul. This news was much more devastating than what she’d seen on the plane. She didn’t lift her eyes again; she didn’t speak. Seconds later the pilot, copilot and stewardess who’d been held prisoner joined them, and they went to the airport office. Dani walked apart from Dutch, not touching him. He noticed that, and his face was grim when they got into the building.

Minutes later they were sitting in a small office, going over and over what had happened for the airport security people and three men who looked very much like federal officers. It didn’t take long, and they were told that they’d have to appear in court, but Dani hardly heard any of it. She was trying to deal with the realization that she was married to a professional mercenary soldier. And she didn’t know what to do.

Her eyes studied him as he spoke to the other men. He didn’t look like one. But the air of authority that had puzzled her, his confidence, the way he seemed to take command of things—yes, it made sense now. She even knew when it had happened, back when that woman had made a fool of him. That was the beginning. And now he had a lifestyle he liked, and a biddable little wife who’d be waiting back at home while he went around the world looking for trouble.

She lifted the cup of coffee they’d brought her and sipped it quietly. No, sir, she thought, her eyes narrowing. No, sir, she wasn’t going to be his doormat. She cared for him, but there had to be more to a relationship than sex. And if that was all he wanted from her, he could go away.

A cold sickness washed over her as she realized how much a part of her life he’d become. So quickly, he’d absorbed her. All she had to do was look at him and she ached to hold him, to be loved by that warm, powerful body. She knew so much about him, things she blushed even remembering. But none of it was real. She couldn’t sit alone at home while he went out and risked his life. My God, she thought, no wonder he didn’t want children! How could he have kids in his line of work? They’d never even see their father! As for Dani, how could she live with worry eating at her like an acid? Every time he left she’d be wondering if she’d ever see him again. She’d wonder, and not know, and eventually the not-knowing would kill her soul. No, she thought miserably. Better to have a sweet memory than a living nightmare. He’d have to divorce her. She knew already that he wouldn’t give up his way of life. And she couldn’t stay married to him under the circumstances. So there was nothing left. A dream, ending too soon.

After the meeting was over they walked quietly outside the terminal. The captain followed them, along with the male flight attendant who brought Dani’s purse and her sack of books.

“What now?” she asked helplessly.

“The airline will pay for hotel rooms,” the captain said with a kind smile. “Tomorrow we’ll fly you to Greenville.”

Dutch looked hunted as he glanced over the captain’s shoulder. “The press corps has taken up residence,” he growled.

“No stomach for stardom?” the captain grinned.

“None whatsoever,” came the taut reply. “Dani and I are catching the next flight out of here tonight,” he added flatly. “I’m afraid that the international wire services will have a field day.”

“Probably so,” the captain agreed. “It seems our erstwhile hijackers have some interesting ties to a certain Central American dictator and a few communist strings as well.” He sighed. “They’d have wanted weapons once we landed,” he said, glancing at Dutch.

“Yes. And they’d have gotten them,” the blond man said. He lit a cigarette.

“Used that knife very often?” the captain asked quietly.

Dutch nodded. “Far too often, in years past.”

“Would you mind telling me what occupation you’re in?” he was asked.

Dutch eyed him quietly. “Care to make an educated guess?”

“Covert operations.”

He nodded, noticing Dani’s hollow-eyed stare. He looked down at her with unreadable eyes. “I’m a professional mercenary. My specialty is logistics, but I’m handy with small arms as well, and I have something of a reputation with that knife. I made it myself.” He glanced at the captain. “When the surgeons get it removed, I’d like to have it back.”

The captain nodded. “I’ll have it gold-plated, if you like. You saved us one hell of a mess. Any time you need help, just let me know.”

“That isn’t likely, but thank you.”

The captain walked away and Dutch smoked his cigarette quietly while the press converged on the pilot once he was alone.

“Is that why you wanted to avoid the press?” Dani asked hesitantly. He frightened her. Despite the fact that she’d read The Dogs of War twice and seen the film three times, she could hardly believe what she was hearing. It was like watching a movie. All of it. The hijacking, the way he’d handled the hijackers, the matter-of-fact way he’d dealt with all of it. Her eyes were glued to his face while she turned it all around in her mind. She was married to a soldier of fortune. Now what was she going to do?

He saw that look in her eyes and could have cursed. Fate was giving him a hard time.

“I don’t like publicity,” he said. “My private life is sacred.”

“And where do I fit into your life?” she asked quietly. It was too soon to ask that, but things needed to be said now.

“You’re my wife,” he said simply.

“Why did you marry me?” she asked.

He looked hunted. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. He took a deep puff of his cigarette before he replied. “I wanted you.”

So that was all, she thought. It didn’t hurt, although she was sure it was going to, when the numbness wore off. She was still in a state of shock. She had risked her life, seen a man wounded in front of her eyes, learned that her husband was a mercenary….