Roberts, Sarah - Action Hero Junkie [Movieland] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Sarah Roberts Page B

movie by clueing them in. After all, this part was supposed to have taken place a long time before the military action had hit the screen. “Cadero questioned orders. Instead of having him killed, the commandant sent Cadero away for duty somewhere else. When Cadero returned, he found out the commandant had got hold of his sister. She hasn’t been seen since—at least, not by anyone I’m aware of—but it’s said she doesn’t walk now.”
    The general’s face darkened, and the lines bracketing his mouth deepened. “What happened then?”
    “Cadero went crazy, tried to attack the commandant. He was beaten up pretty bad then taken out in a boat and dumped overboard in the harbor. Somehow he made it back to shore. Some townspeople found him on the beach and hid him.”
    “So Cadero is in hiding.” The general’s bushy eyebrows bristled in a ferocious frown. “Do you know where?”
    Mia shook her head. “He has friends at the cantina. Not the soldiers, but others, like the bartender.”
    “He might be the edge we need.” The general didn’t take long to think about it. He nodded decisively. “Find Cadero for me, Smith.”
    “There’s just one more little thing you might want to know.” Mia looked at the general, then at Aiden, then back at the general. “Cadero is really, really mean, and really, really crazy.”
    “Loose cannon.” The general’s voice was dispassionate. He shrugged. “We’ll have to watch him close, then.”
    “Sir, I’ve also got another idea. Mia says the commandant has a habit of standing at the window of his office. What if we put a sniper in the church bell tower?” Aiden took his thumbnail and ran a trajectory line from point to point on the map of the town.
    “Just on the chance of getting off a shot? Risky, but I like it.” The general gave an approving nod. He smiled, baring his teeth clenched around the cigar. “Good! I’ll give the order.” The general looked at Mia, and she swore that she could see regret in his hard eyes. “You’ve been a great help in your short stay with us, Dr. Haven. We will miss you. Smith will see that you get back to the clinic tonight.”
    “ Tonight ?” Mia thought she could feel a part of her drop into her toes that had no business being there. It felt real heavy, and she thought it was bleeding.
    “I think it will be best. That is all.” With a last look at Mia and Aiden, the general turned his back on them. His posture was stiff. Mia knew it would be of no use to argue.
    Mia felt numb. Aiden took her arm and urged her to movement. She didn’t know what she did with the coffee cup. She might even have dropped it. Without opening her mouth even once, Mia let Aiden guide her out of the headquarters building and into the hot sunlight.
    They walked the short distance to Aiden’s quarters. Neither one of them said a word. Mia couldn’t seem to wrap her mind around it. She had to leave tonight . Just before she stepped inside, she looked up at the skies. The sun was already starting to sink, streaking pink and gold across the clouds. They didn’t have long. She was shrieking inside. What happened to my happy-ever-after?
    Mia began to feel frantic. “It isn’t supposed to end like this! Not so soon!”
    Aiden guided her to the sofa and sat her down. He dropped down beside her. His weight squished the cushion, and she fell against him. He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers. He sighed heavily. “Mia, I’m being sent out on a mission. I have to see that you get safely back home before I go.”
    Mia clutched his hand really hard. “But you proposed to me!” she blurted. “I can’t go yet! ” She had gotten tears in her eyes. She swiped them away with her free hand.
    Aiden looked pained. “You’ve got to know I still want to marry you. That hasn’t changed.”
    “But how? When?” Mia wanted answers, good ones that she could live with. Mia felt like her insides were cracking open and she was oozing out. It hurt, a