"That I'd prefer to bathe alone."
Ty narrowed his eyes. "Then why'd he refer to you as my woman?"
"Because I asked to share a hut with you. I figured you'd think it was safer." Her tone was schoolteacher stoic, but the heat from her eyes told a different story. She bit off a chunk of bread and chewed.
"Good thinking. Sharing will keep me from sleeping on the ground outside your hut." For the first time in weeks, Ty took a relaxed breath. The trip was far from over, but they were at the pickup point, and the end was in sight.
The sound of natives chattering ended the conversation. Ty pushed back the flap, letting a cool breeze flow through. He chatted with Santiago for a moment and reentered to find Ana cutting up a piece of green fruit. The tension between his shoulders eased. Today would be fun.
"Santiago rustled up something to serve as a tub. Your bath is ready."
A frown played across her face. "What's funny?"
"Just remember life is all about interpretation and how people understand you." Ty swiped a slice of her fruit, popped it in his mouth and immediately regretted it. "That's nasty."
"I thought so, too. But you didn't ask."
"Your water's getting cold." He gestured out the door.
Ana rushed past him and around to the back of the hut where two makeshift tubs sat side-by-side. He stuck right on her bumper. No way was he missing this. He choked back a laugh when her head whipped around. "Something wrong?"
"Oh, hell no," she announced loudly.
Santiago's beaming smile vanished. He cast a wide-eyed glance Ty's direction, who shrugged his shoulders as if to say he didn't understand why she was upset.
"You say no share." Santiago waved his arms in the air, shooing off the two women who'd arrived and placed a stack of beige cloth next to the tubs.
"Look, honey, they brought towels and clean clothes," Ty said to Ana before turning to Santiago. "This is perfect, my friend. Thank you for accommodating my woman's request."
The chief nodded once. His expression was the definition of disappointment as he shuffled off, muttering, "My people will not disturb."
Ana went after him. Speaking rapidly in Santiago's native tongue, she apparently soothed the old man's feelings as his face lit up once more.
"Let me know when you're finished," Ty said when she returned. "I'll be up front."
He didn't pressure her to bathe at the same time he did, which no doubt, she'd expected. Instead, he turned his back on her and walked away. It wouldn't have worked anyway. If she got naked anywhere near him, he'd test her boundaries with the intent to break all the rules.
He retrieved his rifle from inside the hut and stationed himself against a tree where he was hidden from view but could see the road. Not that he expected company, but the cartel wasn't finished seeking retribution. Wishing and hoping were for kids at Christmastime. He had to be prepared and expect the worst. Next step was to get Ana on the boat and away from Santiago and his people. No one could learn of the tribe's assistance.
Ty fished out the satellite phone and informed Nate of their location. He confirmed their ride would be on time in the morning.
The breezes coming off the river were welcome. Ana was occupied, giving Ty a chance to review what lay ahead. And behind. The whys still nagged him. Ana's reckless endangerment of her life, not to mention his, puzzled and pissed him off. And why had she been kept alive and locked in that room? Why hadn't the guards just killed her and gotten it over with?
Santiago approached from the river side of the hut. Ty patted the grass, issuing an invitation to sit.
"You not wash?" Even though the tub was in back, the old man kept his gaze pointed at the river and away from the hut.
Ty chuckled at the hint so gently delivered. He knew he smelled rank, but being caught naked and empty-handed would be a disaster. "I'll bathe soon."
Santiago stood. Even without all the tattoos or trappings the other tribe they'd encountered wore, he was regal.
"Your woman comes."
Ty nodded, rose and turned toward her, thinking the chief's hearing had remained sharp.
Jesus. She was beautiful. Wearing a colorful wraparound that looped up and behind her neck, circled back to cover her breasts, and then draped across her hips, she could've passed as one of the tribe. He filed that thought in his memory in case he needed to hide her. Her creamy dark skin, wet brown hair, and cinnamon eyes glistened against the reds and greens of the cloth. She was standing in front of him before he realized Santiago had gone. The scent of flowers wafted off her skin, wrapping around him like velvet arms. He took a single step back.
"Feeling better?"
"Much. Your turn."
"Later. How's your knee and ankle?"
"Good."
He lifted her hair off her neck. The rash was persistent. Tomorrow they'd let a doctor take a look at her.
"You smell nice."
"You don't. Now please bathe." She tugged at the rifle. Her gaze was fiery and determined. "I'm as good a shot as you. Go."
He opened his mouth to protest. Instead, he begrudgingly trudged to the unused tub of now-cold water. He was in, soaped, and out in record time. His pistol and knife were always within arm's reach.
Santiago appeared from nowhere. Ty had the gun aimed at the native in seconds.
"Shit. I nearly shot you." He slapped his sternum in a failed effort to slow his galloping heart.
"Give me your clothes." He extended his hand. "Have back soon."
Ty wasn't inclined to give up his belongings until he saw the drawstring linen-looking pants offered to him. Besides, his personal clothing was disgusting. He rubbed his hand over the stubble on his face and head. Hard to hurry shaving, but he'd gotten good at it over the years.
After he and Ana rested a couple of hours, Ty walked the back side of the village. He'd checked out the boat dock when he'd arrived a few weeks back. It would be their most vulnerable spot. Nowhere to hide, nothing to use for a shield, they were sitting ducks if Ortega's men showed up.
Laughter drew his attention to the river's edge. Ana ran down the bank, being cheered on and chased by kids of all ages. She squealed and skidded to a stop. They were playing stickball.
He'd been specific in his instructions. Under no circumstances was she to wander out into the open. Yet there she played as if she didn't have a care in the world, showing herself to any passerby who could send word to Ortega.
Her head turned toward him as if she sensed his presence. She smiled and waved him to join. Maybe some time here in the village was just what she needed. He hated to put an end to her fun, but her safety was his responsibility. Too bad he couldn't allow this bit of relief.
Tomorrow would be her worse day yet.
Tomorrow she'd learn she'd been granted political asylum, and for her own safety would be leaving Colombia forever.
Tomorrow he and Ana parted company.
Chapter Six
Out of the corner of her eye, Ana caught movement in the trees. She turned, swallowing in time to keep her heart from jumping out of her throat.
As he walked toward her and the children, Ty's dark skin shimmered under the bright sunlight. The cream-colored pants he wore hung low and loose on his hips, accentuating his narrow waist. His bare chest was dusted with black hair that tempted her fingers to touch. The muscles in his arms bulged. She couldn't be sure from that distance, but his six-pack abs just might be eight.
He strode toward her in long, purposeful strides. His gaze burned her skin.
She couldn't read his mood, but as he drew closer, she realized Ty had that pissed-off look he wore so well. His jaw was set, and his teeth appeared to be permanently clamped shut. By the time he reached her with his cold eyes and flared nostrils, Ana was mad, too.
"What now? I feel human for the first time in days and don't need you to ruin things." She put her hands on her hips and glared up at him.
His scowl worsened. The grooves between his eyes deepened. Her effort to
show him she wasn't intimidated didn't work.
"One simple request. That's all I asked of you. Did you stay out of sight? Hell, no. You're out in the open, running up and down the river. If you don't care for your safety, think of Santiago and his people. Word doesn't need to get out that they helped us."
Ana glanced at the children. How could she have forgotten? If anything happened to them because of her...her stomach twisted at the thought.
"I just got caught up in the moment. They came in a group, giggling and carrying on. I accepted their invitation without thinking."
How could she not have thought of the children's safety? They deserved to run and play without her placing them in danger. Her childhood had been robbed of her. Watching her parents bleed to death had taken all playfulness out of her life. Even more reasons to celebrate when Ortega's life was ended.
Battling back tears, she walked faster and faster, trying to escape his judgmental gaze. Just outside the hut, strong fingers wrapped around her bicep, stopping and turning her to face him.
"I'm sorry to be so harsh."
"No. I deserved it. Going out in the open was a stupid stunt."
"After what you've been through the past few days, I can see how a little escapism would make you forget."
His attempt at soothing her guilty conscience touched her. He stood so close that if she went up on her tiptoes she'd be close to reaching his sexy lips. His scent surrounded her, filling her with smells of soap and Ty. She rolled her hands into fists to keep from touching him.
"Thank you for being so understanding."
"You do make my job harder."
That snapped her out of the lust-filled fog. "Right. I'm just a paycheck." No way was she analyzing why she wanted him to deny it. She'd taken psychology in college. This twinge in her heart was because he'd rescued her.
"Ana." His voice was low and soft, sliding across her skin like silk.
She couldn't listen. She'd put the villagers in danger and made a fool out of herself all in one day. She stepped into the hut and closed the flap behind her. Pacing, trying to catch her breath, she realized how warm it was with no air moving. Pushing back the door cover, she spotted Ty. Rifle at his side, he'd leaned against a tree. Standing guard. Protecting her.
****
Ty hovered over the sleeping Ana. He knelt next to the pallet she dozed on and studied her. The bruise on her cheek had faded even more. The rash on her neck appeared to be waning, but the scratches on her arms would take a few days. None of that detracted from her beauty.
He'd been rough on her yesterday. His mind had seized when he'd spotted her out in the open. One bullet from a rifle could've ended her life. He couldn't allow her to take chances.
He hated to wake her. Lying here, sleeping so peacefully, she didn't seem to be pissed at him anymore. He'd carry this memory and that of her laughing and playing with the kids forever. He touched her shoulder.
"It will be time to go soon. You need to dress."
Long, sweeping eyelashes fluttered. Her eyes opened, and she appeared disoriented for a second. Then a smile wiped away the confused look.
"I haven't slept that soundly in a long time," she said behind a yawn.
He set her dry clothes next to her. "Santiago cut the legs off your jeans. Said he couldn't repair the ripped side. I'd rather you stay covered, but the job was done before I saw them."
"I'll try not to show too much skin."
Instant reversal of personalities. No doubt, she hadn't forgiven him. She'd also misunderstood his comment over the shortening of her jeans. He shook his head in frustration. "The more flesh exposed, the bigger the meals for the bugs."
Her expression softened. The thought crossed his mind that if anything snacked on her it should be him.
"Got it." She rose to a sitting position and glanced around the small pallet. "Where did you sleep?"
"I'll sleep in Texas." Dressed and ready to go, he stood and slung his backpack over his shoulder.
"I don't know how you go without rest." She stood and stretched.
Lord help him. He had to move out. Early-morning Ana was sweet and sexy enough without her stretching like a cat.
"Discipline." He pointed to the makeshift table. "There's time for you to eat. Something that tastes like boiled tree bark is in a pot next to the fresh fruit. If I were you, I'd skip the liquid refreshment."
She laughed, and the atmosphere in the hut changed. "You didn't drink it?"
"Hell, no. I have enough hair on my chest."
"I'm guessing it's Santiago's substitute for coffee." She poured two cups and took a sip from hers. "It's an acquired taste."
"I'll be outside." Ty picked up the second cup. If she could drink that liquid tar, so could he. He headed for the tree he'd used as shelter. He took a taste and grimaced, but he drank it. He hoped things went smoothly today, but if they didn't, he wanted to be sharp.
A family of noisy birds lived high overhead. Now that he and Ana were leaving, the constant chatter had quieted. Maybe they'd finally decided he was harmless. He shifted to where he could see where the river and the road met. The FBI agent who was scheduled to pick them up supposedly knew this area. He should have no trouble finding the village.
Ty spun on his heels at the sound behind him. "Jesus, don't do that."
Ana blew on the hot liquid in her cup. Steam rose and caressed her face. Made his fingers itch to do the same.
"Caffeine getting to you already?"
"Not hardly." Ty bit back a question when she tugged at the jeans Santiago had cut off. They rested a couple of inches above her knee and exposed the scar he'd noticed earlier. "We'll be leaving soon. Let's walk down so you can say your goodbyes, but..."
"I remember. Don't wander out in the open."
"Just be safe." He paused. Should he mention political asylum? Relocating to the US meant she'd have to let go of her desire for revenge.
"I understand what you're saying. But know this, I spent too many years in Europe being 'safe.' I got up every morning, went to school, found a job, and worked. I never lost the desire for revenge. Some things you don't forget."
"Where'd you learn to handle a gun?" Ty sipped at the black sludge, wondering how much she'd tell him.
"After I came home, my adopted father taught me how to defend myself. The rest I picked up from a citizens group who fight to keep the cartels out of the cities."
Now, she'd piqued his interest. "Some of those groups are fanatics. The shit they teach screws up people's thinking."
"Not these people. They lobby the government for stronger laws and punishment. Sure, they carry guns, and sometimes they intercept and destroy a shipment of drugs. Somebody has to put an end to the cartels."
The time to tell her that she'd wasted her time had come. "Somebody else will have to kill Ortega. You get that it won't be you, right?"
Her brown eyes darkened to black as her beautiful face shifted. Hard lines drew her mouth downward. "You think that if you want. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it." She stomped off toward the river.
Ty caught her, turning her around to face him. He had to know. It had been burning a hole in his gut since he'd heard she pulled the dumb stunt of trying to get close to the bastard.
"Why?" he demanded. "Who'd you promise?" This was important to her, so important she seemed to be willing to die to make it happen. He had to know why.
"My mother, while I stood over her grave." Tears filled Ana's eyes. One broke and slid down her cheek.
"He personally killed her and your dad?" Ty's blood chilled. He'd guessed Ortega had ordered their deaths, but this made it even more personal.
"Yes. His father ordered the kills, but Ortega wielded the knife." She swiped the back of her hand over her eyes as if to wipe out the threat of crying.
"He did that?" Ty's hand moved of its own accord toward the scar on her leg. She stepped back and tugged at the leg of her shortened jeans.
"That and more."
"Define
more."
"I was left for dead." Her eyebrow lifted, and a faint smirk lifted on side of her mouth. "That was his mistake."
"Maybe I'll kill him for you."
Her eyes widened in surprise, hope filling them with light. "I can hire you to help."
He heard the roar of an engine just as Santiago ran up the incline. He waved at Ty, indicating to come here.
Ty gladly ended the conversation. "Our ride's here."
She clamped her mouth shut and took off walking toward the dock. Damn it, he didn't have time to explain things. Her time in her home country was near an end. No way could she come back, let alone hire him.
He could hear his boss and friend, Nate Wolfe, flipping out and insisting the job was finished. Lost and Found, Inc. located and/or rescued missing people. Hell, Ty wasn't even responsible for getting her to the United States. He was minutes away from turning that job over to the FBI.
They said their goodbyes and thanks to the villagers before walking down the dock. Ty's gut gnawed at him. He understood losing a family member and the guilt that sometimes went with that loss. The pain in Ana's eyes had sent anger boiling through his veins.
He studied the blond man standing on the dock who'd introduced himself to Ana. Jack Fury resembled a beach bum more than a federal agent. With long hair, board shorts and a blue T-shirt, he didn't look old enough to have made it through Quantico.
Jack extended his hand. Ty returned his firm grip, saying nothing. This was business, and pleasantries weren't necessary or expected.
"Ready?" Jack offered to assist Ana, but she brushed past him, climbing over the side without help. "Trouble?" Jack asked, his gaze shifting from Ana to Ty.
"Nothing important." The words were out before Ty realized how they'd sounded. He hadn't meant that her need for revenge was insignificant, but judging from her expression that's exactly how she'd taken his comment.
One more goodbye to Santiago and Ty untied the lines. Taking the rope with him, he jumped in and took a seat. Jack eased the boat away from the dock into open water. The craft sprang to life when he shoved the throttle forward.
Cold Day In Hell Page 7
