El Jaguar’s eyes narrowed, misgiving lighting his eyes as well. “I do not know a man like you’ve described.” He gulped his coffee, then wiped his mouth. A pause lingered between them until the rebel came to a conclusion. He smiled and laughed, which Zane didn’t expect. “The ring we took from your fiancée is a fake. Does she know?”
Zane’s muscles tightened across his shoulders, but he tried to keep his breathing even. Interesting. “You had an appraisal done since yesterday?”
El Jaguar nodded. “Of course. Your fake ring is glorious.”
“Keira didn’t want to travel with her real ring, so I had a duplicate made.”
That knowing grin never left El Jaguar’s mouth. “I see. With good reason, it appears.”
“You don’t seem angry at being cheated out of the money.”
El Jaguar shrugged. “The money will come from somewhere else, if not from a beautiful woman’s jewelry.”
Zane allowed his fingers to clench the cup when he wanted to grip the other man’s neck. “She’s off-limits, like I said.”
Instead of getting pissed, the other man’s gaze turned thoughtful. He crossed his legs and put his mug down on the small table. He hooked his thumbs in his pants’ belt loops. An almost fatherly expression resided in his eyes, although he couldn’t be much older than Zane.
“Does she know what a possessive man you are?” El Jaguar asked. “Or maybe you are not certain of her loyalty.”
Zane shouldn’t have been amazed by the man’s outspokenness, but his concise and truthful perceptions cut to the quick. “She understands me and knows I demand fidelity.”
He chose the word fidelity to make sure the rebel understood what type of loyalty he meant. Lie through your teeth well, man. You don’t know if she’s trustworthy to anything but her grandfather, and maybe not even him. A twinge of self-disgust hit. Last night he’d betrayed his own ethics by succumbing to her charms. He’d fucked her without benefit of knowing whether she represented the enemy or not. Who was he kidding? She remained guilty until otherwise proven innocent, as far as he could tell. When he thought back to the almost animal intensity of their reactions to the pillars and the ancient porn show, he wondered if they’d been seduced. Never one to believe in the mystical, he didn’t like to think a force beyond their control had sent them into mating frenzy.
No, damn it. That is too fucking impossible for words.
Yet he’d lost his mind over her, wanting nothing more than to take Keira in every way possible.
“Señor Spinella, I noted last night you pitched your tent within the breeding circle.”
“The what?”
“The breeding circle.”
“It has a name?”
“Of course. It’s been in the area for as long as anyone can remember. And you must know why it was given the name.”
Zane drank the rest of his coffee. “No, why don’t you tell me?”
“It is said that anyone who stays within the circle for long will have insatiable sexual needs.”
Zane didn’t speak, unwilling to confirm that maybe this is what happened to him and Keira. El Jaguar shifted back on the small chair, his hands clasped at his waist. Almost as if he told an old friend a ghost story around a campfire, he looked at ease with the world. “When my people came to this land they discovered many artifacts, great statues and buildings erected before them, including the breeding circle. They revered the artifacts because they believed the builders were gods. The Indians didn’t build structures like these, especially not those with sex depicted in so many ways. They spoke about the buildings in whispers, as if the ghosts of these gods would come down and burn them.”
Zane sat up straighter. “There are other buildings in the jungle?”
The rebel nodded. “Yes. Rumor says Haan discovered them once and all—how would you say it?—all hell broke loose.”
Zane thought about that statement. “Hard to separate rumor from fact. The San Cristobal and Puerto Azul authorities tried to determine what happened on his expedition and nothing came of it.”
El Jaguar shrugged. “He is a very powerful man.”
“What about you? Are you a powerful man?”
The rebel chuckled. “More than you know.”
Knowing better than to ask again why the man in front of him was Haan’s enemy, Zane tried to enter the back door. “How did you get the name El Jaguar?”
Standing up and pacing over to one of the many maps strewn on the floor, the man stared down at it with narrowed eyes. “Only my people know that answer.”
“I take it the individuals in this camp are your people?”
“I am their leader.”
“And what are you leading them to?”
The rebel’s turned his dark gaze on Zane, a fire inside those eyes that spoke of long struggle and determination. “To return to them what is rightfully theirs.”
Instinct reared inside Zane. “Did Haan take your land when he built his property in the jungle?”
El Jaguar made a careless shrug. “He encroached on what is sacred to my people and with many around here who are not in my tribe.”
“It’s an old story fought in many places around the world. There is always someone bigger trying to subdue the weak.”
El Jaguar bristled, the same intensity coming off this man in waves that Zane had seen at the limo wreck. “We are not weak. We are subtle and relentless. We do not rely upon firepower to gain every objective.”
Zane nodded, realizing he’d stepped on this guy’s pride. “I didn’t mean to imply your people are weak. I meant this situation has played itself out all over the world at different times.”
“You mean history repeats itself.”
“Yeah.”
“I can deal with my piece of history, Señor. Nothing more. I can’t change what happens anywhere else but here in Puerto Azul.”
Cynical to the core in some ways, Zane didn’t know if he could agree even that much. “Do you think being subtle is the way to win?”
“Sometimes, it is the only right way to win.”
Reluctant admiration eased into Zane, even though he still didn’t know if he could trust El Jaguar. He sensed the rebel’s integrity and it confused Zane on a fundamental level. Haan was the enemy, but could El Jaguar be a friend?
Zane did the one thing he could; he questioned motives. “You have guns and you’re willing to rob the rich to get what you need.”
Striding back to his small desk and chair, El Jaguar sank down and smiled, all upset gone. “I never said I was a saint, Señor Spinella. But then, I think, neither are you.”
Smiling, Zane looked into his coffee. “You got that right. What do you think you can do against a man like Haan? Get him to abandon his property?”
“Perhaps.”
“You think if you terrorize him enough, he’ll relent?”
“Every man has a breaking point.”
Zane chuckled, the sound lacking mirth. “Don’t be so sure about that.” When El Jaguar simply stared at him with cool, unflinching nonchalance, he continued. “What have you done so far and what do you plan?”
El Jaguar’s expression hardened, and Zane wondered if he’d pushed too far. “You seek my plans? I do not think so.”
Trust, eh? One thing he wouldn’t obtain from El Jaguar anytime soon. Zane took another tack and switched the topic. “About my situation. I want some guarantees.”
Twitching one thick eyebrow, El Jaguar asked, “You think you are in a position to make ultimatums?”
“I think I’m in a position to compromise. Give me what I want, and maybe I can give you what you want.”
Outside a rustling and commotion startled Zane. Jumbled Spanish, guttural and heated, split the morning air. El Jaguar retrieved his weapon and pointed it at the door, his eyes now icy hard. Taking his cue, Zane did the same thing.
“I must see this El Jaguar immediately,” came Keira’s uncompromising tone. “What has he done with Zane Spinella?”
Keira glared at the two guards who trained their weapons on her with stern intent. Her harsh words a moment ago had been tantamount to “take me to your leader.” She didn’t care. When she’d awakened to an empty tent and no sign of Zane anywhere, a rare panic engulfed her. Heart beating fast with alarm, she’d charged across the camp toward the tent with the biggest guards. Fear that they’d hurt Zane made her reckless.
A demanding flow of Spanish came from the tent, and she recognized El Jaguar’s voice. Yes, she’d come to the right place. When the tent opened and out stepped the rebel leader and Zane, she scanned the SIA agent for signs of torture or injury and saw his scowl instead.
“Señorita, I hope you slept well?” El Jaguar asked. “Your accommodations were satisfactory?”
Taken aback by his friendly manner after she’d created havoc, she sputtered her reply. “I was… Yes, it was fine, thank you.”
“Did you want something else, Señorita?”
Before she could say a word, Zane latched onto her upper arm and started away with her. “We’ll check back with you after breakfast, El Jaguar.”
“But—” she started as he pulled her along with him back to the tent.
“Be quiet until we get inside our tent.”
When they reached the tent, he unzipped it, then said softly, “Get in.”
Throwing him a dirty look, she ducked inside the tent, then turned back to him. She stood straight and tall. “What was that all about? Did you have to haul me across the camp like a disobedient child?”
He put his automatic weapon near the tent flap, then took the few steps required to get right in her face. She decided not to move and give him the supreme satisfaction of intimidating her. For a full thirty seconds his mysterious eyes cataloged her like he’d never seen her before, a man trying to discover the meaning behind the universe.
“Damn it,” he said between his teeth, “what possessed you to charge across the camp and confront two heavily armed men? You could have been seriously hurt.”
His words hit her over the head like a sledgehammer. She didn’t do outrageous things without a plan, and yet she’d been foolhardy this morning in a way that defied common sense.
He is right. Damn it, he’s right. Embarrassment and residual anger threatened to shoot her contrition in the foot.
She swallowed hard and tried not to snap at him. “I’m sorry. I…” Okay, girl, just admit it to him. It might ease his ire. “When I woke up and you weren’t anywhere around, I was afraid they’d done something to you.”
To her surprise his expression went from tough-as-shoe-leather to amused and a bit gratified. “You were worried about me?”
“Well…yes.”
His mouth softened a little and his eyes held a rare tenderness that made her belly fill with heat. When he edged nearer until their bodies almost touched, she looked up and up into those gorgeous eyes. “I can take care of myself.”
“I know that, but I just reacted.”
He smiled, but it didn’t remove the sheer force in his gaze that compelled her to melt right then and there into useless putty. All he had to do was look at her a certain way and her heart galloped, her pussy moistened, and her brain seemed to transform to mush. Damn. I hate that.
“You’re pretty brave, you know?” he asked.
Words came from her without thought, refusing to be screened by protection mechanisms. “Do you like that in a woman?”
“Yeah, I do.” His voice dropped lower, a husky, compelling sound as he moved even closer. “But do me a favor. Next time you charge to my rescue, use a little less vinegar and more honey. You can’t be certain what these people will do.”
She knew he didn’t want anyone to hear them. “What were you doing in El Jaguar’s tent?”
“Trying to figure out who and what he is.”
He cupped her shoulder with one hand, then her face with the other so he could whisper into her ear. Hot breath tingled over her ear and sent a shudder of excitement through her.
With quiet deliberation, his voice a murmur of heat in her ear, he explained what he’d learned. Emotions, jumbled and uncertain, made her pause. She felt a little fuzzy from what happened all yesterday and last night. A rush of heat filled her at the memory of Zane’s touch, his lips, his cock. She’d made love with Zane, a man who scared her with his level of passion, his rough edges and dangerous life.
It had been the most glorious, wild, uninhibited sex she’d ever experienced.
What was I thinking? Obviously she hadn’t been thinking at all. A wild fling with a man who didn’t trust her—whom she couldn’t be certain she trusted—made no sense whatsoever. Hormones and the peculiar circumstances had pickled her brain.
“Then maybe El Jaguar isn’t our enemy, but just Haan’s,” she said around her confusion.
“Until we know for certain, keep your eyes peeled and don’t let your guard down for a minute.”
Huh. She could say the same thing about him. Her body still hummed from a low-level sexual overload that seemed to happen whenever he came near her. Hell, all she had to do was see him and it happened.
Maybe the wild episode in the jungle last night hadn’t worn away one hundred percent. She wished it would. Getting all hot and bothered and acting like a teenager around him would create problems for her in a heartbeat.
He chucked her under the chin with his index finger. “Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For being worried about me.”
Grudgingly she said, “I suppose it’s good for your male ego.”
He laughed. “Come on. Let’s find some breakfast.”
They checked the main supply tent and a woman there gave them a dish of fruits and breads. After they returned to their tent and consumed the food in record time, Zane headed out to ask El Jaguar about obtaining more supplies for the trip back to Haan’s estate.
Keira felt stronger now that she’d taken sustenance. She also wanted a bath in the worst way.
As if on cue, a young woman’s voice came from outside the tent. “Señorita Jessop. El Jaguar sent me.”
Keira opened the tent and a pretty, dark-haired woman stood outside the tent. She cradled towels, a bar of soap, and a pile of clothes in her arms.
“My name is Christina. El Jaguar said if you wished to bathe, I should take you to the small waterfall nearby. It is very tiny, but clean and safe there. It is not far.” Crystal clear and beautiful, the girl’s voice held genuine kindness.
Still, Keira had her doubts about leaving the camp. “I don’t know if we should.”
Christina reached for her hand and tugged her out of the tent. She started for a clearing not far from the tent. “Your man doesn’t like you to be clean?”
Keira smothered a grin. “Yes, he does, but is it really safe to go out here?”
“It is around the corner. Very safe. We’ve bathed here before.” Christina’s patrician nose wrinkled. “Besides, you stink.”
Instead of being offended, Keira chuckled.
Seconds later they popped through the small jumble of trees and a ridge of rock with a small pond and a trickling waterfall nestled in an oasis of close jungle and clear skies. Birds chattered and the high jungle canopy rose around them in a blanket of security. A little paradise, the area held surprises wherever she looked. Along the rock face of the small outcropping near the water, she saw an iguana. The lizard quickly disappeared from sight. Orchids danced in a wild breeze. Trees dripped heavy amounts of dew from their leaves as the waterfall sent up spray. The profusion of nature added to her fascination. Philodendrons, mosses, and lichens occupied the nearby area.
Christina placed their towels and soap on a rock and started to strip. “Come on. Get undressed.”
Keira glanced back at the camp, not so far away. “Won’t someone see us?”
Christina shrugged and the camp shirt fell off her shoulders. Young, firm, plump breasts, unbound by a bra, came into view. She then slipped
off her pants. Disgustingly beautiful, the girl’s cocoa skin seemed unblemished by anything, including time.
Christina looked almost confused by the question, then she nodded and smiled. “Oh, sí. I understand. You’re American.”
Keira frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“You are shy about nakedness.”
“Well, sometimes, yes.”
“Our people are not. While in Puerto Azul you should…how do they say it?…when in Rome, do as the Romans do?”
Keira laughed. “You’re right.”
Reassured and eager to remove grime and sweat, Keira decided she would take the plunge. After looking around for critters and half afraid she might step on something, Keira took off her sandals then the sweats. She dumped her sweats by the rock, slipped out of her underwear and bra, and walked shamelessly into the water. The water wasn’t deep enough to cover her breasts from the sun or a peeping Tom should one appear.
The young woman tossed Keira the soap. The soap smelled of lilac, and Keira took great glee and scrubbing her hair and her body. She sighed and moaned her delight. After scrubbing and rinsing her hair, she closed her eyes and lay back to float.
“Your man is very handsome,” Christina said.
Keira kept her eyes closed. “He’s okay.”
“Okay? He is mucho sexy. You don’t seem to like him. Maybe you try too hard.”
“Try too hard? I don’t know what you mean.”
“You try to act as if you don’t like him. It must mean that you do.”
For such youth the girl owned too much wisdom. She didn’t want to get into a discussion about Zane either way. “You’re mistaken. How could you know what I think of Zane? You were in the tent a few moments with us.”
“Sometimes that is all it takes in this world.”
What world? The earthly one or the place these people seemed to inhabit far beyond civilization and wrought with mystery?
“You’re wise for someone so young,” Keira said.
“I have lived in this jungle all my life except for the four years El Jaguar sent me to college.”
Keira’s eyes snapped open and she put her feet down into the water, no longer content to float. She watched the other woman swimming with steady laps around the pond. “El Jaguar had enough money to send you to college? Where?”
Special Investigations Agency: Primordial Page 19
