by Karen Anders
Except, she had screwed up. That’s why she was currently here in the Darién: to handle the apocalyptic mess she had created for her family. Losing those people in that storm had shaken her to her core. Could she have prevented their deaths?
That thought ate away at her whenever she’d allowed those doubts to surface.
She focused once again on the task at hand. There was no way to question Rock right now. She peered over his shoulder, and this time it was clear. The drug runners had cleared out. The camouflage netting was gone, along with the small tented lean-tos. There wasn’t anything left except one Jeep and the cleanup crew.
They were throwing bodies in the back of the Jeep. It was clear they didn’t want to leave a shred of information behind them. It smelled like death.
A twig snapped somewhere behind them, and one of the drug thugs paused and stood still, listening. The other man went on guard, as well.
Rock looked behind them, then said so softly she could barely hear him, “Stay here and don’t move a muscle.”
He slithered off, and Neve watched the men. One of them picked up a rifle and the other followed suit. He motioned to the area behind her, in the direction Rock had taken.
She kept them in her sights. There was no way they were going to harm him while she was still breathing.
He thought she was some untested novice, but Neve knew how to shoot, and her mixed martial arts training was a formidable deterrent to any unarmed attack. She wasn’t experienced in taking a man down with a knife, but she had handled her assassin quite handily.
The men split up, and one headed in her direction.
She was just about to test her theory.
*
Derrick couldn’t believe it when he turned and saw Rock and Neve break the surface of the water. He’d just scouted the village and had come back for his gear. He was lucky he wasn’t in plain view or, even better yet, meeting them in that underground pool.
He was just about to move when he spotted her. She was good, but he was better. She melted out of the water and took up a position right behind them. With a shock, he recognized the teenage girl from their harrowing flight off the cliff yesterday. The one who he suspected belonged to that village he discovered after several hours of searching.
What the hell was she up to, and why was she spying on them?
For just a split second, he thought about warning them. But this mission was supposed to be black, and he’d never gone against mission protocol, even when it had destroyed his world and hurt like a son of a bitch. He’d chosen his duty over his personal life.
He wasn’t going to change that now. Rock and Neve had proved themselves resourceful up to now.
It was up to him to get to higher ground and act like the silent and deadly killer he’d been trained to be, the one Amber was depending on. He’d never let a teammate down, either, even when it made him look like the bad guy.
After all that he’d seen and done? He felt like a bad guy.
He slipped out of his hiding place and ghosted up to a better vantage point.
*
Neve moved off into the brush, so that when the searching drug runner got to her position, she was already primed and ready for him.
As soon as he looked around and then turned his back, she was on him. She jumped on his back and wrapped her arm around his throat, her legs around his waist. She tightened and held on as he dropped to his knees, the rifle falling from his lax hands. In moments it was over.
She grabbed up the rifle when she heard someone moving toward her, and had it cocked and pointed just as Rock burst out of the trees. He stopped. “Whoa,” he said with his hands up.
His eyes went to the downed thug, and he gave her a lopsided smile and shook his head. “You are one tough babe, babe,” he said.
“Yeah, I think I broke a nail,” she said. Now that the danger was past, she was working at keeping her cool. She wanted so much to bring up the topic about Tristan, but it was best to get out of here.
“Looks like they were busy clearing out,” he said as he jogged up to her. They went down the incline together.
“Looks like it.” They reached the water, and he brushed something out of her hair. She went a little weak at the look in his eyes, but she wasn’t going to be some kind of a pushover just because she’d slept with Rock.
Slept?
What a freaking tame term that was.
She’d ravaged him just as much as he’d ravaged her, and she would be willing to bet everything she had he wanted to do it again first chance he got. That would depend on his answers to her questions.
It was back into the water and the swim from one pool to another and then back out. They walked until they were in a more defensible place and sat down to eat some lunch.
Rock opened a plastic pouch and pulled out a map just as Neve finished the last of her water.
He spread it on a flat stone and pulled out a pen. He studied the map, then made a mark. “Here is where we are.”
She nodded.
“And here’s where we started, Yaviza. Here is Boca de Cupé.”
She looked at the map and was so damned impressed. They had made almost a straight shot toward their destination. She couldn’t remember him looking at the map very often, either. “How did you do that?”
“What?”
“Get us this close to our target without wasting a single moment?”
“Compass,” he said, as modest as he was handsome.
“Rock,” she said. Neve saw his eyes flare. “What?”
“I like when you call me Rock, that’s all.”
Oh, God. She had, and he knew it was as significant as it actually was to her. She’d always avoided his nickname because it was just too personal and intimate. “Stop changing the subject.”
“You stop changing the subject.”
She released a breath. “How did you manage to stay so completely on target? You never got lost once.”
“Marines don’t get lost... I don’t get lost. If I don’t have a map and compass, I can figure it out by the stars. You could have dropped me in the middle of damn nowhere blindfolded, and with a compass and a map—screw GPS—I would have known where I was on the planet in a couple of minutes. Guaranteed. Marines are the ultimate Boy Scouts.”
“Boy Scouts,” she said with a raised brow.
He chuckled. “We don’t rely on guides. Even in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq, I knew where I was, regardless of having a guide. The trick is in knowing where we are supposed to be or finding a target that wasn’t where anyone thought it was going to be.”
“No target, no mission?”
“Exactly, and that is where we are right now. Right in the White Falcon’s backyard.”
“Lost.”
“No, not lost. Targetless at the moment until we figure out where our foe has gone to ground.”
Rock picked up his pack as if he was going to put something away. He was close to the edge of the underbrush. Suddenly he lunged and grabbed someone and hauled that someone out of a hiding place.
Opal, her eyes wide at being caught blurted out, “I can lead you to the White Falcon!”
Chapter 12
Rock stared at the girl, but to her credit she didn’t flinch. Her chin rose and she faced him down. “I can. I know where his fortress is.”
“What the hell is going on here? You were spying on us?”
“Yes, I was,” she said defiantly.
He set his hands on his hips and eyed the strong-willed girl. “Opal, this isn’t a game. This is serious business.”
“She knows that. Geez, Rock, she’s been living here a lot longer than we have. You have something on your mind. Why don’t you tell us what it is?”
“I didn’t just happen on those drug runners. I went looking for them.”
“Are you out of your mind? Why?”
“I needed armed men to help me.”
“What?”
“I offered them gold, and instead
of taking it, they were going to rob me and rape me.”
Rock ran his hand over his face.
“Why didn’t you go to the government troops?”
She looked away. “I did. They said they couldn’t help me. Money talks,” she said sheepishly. “I was desperate.”
“Why?”
“They have my twin brother. He was...taken to work for them. I have to get him out of there. He’s just a boy. Please, will you help me? I can pay you.” She reached for a pouch and spilled gold nuggets into his hands.
“This is what you offered those lowlifes?”
“Yes, it’s all I have, but I could promise you more if you—”
“I’m not taking your gold, Opal.”
“But, I can’t leave him there.” Tears started to stream from her eyes.
“Rock,” Neve admonished. “You are such a man.”
She wrapped her arms around Opal, who lost herself to the sobbing.
He rubbed the back of his neck. Geez, all he was doing was trying to keep this young girl out of danger. Take her deeper into the jungle? Were there worse dangers than drug runners? The White Falcon had proved himself to be a brutal and merciless man. Her young brother was tied up in this? Geezus. It was bad enough he had Neve in tow. Now a sixteen-year-old guide with enough gold to buy a house in San Diego? For Christ’s sake.
At a loss to ever understand women, he sat down on a rock and folded his arms across his chest, waiting for the storm to pass.
Finally, Opal raised her head. “I know it was risky and reckless, but no one in my village owns a gun, they don’t know how to shoot and they don’t want to cause any more trouble. But Ammon Set has no right to take my brother into service when he is so young.”
“What is he doing for Set?”
“Bodyguard,” she said, her lips pinched and fresh tears welling.
“In other words, he’s his human shield?”
“Yes. If he stays and gives up his life, Set won’t bother us. No, he won’t hurt or harass our family, but he’ll just cull more boys from our village like it’s his personal human sacrifice shop!”
“What exactly were you planning on doing, Opal?”
“I’m going to kill him,” she said with conviction.
During this conversation, they had gone back to camp, told Opal they had to discuss it and once again refused her gold payment.
Neve went with a distressed Opal, and Rock stopped at the hut before going to see Opal’s father, Miguel.
“Tell me about your son.”
The man stood and picked up a container and two glasses. He brought them over and poured. “Chicha, corn beer. It’s good.”
Rock sniffed, and all he smelled was a fruity odor, but the juice-like amber drink was very tasty.
“This is a ceremonial drink, good for celebrations, but you are a guest. José is a very good boy, excellent fisherman and hunter.” His face fell. “Then they came and took him. I could do nothing. Tell me, do you have children?”
“No, not yet.”
“They are a blessing, and it’s not that I don’t miss my boy and worry about him, but this Ammon Set is very powerful, has many guns. I don’t wish for Opal to go after him, but the girl isn’t going to heed my counsel. I fear that I will lose them both.”
“Can’t the government—”
“They do their best, but Set is very deep in the jungle and fortified. You would need an army.”
“Sir, I am a marine.”
“Yes, I have heard of these fighting men. I only beg of you to try to talk my daughter out of this folly. Have her tell you where this monster is, and you may continue on your journey.”
“If I can’t?”
“Then I will lose both my children. I cannot tie her down.”
Rock set his hand on the man’s arm. “We will do the best we can to keep her safe.” It was time to continue their journey, but they needed to take care of some housekeeping. “Where is the best place to wash my clothes?”
“In the river, but I can have that done for you for a small fee.”
“Thank you. Could I take the chicha with me?” Rock set down some money on the table. The old man’s eyes widened.
“Yes, for that kind of donation, it’s yours. Before you go, I have something you and your lady can wear for modesty.”
When Rock went back to the hut, carrying the two flimsy pieces of colorful cloth, he climbed up the notched stairs. Neve was standing at the end of the hut, looking pensive. “Babe?”
She turned, then froze. Her eyes went over him in a slow, sultry slide. Her breath hitched, and then she said, “Oh, my God.”
He smiled. “It’s all they had, and I wanted clean clothes.” He looked down at himself. “It covers me.”
“Well, it covers up the good parts, if you ask me.”
“Yeah?” He walked across the wooden boards, barefoot after dropping his boots near the door. He reached her and held out the skirt and skimpy top.
She eyed them. “You want clean clothes?”
“Yes.”
“Then stop being picky,” he said.
She frowned. “What’s that in your other hand?”
“Corn beer. It’s good.”
He set it on the table, pulled out a chair and sat. “Have a drink?” he offered.
“You want me to have a conversation when you’re dressed...er...mostly...semi...oh, never mind.” She sat and he poured two glasses.
“I wish I could get rip-snorting drunk on this, but it doesn’t have enough kick.”
He went to clink glasses with her, but she wasn’t looking at his face. He reached out and slipped his finger under her chin. “This thing doesn’t have a whole lot of room to...um, grow. So eyes up here.”
She laughed and shook her head, taking a drink. “Oh, this is good.”
“Did you talk to Opal?”
“Yes. She won’t tell me where Set is, Rock. She insists on taking us herself. She threatened to follow if we tried to leave her behind. She’s set on finding and saving her brother.”
“You sympathize with her.”
“Yes, if it was my twin, no one could keep me from doing something about it.”
“She’s sixteen.”
“She seems to know her way around the jungle, and it would make our trip that much faster. But I didn’t even want you involved, and now we have this dilemma.”
She rose abruptly. “I should just leave.”
He rose and latched on to her arm, pulling her to him. “No damn way, Neve. You made a promise to me.”
“That’s why I was hoping you would let me out of it.”
“No goddamn way.” He held her tighter.
“Damn Set, damn him. Damn him.” She hugged hard.
What was he supposed to say to this? Rock pressed her head to his shoulder, trying to soothe her and being pretty much useless. It was an ugly feeling when you knew someone wanted you dead. Even worse when it included people you loved very much.
“This is all my fault.” Her fingers dug into his back. Her body trembled with rage she wouldn’t vent.
“I get that.”
She pulled away. “I’m not exactly a team player, Rock. I think you would agree. I’m too independent.”
“Right, but there were three other people in that chopper, right?”
“Yes. It’s a lot of pressure to be one of a few women who have made it to rescue swimmer. You have to be faster, tougher, stronger, smarter. That storm spooked me. It reminded me of what my father used to have to fight against while crabbing. I got defensive, thinking the pilot didn’t trust me because of my gender.”
“You didn’t kill those people, Neve. They were already in pretty bad shape when you got there. You did the best you could, in the face of terrible conditions. Your life was on the line.”
“I almost didn’t make it back up.” Her eyes teared. “That scared the crap out of me and those people died.” She looked down for a second, blinking, then met his gaze. “What if it was be
cause of my bias, because I didn’t wait and I was impeded by my injury, Rock? You said it yourself. I’m not a team player. What if I’m not fit for coast guard duty at all?” A lone tear rolled down her cheek, and the sight of it sliced through him.
Rock saw doubt in her eyes, and it tore at him, pissed him off. He liked it better when she was ready to chew him up and spit him out. “You saved my life in that pool, Neve.” He stepped closer to her, pointed at her. “You.” Grasping her upper arms, he squeezed gently. “I think that’s all the answer to your question you need.”
“You should get away from me.” She smoothed her hands up his arms, then wrapped them around his neck, seeking comfort. “Far away.”
“No dice, babe. I like that you confided in me, though. I’ve been waiting a long time for that.”
She separated from him, grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “You’re a protective fool. I’m trying to keep you alive.” Panic radiated off her in waves.
“I’ll keep you alive, dammit.” She stared up at him for a long moment, then finally nodded. He leaned over. He loved her direct, tender gaze. Damn, but he loved this woman. He kissed her, not with the hot fire of passion from before, but slowly and infinitely more cherishing. It was seeking, a soft probe, and Neve moaned, gripping his waist; her hands felt good there, but he wasn’t kidding. There was nowhere for his hard-on to go but up and out. He tried thinking about ice and baseball scores. He softened his mouth and went slowly, drawing everything she had inside her like a ribbon wanting to tug at her soul. He framed her face in his big hands, his attention only on the kiss, on telling her what he couldn’t say.
Then he pulled back, breathing hard, stunned by that, too. He pressed his forehead to hers.
“Russell,” she murmured.
He picked up the clothes. “Trot down to the river and find Lupe, change into these and you’ll be happy I coerced you with alcohol and promises.”
Her brow rose. “Alcohol, I got. Promises?”
He whispered in her ear, and her fingers tightened on his shoulders. She looked at him with her mouth open. He used his index finger to close her jaw. “This is a limited time offer.”
“You are a...wicked...wicked man,” she said, her face flushed.
“While you’re gone, I’m going to make a perimeter run.”
