A few minutes later the gunfire stopped and Blackstone, Gonzales, and Jennings stood staring down at them.
“So you want to stay down there all day, Captain?” Blackstone asked in his deep tone.
Jennings elbowed him. “How is she?”
“I’ve done what I can. The rest is up to Dennison.”
“I’ve got some rope. Tie it around her waist, and we’ll pull you up.” Gonzales threw the end of the line down. Once Tab had fastened it, he held onto her, guiding her legs when he couldn’t lift her any further. Blackstone took Jinn’s arms and gently lifted her out. Tab waited for the rope to drop once again then climbed until he slipped onto the grass. He pushed past the others, checking her every limb as well as her head and pupils.
“She seems to be all right. We need to keep moving. Blackstone, Chan, make a shift to carry her and do it fast. I want to catch up with those bastards. They have my sister.”
Tab stayed with Jinn, slipping some water from a canteen past her lips. She coughed then opened her eyes, staring up at him with pain in her gaze. It would take some time for the energy to heal her properly. “If Ty were here, she’d be up and about faster, but there’s no help for it. We head out in twenty minutes so eat and drink something, everyone. That’s an order.”
Tyrone Carr was their medic and strategist. Where Tab could heal with energy, Ty used a more practical, hands-on method. Tab wondered where the man was and if he were still alive. Tab wanted Ty to check Jinn over. There was nothing left to do for her but pray she was okay.
Jennings approached, kneeling down beside Jinn. “I brought you both something to eat, Captain.”
“Take care of yourself. I’m too busy right now.”
She gave him a stern gaze. “Captain, we eat and drink together. Those are your rules for the team. Not even you can break them. Am I right?”
Tab fought a reluctant grin. “Point taken. Hand it over.”
When he tried to get Jinn to eat, she refused, her mouth pursed tight. He did manage to get her to take a few sips of water though and was relieved. A few minutes later, the cot was ready and Tab lifted her with tender care and placed her on it. The soft palm fronds were tied tightly with rope to two bamboo poles. Chan secured Jinn in place so she wouldn’t roll out and lifted one end while Tab took the other. He wasn’t letting her out of his sight for a minute.
“Did anyone see Tara?”
Blackstone’s expression was grave. “She shot at us then disappeared in the truck. We couldn’t return fire for fear of hitting her, and they got away.”
Anger stirred as Tab thought of the game Jinn and Burgess were forced to play. The team had barely made it in time to save Jinn. “Burgess?”
Jennings sighed. “Forced to go with them. As soon as the fight ended she was bound and taken in the truck. She never had a chance to break free. She was wounded as well, Captain.”
“We’ll catch up with them. I have a number of scores to settle with Iceman, and it will be anything but a game. See if you can find Dennison some clothes. It’s time to move out.”
Chapter Eight: Game Over
There was no pain in her chest or head anymore and cold reality splashed Jinn in the face. She’s dead! My sister is dead. The agony crushed her heart as Jinn realized that she couldn’t sense Julie at all. Too late. Easily, the blame lay with Tab since he’d held her back from going to her sibling. They’d stopped for a rest break.
“Jinn, are you all right now?” he asked, his tone soft and gentle as he held her close in his arms. The team stood around them yet at a distance so his whisper wasn’t heard.
She pulled away, hating everything about him now. Julie! Her internal scream went unanswered. Jinn rolled onto her knees and hands then staggered to her feet to stand on unsteady legs, her head spinning.
“What’s wrong? Are you still hurt?”
As Tab stood, his handsome face filled with concern, Jinn’s fury built, flashing through her veins.
“You killed her. Thanks to you, she’s dead!”
Jennings spoke up. “Who are you talking about? Burgess is alive.”
Jinn took off into the forest. Tab right behind her, she turned to him soon as they were far enough away from the team for privacy.
“Murderer! You couldn’t let me go to her and now she’s dead.”
“Jinn, you can’t know that. Maybe she’s asleep.”
Thumping her fist over her heart, she shouted, “I don’t feel her anymore. She’s gone. I’ve been connected with Julie my whole life and now she doesn’t exist thanks to you.”
He moved to take her in his arms, but she slammed her fist into his jaw, the rage so great. There was no remorse as his head rocked back on his shoulders. Jinn was only mildly surprised that he didn’t hit her back though his eyes darkened. “She was under my command. I am in pain too. If she’s gone, there was nothing you could have done.”
“You healed me. Why not her?”
“I have to touch the person to heal them. I’m sorry, Jinn, but there was no help for it. My sister is still missing and under the control of Iceman. We’re going to rescue her, so snap out of it.”
“Snap out of it? What if it had been Tara instead of Julie who died? Would you let me go to her then?”
As his lips tightened, she realized that he’d have kept her with him because he still thought that she’d betrayed them.
“You bastard. I’m leaving. You and your damned team can go to hell.”
When she turned to go, he grabbed her arm and yanked her back up against him.
“You’re not going anywhere. We’re in the middle of the jungle and you’re staying with us. I’ve already saved your life once. You’ll stay where I can keep an eye on you, and there’s still the matter of a court-martial to face when you get back home.”
Tears of hurt and frustration pricked behind her eyes. She cursed her weakness and struggled to get away, detesting the fact that her body was beginning to respond to his nearness. The more she fought him, the more her core clenched in response. His heated stare proved that he had the same undeniable draw between them.
When hot damp lips claimed hers and all else faded away, she sought refuge in his arms. All she wanted was to sooth away the pain. Passion ignited, whirling her into the need to forget the heartache as she grasped the lifeline he offered and fell into the void of desire.
Tab’s hands moved over her body, first over her sensitive breasts then down toward her navel. Lightning and heat rolled into one as she felt his touch over every inch of her skin. When he undid her pants, she was beyond thought. Soon her boots were gone leaving her skin naked to the humid air as he kissed her hard, his tongue taking control.
Never had Jinn had the need to give so much of herself, and that scared her. She paused, pulling away to gaze into his hunger-filled eyes and froze. The determination to conquer was there in his eyes. She tried to pull away, but once again his lips seized hers, and she became lost. Reaching down, she undid his pants and released his hard cock, grasping it in her fist as he groaned into her mouth. There…there was the control she needed.
A sense of power took over her thoughts as she wrapped her legs around his, her nether lips sopping wet with dew. Oh, how she wanted him. There was only this moment, nothing else. Guiding his staff, she pulled him inside, reveling at the way he filled her.
As he lifted his head to speak, she was determined to keep the silence, the moment too precious to lose.
“Jinn, I—”
She placed her fingers on his lips. “Shh…”
With a shift of her hips, she brought him back to the passion and closed her eyes to ride out the waves of ecstasy as she crested the first ones. He gasped as her pussy pulsed around his cock, the heat bringing shudders of excitement up her spine.
Once the climax passed, his hips moved, building the thirst for completion once again. On and on, he thrust and withdrew until she was mindless with the glory of it. Tab released a shout of bliss and followed her into oblivion.
Before he could collapse on top of her, Jinn shifted from beneath him and rolled to her side. In one smooth move she grabbed her pants and yanked them on, ignoring him. They remained silent as she donned her boots and laced them up.
As soon as she was dressed, she stalked off into the bush to head back to camp leaving a silent man behind.
***
Blind with wrath, Tanaka watched Julie and Tab having sex. She’d always been his girl, never showing an interest in the Captain. Fickle bitch! When the time comes, she’ll get what she deserves. As for the Captain, he’s been on my list for years.
‘Julie’ threw back her head and moaned as her lover entered her for the second time. Tanaka spit, his hand caressing his gun. He couldn’t wait to punish them both, but it would have to wait. Before the couple finalized their tryst, he turned and walked away, soundless as he faded into the bush, making plans for the near future.
***
The hours of trekking through the rainforest took its toll on them as TT&T members fought against the thick underbrush. Tab’s mind was filled with questions while he kept pace with Jinn. She didn’t act like any other woman he’d ever met. Confusing, feisty, and frustrating as all hell, she’d walked away from him without a word. Most women preferred to talk and snuggle after sex, and incredible sex it was, yet not her.
Somehow, Jinn had touched a piece of his heart that no one had been able to access before. He watched her shove past thick bushes without complaint. Why was she so distant from him? She must know he had nothing to do with Julie’s death. If Dennison was going to die, he had no way of saving her unless he touched her.
“Break!” he called quietly. The word would be passed along to the team, which was spread out across a few acres of forest. They always worked as partners, keeping distant from the others for safety. The only time they gathered close was when he needed to speak to them.
Tanaka came closer, a question in his eyes.
“Sir, why stop here? I’m sure we can catch up to the Iceman before dark.”
Tab noted the hard edge around the man’s mouth, the way his gaze darted to Jinn and back again and he realized that Tanaka was pissed about something. Could he have seen them making love? It doesn’t matter. Ignored completely by Jinn, both men conversed as though she were absent.
“We rest. I have a feeling we’ll catch up soon. Have you seen any other signs of Tara?”
“Negative, sir.”
The man didn’t offer another word. “Dismissed.”
As Tanaka turned, the unguarded, venomous gaze he shot at Jinn surprised Tab.
“Something wrong, soldier?”
A shutter came down to hide his expression as Tanaka shook his head. As he left, Tab realized he was right. The man had watched them. Even though Tanaka had always been friends with her sister, Tab was pretty sure they’d never had a sexual relationship. To his knowledge, they’d never been more than teammates.
Taking supplies from the knapsack, Tab held one packet out to Jinn. She ignored him.
“I know you’re grieving for Julie, but we have a job to do.”
Her eyes flared to life with sparks of hatred. “You and your team do, Toxic. Not me. I’m leaving the first chance I get.”
“There won’t be a chance for you, Dennison. You might as well accept it. If you don’t stop threatening to leave, I’ll have to tie you up again, so knock it off.”
Her eyes narrowed and her stubborn jaw clenched as she sat across from him. He knew then that he should follow through with his own threat because she would escape as soon as she was able. After all, she was a trained soldier, like him.
“Excuse me, Captain,” Blackstone murmured, coming quietly into the clearing.
“What is it?”
“There are soldiers a few hundred yards ahead.”
“Call everyone to arms. I want them taken alive. We have the advantage on Iceman and it’s time to use it.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Blackstone disappeared into the forest, Tab turned to Jinn.
“Will you at least stay until we can free Tara? You know what it’s like to lose a sister. I don’t want to lose mine too.”
Though he could tell by her expression that she warred with her response, she nodded and stood. He showed his trust in her and gave her a knife and gun then walked off after Blackstone. If she was going to run, it would be now and he’d have a hell of a time tracking her. For now, he had to focus on freeing Tara and his love life be damned.
***
On silent feet, each member of the team moved forward to surround the group of men who stood around a campfire. Some smoked while most of them drank tequila and laughed aloud at each other’s ribald jokes.
Jinn had never seen such a sloppy group of murderous soldiers. They wouldn’t have a chance against Tab’s crew. Still, she’d followed him like a moth to the flame. A promise was a promise, and there was no further need to find her sister.
Do I stay with him for revenge? She shook her head. For hatred. For…love? No, he might as well have killed Julie himself. I can’t love him. I’m only here to see that he fails in his search for Tara. An eye for an eye. Lies, lies, lies. Toxic only wants me for sex, and then he’s handing me over to the government. He’s using me!
Jinn thought of all the men she’d slept with and realized that she’d done just that with them, never letting anyone close, always afraid, always on guard against her emotions. She was no better than him. Still, he’d allowed her sister to die when he could have helped her. That was unforgiveable.
Something like wood hitting wood sounded in the forest.
A heavy man who sat smoking a fat cigar hissed, “Chico, Lorenzo, Joshua, go see what that was and hurry up. There are still gringos missing from the captives we had.” Across the campfire area the three men disappeared to investigate the sounds.
Many minutes later, they still hadn’t returned when the leader shook his head and nodded to two more of his men. There were still six to go. Another noise came from the right and one from the left.
“Go!” Two went left, two went right, and none returned.
The forest was completely silent. Not a leaf moved nor was there a sound from his men. When nothing happened in the eerie quiet, the heavy man appeared to be afraid, his eyes shifting back and forth as though waiting for something to jump out at him.
Now the leader and his last soldier seemed worried as they sat by the fire.
“Alejandro, let’s get out of here. I have a bad feeling about this.”
The other man nodded, and they headed straight into the arms of Tab and Jinn. Tab took the smaller man down in two punches, however, the leader was of tougher mettle. It took Jinn a few precious minutes to subdue him as he fought tooth and nail to take her down. She disarmed him easily enough, but his beefy fist connected with her jaw. She saw stars for a moment before taking in a deep breath and slamming her palm straight up into his jaw. He went flying backward. This time the man didn’t get up.
“Thanks for the help,” she snapped.
His crooked smile proved he was amused. “No problem. Are you done playing games?”
“Shut up and get the cuffs out.”
Tab snickered and brought out the plastic handcuffs. By the time the two men were bound, the team brought the rest of the soldiers forward and sat them all down on the ground next to their leader. All but the heavy one were gagged as well.
When Tab leaned over to talk, the man backed away as far as his body could go. The expression on Tab’s face was deadly.
“What’s your name?”
“Roberto, Roberto Estrada.”
“Well, Roberto, tell us about Iceman and where he’s hiding and we might let you go.”
“No. We don’t know anything.”
Blackstone walked up to Tab’s side and loomed over the man. “Do you want me to torture him, sir?”
Terror filled the man’s eyes. “No, don’t!” His companions didn’t appear any more reassured.
“I’m thinking about it,” Blackstone said. “He looks like he could use a good workout and I’ve had a bad day. I’d love to let off a bit of steam and give some payback for what he and his buddies did to us.” Blackstone cracked his large knuckles and grinned.
If possible, the beady eyes became even larger with fear.
Jinn stepped forward. “I think it might be better if we women had a chance first.”
“I agree.” Jennings said.
The relief on the man’s face was comical until Tab spoke.
“No. Sorry girls. I told you that we want them alive. Remember what you did to the last bunch. There were barely any pieces left intact for the carrion.”
The knife Jinn held in her hand swished forward and sliced a few buttons of the man’s shirt, and he screamed.
“Come on, Captain. I really want to get them back for what they did to us all. They still have two of our women that we know about. Why do we need them?”
“Dennison, stand down.”
She held the knife at the man’s neck, her eyes narrowing to slits as she frowned at him. Jennings too moved in closer, cocking her gun and aiming it at his genitals.
“Senor, please, call them off. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. Please!”
Shaking and shuddering, he began to cry. The worst of it was when Jinn glanced down and saw the evidence of just how scared he was.
“Never got toilet trained, I see.— Well, Captain, if Jennings and I can’t play, then let Blackstone have him. It’s only fair.”
A deep rumble of laughter came from Blackstone’s chest. “Nah. That would be a waste of time. Let’s just shoot them and be on our way.”
“No! I promise, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
“Go ahead.” Tab nodded, still crouched in front of the prisoner.
“Iceman is going to his compound three miles ahead by the river. It’s protected by barbed wire fences and dogs. You’ll never break into it.”
When Tab smiled, his lips curling into a feral snarl, Jinn shivered. He was a dangerous man. No wonder he was called Toxic.
Jinn & Toxic Page 10
