“We need to move fast.” He looked down at her bloodied bare feet and winced. “Shit. I forgot about your feet.” Jake thought for a moment. “I can carry you on my back—”
“No!” she quickly blurted out. “I’m fine.”
Her feet did hurt, but she refused to make him carry her. Not only would it slow them down significantly, but it would also hinder his ability to defend them. Sure, the fallen twigs and occasional rock hurt to step on, but it could be a lot worse.
“I’m fine,” she repeated, this time with more conviction.
Jake looked as though he didn’t really believe her, but thankfully he didn’t argue. His hand dropped back down to his side, and Olivia hated how much she already missed the warmth from his touch.
“Stay on my six. In fact, hold on to my belt loop so we don’t get separated.”
Olivia followed him like that for what felt like hours. They’d shifted direction along the way and, though it was gradual, she could tell they’d climbed to a higher point in the jungle. Enemy fire finally ceased, and for the first time since she’d run from her tent, Olivia started to feel safe.
No, that wasn’t true. The minute she’d lifted that cap and looked into Jake’s eyes, she’d felt safe. Her feelings for him might be for not, but there was no doubt that Jake would stop at nothing to get them both home.
After a lengthy period without any sign of the other men, he stopped and turned back to face her. “It’s going to be dark soon. We need to start looking for a place to bunk for the night, but we need to take a quick break first.”
“Okay.”
Olivia’s chest tightened. The idea of staying another night in this Godforsaken place made her want to scream, but knowing Jake was with her helped to quiet her nerves.
He dropped his backpack and pulled a canteen from inside. Unscrewing the cap, he handed it to her without taking a drink for himself first.
She’d only been given water once a day for the last few weeks, and even then, it was in very small amounts. Between that and literally running for their lives—all while in the sweltering heat of the jungle—being given the opportunity to drink more than a few sips of water was a Godsend.
Without thinking, Olivia grabbed the canteen and began gulping the water as fast as her throat could move. Some spilled down over her chin. It wasn’t very cold, but it still felt amazing as it coated her rough, dry throat. Water had never tasted so good.
“Liv, wait!”.
Hearing the alarm in his voice, she jerked the metal container from her mouth so quickly she nearly choked. Coughing, she wiped off her chin with her forearm.
“Oh, my gosh! I’m sorry!” Another cough. “Here.” Olivia held out the canteen. Looking sheepish, she said, “I-I don’t think I took it all.”
Scowling, Jake took the container from her hand. “I don’t give a shit about that. I just didn’t want you drinking it too fast and getting sick.”
Right on cue, Olivia’s stomach lurched, and she turned away just in time for every ounce of the water she’d just consumed to come right back up. She heard Jake’s low curse from behind her.
While in the middle of very hard, very embarrassing dry heaves, Olivia felt his soothing hand on her back. With his other, he pulled her tangled hair away from her face.
The injured muscles around her ribs felt as though they were bursting into flames with every retched contraction. Worried Jake would notice and insist on carrying her the rest of the way, she wrapped an arm around herself for added support.
When her stomach finally stopped convulsing, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood straight. She drew in a slow breath to steady herself, only taking in longer ones when the pain in her ribs began to ease.
“You okay?” Jake asked softly, his hand still on her lower back.
She closed her eyes. No. Not even close.
Keeping her thoughts private, Olivia turned to face him and nodded. “I’m good.” She scrunched her nose. “Sorry.”
Jake shook his head. “No need to apologize.”
She disagreed. “No, I know better. I was just so thirsty, I didn’t think about it.”
Jake’s brows bunched with concern. “When was the last time you had something to drink?”
Olivia tried to remember. “Yesterday, I think. They gave me a small glass of water and a piece of bread once a day.” Her thoughts went back to that morning’s shower. To the boy she’d been unable to save, and everything that had happened since. “I hadn’t had anything, yet, today.”
The look that crossed Jake’s face was positively murderous. It would’ve scared her, but she knew his anger was directed toward the men who’d taken her. She expected him to say something more about it, but when he finally spoke, it was just to quietly tell her they needed to get moving.
He waited for her to take another drink, just a sip this time, before taking a swig for himself. He returned the canteen to his bag and zipped it back up. Without another word, he began walking.
She quickened her pace so that she was walking at his side, rather than behind him. Attempting to lighten the mood, Olivia looked at him pointedly and said, “So. I don’t suppose any of those boring conferences you’re always running off to gave you any tips on how to survive in the jungle at night, did they?”
Picking up on her blatant sarcasm, Jake spun his head toward her in surprise.
“What?” She gave him an innocent smile.
For a second, she thought she’d upset him, but then, Jake shook his head and smirked. Though it was only a half-smile, Olivia felt her heart trip over itself a little.
“Smartass,” he muttered, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her to his side. “Come on.”
Olivia wanted to push him into a confession, but
