Jake paused briefly, unsure of how she’d react to what he was about to tell her. “Neither, actually. We’re in the southwest region of Venezuela.”
She looked at him as if he’d grown two heads. “Venezuela? As in, South America?”
Jake nodded. “We’re in an unpopulated area east of the Rio Caproni River. It’s safe to assume the men who took you drugged you, and then flew here while you were unconscious.”
He didn’t allow himself to picture Olivia so completely defenseless at the hands of such monsters. If he did, Jake knew he’d fucking lose it.
“W-who are they?”
Jake’s gut reaction was to lie. His visceral need to protect this woman was fierce and powerful. It had been the driving force behind every decision he’d ever made when it came to her. Not because he didn’t think Olivia could handle the shit life threw out, but because Jake didn’t want her to have to.
There were plenty of lies he’d have to answer for later, but he’d be damned if he was going to keep adding to that already fucked-up list. That shit stopped now.
“The men who took you are part of the Cetro Cartel. I believe the one you call Scarface is Javier Cetro, the group’s leader. As for the why...cartels are ruthless, Liv. Guess I don’t have to tell you that, though, do I?”
“No.” She looked at him in earnest. “No, you don’t.”
“You mentioned an auction. These guys deal with all kinds of trafficking. Drugs, weapons...”
“Human,” she finished for him.
Jake gave her a single nod. “My guess is you were the only one in the group who fit what they were looking for.”
“Lucky me,” she whispered.
It still gutted him to think of how close she came to being sold. Too close, baby. Way too fucking close.
For a solid minute, all he heard was her breathing. When it slowed to a steadier pace, she asked, “So, the hotel you mentioned. Where is it located?”
“Near the town of Uriman. It’s on the other side of the Rio Caproni. A boat will be waiting to take us over, and then, we’ll meet the team at the hotel.”
“So, we’re what, taking the scenic route there?” She forced a smile.
Jake smiled back, but only for her benefit. “That’s one way to put it.”
Scenic, his ass. Thanks to the two fucknuts who’d chased them, they’d been forced to travel south from Cetro’s camp and then west. The complete opposite direction of Jake’s team and their chopper.
Before stopping for the night, they’d changed course and had moved north for about two hours. Tomorrow, they’d turn and travel back east, toward the river. Jake just prayed they’d be able to make it there without incident.
“So, your guys were going to go back to your helicopter and fly it to Uriman, but what about Coop? He was the one who got shot, right?”
Jake schooled his expression. Sean knew what he was signing up for, as they all did. That still didn’t keep Jake from feeling guilty as fuck that the guy had been injured on his watch.
“We flew over on a private jet. Coop, and I’m assuming one of the others, would’ve used that to get back to the States, where he could be treated.” She still looked weary, so he added, “We have protocols in place for this sort of thing, Liv. I’m sure he’s fine.”
They sat silently in the quiet night. Jake was just beginning to think Olivia had fallen asleep when heard a soft, “Thank you”.
He turned his head, looking at her questioningly. “For what?”
“For being honest with me. For not sheltering me from the truth. I know you always think you need protect me, but something like this...I needed to know the truth. So, thank you.”
Jake sensed more than saw her shivering again. Without a word, he opened his arms as he’d done earlier, and she scooted in against him once more. He ignored the magnetic pulse from where her body met his, and tried to forget how good it felt to hold her like a lover would. To kiss her like he had every right to.
“I know this is a lot to take in, Liv. You doing okay?”
He felt her nod against his chest. “Yeah. Thanks, Jake.”
Tipping his chin, he kissed the top of her head before resting his cheek there. “Get some sleep, sweetheart.”
Chapter 11
Olivia woke with a start to find Jake crouched in front of her, whispering her name. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she sat up straighter.
“Jake? What’s wrong? Did I have another nightmare? I’m sorry—”
He shook his head, his eyes alert and focused. “You didn’t have a bad dream. I heard something, and need to go check it out.”
She got up, her movements stiff from both sleep and sore muscles. Jake stood with her. The way he was looking toward the raised ground behind her was frightening.
“Is it them?” Olivia didn’t care whether or not he could tell she was scared.
“That’s what I need to find out. Here.”
She glanced down at the small, black gun he was holding out for her.
“Take it.”
Olivia looked back up at him, not moving a muscle toward the weapon. She’d noticed the extra pistol holstered to the side of his leg yesterday, but never dreamed she’d ever have the need to hold it, let alone possibly fire it at someone.
“No. I...I want to go with you.”
“Sweetheart, listen to me. I need to know if it’s them, and I can’t be distracted because I’m worried about whether or not you’re safe. That happens, I run the risk of getting killed, and I am no good to you dead. If I know you’re hidden here and able to protect yourself, I can do what needs to be done to make sure we’re both safe.”
His words sent a shockwave
