"But the blood."
Ty's fear turned into relief and quickly segued to anger. She was beautiful, standing in front of him and fucking safe. Didn't she realize she'd scared the shit out of him? His emotions bubbled right over the edge. "Where the hell were you?"
"Ease up. You left me here to babysit. You don't like my methods? Tough shit." Jack's eyebrows furrowed. "We heard a car coming. I couldn't be sure it was you until you drove into sight. Ana went out the back into the trees."
Ty dragged his hand over his eyes. "Sorry. The empty house spooked us."
Ana was right in his face. "Whose blood is this?"
"While you tell her, I'm taking a shower." Marcus strolled off down the hall, leaving Ty to break the news.
"You found them?" Tears slid silently down her cheeks.
"They're alive." Ty hurried to add, "They're in the hospital."
Her knees buckled. Ty caught her by the elbows.
"I'm fine. Tell me how badly they're injured." She pushed away from him. "Tell me everything."
He hated to tell her. How could he describe her parents' condition? He had to be honest. She'd want the truth, nothing less. Sugarcoating what they'd found for a strong woman like Ana would be a mistake.
"They were in the small building I told you about. Both were in bad shape, but your dad spoke, insisting we save your mom." Ty explained the rescue and that he and Marcus had carried them into a small hospital. He couldn't bring himself to share his theory that the dog had been allowed to attack them.
"But the blood. It's theirs, isn't it?" Her chin came up, her bravado expression in place, but her gaze full of painful questions. "Tell me."
"They were tortured. We couldn't stay to find out how badly. If we had, you two might've been stranded out here for a long time."
She stood. "You're going to say I can't go see them, and I understand, but I have to know if they're all right. Uncle Rod can find out."
Ty breathed a sigh of relief when she fished the phone from her pocket and made the call. Tears slid silently down her face, but her voice was strong and steady. Her conversation was succinct, no wasting time on niceties as she brought her uncle into the loop. The worry lines around her mouth relaxed when she said how grateful she was that he'd ensure Lina and Pablo were protected.
"Hang on, Uncle Rod," she said, turning to Jack and Ty. "We're to wait until dark and move to the next place."
Ty nodded his understanding. "Tell him I said thanks."
She caught Ty's gaze and held a heartbeat before returning to the call. A weird feeling hit him, like a caress from a warm hand. Earlier, when he couldn't find her in the house, fear had gripped his heart, squeezing with a cold and painful grasp.
This beautiful woman wrapped around a brave warrior had effectively scared the hell out of him. For a few seconds he'd experienced a dread he couldn't quite shake. This entire day had been a series of bad things turning out right.
Marcus strode down the hall. "I don't know about y'all, but I'm starving, and you still wearing that bloody shirt doesn't dampen my hunger."
"There's nothing left of the stuff her uncle sent with us," Jack spoke up.
Marcus held out his hand. "Give me the keys. Jack and I will run back to that small grocery store."
Ty didn't argue. His mind was stuck on the surge of panic and blind desperation at finding the house empty, of how quickly he could actually lose her. None of these emotions were acceptable. They were fucking deadly. Impossible to control.
Fear had no place in his life.
Distractions had no place in his life.
Ana had no place in his life.
He jerked the shirt over his head on the way to the shower. He stripped and stepped under the warm water. Placing both hands on the wall in front of him, he leaned into the spray, demanding his brain shut down if just for a minute.
Jesus. He was losing his mind. He agreed with Marcus. This mission needed to be over so they could go home.
Ana had no reason to start a personal war with the other drug cartels. She'd be safe here in Colombia. Her government might even think she was a hero.
The shower curtain moved, sending cool air across his skin. Small warm hands sliding around his waist instantly replaced the chill. Bare breasts pressed against his back. The kiss between his shoulder blades nearly knocked him to his knees.
He turned to face the naked beauty whose nearness shot flames of desire through his blood. Even in the dim lighting, her brown eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. The topknot she normally bound her hair into was gone, allowing thick, dark waves to skirt her beautiful breasts. Her hands slid up to his shoulders and then trailed down his arms.
The voice inside his head warned him this was way past recreational sex. He was too close to letting her inside a space in his heart better left empty. At the same time, the desire to drag her against him, to lose himself inside her body, battled with his conscience.
"You're not still angry with me? Are you?" Her sexy tone slid over him, firing off heat rockets.
"No. When I couldn't find you in any of the rooms, my imagination went wild."
She rested her fingers on his lips. "I'm here now."
Chapter Nineteen
Ana took Ty's hands and covered her aching breasts with them. The tortured expression on his face shifted to pure lust. Lifting up on her toes, she kissed his luscious lips and reveled in his taste. Strong fingers circled her pebbled nipples.
Reluctantly, she pulled his hands away, immediately missing his touch, and placed them at his sides. She reached behind him for the sliver of soap, loving how his eyes widened while she slowly rubbed the bar between her palms. His tight shoulder muscles loosened a little when she smoothed the frothy lather over his caramel skin. His gaze tracked her every movement, every stroke, every circle as she made her way over his expansive arms and chest down to his rock-hard erection.
She dropped to her knees and ran the soap up and down his legs. Moving to his erection, she reveled in the hissing noise he made. Stroking the suds into lather brought a moan rumbling from him.
Ana took his wash rag, angled the spray at his body, and slowly rinsed the bubbles away. She followed the warm water with her lips. Down. Down until she reached his stomach.
She dropped to her knees, opened her mouth, and took him inside, stroking with her tongue. He stiffened for a moment, and then relaxed into her making love to him. She grasped his hips and used her lips to convey her emotions. Emotions simple words wouldn't cover.
"Ana," he said, and choked out a growl as he tried to pull her to a standing position.
"Don't talk. Let me do this for you."
Should she tell him that she understood his reluctance to make love with her? That his concern touched her heart? That she realized they lived in different worlds with different goals? That this moment wouldn't come again?
Water sluiced over him, soaking her hair and face, mingling with the few tears that managed to escape before she shut them down.
Today was about farewell. A time to love and make memories. She caressed him with her tongue, needing these memories they were making.
Ty's hands gripped her head. Moaning, he pulled out of her mouth and made her stand.
"Enough."
His hands clenched her bottom, and as if she weighed nothing, he lifted her. She locked her legs around him, clutched his strong shoulders for balance and leaned into his assault on her mouth. The soul-searing kiss deepened, becoming hungry and demanding. He pushed her back against the wall. The hard tip of his erection nudged at her entrance.
If she slid backward, just a little. "Yes," she moaned the words as he slipped inside.
He shifted his hips and drove deep. Moving in sync, she rode him, taking him further, deeper.
Too fast, her orgasm was coming too fast. She wanted to prolong this feeling, wanted it to never end, but with a flash of brightness, she shattered around him. Grinding against him, she dug her fingers into his shoulders and fell int
o the light. His arms surrounded her. His lips possessed hers as one wave morphed into another.
He drove deep, and his climax pulsed inside her. He uttered a low groan and held her by her backside until their breathing slowed. Ana could've stayed in his arms forever. She shook the ridiculous thought away.
Ty turned and placed her under the barely warm water. Moving the nozzle to point lower, he directed the spray so it flowed over her shoulders.
"We'd better rinse you off before the water gets cold," he said, scooping her hair into his hands.
A cloud passed behind his eyes, and his back went rigid.
"What?" she asked, afraid he'd heard something outside.
"I didn't use a condom." He ran his hand over her cheek. "I'm sorry. If—"
"Stop. I started taking the pill when I came home and began my hunt for Ortega. Sounds extreme when I say it out loud, but he's not known for being kind to women."
He turned off the water, ripped the curtain back, and then stepped out of the shower. Pulling the towel off the rack, he helped her out, and started drying her off.
"It doesn't sound extreme to me. It speaks to how dangerous it was for you to go off on your own. That you put yourself in the position where you might have been raped makes me crazy. These people have no morals. They would've hurt you in unimaginable ways."
She had no argument. His statement wasn't an exaggeration. If Ty hadn't rescued her, she'd be dead. Still, her capture and escape had set Ortega against her second family. His cruelty had affected everyone she loved. Her hand pressed against her chest.
Ty pulled her hand away and kissed the scar between her breasts. Tears flooded her eyes.
"I'm sorry for all you've been through." His dark gaze, full of compassion, ripped at her heart. "Just know if you're pregnant, I'll be here for you and the baby."
He'd give up his way of life for her and a baby? The sentiment wrapped around her heart, giving her another memory to treasure. No way would she force a family on him.
The words "I love you" bubbled up from somewhere deep inside, forcing her to clamp her jaws closed to keep the words from slipping out. She could not be in love with Ty. Infatuated? Sure. Grateful? Absolutely. In love? Not possible. Yet here she stood, so much in love she couldn't speak.
His back straightened. In fact, his entire body had stiffened as if he'd read her thoughts. He scooped up the clothes she'd dropped on the floor and handed them to her.
"We should dress. Jack and Marcus will be back soon."
Ana slipped on clean underwear but put on the same jeans and T-shirt she'd worn since yesterday. As soon as this ordeal was over, she'd ask her landlord in Texas to ship her clothes. As it was, she had the bare minimum, and washing wasn't on the agenda.
She offered up another silent prayer for Lina and Pablo. Lord willing, her family would be together very soon. She'd ask her friend in the government how she could best serve. If lobbying for better laws would help her people feel safe walking the streets of Bogota, that's what she'd do.
And then what? Would that fill the empty place Ty leaving would cause?
A feeling of dread washed over her. Even though Ty was in the small room and in close proximity, she was alone.
He'd dried off and dressed in a pair of camouflage pants and green shirt. Within the blink of an eye, he'd changed. Work clothes. Work mode. Deadly attitude.
But what if things didn't go as he planned? He could be killed. Pain lacerated her heart at the thought. Would Marcus or anyone bother to tell her?
Ty caught her by the arm, but she couldn't turn to face him. Please, she prayed, don't let him give me the "if we'd met in another time" lecture.
"Marcus and I will need a ride into town tomorrow morning."
Her heart moved to the back of her throat. "How will you locate Ortega?"
"We'll manage. After Jack drops us off, he'll take you to your uncle. You'll be safe with him until your government approves your return."
He was warning her, telling her that once he and Marcus walked away, she'd never see him again. He'd complete his operation and leave for Texas immediately. He'd be gone forever.
As he should be.
None of this came as a surprise, so what explained the unbearable feeling of loss gripping her stomach?
She should have been happy. Ortega would be dead, maybe not at her hand, but her promise would be kept. Her birth parents would finally rest in peace.
"Then it will be over. Mission complete." She pulled away, focusing on showing no emotions and praying Ty wouldn't touch her again. She couldn't. Wouldn't shame herself or force him into uttering words he didn't want to hear. "It's just as well. Lina and Pablo will need help while they recuperate."
"Ana," he whispered into her hair, his warm breath slicing her wide open, strong hands splayed across her midriff. "I'll never forget the warrior I found locked in that room or the passionate woman I held in my arms. Promise you'll remember me, even if it's only when you see a giant spider."
"Of course, I'll remember you always and think of you often." Her heart ripped into pieces, but she'd told God's truth. Blinking hard, she refused to give way to the tears burning her eyes.
So this was really the end. What had she expected? He'd never offered any words to make her think he returned her affection.
Her mind demanded she let him go, but her heart cried to hold on tightly. The desire to lean into him, to tell him how she felt, sent a powerful ache rippling through her heart. She couldn't put him in the position of turning her away. A burst of unwanted emotions would only humiliate her and make him uncomfortable. She refused to make him feel guilty for wanting to return to his life.
Pulling strength from an invisible source, she stepped further out of his grasp, leaving only her heart in his hands. "I've had too many goodbyes in my lifetime. When you leave tomorrow, please don't look back. We'll just go separate ways."
****
"That's probably best. Everybody will know when Ortega is dead, but I'll make sure you know before it hits the news." Ty stared at his empty hand. She'd walked away from him, leaving him holding nothing but air.
He wasn't good at this stuff, and explaining to Ana was unnecessary. She knew the score. Her goal, her motivation, hell, her mission in life would soon be realized.
With her vendetta satisfied, she might become a big shot in the Colombian government. She was dedicated enough. And she could move on with her life. He could see marriage and kids in her future. His gift to her would be a safe and happy life. So why did the idea of her having children with another man send his heart rate through the roof?
Ty welcomed the sound of a wheezing engine, indicating Marcus and Jack were getting close. Determined to keep what had happened between him and Ana private, Ty walked through the front room, stepped out on the porch, and waited for the car to come into sight.
The irony of this situation didn't escape him. If he'd dealt with Ortega when she'd originally asked him to, none of this would be happening.
Even before the screen door opened, he sensed her presence. His body reacted instinctively, remembering her pressed close against him. Memories of things in the past had to be stowed away if he wanted to survive. Not only his life but also Marcus's depended on his ability to go inside himself, to block out all internal and external stimuli, and execute his assignment.
She'd said goodbye. So leave it at that. Everything in life had an end. He got that. So why did his chest ache as if Marcus had put his boot dead center and stomped?
Marcus killed the motor and exited with a smile. He and Jack both pulled a couple of sacks from the backseat.
"You two were hungry." Ana's voice had an unnatural lilt to it, a forced sound, making Ty believe she'd put on her brave face.
Marcus's smile vanished. "Starving."
He paused at the first step and looked up. His deadpan, tight-jawed expression left little doubt that his mood had shifted. Had he read something into her tone or her expression?
"Me
, too." Jack hustled inside, breaking the tension.
The atmosphere was thick as they ate their meal. Most of the discussion was around getting Ana to her uncle safely. Jack agreed he'd drop her off and meet Ty and Marcus at the airstrip. He'd ensure their transportation was ready when Ty and Marcus arrived.
"Marcus and I will go to Ortega's home. If we can get to him without involving the boy and the old woman, we'll take him out right there. If not, we'll tail him until he's alone."
Marcus nodded his agreement. He held his finger up. "Did you hear from Nate?"
"Not yet. If we don't hear something before we turn in, I'll call him," Ty answered.
Jack collected the empty paper plates and stuffed them in a sack. "Marcus said Nate's looking for the mole. Want me to contact my boss?"
"No. We'll wait on Nate. The fewer people involved the safer it will be for us." Ty slapped Marcus on the back. "My friend here and I were in and out of Ortega's property way too easily. He knew we were coming and didn't care."
Jack leaned forward. "Then we should take Ana to her uncle, and I'll go with you."
"No. I want her kept safe," Ty snapped. Damn, he'd spoken too loudly and too fast.
"There's no reason not to use me," Jack fired back. "I'm trained and capable."
Ana stood, gathered trash off the table and dropped it in the garbage can. "You don't need me for this. I'm going to rest for a while."
Ty felt her eyes on him as she paused in the doorway. Their gazes locked, and waves of heat rushed across his skin. The desire was overshadowed by the knowledge he'd never hold her in his arms again.
Marcus's frown had returned. "I'm gonna bring in the weapons bag from the trunk. They need to be checked out before we leave."
If that was a message, Ty couldn't decipher its meaning, so he pushed his chair back and followed. As soon as they were out of earshot, he asked, "You have something you want to get off your mind?"
"That's a good woman in there. It's just a shame I didn't meet her first."
Ty almost fell for the dig, but he knew better. Marcus was still in love with his wife, even though she'd been gone for years.
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