by Molly E. Lee
“Ahh, haaa,” he shouted, grinning as he clapped me on the back before holding my arm up triumphantly. A cheer rang out through the onlookers, and I glanced behind me while I gripped my side.
Dash had a split eyebrow, blood running down the left side of his face, but he was standing. No, he was leaning against the man who had beat him till he bled. Both were smiling. I shook my head and shrugged as I finally turned back around, finding Wade clapping. Easton nodded.
The men led us to the open space next to Wade and Easton, and seconds later food was shoved in our hands. We didn’t hesitate to devour every single bite. I wasn’t sure what kind of meat it was, but it reminded me of pulled pork and was steeped in a juice from heaven and as tender as anything I’d ever bit into. Tearing into a hunk of flesh, right after brawling with a man who looked like he fought lions before breakfast, made me feel more primitive than I ever had in my life and yet, I felt almost as alive as I did when shoving Sadie against the wall of our bedroom.
Fuck, did I go caveman on her every single time we made love?
I smirked. Whatever this form of high was—be it the adrenaline or the food or the fucking survival—I harnessed the energy it gave off and consumed it, refilling my much depleted stores. Cutting my eyes to Easton, he kept nodding at me, like he knew exactly what I was thinking.
I’d use this small gift we’d been given—cracked rib or not—and feed off it to help him get Rain back. Dash would too, and Wade. And with full stomachs and the precious moments where we were protected from the jungle’s nightly dangers, I knew nothing would be able to stop us when dawn finally came.
“YOU SURE THAT brawl with the Mastanti tribe didn’t fuck with your tracking capabilities?” I asked Wade’s back as he stood before me. He’d been staring at the same spot for over five minutes, and my nerves were shot.
Waiting to continue our search until dawn had nearly killed me, but I couldn’t insult the Mastanti like that. I’d never be welcomed back, and even if I was willing to sacrifice that, they would have grounds to kill us where we stood for trespassing without proper invitation. It was by mere chance that they hadn’t killed Wade when they scooped him off the jungle floor when he’d unknowingly crossed their border.
My own fault, as I hadn’t even realized where Wade had taken us. I was too distracted, too focused on getting Rain back, or I would’ve recognized the tribes piece of jungle that I had myself once been initiated on. I’d spent over two months with them some years ago. I could even speak a bit of their language, which was a cross between Spanish and Portuguese.
Which I used to ask Cualli—the Mastanti’s leader—if he or anyone had seen Corrine and her crew pass by their territory. No one had, but he assured me if one of his men spotted Rain before we did, he would take her under the tribe’s protection. He made no offers to accompany us on our search, and I didn’t have grounds to ask for help. They had enough problems when clashing with other local tribes on hunts and didn’t need to add a group of American’s to their list of foes.
Wade had called out my name when they’d grabbed him last night, but we hadn’t heard him. Luckily Cualli recognized it and listened to what he had to say. My association didn’t matter, he still had to prove himself, as did Connell and Dash.
Each of them was hurting today, not that either one complained in the three hours that we’d been moving. Connell was favoring his side, and Dash’s cut kept opening and bleeding at random times. Despite this, they pushed on. Never once asking to stop.
When this was all over and Rain was safe in my arms, I would express the love I now had for them. But I wasn’t capable of being grateful until after I got my heart back.
I swiped at the sweat pooling underneath my hat, which the GoPro rested on top of. I hadn’t wanted to keep up with the filming, but I knew it was good solid evidence to have if it came to that. The outcome had two possible scenarios: I’d either need the footage to put an end to Corrine and her crew for good, expose her for what she was, or I’d need it to burn because it contained evidence against me.
I was prepared to kill her. That I couldn’t deny. The ache in my bones, the tang of fear over what they’d done to Rain coated every sweltering breath I took. It was all enough to push me to a murderous edge. If we found them and Rain had been harmed . . . I knew I wasn’t coming back from it.
“Wade—”
“Shh!” He cut me off and jerked on my arm, tugging me to the ground. Connell and Dash dropped behind me once he frantically signaled them to do so.
I darted my eyes everywhere, over the stomped leaf-covered dirt beneath me to the lush greenery and splintering tree branches that surrounded us, the beams of golden sun piercing through the tiny spaces between the treetops. Nothing we hadn’t seen for miles of jungle already.
Wade released his hold on the sleeve of my shirt and held his finger to his lips while he army crawled forward. He motioned for us to stay put, and it took every ounce of willpower I possessed not to follow him.
After what felt like an eternity he came back, silently signaling us to stay low to the ground and move slowly forward. We nodded our agreement and followed the path he’d taken to a small clearing, the trees separating enough for us to stop side by side. We all lined up with our guts against the jungle’s floor. I tried not to think about what could bite or lash out at us on this level and instead focused on the intensity in Wade’s eyes. He was like a hunting dog pointing at his mark, not that Wade was a dog . . . except for the loyal and awesome part.
My lips parted when I followed his line of sight. The Amazon River was a couple hundred yards ahead of us and on it was a big fucking boat. More like an explorer yacht.
From the second story of it, hanging off a giant metal hook, was a metal cage.
And in it was my Raindrop.
My entire body trembled, the adrenaline taking over me so fast I was sure I would burst forth from my tight skin and show the world the monster that lived inside me. The one that would do anything to save the love of my life. My eyes coated with red as I saw her tiny frame slouched inside the cage like a fucking animal.
I must have moved, and quickly, because all at once I felt the weight of two men on my back, and one at my ankles dragging me backward. I tore at the earth, and a hand clamped over my mouth to silent any war-cry I was about to scream. Unable to tell who was doing what, I fought against them anyway, but three against one was too much, and after my thrashing slowed, they flipped me over on my back.
Wade had his hand over my mouth, and he kept it there as he scanned the area.
“I need to speak to the sane version of Easton right now,” he said, his eyes pinning mine with a seriousness that didn’t match the natural joking in his tone. “Because while I’m sure you’re ready to rip your shirt off and run through the jungle like Tarzan two speedballs in, we need to form a plan.”
“Your words,” Connell said as he released his hold on my right shoulder.
Dash slowly let go of his hold on my ankles but Wade kept his hand firmly in place.
After a few forced breaths from my nose, the red leeched from my eyes, my brain stopped pounding out a drum song, and I nodded at him.
Wade cocked an eyebrow at me, and I gave him a look that promised I would finish what the tribe had started last night if he didn’t get his hand off my mouth.
“There he is,” Wade said, taking his hand away.
I spit on the ground beside me as I sat up. “Your hand tastes like shit.”
Wade huffed, spinning his finger to indicate the area around us. “Well, you didn’t bring us to fucking Disneyland where everything is magical and no one sweats.”
I wanted to laugh, and that in itself was what made me realize my hope had returned. He’d gotten us here. Just like he promised he would. I’d never be able to repay him, but I didn’t have time for that right now. I could see Rain, but I didn’t have her back yet.
“Plan,” I said, more to keep myself rooted to the spot than to speak.
“Yes,” Wade said, glancing at each of us. “From what I can tell, there is one woman. Black hair, looks like she wants to be some kind of safari ninja?”
I nodded. “Corrine.”
“Crazy ex, got it,” Wade continued. “And three guys. Big ones, but not as big as the boys from last night.” He furrowed his brow, his eyes darting around our circle. “Fuck, that sounded awful.”
Connell and Dash snorted, shaking their heads. I remained frozen, as if any movement would trigger the bolt response and I’d take off for Rain.
“Bad news is they’re all packing a sidearm each that I could tell and that isn’t counting anything I couldn’t see on board that boat.”
“Rifles,” I offered. “They probably have rifles for the wildlife.”
“Why did they get rifles and we didn’t?” Connell asked, his tone a near whine.
“Weight issue. The chopper can only hold so much cargo plus passengers. It was either bring enough food or bring guns.” I shrugged, now wishing more than ever I’d chosen the guns. “Food always saves you faster than a gun. Survival 101.”
“That’s when actual people with guns aren’t trying to kill you.” Wade shook his head. “It’s all right, though. They’ve done the carting for us. Now all we have to do is relieve them of it.”
“Steal their guns?” Dash asked. “How are we supposed to do that without getting shot?”
“Easy,” Wade said, shrugging. “One of us goes down there, sneaks on board while they’re asleep, and gets them.”
A silence stole over us as what he said sunk in. “Solid plan,” I said after a few moments. “I’ll go.”
“Pop the brakes, Dr. Jones,” Wade said, placing his hand on my chest to stop my movements. “I’m obviously the one who is going.”
“Why?” Connell and Dash snapped at the same time.
Wade rolled his eyes like we were a bunch of kids not getting picked for kickball. “Because, if anything goes south, no one is crying at my funeral. Except maybe you three.” He chuckled like the thought was hilarious. “And,” he continued after he reeled it in, “I know more about guns than any of you do.”
Couldn’t argue with him on that one. It was in his file. Expert marksman, along with having certification on all kinds of weapons from pistols to AK-47s. Action movies were his bread and butter and big directors liked big toys.
“I can’t let you do this,” I said. “This is my fight. I brought this on myself when I let that bitch into my life.”
“Then what the fuck did we come all this way for, huh?” Connell snapped.
“We’re in this, bro,” Dash said. “Whether you want us or not. We will see this to the end.”
“See,” Wade said. “Avengers unite and all that shit.”
I huffed, the gratitude I had for them had no bounds. “Fine. After you get the guns, then I’m going to go get her.”
Wade chewed on his lip for a moment, as if he wanted to argue. He knew he couldn’t. None of them could. I may be sane enough to let them pull me away to think of the best way to get her back unharmed, but I wasn’t about to sit on my heels as Wade called the shots. He’d gotten us this far and was super qualified, but she was mine. Nothing else mattered beyond that.
“Don’t hit me or anything,” Dash said, his eyes scrunched up as he turned them toward the sky.
“Are you fucking kidding me, man?” I rubbed my hands over my face. “Now? Can’t you like, control that shit?”
“Dude, I’m not Zeus.” Dash shook his head. “I can’t order it around.”
“Fuck, when will it hit us?” Connell asked what was already in my head.
“An hour,” Dash answered.
“You’re certain?” I asked, wishing for once in his weather-consuming life he was wrong.
“Yeah. I can—”
“Feel it. We know.” I didn’t mean to cut him off but damn every time I thought we were taking a step forward it felt like we were being pulled two steps back.
“It’s going to rain?” Wade asked suddenly, as if he’d just caught on to the conversation.
Dash nodded and Wade’s smirk went from ear to ear.
“Perfect. I was going to wait for the cover of night, but a rainstorm will do just as well. And I won’t have to be as quiet.”
The hope that had been teasing my heart perked up again. “Okay, here’s the plan.”
I squinted from my spot on the jungle floor, concealed from view by not only the thick leaves surrounding our location but by the torrential rain that came down in sheets. Connell and Dash were on their stomachs right next to me, and if they chose to speak to me, they’d have to yell. The rain was that loud.
The boat Corrine was currently occupying had flicked on its overhead spotlights, training them on the river and the bank it was docked next to. Her crew had bolted inside as the storm started, and I clawed at the wet earth beneath me in order to keep myself from rushing after Rain, who they’d maliciously left caged above the Amazon River in a tropical storm. Dash had assured me the chances of lightning striking her confines was slim from where the head of the storm was positioned, but that didn’t make me agonize over it any less.
Breathing became more difficult the longer Wade took, and each second that passed I was both grateful and terrified. Dash said the storm wouldn’t last more than an hour before the sun came back out, and while I was ready for that to happen, I wasn’t happy that Wade was taking his precious time returning to us. I didn’t want to lose the element of surprise on Corrine if he were caught, but more so, I didn’t want them to shoot him.
Fucking priorities. Breathe in. Breathe out. I was supposed to be looking for Wade, but all I could see was that cage and the ball of my wife curled in it. God, I couldn’t imagine what all they’d denied her—water, food, sleep.
A dark figure stopped in front of her hanging prison, and my heart clogged my throat. I knew it was a long shot, but I desperately wanted Wade to be able to pick whatever lock the cage had on it. After a few minutes, my pulse racing, all the air left my lungs. The shadow bolted, and Rain was left inside.
We were all drenched down to our bones from the rain but adrenaline made my body tremble. I would use every ounce of it to get her back.
“Easton,” Connell said, touching my shoulder before pointing to the right.
In the distance, far enough away in the rain not to be spotted by Corrine’s crew—if any of them were even caring to look—was Wade. A shit-eating grin on his face and an armful of guns tucked into his side.
He dropped to his knees before us, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he took gulps of wet breaths. “Finders. Keepers.” He spread the guns out before us. “They have their pistols on them, though.”
“Are you sure you’re in the right line of work?” Connell asked him as he took in his loot.
“Suits me all right.” His grin slipped off his face as his eyes found mine. “I’m sorry, man. I tried. It’s a complex lock and I didn’t have the right tools, or the time. I told her you were coming, though.”
I pressed my lips into a line and nodded my thanks. “How much time we have left, Dash?” I nagged him as if he had the power stop the storm.
“Fifteen to thirty minutes. Tops.” He glanced down at his watch then back to me.
I trailed my eyes to each of them. “You all good on the plan?”
They each nodded.
Wade held out his fist, Connell next, then Dash. I pressed my lips together, bumped their fists, and willed time to move faster.
I’d taken the time to wring out my shirt and pants after the rain had stopped, wanting the mobility in case this all went to hell, which I was guessing it would. One thing I knew for sure, I would get Rain back, one way or another.
The root-covered hill was steeper than it appeared from the lookout point I had held an hour ago, and I dug my boots into the freshly soaked ground for traction. The sun was back out in full force, and the closer I got to the bank and Corrine’s boat, the clearer I could
see Rain. She hadn’t shifted from that same curled-up position, and I flexed and clenched my fists repeatedly. My heart thudded incredibly hard against my chest, as if it wanted to break free of its own cage and check on its other half.
Seconds away, I assured it. I took a deep fucking breath and reached into my back pocket, retrieving the cloth-covered item Dash had helped me grab before we started tracking Corrine and her crew. I squeezed the item in my hand wishing it hadn’t come to my possession under these circumstances. Wishing none of this had ever happened. But I couldn’t change the past. Only the future.
Here we fucking go.
“Corrine!” I shouted when I’d reached the edge of the bank.
Rain jolted, her cage swaying above the river as she scrambled her position to see me. “Compass,” she tried to yell, but her voice was hoarse, as if she’d worn it out screaming.
From this distance I could see the purple bruise surrounding her right eye and I saw red again.
“Easton Wells.” Corrine’s voice grounded me to the present, and I forced myself to remember the plan. I wanted to go off book and kill her where she stood, and that notion had my blood turning to ice. The shock in her eyes was not lost on me, and I allowed myself a small smirk. Bitch hadn’t thought I’d find her. Her mistake. “You always were an overachiever, weren’t you?” She shook her head, tossing that black hair over her shoulder as she came down the steps from the second story of the boat. Stepping onto the bank, she halted at the edge, keeping her distance. “You had until the end of this day before I was going to call you with a location to meet, but it seems, once again, you’ve done my work for me.” She eyed the cloth in my hand and I straightened my spine.
I motioned behind her, toward the river. “You sure you want to stand that close to the edge? Caiman thrive in there.”
She pursed her too red lips. “You want to get closer to me, Easton? All you have to do is ask.” She winked and took a few steps away from the bank’s edge toward me. “You are quite right about the caiman though.” She pointed over her shoulder at Rain’s cage without actually looking. “That seemed the safest place to keep something so precious.”