by Liz Wolfe
“You two done having your little conference?” Wade asked.
“You got a problem with that?” she asked.
“Darlin’, I’ve never had a problem with you. Except for when you decided not to go to bed with me until after the show.” He laughed and his handsome face turned ugly. “Damn, that pissed me off.”
“Yeah, that must have been a real bummer for you.” Paige shifted a little closer to Wade.
“I see you’ve cut all that gorgeous hair off. That’s kind of a disappointment.”
“Really?” She stepped a little closer to him. Ty kept his eyes on her, waiting for her signal. “You don’t like it?”
“Oh, it looks good enough. Anything would look good on you. I just had a few fantasies about all that long hair wrapped around me.”
“Well, considering the circumstances, I think you can put those fantasies to rest.” Paige used the conversation to cover the fact that she was moving closer to Wade, within striking distance now.
“Still, it was a good one.” Wade threw the unfinished candy bar to the ground.
Paige cocked an eyebrow at him. “Does that mean we can make a deal here?”
Wade laughed. “You’re offering yourself to me? You mean you’d give me that luscious body in exchange for your freedom? I’m surprised you’d trust me that much.”
“Just a survival instinct.” Paige ducked her head, scanning the ground for a rock of the right size. Small enough to throw with accuracy, big enough to hurt.
“Oh, I don’t think so.” He shook his head. “No, I don’t see you doing something like that at all. Not that I wouldn’t be willing to consider it.”
Paige looked at Ty and he responded without hesitation, diving behind the log when she reached down for the rock.
Wade jerked the rifle up and fired at the log. Paige pulled her arm back and heaved the rock as hard as she could, then launched herself at Wade. The rock smacked his hand and the rifle fell to the ground, leaving his midsection open. She plowed into it with all her strength.
Wade toppled backward and Paige followed, straddling his body as she landed, reaching for the collar of his shirt. With her wrists crossed over each other, her hands gripped his collar as far to the back as she could reach. She twisted her crossed wrists, causing the collar to tighten and her knuckles to press into his throat. He pulled at her arms, but with her wrists crossed it only tightened the collar around his throat. His face began to redden and his arms flailed.
Paige saw him grab the barrel of the rifle and swing it toward her. The stock of the gun slammed into her shoulder, loosening her grip and throwing her off him. Damn, things had been going so well until that.
Wade rolled to the side, bringing the rifle up as he got to his feet. At least he was coughing and rubbing his throat so Paige knew she had inflicted some damage. He issued a string of ugly curses that questioned her sexual habits, her morals, and those of her recent ancestors.
Paige heard a noise from the brush and knew the Hunters were about to join them. Wade turned toward the commotion, only to look straight into the eyes of the bear Paige had encountered the first day. He fumbled with his rifle, finally getting a shot off.
The bullet hit the bear in the shoulder and seemed to really piss him off. The bear growled and charged, and Wade fired a second time. The bear’s huge paw swept down Wade’s arm, leaving bloody marks and torn skin. Paige grabbed Ty’s hand, and they ran to the river and dove in.
She heard another shot and glanced over to see the other Hunters. The bear was sprawled on the ground a few yards away. One of the men ran to the riverbank and took a couple of shots at her and Ty. They both dove underwater and stayed there until their lungs were about to burst, and surfaced just as they were rounding the bend. The water was considerably faster here, carrying them farther away from the Hunters.
It seemed like a dream come true until Paige realized they were headed for a waterfall.
“Waterfall!” she yelled to Ty, who looked up and nodded. They had been swept to the middle of the stream and there wasn’t time to swim to shore before they reached the fall. The water was moving faster, and all Paige could do was try to prepare herself. She treaded water, letting the river carry her, and took a few deep breaths, blowing them out as much as possible, then dragging in another lungful of air.
She took a final deep breath, closed her eyes, and was swept over the edge. Then she was freefalling, water cascading around her, pummeling her body.
She was under for what felt like an eternity, finally bobbing to the surface. She felt bruised and battered, but nothing seemed cut or broken from the tumble.
“Paige!”
She looked over and breathed a sigh of relief seeing Ty waving at her. They swam to the shore and hauled themselves out of the river.
“You okay?” Paige asked.
“Never better,” Ty assured her. “Hell of a ride, wasn’t it?”
“You sound like it was fun.”
“Hell, yes, it was fun!” Ty slicked his hair back and grinned. “Can’t buy a ride like that.”
Paige just shook her head. She knew several people like Ty. Mostly men. They liked the adrenaline rush from risking their lives and actively sought out sports and events that were dangerous. She liked sport, but not that kind. Life as a police officer and then a private investigator provided all the adrenaline rushes she needed.
“At least we’ve got the river between us and the Hunters now.” Paige peered across the river, but there was no sign of them. “Although, I’m sure they gave up when we went over the waterfall.”
“What happened to Kevin?” Ty asked. “One minute he was there and the next he was gone.”
“I saw him go over a rock and drop out of sight right before you got over the hill.” She shrugged. “I don’t know if he was hurt, or if he was just trying to get away from the gunfire.”
“Hope he’s all right.”
“I think the Hunters were too involved with chasing us to go after him. He knows the general direction of the new campsite; maybe he’ll end up in that area and we’ll find him.”
Ty nodded and sucked in another deep breath. “What now?”
“We head for the cave. It will probably take us three or four hours. Hopefully, the others will be there before we arrive.”
“They had a good hour head start on us,” Ty said. “They should be there, unless—.” Ty looked stricken with the thought.
“Don’t think like that, Ty.”
“But, the Hunters could catch them so easily.” Ty rubbed his hand over his face. “With Alex and Aleisha injured, they’ll have to go slow. Maybe we should have stayed with them.”
“Ty, we did our job. We got the Hunters a good hour away from them. It’s unlikely that they’ll go back to find the others.” She clapped his shoulder. “It doesn’t do any good to wonder what if. You just make your best decision when you have to and then live with it.”
Ty swallowed hard. “Yeah. Besides, maybe Wade got hurt by that bear.”
“There’s a happy thought.” Paige grinned at him. She hoped the bear had inflicted a very painful wound.
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
“YOU TWO LOOK LIKE HELL,” Connor said when Paige and Ty approached the cave.
They stopped and looked at each other. They were covered with scratches, welts, and bruises, along with a few insect bites. Paige imagined her newly short hair didn’t look any better than Ty’s which was flattened in some spots, standing in spiked tufts in others. Both of them had a good share of dirt smudges. They grinned at each other like a couple of kids.
“Looks like you could use some antiseptic on those scratches.” Connor moved to the rear of the cave and pulled out the first aid kit.
“I think the waterfall got most of the dirt out of them,” Paige said.
“Waterfall, huh?” Connor shook his head. “Sounds like an interesting story.”
“Where’s Kevin?” Nick asked.
“We don’t
know. We lost him when they started shooting at us,” Paige said.
She and Ty filled everyone in on their adventure while Connor swabbed their scratches with antiseptic.
“I’m pretty sure the Hunters were too busy with me and Ty to go after Kevin. He knows the general direction we were headed and will probably show up soon.”
“If not, we’ll go out looking for him tomorrow,” Connor said.
“You guys must have made pretty good time.” Paige nodded at the full water bladders, a bag full of greens and fruit, and a string of fish. “Looks like we’ll eat well tonight.”
“We got lucky,” Aleisha said. “On the other side of the hill is a good stream full of fish.”
Everyone settled down to eat the meal Aleisha and Nick had put together. As much as Paige was starting to hate fish, she was starved enough to eat her fill.
“So, what now?” Alex asked. It was becoming a common question.
“We sleep. Tomorrow, we find the Hunters’ house and see if the plane can be flown.”
“What if it can’t?” Nick asked.
“Then we find another way off the island. The Hunters have a boat here. We might be able to take that.”
“But what if that doesn’t work either?” Aleisha asked.
“The islands aren’t that far apart here. We’ll make a raft if we have to,” Paige said.
“Let’s not borrow trouble,” Connor said. “I don’t think the Hunters would do any permanent damage to the plane, just in case they needed to use it.”
Paige had to agree with that. “That’s good, because I’m not really anxious to brave the open ocean on a makeshift raft.”
Everyone seemed to agree with that sentiment, although Paige was so tired she didn’t really care. She stepped outside the cave and looked up at the sky. Dark clouds were rolling in and it looked like the monsoon season was about to start with a bang. She was glad they had found the cave so they could all sleep dry and even more pleased that the Hunters were unlikely to trek through the jungle at night during a monsoon. Paige stepped back inside and rummaged through her pack until she found the soap and shampoo.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes,” she called to the others. Connor looked at the soap and shampoo in one hand and clean clothes in the other. “I’ll stand lookout for you.”
“Not necessary.” Paige shook her head.
“But practical. Besides, I know where the stream is.” Connor set off and Paige trotted along after him for about a quarter mile.
“Right over there.” Connor pointed to a lazy little stream, fed by a very small waterfall. It looked like heaven. She could use the waterfall as a shower.
“You coming in?” Paige pulled her tank top over her head and shimmied out of her shorts. When she looked up Connor had his back turned.
“No.” Connor rubbed his face and shrugged. “I’ll stand watch.”
“Don’t be silly. There’s no need to stand watch and I’ve got soap and shampoo. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t like to get clean?” Paige almost laughed at how timid he was being. It wasn’t like she was naked. Her sport bra and hip-hugger underpants were a lot less revealing than most of the swimsuits she owned.
“You sure?” Connor asked.
“Of course. Come on, you’ll feel a lot better.”
His shoulders and arms moved as he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside. Paige dove into the deeper part of the water and swam for the waterfall while Connor finished undressing. She heard him dive into the water just as she stood up under the cascading water. Connor looked up after a few strokes, and a strange expression crossed his face. Paige thought maybe it was the first time he’d seen someone shower under a waterfall.
She lathered her hair and let the water rinse the shampoo out, then rubbed the bar of soap over her body.
“Here.” She tossed the shampoo to Connor who caught it in one hand. “This is the best shower I’ve ever had.” She could have stayed there soaping and rinsing for another hour. It had been way too long since she’d felt clean.
Connor was still in the stream, rubbing shampoo into his hair. “It’s easier to rinse under the waterfall,” she called to him.
“I’m fine here,” he called back. Paige tossed the soap to him and rinsed the shorts and tank top she’d been wearing. They wouldn’t get really clean, but at least it would get most of the surface dirt out. Finished, she dove into the water and swam over to Connor.
“You really should go for the waterfall. I’d forgotten what clean felt like.”
“Nope, I’m already done.” Connor smiled and moved a little away from her.
“Okay, might as well get back. That little run through the jungle took it out of me. I’m ready for a good night’s sleep.” Paige paddled the few feet to the bank and stepped out, shaking water from her body, then turned back to the stream.
“Aren’t you getting out?”
“Uh …”
If she had been closer, she would have sworn he was blushing. “What?” she asked.
“Well, it’s just that I’m not in the habit of doing this kind of thing, you know?”
“What kind of thing?” Paige looked down and saw that her underwear was a little more revealing wet than dry. Still, it was a far cry from sexy. “Come on, I’ve got on more clothes than when I go to the beach.”
“But I don’t,” he finally said.
“What?”
“Well, I thought you were stripping down and I stripped down, too.”
Paige glanced at the rock he’d left his clothes on and saw his skivvies still tucked inside his pants. She thought the fact that she didn’t laugh out loud showed just how much control she could muster when she chose.
“No problem. I’ll keep my back turned.” Paige turned around and pulled on the clean shorts and T-shirt she’d brought with her, then wrung water out of the ones she’d rinsed under the waterfall. Bending over, she tried to squeeze the water from her hair and ran her fingers through it.
She hadn’t had a mirror since she’d cut her hair and had no idea what it looked like, or even what to do with it. Still, it felt better than the braid.
The sky had darkened and Paige heard the rumble of thunder. When a bolt of lightning lit up the clouds, she turned and waved to Connor.
“We’d better hurry.”
Connor trotted over to her, and they ran along the trail. More lightning crackled as the monsoon rain pelted them. They ducked into the cave and stood near the fire to dry.
“Man, it’s pouring out there. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Aleisha said.
“It’s the best thing that could happen right now. The Hunters won’t be searching for us in this downpour,” Paige said.
Between the sound of the rainfall and the knowledge that they were safe, at least for the night, exhaustion overtook her, and she stretched out on a layer of dried palm leaves that Connor had gathered and covered with her nylon tarp.
Paige woke several hours later when she felt the ground tremble again. The cave seemed to be solid enough. She had made sure they were camped close to the opening so if anything happened they could get out. The tremors didn’t come again and she soon drifted back to sleep, listening to the rain.
Wade poured a bottle of antiseptic over the gashes in his arm and let out a virulent curse. When the sting subsided, he splashed more of the liquid on his injury and gritted his teeth. That little bitch was going to pay for this.
“Hand me that towel,” Wade said.
Kevin picked up the towel, sauntered across the kitchen, and handed it to Wade. “Damn, that looks bad.”
“No shit, Kevin.” Wade grimaced and pressed the towel to his arm. Some help his assistant had turned out to be. The contestants had been out in the jungle for six days, and this was the first chance Kevin had gotten to report to him? Wade threw the towel in the sink and laid a thick layer of bandages over the gashes. Blood soaked through immediately. He wound a wide roll of gauze around his arm, added more bandages, and wound anoth
er roll of gauze over that. The gashes weren’t deep, but they hurt like a son of a bitch.
“Let’s go talk to the guys,” Wade said.
Kevin followed him into the front room where Martin, Dennis and Nathan were talking and having drinks. Kevin strolled over to the bar and helped himself to a tumbler of single malt scotch.
“Pour me a vodka,” Wade ordered, slumping into a chair. He took the crystal glass from Kevin and sipped, sighing.
“So, where the hell are they, Kevin?” Martin asked.
Kevin shrugged. “How would I know? We hadn’t gotten to the new campsite yet. All I know is that it’s a cave on the north end of the island.”
“That helps. At least we know the general area,” Dennis said.
“They suspect anything?” Martin asked.
“The woman, Paige, figured out that they’re all connected somehow by Eastland Industries. But she hasn’t figured out how.”
“Damn! She’s smarter than I gave her credit for,” Martin said, waving his cigar. “Doesn’t matter though. Soon as Wade’s healed up a bit, we’ll go after them. Time to wrap this up.”
“You want me to try to find them?” Kevin asked.
“You can go out tomorrow and see if you can figure out where they holed up,” Wade said. “But there’s no sense in you joining up with them again.”
Kevin looked relieved. “Good, I was getting tired of snake and fish with a side of coconut.”
“Why don’t you go throw a few steaks on the grill, Kevin? You’ve earned a good dinner, even if you have to cook it yourself.” Dennis poured another drink and plucked a cigar from the humidor. “Martin, did our associate take care of Shelby Parker?”
“He tried,” Martin said. “Rigged her car so the brakes would fail, but she managed to walk away from the crash.”
“You mean she might still be on our trail?” Nathan whined.
“Not likely. I had Howell call her up and ask her to investigate some employee theft at EasTech. That ought to keep her busy for a while.” Martin laughed. “Especially since we’re the only ones stealing anything.”