“You don’t understand.” Her voice dripped with anger.
“Let’s go.” She didn’t move. He shoved the goggles to his forehead and leaned down inches from her face. Standing this close, the bruise on her cheek was even more noticeable. She’d been treated like shit, and he hated to add to her troubles, but he didn’t have time to argue.
“You’ll walk, or I’ll haul your ass out of here like a sack of potatoes.”
She set her jaw and didn’t budge, so he did what any smart man would’ve done. He tossed her over his shoulder firefighter style. She was light as a feather. He’d bet she didn’t weigh much more than his backpack.
“Oh. Hell. No. You are not carrying me anywhere.”
He stopped at the door, checking his watch to ensure he wouldn’t run into one of the perimeter guards. He reached up and patted her on the leg.
“Were you not listening? This entire compound is about to disappear from the face of the earth. And you want to stay?”
“Wait,” she muttered.
“No talking.”
“Put me down. We’ll move faster.” She sounded defeated, but had she really surrendered?
Ty glanced at her bottom, which currently rested on top of his shoulder. It was a great ass but not much of a gauge to use when testing for the truth. “If you run, I’ll catch you. Traveling hog-tied and slung over my shoulder will get old fast. At least for you.”
“I get it,” she spit the words out as if they tasted bitter.
He slid the goggles into place. “Stay close.”
An inappropriate shiver shot up his spine when her fingers gripped his shirt.
She nodded toward the jungle. “I hope you know what you’re getting us into.”
“I do.” He ignored that she doubted his ability. Once outside, they hugged the house until another perimeter guard walked close enough to spot them. He opened his mouth but was silenced by a bullet from Ty’s suppressed .22. The man fell right on the path. Time was the bigger enemy, so Ty dragged the body close to the house and left him.
He glanced down and found the woman’s gaze locked on his face. One quick nod and they sprinted across the open space and into the dense cover of jungle.
He pushed hard, watching for movement on every leaf. The ferns, grasses, small plants and dead matter provided the perfect cover for hungry creatures of all species. No way was he letting her get bitten, stung or eaten. Losing her wasn’t an option.
A sound coming from behind stopped him. He recognized the steady swoosh, swoosh, swoosh of a machete. Someone was coming fast. He’d hoped they would have more time, but expected the guards to be hunting the person who disrupted their drug production.
Judging from her quick intake of air, she’d heard the noise, too. Ty spun to face her and placed his finger to her lips. Silently, he pulled her into the thick bush. A quick scan of the surroundings didn’t reveal any obvious hazards. Leaving her alone was dangerous but a calculated risk he had to take. If he wound up in hand-to-hand combat with more than a couple of men, protecting her would be difficult at best. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Stay here.”
“I can’t see.” She tightened her grip on his arm.
“Right now they’re focused on me. I can fix this easier and faster without you along.” He slipped his Beretta into her hand, hoping it would give her a measure of security. “Do you know how to use this?”
“Probably better than you.”
Any other situation and he’d have laughed at her assumption that she could out-shoot him. Now wasn’t the time. He wrapped the fingers of her free hand around a small tree limb. “Listen to the sounds around you and shoot if you have to. I’ll identify myself when I get back.”
“Go ahead. I’m not going anywhere.” She stood perfectly still. Even through the goggles, he saw determination in the way she held her head. The lady had guts.
Ty moved silently in the direction of the rhythmic sound of the swinging machete. Whoever it was, he was hacking at vines, widening the path and getting closer.
The flapping wings of frightened birds and chatter of spooked monkeys stopped so fast the quiet was startling. The night turned as still as a church during prayer. Through the trees, a single flashlight beam caught his eye. Moving quick and soundless, Ty looped around behind the man. Just as Ty had expected, it was one of the guards he’d monitored over the past few days. Stupid to have come alone.
Ty eased the .22 pistol from the holster strapped to his leg. One shot and the warista crumpled like a piece of wet paper. He dragged the body into the bushes. Ty picked up the AK-47 and took it with him. He saw no advantage in leaving it behind.
He backtracked to Ana. She stood right where he’d left her. Judging from the way she held the gun, she’d told the truth and knew how to handle one. “I’m right behind you.”
Lowering the Beretta, she turned toward the sound of his voice. “Who was it?”
“One of Ortega’s guards,” he said, closing his hand over hers and relieving her of the weapon.
“You killed him?”
“Yeah. We have to move.”
He took her hand in his, slid his arm behind his back, and headed out. She stayed right with him, allowing them to move fast. The lady might be small in stature, but she had the stamina of a soldier, which was going to prove to be an asset. Over the next few days, she’d need it.
Once they reached the small hideaway he’d carved out for storage, she could rest until daylight. First thing in the morning, they’d start across the thickest and roughest terrain of their trek.
About the Author and Other Titles...
Author of The Green-Eyed Doll, The Last Execution, and Someone To Watch Over Me, my husband and I live in Texas with our rescue dog, Buddy. I write alpha males and kick-ass women who weave their way through death and fear to emerge stronger because of, and on occasion in spite of, their love for each other.
Get up to date information on new releases. Sign up for my newsletter at http://www.JerrieAlexander.com and connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
If you enjoyed this book, please help me spread the word. Facebook and tweet your approval. A review on Amazon and or GoodReads would be greatly appreciate. Send me an email if you post a review, I’ll want to thank you personally.
Acknowledgements
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the following people. Their support, advice, and enthusiasm were invaluable.
To my editor, Joyce Lamb, your guidance helped me polish this story until it shone. For that, you have my sincere appreciation.
To Barb Han and Jackie Pressley, who critiqued my words, poked and prodded me when the story stalled, listened while I complained and pressured me to work through the rough spots. My thanks and gratitude for your support.
To my advisor on all firearms and tactical matters, a real American hero who prefers to remain nameless, thanks for sharing your knowledge and for your service to our country. Any mistakes are my own!
To my husband, who has always said I could do anything I set my mind to, and our daughter, who believed in this book from the beginning, thank you for your unwavering love and support.
Last but not least, thanks to my readers. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I loved writing it.
Reviews
PRAISE FOR THE GREEN-EYED DOLL
“Jerrie Alexander’s debut novel THE GREEN-EYED DOLL is a gritty, thrilling can’t put it down romantic suspense. I’m looking forward to seeing what she has for us next.”
-Fresh Fiction
“Two lonely people meet at a routine traffic stop, a woman with a sad, violent past, and a man on the good side of the law. Add a crazed serial killer to the mix, and you have the makings for a gripping romantic suspense read!”
-InD’tale Magazine
PRAISE FOR THE LAST EXECUTION
“I stumbled across The Last Execution book, so glad I did as thoroughly enjoyed it. I searched the author then also read “The Green-Eyed Doll” in r
ecord time. They both get you hooked from the start, and had me reading till the wee hours of the morning! If you like thrillers, with a bit of romance on the side, you will love both Jerrie Alexander books. I just hope she is writing more...and soon!”
-Amazon Reader Review
Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Read COLD DAY IN HELL
About the Author
Acknowledgements
Reviews
Hell Or High Water (Lost and Found, Inc.) Page 26