“Give me the gun.” His voice was a low growl, one she’d heard before. His hand covered hers and she let go of the gun.
The man on the floor continued to scream and the other man was frozen, eyes jerking between Lainey and Gideon. Gideon held the gun on him, speaking a rapid stream of Spanish. The man dropped to the floor, face down, hands behind his head.
“Go untie Aiden.”
Lainey stepped over the man on the floor, kneeling behind Aiden. She fumbled with the rope, finally getting the knots untied. As the ropes fell, Aiden reached up, pulling the blindfold from his face. He turned, looking up at her.
“Lainey! What the hell are you doing here?”
Aiden stood, reaching for Lainey, pulling her hard against him in a bear hug.
“I came with...” she pointed. Gideon was crouched on the floor, tying the man’s hands behind his back. As she watched, he moved to the man she’d shot, looking closely at the wound. He spoke a soft stream of Spanish, with the man on the floor responding through gritted teeth. Seeming satisfied with the answer, Gideon pulled a bandana from his pocket, wrapping it around the man’s leg.
“We need to leave. If I can believe him...” He jerked his head at the man on the floor. “...someone should be coming soon with provisions. And there’s a good chance someone heard the shot.”
Gideon stood, turning to Aiden. “Can you walk? Are you injured?”
Aiden touched his cheek. “No, I’m okay.”
Lainey winced, looking at the bruise on the side of her brother’s face. It was bloody, but she saw the blood had already dried. Beneath that, the skin was stretched tight, mottled purple showing through the blood and dirt, evidence that they had tortured and beat him.
“Then we need to move out. Come on.” Gideon moved to the door, carefully looking out into the jungle. He motioned to her and Aiden and they left the hut, disappearing into the jungle.
They moved quickly, pushing through the thick foliage, almost at a run. Aiden followed Gideon, with Lainey bring up the rear. She watched Aiden closely; he seemed to be moving okay, not limping. But she wanted to see his face and find out how badly he was really hurt.
The sound of running water reached her and Lainey realized they were back at the stream. Gideon led them through the water, stopping at the waterfall.
“Wait here. I’ll get the duffel. I’ve got water; don’t drink any here.” He pointed to the stream and then disappeared up the slope.
“Aiden...what the hell happened?” Lainey sat next to him on the rocks, peering at his face. There was a long gash covered with dried blood along his cheekbone. Lainey didn’t think it looked deep, but the edges were ragged. His eye was black, the white bloodshot. The swelling along his cheek made him look a prizefighter on the losing end of a ten round match.
“I was sloppy. Or really unlucky. Or both.” Aiden gave her a rueful smile. “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I’m going to get a great story out of this.”
“But where did they get you?”
“Not long after the border crossing. I was on the way to meet my contacts and drove down a road I shouldn’t have. Mistake number one. Then I stopped. Mistake number two. The only lucky thing was these guys weren’t drug traffickers or guerillas. They’re just really impoverished guys who thought they could ransom me off. You know, famous journalist and all.”
His smile dimmed. “When they discovered who I was...basically a nobody from a little magazine, they got really angry. That’s when they hit me. And then they got really confused.” He passed a shaky hand across his face, his bravado fading.
“Yesterday they were trying to decide what to do with me, to let me go or get rid of me. I knew too much and knew where they were, but they’re not killers. But they were also getting desperate.”
Gideon came back down the rocks from the cave. “Here.” He tossed a bottle of water to Aiden. “You were a liability. And they’re not set up for keeping hostages long-term.”
They both looked up at Gideon. “And you...” He pointed at Lainey. “You’re a loose cannon. What you did back there...”
“What I did back there was save your ass, Gideon.”
“What you did was dangerous. You could have hit Aiden, or me, or killed the guy. What you did was leave him wounded. And alerted anyone within hearing range that something was going on. There could have been seven or eight guys just down the path...”
“But there weren’t.”
“But you didn’t know that for sure. In this jungle, you can’t see more than ten feet.”
“I saved your life!”
Gideon held up his hands. “Enough. We need to move.” Gideon slung the duffel over his shoulder and started walking downstream.
Aiden watched Gideon’s retreating back for a moment then reached a hand down to pull Lainey up off the rock. “We should keep up with him unless you know your way out of this place.”
Lainey shook her head. “No. Let’s go.”
They were silent on the walk back to the Range Rover except for the sounds they made while moving through the jungle. Lainey and Aiden waited on the muddy road as Gideon drove the Rover out on to the road. They climbed inside, Aiden riding shotgun. Gideon sat for a moment, staring out the windshield.
“You lost your passport?” He spoke without turning to Aiden.
“Yeah. First thing they took.”
“Okay. We need to get you to the US Embassy in Guatemala City. It’s about an eight hour drive from here.” Gideon put the vehicle in drive. They started down the muddy track, the vehicle bumping over tree roots and threatening to slide off the slick surface into the jungle.
To Lainey, the drive seemed endless. Shortly after they reached the paved highway, Aiden asked to trade seats with Lainey and he stretched out across the back seat, falling asleep almost instantly, head pillowed on Gideon’s duffel bag. It alarmed her; Aiden had always been healthy and active. Seeing him like this, all bloody and bruised, tore at her heart. She watched him for a moment then turned around.
“Do you think he’s okay?”
“He’s exhausted, but otherwise he’s just a little banged up. It’s mostly surface stuff. Looks worse than it really is. I think a couple nights’ sleep, some decent food, and he’ll be back to normal.”
Lainey sank back into the seat. Gideon’s words helped a little, his matter-of-fact tone reassuring her. If he said it, then it must be true. Or at least she’d pretend that was the case. But other thoughts raced through her mind, focusing on Gideon and her, on whatever it was that had happened between them.
“What happens now? I mean, after you...after we...after we get to the embassy?”
Gideon kept his eyes on the road. “It may take a few days to get his passport. I’d suggest you two find a decent hotel somewhere close to the embassy and take it easy for a few days. He can rest, you can find some new clothes...” He cast a sidelong glance at Lainey.
She looked down. Her shirt and pants were torn and dirty, and she knew she needed a long hot bath. And a new pair of shoes. The sneakers she’d started this trip with were caked with mud and falling apart. But that wasn’t what she meant.
“Yeah. That sounds like a good idea.”
As Gideon drove, she tried to work up the nerve to ask her next question. As if reading her mind, he turned and looked at her, dark glasses obscuring his eyes.
“You’ve got more questions, don’t you? You fidget when you have something to say.” He turned back to the road. “Ask what you want.”
She took a deep breath. “What about you? And, well...us?”
“Us?” She watched his profile and saw his eyes flick briefly in her direction, but he didn’t turn his head.
Lainey’s heart stuttered in her chest. She’d hoped he’d at least acknowledge something had happened between them, something other than just sex. At least she’d thought it was something more than just sex.
“Us. I mean, what happened...back there.” She waved her hand over her shoulder in
the general direction of back there.
“We slept together.” His voice held no emotion.
Her heart sank. “Yeah. I know. I was there, both times.” It was hard to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “What I’m asking is did it mean anything to you? Other than taking advantage of the situation? Or me?”
“I didn’t take advantage of you,” he snapped, his eyes darkening. “If I recall correctly, you were a willing participant.”
“Is that all it was?”
Gideon blew out a breath, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “We’re just going to keep going round and round about this.” He finally looked at her, but his expression was impossible to read behind the dark sunglasses.
“Look. I’m not who you think I am, Lainey. I’m a guy who does dangerous jobs for money. Jobs no one else wants to do. That doesn’t make me the good guy. There’s nothing redeeming about me, no reason for you to be interested in me at all other than the job you hired me to do. I’m not exactly a guy in a position to be able to even think about a relationship, if you haven’t noticed.”
Lainey’s face went numb, her heart dropping like a lead weight into her stomach. “So...that’s it?”
A muscle tensed in his jaw. “It is what it is. I am what I am. And I made a rare mistake; I should have followed my first instinct.”
“So you’re not attracted to me? There’s nothing here...at all? I was a mistake?”
“What do you want there to be, Lainey? I told you, I’m not set up for relationships.”
“Because of what you do?”
“There’s that. But there’s who I am.” He shook his head. “Look, I’m not like other guys – like Scott. I’m damaged goods. So you’re better off getting any idea about there being an ‘us’ out of your head. It’s safer for you.”
The sudden hot prick of tears against her eyelids surprised Lainey and she turned away. She leaned against the car door, looking anywhere but at Gideon.
They spent the rest of the drive in tense silence. Aiden woke periodically to ask where they were, or for water or something to eat. It was early evening by the time they finally reached Guatemala City. Gideon took them to a hotel near the US Embassy. Aiden sat up, rubbing his eyes, as Gideon parked the vehicle in front of the hotel.
“We’re here.” Gideon turned around to talk to Aiden. “You can start the process to get your passport tomorrow and notify the authorities you were kidnapped. You should be able to get flights back to Chicago as well once you explain everything that happened and how you both ended up here.”
There was a strained, awkward silence that was finally broken by Aiden opening the door. “Not sure about you two, but I want a bath, a steak, and a bed, in that order.” He climbed out, stretching as he stood in the gathering twilight.
He turned back, leaning in the open car door. “Thank you, Gideon. I owe you everything.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank your sister. She’s the one bringing you home.”
Aiden smiled, reaching in to pat Gideon on the shoulder. “You both did. Lainey, I’ll meet you inside.”
Lainey nodded, her eyes locked on Gideon, not sure what to expect but not willing to leave things the way they were. What he’d said tore at her heart, and it left an unsettled feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“You have enough money for rooms and food and all of that?” Gideon glanced at her and she wasn’t sure if he was truly concerned or if the question was automatic. In either case, she met it with her typical reply.
“I have enough. I can take care of myself and Aiden.”
He held up his hands, palms facing her. “Just asking. I wouldn’t want to see either of you stranded. Not after everything you’ve both been through.”
She blew out a sigh, slumping back, some of the tension leaving her body. “I know. Sorry.” She drew a deep breath and forged ahead. “What about you, Gideon? What do you do now?”
Gideon pulled off his sunglasses, and it struck Lainey how weary he looked. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and his face was lined with fatigue. She’d been so overwhelmed with her own physical state and emotions – and worry about Aiden – that she’d never thought about how Gideon might feel. He had seemed like a rock, impervious to everything that they were going through.
“I’ll get a room. It’s late; I really don’t want to drive all the way to Belize in the dark. Mack will still be waiting for me tomorrow.”
She reached out and placed a hand on his arm, his skin warm beneath her fingers. He looked down at her hand and frowned, and she thought for a moment he was going to pull away, but he didn’t.
“Gideon, I’m sorry...about before.” She hurried on before she lost her nerve. “It’s just...I think you’re selling yourself short. And I think you’re lying to me, and to yourself.”
His head jerked up, his eyes meeting hers. The muscles of his arm tensed beneath her fingers, but he remained as still as a statue.
“You don’t know anything about me.”
She shook her head slowly, briefly tightening her grip. “Yes, I do. I know that you’re kind, that you care for people and that whatever was done to you was undeserved. You’re one of the good guys, Gideon. You just have to believe it.”
Before her courage left her or she said something she’d regret, she tugged open the Rover’s door and stepped out into the sticky night air. The sky was dark and thick with clouds, a light rain falling against her face. The city was hot and damp, a confusing mix of smells reaching her nose. She slammed the door, walking quickly to the entrance of the hotel where Aiden waited.
Behind her, the Range Rover roared to life, the squeal of tires a clear sign that she’d struck a nerve with Gideon. The taillights flashed briefly and she watched as he turned the corner. She was pretty sure that was the last she’d see of Gideon Wolfe. With a heavy heart, she turned toward Aiden.
“What’s going on?” He stepped back and raised one eyebrow at her, suspiciously. “Are you okay?”
Lainey looked up at her brother. “I’m fine, Aiden. It’s...complicated. It’s been a long couple of days. And I don’t want to talk about it right now. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
He nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, turning toward the hotel door. “I love you, Lainey.”
“I know. I love you, too.”
They walked through the lobby toward the registration desk, turning heads as they went. Aiden was still sporting streaks of dried blood on his face and shirt, and Lainey knew she looked like hell.
The man behind the desk cleared his throat in a not-too-subtle manner. Lainey sighed, turning toward him, and she began the process of getting rooms for her and Aiden. The desk clerk spoke enough English to accomplish the task and to point them in the direction of a store that sold clothes. Twenty minutes and a short walk saw them back at the hotel with bags of clean clothes and sandals. They found the elevators, rode a creaking machine to their floor, and stood in the hallway outside their rooms.
“Aiden, do you want to meet for dinner?” Lainey took her bags from Aiden.
His yawn was her answer. “I think I better just get out of these clothes, take a bath, eat, and then crawl into bed. Tomorrow, I want to get to the embassy early. I have a feeling it’s going to be a tedious process getting the passport replaced.”
Lainey nodded in agreement. “Yeah, good idea.”
Aiden reached out, pulling Lainey into the familiar bear hug he’d been giving her since they were kids. When he pulled back to look at her, she saw that his eyes had darkened, tears pooling in them. She’d never seen him like this and for a moment, it scared her. Aiden went through life always finding the good, seeing the bright side, coming through everything unscathed. She pulled him back into a hug, surprised to find him trembling slightly.
“You going to be okay?” she mumbled her words against his shoulder.
“Yeah. I’ll be fine.” He squeezed her hard then let her go. “Food, bath, bed, and tomorrow is a brand new day.”
>
“Everything will be okay, Aiden. And I’ll be just down the hall if you need anything.”
“Okay, mom.” His smile was back, tears receding.
She swatted his arm. “I’m being serious...you know, if you want to talk or anything.”
“I know. And if I haven’t said it enough...thanks, Lainey. Really.”
It was Lainey’s turn for tears and she waved, walking to her room and fumbling with the key card. She glanced back as the door to Aiden’s room closed.
Dumping her bags on the bed, she headed straight for the shower, dropping her dirty clothes along the way. The bathroom was small and the water pressure was low, but Lainey didn’t care. The water was hot and she’d bought a small bottle of shower gel, something overpoweringly floral and bubbly.
She stood under the hot water for a long time, letting it run through her hair and over her shoulders, the steam and floral scent relaxing her. And for the first time, she cried, letting out the emotions she’d held in check since she’d gotten the call from Aiden, the emotions complicated by Gideon.
Eventually, she got out of the shower, dried off, and wrapped a clean towel around herself. She flipped on the overhead light against the darkness outside. The hotel had a small restaurant on the lower level, and after a confusing phone call with the front desk, she managed to order what she hoped was chicken and a salad for delivery to her room.
The brief thought crossed her mind to go see what Aiden was doing, but she thought better of it. He was tired and she knew from past experience he’d be grouchy if she woke him. Better to let him get a good night’s sleep.
She wished she’d thought about buying pajamas or at least a robe. Her old clothes were beyond hope, but getting fully dressed for room service seemed like too much of a hassle. Then she decided she’d deal with room service when they arrived. At that moment, she was too tired to care.
She sat on the edge of the bed. It was actually quite comfortable and she lay back, telling herself she’d just close her eyes until room service arrived.
Crazy About Curves: 10 Luscious Reads Page 8