For some reason, having boobs and blonde hair made men think she didn’t have a brain. And wasn’t her ex disappointed when she wanted to discuss things other than sex or his dick size. After the initial chemistry had worn off, there was nothing left. Shaking her head, she wondered why she’d spent so long with him.
Putting the last sample into her backpack, she took out her canteen and took a long swig of water.
Her guide nodded at her, gesturing for her to follow him.
Wondering what he was suddenly so uneasy about, Clarissa slipped her long-sleeve shirt back on, hiked her backpack over her shoulder, and walked toward him. There was so much else to collect and photograph here, she thought with disappointment. Resisting the urge to groan, she stopped in front of him.
“Are you sure we have to leave now?” she asked quietly.
She looked around the rainforest but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. It was hot, humid, and beautiful. Walking back to the camp when she’d barely gathered all she needed wasn’t how she planned to finish the day.
Then again, even though she didn’t notice whatever he was so antsy about, she wasn’t about to tempt fate either.
“I thought I heard voices further on down the stream,” he said in a heavy accent, nodding toward it. “It’s best we get moving and take a different trail in case someone is following it. This stream leads directly to the river. If they’re following it south, it will lead them straight to us.”
“We can’t walk along the water?” she asked, frowning.
“It’s not the safest option. Others could be following it through the rainforest as well. It could simply be hikers or adventurous tourists, but why risk it?”
“Let’s take a different route then. Better safe than sorry and all that.”
He nodded, his hand gripping his weapon. They had a good two-hour hike back, and then after she documented her findings, it would be dinner and bed. They’d been getting an early start in the mornings and putting in many long days.
She followed the guide away from the water and further into the dense forest, trying to avoid tripping on the vines underfoot. Her hiking boots were perfect for the terrain, but she still needed to pay attention. The last thing she needed right now was a twisted ankle or something.
A monkey let out a scream from high up in the trees above them, and several suddenly appeared and began chattering.
Clarissa stopped mid-stride, looking in wonder up at them.
She’d never get tired of all the amazing animals here. It was so vastly different from life back home in Texas. “Come along,” her guide said urgently, gesturing for her to follow. Jumping in surprise, she looked around and began moving after him.
He was pushing through the trees and vines more quickly now, seemingly wanting to put more distance between the stream and them.
She hurried along, nearly tripping in her haste. “Hey! What’s the rush?” she asked, catching up to him. “Is someone coming this way?”
Although she didn’t mind hiking back at a quick pace, she didn’t want to ruin all the samples she’d collected. They were sealed and labeled, but rushing back like they were Marines on a mission didn’t appeal to her either
Voices in the distance caused her to freeze. Her guide stiffened and then took her arm, pulling her along with him. They were talking so rapidly she couldn’t catch what they were saying. Judging from the way her guide pulled her along, it couldn’t be good.
“Who are they?” she hissed at him as they hurried away. “Drug runners?”
He shook his head, his face hard. “No. Not drugs. Terrorists.”
“Terrorists? Here in the rainforest?” she asked in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“They’re in Colombia, more so in recent years,” he confirmed. “And they move through here sometimes just as the drug runners do, trying to evade authorities.” His gaze swept the area, but there was nothing to see aside from thick foliage. “They may have a camp nearby.”
“Holy shit,” she whispered. “Do you think they heard us by the stream?”
“It’s possible, but they probably were already on their way in this direction.”
“What will they do with us?”
His hand tightened around his weapon. “They’ll probably kill me if they catch us. And you?” He shook his head.
She shuddered. “Let’s hurry up then.”
“As an American, you are valuable to them. They could hold you for a ransom.”
“I don’t have any money,” she said. “No family.”
“They don’t know that. They see an American woman and all they see are dollar signs.”
Nodding, she nervously swallowed. This was absolutely and utterly insane. She was a biologist for crying out loud. She was studying plant life and animals, not interested in their organization. The heat of the rainforest suddenly felt oppressive, not tropical and exotic.
They’d get back to their camp and be fine. They had to be. If necessary, they’d pack up and move to a different location. She had her samples. She could collect more elsewhere and compare and contrast different areas of the region. They just wouldn’t come back to this particular area tomorrow.
“I don’t hear them anymore,” he murmured quietly.
“Good. They probably didn’t even notice us,” she whispered.
“Possibly not,” he agreed, relaxing his stance ever-so-slightly.
A rustling in the bushes ahead had them both freezing, and then three armed men suddenly jumped out. Clarissa’s scream filled the air as her guide took a shot, but he was already on the ground, bleeding before she saw what happened.
One man began yelling at her in another language, and she got the impression he was using vulgar words from the way he leered at her. The others rushed toward her, armed and angry. She held up her arms, attempting to fight them off or surrender, she wasn’t sure, but then everything went black.
Chapter 3
BLAKE DUSTED OFF HIS hands as he stood back up on the side of the busy highway and looked at the spare tire he’d just put on the vehicle. Cars whizzed by them, and he shook his head.
“I appreciate your help,” the older woman said gratefully. “I’ve already been waiting an hour for a tow truck that never showed. Can I pay you for your trouble?”
“No ma’am,” he said, looking over at her. He bent down and grabbed the jack and tools he kept in the back of his SUV. They’d come in handy more than once, even saving his own ass when he’d gone off-roading with some of his buddies and blown a tire.
“You’re such a nice young man. Maybe I could introduce you to my granddaughter,” she said.
Blake chuckled. “I’m sure she’s lovely, but no thank you. I’m not looking for a relationship or anything right now. Remember to drive slowly on that tire and get it replaced,” he added, nodding at the spare.
“I will. You know, my husband was in Navy,” she said, looking at the trident tattoo on Blake’s bicep. “He’s been gone five years now.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“He would’ve liked you,” she said, climbing into her car. “Thank you for your service.”
He nodded and headed back to his SUV, stowing his things in the open trunk. He climbed in and turned off his hazard lights, starting the engine. It wasn’t exactly how he’d planned to spend his Saturday morning, but damn. Helping someone out was the least he could do.
His phone buzzed with an incoming call, and he saw Troy’s name on the screen.
“Yo, what’s up T-Rex?” he asked, calling him by his nickname.
“Logan and I are hitting the beach later on. You in? Pretty girls in bikinis are a sight I never get tired of.”
“Don’t I know it. And hell yeah, I’m in. What time are you guys meeting up?”
“Thirteen hundred work for you?”
Blake glanced at the clock on his car stereo. It was only eleven thirty now. He had plenty of time to swing home, change, and grab a cooler full of bee
rs to bring along. Although the men kept in shape with their grueling SEAL training, that didn’t stop them from enjoying themselves on the weekend. And there was nothing like tossing a football around on the beach to get the attention of the ladies and then inviting a few over to join them for a beer.
“Works for me. I’ll bring the beers.”
“Sweet,” Troy said. “I’m already running late, so I’ll shoot the others a text.”
“Running late? Where are you going?”
“I gotta drive the woman I brought home last night back to the bar. The pretty redhead? She left her car there, and let’s just say we were in too much of a hurry last night to worry about logistics.”
Blake chuckled. “Such a gentleman. She’s not coming along today?”
“She’s not invited.” His voice dropped. “She’s in the shower right now. I made up a story about some training we’re doing later.”
“So, no round two?”
“Oh, there was round two and three. But she already asked me about my plans for the next couple of weekends, so I’m saying sayonara. This was supposed to be a one-night kind of thing, not my next girlfriend.”
“Gotcha. Well, we wouldn’t want her to keep you from all the other beautiful women out there.”
“You know it. Don’t worry, I’ll let her down easy.”
“Right. I wouldn’t expect anything less. Catch ya later.”
Tossing his phone onto the passenger seat, Blake eyed traffic in his mirrors and then pulled back onto the highway. The older woman he’d helped was long gone. Blake drove a few exits down and then took the offramp, heading toward his townhouse. He’d just moved in a year ago after being tired of apartment life. He was only renting since he was in the Navy and could always get PCS’d, but hell if he didn’t appreciate having more space and a small yard.
He was an outdoorsy guy, that much was for sure. He’d never survive a desk job. Hell, when he was done being a SEAL, he’d have to look into a job training other men. Because sitting in a closed-in office all day? It would never happen.
That shit was the stuff nightmares were made of.
His gaze shifted as he saw two military jets flying overhead. He’d never get tired of the sight. San Diego was definitely a Navy town. He’d been stationed out here since BUD/S and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Although many guys that he’d met over the years were spread out across the U.S. and the entire world, he’d grown to love Coronado and San Diego.
And damn. Sunny weather, days training on the water, and men he’d trust with his life didn’t hurt. Nor did the beautiful women on all the beaches.
An hour later, he was heading toward Imperial Beach, windows down and music cranked up. He’d thrown a tee shirt on over his swim trunks, and with his aviators on and gear in the back, he was ready to soak up some sunshine and flirt with pretty women. A convertible with two women stopped beside him at a light, and the driver waved. She had on a string bikini top and was tanned and toned—not to mention completely too made up. Her hot pink lips probably attracted plenty of attention, but he wasn’t into kissing a woman and ending up wearing as much makeup as her.
He nodded but pulled forward as soon as the light turned green.
Grabbing a decent spot near the beach by some stroke of luck, he climbed out and rounded his vehicle.
“Yo, Raptor!” a voice shouted.
Grinning, he turned to see Grayson headed his way. He had a surfboard tucked under his arm and a towel in the other hand.
“Gonna catch some waves?” Blake asked.
“You know it. Besides, nothing attracts the women more.”
Blake chuckled. “Sure, but you’ll be out there in the water while we’re tossing a football around on the beach. Who do you think they’ll talk to?”
“Amateur,” Grayson scoffed.
“What happened to the waitress from last night? Shawna?”
“It happened,” he said with a grin. “She’s got a rocking body and kept begging me for more. I’m taking her out for drinks tonight after she gets off work. And then we’re heading back to my place again.”
They sauntered onto the sand, seeing Troy and Logan already setting up next to a group of women.
“Hell, those boys are in a hurry,” Blake said, watching as Troy flirted with a brunette. The woman turned around, and Troy was already rubbing sunscreen on her back.
“To get laid? Always,” Grayson said with a chuckle.
Blake crossed the hot sand, taking in the busy Saturday afternoon beach crowd. The Pacific Ocean gleamed in the sunlight, waves crashed on the shore, and jets rumbled overhead in the sky.
“God damn, I’ll never get tired of this sight,” Blake said appreciatively.
“Me either,” Grayson said, turning his head as a woman in a bright red string bikini walked by. “Hell, she looks like Shawna. Smaller boobs though.”
“Jesus,” Blake muttered.
“The beach is pretty sweet, too,” Grayson agreed. “But I mostly come for the women.”
“Yo, fellas!” Logan shouted out as they got closer. “Come meet the ladies. Oh, there’s Ethan!” He hollered at the other member of their team, drawing attention from people nearby.
Blake and Grayson walked over, and introductions started with the group of women. Blake set his cooler under an umbrella in the sand, reaching down to open it and grab a cold beer. He’d just popped the cap when his cell phone buzzed in his pocket, and he frowned as he pulled it out.
“Shit,” Troy muttered, grabbing his own phone from his swim trunks.
“What’s up?” Ethan asked, glancing over at them.
“It’s the CO,” Blake muttered, lifting the phone to his ear. His CO began barking commands as the noise and fun of their Saturday at the beach faded into the background.
“Well hell,” Grayson said, dropping his surfboard onto the sand. “There goes our afternoon.”
Chapter 4
CLARISSA MUTTERED UNDER her breath as they trudged through the Colombian rainforest, her head pounding. She’d woken up on a dirty, tattered blanket in a makeshift tent near the river, but as soon as she was conscious, they’d been on the move.
Apparently, they hadn’t wanted to carry her unconscious through the jungle.
Her mouth was dry, her stomach queasy, and she felt grimy and gross. The moisture in the air coated her skin, and while it had been almost refreshing when she was gathering samples at the water, now it just felt stifling. The heat was oppressive, and she wanted to lie down and sleep, not trudge along with these men.
They’d been following the river for the past hour, and she wasn’t sure if the men were lost or just far away from wherever their camp was.
Her throat tightened as she thought of her own camp and how her guide was nowhere to be seen when she’d woken up. Had they killed him? Left him for dead, bleeding out on the ground?
Nausea roiled through her again. She didn’t even dare ask about him and draw attention to herself. How many hours had passed since they’d kidnapped her? It had already been late in the day when they’d been ready to head back.
The beautiful rainforest she’d been enjoying on her trip now felt humid and oppressive. Even if she could somehow escape from these men, they’d taken her backpack. She had no supplies. No food or water. She didn’t know how to get back.
Where would she even go?
She was lost, at their complete and utter mercy. If she ran, they’d probably shoot her, too.
“You are American, no?” one of her captors asked, looking back at her. Her gaze tracked over him. He had dark eyes, a dark beard, and carried an assault-style rifle. His voice was heavily accented, but he didn’t have a Colombian accent like her guide.
Another man chuckled. “Of course, she’s American. We can collect a hefty sum for her.”
“You shouldn’t have been wandering around our jungle,” the first man laughed.
Warily looking between the two men, she stumbled over a vine on the ground. A rough
hand grabbed her bicep, yanking her up. She immediately pulled away, not liking how close the third man was behind her.
He nudged her forward, and she kept walking.
She didn’t need to anger them. They hadn’t hurt her yet, and maybe she’d be worth more to them alive than dead. Of course, that didn’t mean they wouldn’t harm her when they reached their destination. And they didn’t realize she had no family at home. No close friends. Would the university pay a ransom for her? She knew the U.S. government didn’t negotiate with terrorists.
Were these men terrorists?
They weren’t South American, that much was for certain.
“How much farther?” the man behind her asked. He began speaking rapidly in another language—Arabic maybe, which wasn’t what she expected. Where had these men come from and what on Earth were they doing in the rainforest?
The man up front suddenly halted and called out a quiet command.
She stopped abruptly, nearly bumping into the man in front of her, and listened to the sounds of the forest.
Voices could be heard in the distance, and the men grew tense. Was another group out here as well? The drug runners she’d been worried about? Or were they people who could help her?
She froze, not sure if she should scream for help or remain silent. Which group of men was worse? Everything happening today seemed surreal, like she was watching a movie of someone else’s life. She was here gathering data, collecting samples, planning to return home to Texas and write an academic paper. She was a scientist. She wasn’t interested in drugs or terrorists or whatever the heck else was going on in the depths of the Colombian rainforest.
How could this be real life? Would they even let her go?
Hot tears filled her eyes, and she quickly brushed one away as it rolled down her cheek.
If anything, she needed to remain strong. To convince them she could keep up and would be a valuable asset. She’d only told a few of her colleagues that she’d be gone—it was summer, after all. She didn’t have lectures to give or papers to grade.
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