“Let’s return to the others so I can help with the meal.”
“As you wish.”
He took hold of her hand and walked them back to the camp. Some of the men grinned at them, but thankfully didn’t say a word. Felix seemed to be in a more chipper mood, and it nearly killed her to see him this way when she knew that it wouldn’t last.
Oh, Lord! Give me strength to endure the pain that would eventually come upon me when I tell him about my past.
FOURTEEN
Tonight the full moon shone brightly upon the small camp. Their location was mostly underneath the stars, which told Felix they were getting closer to the plantation.
Felix sat by the fire, stirring a stick around in the burning embers. For half of the night, he kept a small fire stoked as he took the first watch. Everyone else slept in their tents, and occasionally the snores of the men drifted through the air. For certain, this particular noise would scare away small animals and other creepy-crawling things in the jungle.
But it was the larger animals he worried about. Like jaguars.
Being out here by himself gave him time to think about a lot of things. Sadness crept over him when he thought about the way Carlos had died. None of the men knew the crocs would be by the waterfall. It could have been any of them—even Felix. Even Katrina. It was so senseless, and he wanted to scream from the injustice of it all.
Something...no, someone was out there in the jungle causing all of this mayhem. How else would the crocs have gotten there if someone didn’t place them in that location? Felix would find the bad spirit even if it was the last thing he did.
However, he didn’t want it to be the last thing he did. Now he had something to look forward to, a future he never imagined he could have. He’d met so many women like Eva, he assumed they were all made that way. Even some of the poorer women in Macapá were only after his money. Charming him was like a game to them because they knew he’d pay well.
Now he’d met the most amazing woman. His very own Katrina. It frightened him to think a woman could soften his heart in only a few short days, but they had been through many things together and shared passion, laughter, and heartache, times he’d never experienced with any other woman. He could honestly admit he was falling in love for the first time in his life. What he felt for Katrina was far different than what he’d felt for Eva.
He realized she hadn’t told him about her deep, dark, secret...however, he doubted it would be that terrible. Especially, if she confessed about her God-given talent of having sights that let her see briefly into the future. He was certain he’d understand whatever it was she had to tell him.
He set the stick in the fire and stood, stretching his legs and back. Exhaustion was starting to take over his body. He needed to wake one of the other men to take over the second shift so he could get some sleep.
Looking over his shoulder, he zeroed in on Katrina’s tent. He’d go in there and snuggle with her tonight. A grin pulled at the corners of his mouth. He wouldn’t wake her, but just enjoy the closeness until he drifted off to sleep... what a wonderful way to rest.
Anticipation hummed inside of him, and he moved to Pete’s tent and peeked inside. Pete snored so loudly Felix feared his friend would wake the dead along with the living.
“Wake up.” Felix shook his friend.
The snoring became choppy until it came to a stop as Pete blinked awake. “What is it?” he muttered.
“I need you to take over now. I need to sleep.”
Pete rubbed his eyes and yawned. “I will.”
Felix waited outside the tent until the other man crawled out. He stood, stretched, and then scrubbed his hands over his face.
“Are you going to be all right?” Felix asked.
“Yes. I will splash water on my face.”
“Splendid. In three hours, wake Emilio and have him stand watch.”
Pete nodded.
“See you again at first light.” Felix clapped his hand on the other man’s shoulder and squeezed. “If there are any problems, call out or come get me.” He motioned his head toward Katrina’s tent. “I shall rest in there.”
Pete snickered. “Uh, sure you will be resting.” He walked away chuckling.
Felix’s chest shook with silent laughs as he crawled in to Katrina’s tent. His men knew him well, that was obvious, yet what they would not realize was that he’d never do anything with Katrina like he had with those other women. Katrina was too special. She was the marrying kind.
Once again, his face hurt from smiling too wide. He did want to marry her, and he’d take her to England with him to be by his side as the Countess of Blackwood. To be sure, his mother and grandmother would not approve of Katrina’s background, but none of that mattered to him. Katrina would make him happy, and he would be proud to introduce her as his wife.
He hoped she would enjoy life in England. Having Katrina with him would make life bearable over there. If only he could stay here, though. This was where he truly wanted to be.
She lay curled on her side, facing away from him. Quietly, he moved behind her and adjusted his body to spoon with hers. As he slid his arm under her head, she stirred a little but didn’t wake up. He draped his other arm around her waist. Immediately, her body stiffened, but within seconds, a soft sigh escaped her throat and she relaxed against him.
Ahh...so nice.
He pushed his face against her hair, breathing in her intoxicating scent of flowers. He didn’t think it fair that women always smelled so good even when they sweated. Nonetheless, he was content to inhale her fragrance and fall asleep this way.
With gentle care, he stroked her arms that were crossed over her bosom before moving to her waist. She wasn’t deathly thin like most women he’d touched, and now he knew why. Indeed, she was used to hard labor. He couldn’t imagine what it would have been like working in a tavern, but he was certain her beauty had drawn men to her like bees to honey. She had probably spent a lot of her time fighting off drunken men.
Sighing, he kissed her neck. No more would she have to work. Not as his wife. The only work she would do was that affiliated with running a household and watching their children.
Their children. Now that was a pleasant thought. He’d never thought about having children, mainly because he hadn’t met a woman he could love enough to bear his children.
Love was so wonderful. It made him feel so complete.
With gentle fingers, he moved the hair away from Katrina’s neck and kissed her earlobe. A soft moan rattled in her throat, and she arched against him. Even in her sleep she was desirous.
He continued trailing soft kisses across her ear, and then moving down her neck. Suddenly, he didn’t feel tired any longer. All he wanted to do was wake her and kiss her endlessly. But his conscience fought the urge, reminding him that they both needed sleep in order to arrive at her father’s in the morning. He also needed the sleep so he could be alert for any danger as he brought the group to her father’s plantation.
Unfortunately, caressing her and kissing her neck was far too enjoyable to stop. He slid his hand back to her waist again, pulling her closer. She released a sigh as her hand covered his. She turned her head toward him, and he pulled back only far enough to see if she was awake. Her eyes were still closed, but her lips parted in a silent invitation.
He closed the space between their mouths and kissed her softly, placing whispers of kisses on her lips. It didn’t take long before she was moving her mouth with his. Slowly, he maneuvered her so she lay on her back while still in his arms. Looming over her, he kissed her deeper, more thoroughly. He wrapped her in his arms tighter, enjoying the way his heart beat so quickly, and feeling the rhythm of hers against his chest.
There was so much he wanted to experience with her. Not here, but after they were married. Yet the excitement rushing through him now let him know he couldn’t wait much longer to make her his wife. He hoped there was a clergyman of some kind who lived on her father’s plantation, becaus
e he wanted to marry her as soon as possible.
“Katrina, I love you,” he whispered as his heart burst with the emotion.
With a moan, she turned her head, breaking the kiss. He placed his lips on her neck, not wanting to stop. Several more sighs came from her before she slowly shook her head.
“No, Felix,” she said groggily. “I—I—we can’t do this. It’s not right.”
“I know, my love,” he mumbled against her neck. “Forgive me for being anxious. We shall wait, I assure you.”
She mumbled something incoherently and rolled back on her side. He cuddled up against her like he had before, and breathed deeply. Their kiss was enough to satisfy him tonight.
At least he hoped it would be.
A HEADACHE THREATENED to ruin Katrina’s morning.
When she awoke, Felix was cuddled next to her. At first, it had felt wonderful to have him there, but the more she thought of it and what had happened during the night, sadness seeped in her heart.
He’d confessed to loving her. All of her life she had wanted to meet the perfect man—the prince who would sweep her off her feet and take her away from the life she’d been born into. Finally, after twenty-four years, she’d met him. Only to realize she couldn’t have him.
More than anything, she’d wanted to give into her desires last night, but even in half-sleep, she knew she couldn’t allow him to continue loving her. Somehow, some way, she must let him go. Knowing his background now, she realized he needed a woman who hadn’t been a thief when she was younger. Felix needed a wife he could be proud of. Because of the mistakes Katrina had made in her life, she wasn’t the woman for him.
Now she was eager to get to her father’s house, meet him, collect her money, and leave. She couldn’t wait to get away from everything and everyone she’d met during this trip. Although tragic things had happened along the way, this was the closest thing she’d ever got to being in paradise.
And the closest she’d ever come to finding love. Her heart wouldn’t be able to take the ache of knowing she loved someone but could never be with them.
As the group packed everything, Felix had tried to kiss her a few times. She’d made excuses to why she wouldn’t allow him such liberties. Finally, they were on their way. Felix had assured her they would be at her father’s plantation in about two hours.
The time was not going fast enough.
Along the way, he kept asking her what was wrong. Her excuse was that she had a headache from all the worrying she’d done. In truth, she was not looking forward to meeting her father. She’d heard so many horror stories from her mother that Katrina didn’t want to have anything to do with him.
Strange to think that waving money in front of her face would change her mind.
Felix slowed his steps, which caused her to stop. He pointed toward a hill that thankfully, the canopy trees didn’t block.
“Do you see that?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He moved closer to her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “We are almost to your father’s plantation. In less than an hour we’ll be there.” He grinned down at her.
Her stomach twisted. Did she really want to do this? Then again, she’d come this far. She might as well continue and verbally show her father how much she detested him. “Oh, good.”
Felix’s smile disappeared, and he stroked her cheek. “My dear, why doesn’t your voice sound encouraging?”
“Because I’m scared to death.” She kept her voice low.
“Not to worry.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I shall be right beside you all the—”
Something whooshed through the air and thudded against something hard. Felix’s eyes widened for a brief moment before confusion crossed his handsome features. Closing his eyes, he stumbled away from her a few steps as he reached behind his neck. It was then when she noticed an arrow-shaped object protruding from his neck.
“Felix!” she screamed and grasped his arm.
Flinching, he pulled the small six-inch pointy stick out of his skin and brought it around to look at it.
“The dart!” Her voice shook more from the fear coating his eyes than anything. She’d been forewarned, and yet...it still happened. Why hadn’t she been more cautious? She’d even warned Felix, hadn’t she?
The other men rushed to his side, muttering words in a different language. So much had happened in the past few days that fright consumed her very being.
Felix brought the arrow to his nose and sniffed. A curse ripped from his mouth. “It’s a poisonous dart.”
Tears stung her eyes. She knew it. “How...who...” She glanced around them. “Who did this?”
“Someone who wants me dead,” Felix said.
Fear paralyzed her for a brief moment. She couldn’t move and she couldn’t speak. Even her mind stopped working. The only sound she heard was the dread in his voice when he’d said poison.
“But it’s all right, my love.” He tried to smile even though his lips were trembling. “We shall be at your father’s within an hour. I’m certain he has a physician that can help me. He’ll have an antidote, I’m certain of it.” He closed his eyes and swayed. The men nearby grabbed his arms to keep him standing.
“Felix!” she cried out again. She cupped his face, shaking it until he looked at her. “Do not close your eyes again. Do you hear me?”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Yaas, ma’am.”
His voice was slightly slurred, which worried her more. She looked at Pete. “What is going to happen to him?”
Pete hefted Felix’s arm around his neck as he helped to hold up the bigger man. “This kind of poison takes time to pass through the body. It makes one feel dizzy, feverish, and nearly unable to move.”
Her heart cried out, and her mind screamed at her to take charge. “Then let’s get moving quickly. My father will help.” She slipped beside Felix and draped his other arm around her shoulders. “Men, let’s move out. Now!”
Felix’s head fell to the side as he stared at her with glassy eyes. A lazy grin stretched across his face. “Yaas-sir, cap’n.” Then he chuckled softly.
Although his slurred speech was comical, this wasn’t the time to laugh. Later they’d find this humorous...once he was well and had the poison out of his body.
He leaned his head against her. His eyelids drooped as he stared at her. “K’trina, yer so purdy. I luv it when ya take charge.” He chuckled.
If she didn’t know better, she would think he was intoxicated. This was the kind of man she was used to being around. She could handle men who were foxed, even though it was difficult. “Felix, concentrate on moving your feet. We cannot move them for you.”
“Yaas-sir, cap’n.” He swung his head toward Pete. “Isn’t she adorable?”
Pete tried to smile at Felix, but Katrina could see the fear in his eyes, too. “That she is, Knightly.”
Felix’s head lulled back toward hers. “An ya smell so wun-erful.” He groaned softly. “I’m so tired.”
“Felix Knightly!” she snapped and did her best to bring him alert. “Do not fall asleep on me. Do you understand?”
“Yaas, m’dear,” he mumbled.
The other men kept looking back at Felix and shaking their heads, while frowning. Her heart wrenched. She didn’t come this far to lose Felix now. Yet, she didn’t know how long it would take for the poison to kill him.
Silently, she prayed. Lord, don’t take him from me!
FIFTEEN
Every part of his body burned and ached. Felix knew what was going on around him, but his mind grew fuzzy so fast.
He was going to die.
A laugh bubbled up in his throat that he didn’t have the strength to stop. To think he’d made it through being an officer for Metropolitan Police and taking a bullet, and then coming to the Amazon jungle for three these years, only to die like this? Good grief, this wasn’t the way he wanted to die. He could envision himself fighting a tiger—or jaguar. Yes, the jaguar.
> The jungle cat leapt onto him and wrestled him to the ground. The animal opened its jowls and the sun glinted off the cat’s razor-sharp teeth. Felix braced his hands on the animal’s mouth, to keep from being eaten. They continue to struggle. At times, Felix thought the animal would overtake him, but soon he would find his strength and overcome it. He flipped the animal on its back. The cat growled, ripping pieces of his skin off. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt. Only a slight sting. Felix wouldn’t stop fighting for his life. But soon, his strength faded, and his arms became weak. That’s when the jaguar had control. The animal lunged at Felix and clamped his teeth on Felix’s neck. Pain shot through him, then, finally...nothing. He was dead.
Grinning, he nodded in satisfaction as the vision evaporated from his mind. Now that was a hero’s death. Not some coward’s poisonous dart that shot out from nowhere by someone who wasn’t brave enough to face him. Where was the jackal now? Why couldn’t the weakling come out of hiding and fight like a real man?
Felix’s vision blurred and he blinked a few times. His men sneaked peeks at him. Sadness filled their expressions. I’m definitely not going to make it. But I must!
And his beautiful, kind-hearted, stubborn Katrina—the only woman he had ever truly loved. The only woman he wanted to bear his children and grow old with. After his death, she would be sad. Lonely. But she would eventually move on with her life. Hopefully, the money from her father would allow her a better life so she wouldn’t have to serve ale to drunkards.
Katrina brought a canteen to his mouth, urging him to drink. Her voice was soft and smooth. As the liquid touched his tongue, bitterness coated his mouth. He turned his face away and mumbled that he didn’t want anymore. She pushed him to drink it...in a louder and more commanding voice. To satisfy her and stop her from yelling, he drank. Now it tasted like those herbs he had his men gather that replaced the quinine medicine. She must be trying to get him better. That’s my girl.
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