Page 24 of Landon

“Oh, I didn’t even think about that.” She looked over at him. “We really are on our own, aren’t we?”

“I’m afraid so. I don’t have time to take you back, but I can drop you off somewhere?—”

“No! I’m going in with you.”

“You won’t be goingin. I can’t worry about Tad and Penny, and getting them out safely while also worrying about you. So you will stay out of sight and with the vehicle. Your part will be to help calm them once I get them out.”

Outside the window, they passed a small cluster of buildings—probably shops with apartments above them. The windows were boarded up, and the streets were eerily empty, without a soul in sight. The dense foliage seemed to close in tighter around them as they climbed higher into the mountains. The jungle came alive with the sound of wind and rain. The air was thickwith the scent of damp earth and wet leaves, a reminder of the raw power of the storm inching closer.

“It feels like the apocalypse,” Noel murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Ever since we left the resort, it’s like the world has emptied.”

Landon exhaled, the sound heavy in the confined space. “I know. It’s unsettling.” His eyes flicked to the rain-slicked road ahead. “We’ve got about five more miles of jungle before we reach the intersection where the kidnappers wanted to make the exchange.”

“That’s not safe, right? That’s why you’re going in. The element of surprise?”

Landon glanced to the side, spying the anxiety now painting her face. Reaching across the console, he wrapped his hand over hers. She turned her palm up, and their fingers linked together.

“Yes, the element of surprise. They could come with others. They might try to take us as hostages. They might not make the handoff due to the storm. I’m not going to wait to see what happens. We’ll have the offensive. We’ll call the shots.”

“In charge,” she murmured.

He wanted to look over at her but the rain had increased, and the dirt and mud road they were now on was difficult to traverse, taking his full concentration. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” she rushed to answer. “Well, as okay as I can be in a situation completely out of my control or experience.”

“Hey, what happened to the tough woman who was ready to take these guys on?” he lightly teased.

“God, I hope I haven’t fucked things up for you by coming,” she whispered.

He squeezed her hand. “Just stay in the vehicle and keep your eyes open. I’ll do the rest.”

Checking his location, he slowed and executed a three-point turn so the vehicle faced out, ready to go as soon as he returned with Tad and Penny.

Landon reached into the bag between the seats, pulling out another weapon with practiced ease. He glanced at Noel, his eyes serious. “I’m guessing you don’t have any experience with guns.”

She shook her head, her mouth pinched. He swallowed a sigh, though a low grunt of frustration escaped.

“I can do this,” she said, her voice steady.

He studied her for a long moment, searching for hesitation or fear. Instead, all he found was unwavering determination. With a small nod, he relented. “Okay.”

Handing the weapon to her with deliberate care, he explained, “Here’s the safety. Keep it on until you’re sure you need to fire. If you’re threatened, point and pull the trigger. Aim for the chest—the largest target. It gives you the best chance.”

Noel took the gun without flinching, wrapping her fingers around it with surprising confidence. Landon’s gaze lingered on her, impressed by her composure.

Satisfied, he dipped his chin again. “Here’s the plan. I’m going to slip out, head through the jungle, and scout the house. I have equipment to check inside without being seen. I need to figure out how many kidnappers we’re dealing with and locate Tad and Penny. Once I know, I’ll neutralize the threat and get the kids out.”

Her voice was soft, but her words cut through the tension. “Neutralize the threat. That’s another way of saying you’re going to kill them.”

Landon leaned closer, their faces mere inches apart. “If I can, I’ll disable them, wound them. But if it comes down to it, I’ll do whatever it takes. No hesitation.”

Noel’s eyes didn’t waver. “I understand. Do what you have to do to keep Tad and Penny safe.”

His gaze devoured her, noting every curve of her jaw, the fluttering pulse at the base of her neck, the porcelain shimmer to her skin, and the myriad of emotions passing through her eyes. Blowing out another breath, he reached into his bag again and pulled out a small pouch. Opening the top, he pulled out a chain with a pendant, dangling it in front of her.

Noel’s brows lowered together as she first looked at the lighthouse pendant then back to his face. “You keep jewelry in one of your bags?”

He chuckled. “We never know what we’ll need. Wear this. There’s a tracker inside. If something happens to me, or we get separated, then my people will be able to find you.”

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