Page 80 of Winters Heat

Mia’s lip pursed into a tight line, but the tears spilled over. His eyebrows bit together, and maybe he was more scared of her crying than finding Alejandro. Whatever the reason, she was glad to stay near him. “Thank you.”

He lifted onto his elbows, tucked a rifle into place, and drew his legs beneath him, motioning for her to do the same, minus the gun. “Ready?”

Mia nodded, but she was suction cupped to the wet ground.

“Look at me, Mia.”

Mia stared straight ahead in the dark, then at him. His face was a shade above invisible. This should be easier. All she had to do was follow Cash. Then Alejandro would die, and she could run back to Colby as fast as her legs would take her. But her body ignored her awesome plan.

“Mia, honey.” He redirected her attention with his thumb and forefinger, tilting her chin toward him. “Focus on me. We’ve got a good man to get you back to. Winters oughta have my ass that I haven’t killed that fucker yet. Put all your fear into a box. We’ve got places to go. People to snipe.”

“A reporter asked a sniper what he felt after he shot someone.” Now wasn’t the time for nervous chatter. She was losing her mind. But it was the only thing she could think of in this moment.

He laughed quiet as the wind. “And the sniper said recoil. And honey, you ain’t even going to feel that. Ready?”

A smile crossed her face. “Yes.”

“Well, alrighty. Get your butt up, and on my six.” He dropped his hand from her chin, and readied his rifle.

He slinked forward, looking more like foliage than a man. She was inches away, scared if he got too far ahead of her, he’d melt into the night. He paused. She held her breath. Nothing sounded. No birds. No insects. No scary night animals. The last of daylight abandoned them, and they were surrounded by the blackest of blacks.

He pivoted quickly. She had no idea why. Her ears burned to hear something, anything. His silent steps crept forward as though following a well-laid trail. She sounded like a freight train pushing through a rail yard.

What looked like a leaf-covered branch motioned her down. She dropped to all fours and flattened on the still warm earth. Wet leaves pressed against her cheek. An insect crawled across her skin. She suppressed the urge to react and prayed for resilience.

A soft flick sounded, followed by a click. Mia couldn’t hear Cash breathe. Couldn’t see the leaves move. Time passed as she recited grade school limericks over and over, pretending she was anywhere else.

The world around went brilliant for a spark of a second. A muffled pop punched the night. Cash didn’t move. Neither did she. The night stilled after the momentary burst of artillery lighting.

Another soft click. He rolled onto his back and sat up. “You all right?”

“He’s dead?” Her ears pounded with racing blood.

“Yeah.”

She strained to hear any other dangers. “You sure?”

“Did you just question my incredible cartel sniping skills? Seriously?” He snorted a laugh.

“Sorry, Cash. Didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I’m just playing. ‘Course he’s dead. And I don’t see any other fuckers out there. Including our boys. There will be hell to pay when I find them.”

“We’re way out in the jungle. How would they know which way to go?”

“You weren’t that hard to track, honey.”

“You think there’s a problem?”

“Hell no. I think they figured they’d had a long day, and I’d take care of this. Bet you they’ve wrangled a bottle of liquor and are waiting for us to mosey on back.”

“Well, let’s go. I need to see Colby.”

“Yes, ma’am. Anything to see ole Winters wrapped around a girl’s finger.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Mia peeled through thick bushes. Wide leaves obscured her view. Spiderwebs caught on her skin, netting her face. Insects used her as a landing zone before vaulting into the dark abyss. It had to be the dead of night, but it felt like the sun was high overhead. Cash marched them toward the shack, and with each step, she made a list of things she’d say to Colby. The list started withdon’t get hurt again, and ended withlet’s find a shower.Together.

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