Page 74 of Devlin

Moses grabbed the radio. “Ugandan police, confirm position.”

A voice answered in Luganda. Moses nodded, then turned to Devlin. “They’re on their way.”

“We don’t wait.” Devlin’s jaw flexed. “Todd, we take out the boat.”

Cole didn’t hesitate as the bird swung around. The chopper’s side door was already open, so Todd crouched beside a mounted weapon and took aim. A controlled burst of gunfire shattered the relative stillness. The boat rocked violently as bullets punched holes through its hull. Water began rushing in.

The men on shore scattered, some diving for cover, others shouting in confusion. A few fired wild shots toward the sky, but they had no chance of hitting their airborne threat.

“Sadie?” Devlin pressed.

“She’s still moving—southwest. You won’t see her for the trees, but she’s there.”

“Cole, get us as close as you can. We go in on foot.”

The helicopter descended, the turbulence kicking up dust and loose foliage as Cole found the best clearing possible. It wasn’t perfect, with trees and thick undergrowth forcing them to land just short of the ideal spot, but it would have to do.

As soon as the skids touched down, Devlin and Moses were out, weapons up, scanning the jungle’s edge. The heat wrapped around them immediately, thick and smothering, but Devlin barely noticed. His blood pounded with adrenaline, his senses fine-tuned.

Todd stayed behind, gripping his rifle as he crouched near the open door. As soon as they were clear, Cole would lift off and circle to provide aerial support. If Mia emerged anywhere visible, Todd would see her. If predators came near, he could take them out from the air.

Moses touched Devlin’s arm, nodding toward the jungle. “This way.”

They moved swiftly, slipping into the shadows of the trees. The thick foliage swallowed them instantly, dampening the roar of the helicopter as it lifted back into the air. Now, all thatremained was the rustle of leaves, the distant calls of birds, and the pounding of their own footsteps as they searched for Mia.

Devlin clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay focused. She was close. She had to be. And no matter what it took, he was getting her out of there alive.

31

Mia didn’t know which was worse—moving west, closer to the water, where she might stumble into a python, a leopard, or, God forbid, a hippo. Her mind clung to the words from her orientation: More people are killed in Uganda by hippos than by any other animal.

Her breath came fast and sharp, almost painful, as she scanned the jungle around her. She couldn’t tell if she should watch the ground for snakes or the trees above her for something with claws. Her pulse pounded at the base of her throat. Pythons weren’t just on the ground—they coiled in branches, waiting.Shit!

She tried to tell herself the jungle wasn’t as dense as she’d feared, that she could still see ahead, but it didn’t stop the walls of panic from closing in around her. Every sound, every rustling leaf, and every distant cry sent another spike of fear through her.

Moving toward the light, she came to the edge of the jungle. The savanna ahead was open, stretching wide beneath the colors of the blue sky and brilliant sun scorching the dry grasses. It was beautiful, but it left her exposed. If she could see across the landscape, so could anyone looking for her. Maybe it would be easier for Devlin to find her out there.

What if the smugglers were still out there?That thought stilled her feet.

A shriek split the air. Hyenas. Her stomach clenched as she glanced down at her hands, still covered with blood. Charlie’s blood. And her own as it dripped down her shoulder. She had no idea how strong the scent carried, but she knew enough about predators to realize she was a walking target.

Her left boot felt tight with swelling, and the ache in her ankle and knee grew worse with every step. She must’ve twisted it when she jumped from the truck. And her shoulder pain radiated in sharp bursts down her arm.

She didn’t see the tree root ahead. Her foot caught, and she crashed forward, hands scraping against rough dirt. Her breath left her in a hard rush, and she couldn’t move for a moment.Mia, get up.She had to keep going.

Blinking away the tears streaking her cheeks, she forced herself onto her knees, her fingers digging into the ground as she listened. If danger was near, she had to hear it first. That was when the sound reached her. A deep, rhythmic, whooping noise.

Her chin jerked up, pulse stuttering. A vehicle? Another truck? Had they found her? Terror clawed through her, and she grabbed a tree trunk, pressing her body against the bark as she strained to listen.

The noise grew louder, reverberating through the ground. Pressing her lips together, she tried to hear over her galloping heartbeat. It didn’t sound like a truck engine.A helicopter?

Hope surged, but fear still coiled inside. It could be Devlin. It could be the police. It could be smugglers. She wasn’t about to run out into the open without knowing for sure.

The jungle thinned to her left, and the savanna was so close. She crept toward the tree line, staying within the shadows and peering out. A military-style helicopter hovered in the distance,and the side panel door opened. It was too far for her to see who was on board.

The sound of boot steps pounding against the dry earth met her ears. She crouched lower, heart hammering against her ribs, watching as two figures moved fast, closing in. Sweat dripped into her eyes, making it difficult to see clearly.

“Mia!”

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