Page 40 of Maddox

“Hmmm… You are correct. He’s a noted psychotic with sadistic tendencies, so I wouldn’t put anything past him, but it’s a lot of effort because of one journalist’s article. However, he also holds a grudge. If he thought you were doing a follow-up article, he might consider you worthy of taking the time to hunt and kill.”

“Are you accusing me of something?”

My instinct was still working and I turned slightly in her direction. Just in time to see her adjusting something under the shirt I’d brought her. I made mental note. I would find out what she was hiding.

More important, how in the hell had she slipped whatever it was past the soldiers?

“Not at all. I’m just suggesting there could be another reason you were kept alive.”

She walked in my direction, passing by and hunkering down to the bag. When she pulled out a granola bar, her fingers were shaking. She’d certainly highlighted her bravery since we’d met. However, she’d never placed in this position before. That left her feeling vulnerable and uncertain of everything.

Trust could be an issue.

I grabbed a bottle of water and checked my watch. We had approximately a mile to go to reach the Blazer. As long as it hadn’t been found, we were golden. If it had, she wasn’t going to appreciate the way we’d be getting into San Pedro Sula.

“Men always have distinct and usually ridiculous reasons for their atrocious behavior.”

“Ouch,” I told her, slapping my hand on my chest. “Sounds like a woman scorned. Your husband?”

“And you seem like one of those savages you were talking about. And yes, my very ex-husband who doesn’t deserve acknowledgement under any circumstances.”

“I’m sorry. Whatever he did.”

“I just wasn’t good enough. Whatever. I’m over him.” She looked away, obviously controlling her emotions.

“I’m curious. What were you dreaming about?” Of course my question came just when she was taking a sip of water.

Which she spit out.

“Careful there. Don’t drink it too fast.” Something about her drew a part of my personality into the open that likely should never see the light of day.

A blush shifted across her jaw and she looked away. “Why do you think I was dreaming?”

“Ah, no reason. You were just moaning. Then you said something like that feels so good. Don’t stop.”

Given the level of danger we were in, making jokes was completely unprofessional. I needed her to trust me and that meant treating her with the utmost respect. It reminded me that I needed to stay out of the business of peopling.

“I don’t remember. Maybe about what I went through,” she covered, returning to her food.

My gaze fell to the bruise on her face. “They hurt you.”

She touched her cheek and sighed. “It’s okay. I’m not very good at following rules.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. But you’re going to need to break that cycle with me. Until we land back in the United States, your life will still be in danger.”

“What about yours? Let me guess. You’re trained for this.”

“Yeah, I was. But that was a long time ago.”

“Then why did you come to rescue me?”

Her question was valid, but at this point, I certainly wasn’t going to tell her what I considered the real reason. Sure, I had experience in the jungles and with Alfaro and other brutal leaders just like him. Yes, I’d been one of the tactical experts in the unit, my marksmanship second only to Kage. Another plus. I also knew people and had continued my friendships even after leaving the service. I was certain Gray had checked out that I had friends in various countries, men that could be trusted.

But none of them were the real reason.

I was being offered a chance to completely clear my name. If for no other reason than for myself. Just like the shrink had told me I needed.

Maybe that’s the only reason I’d allowed Gray to convince me to come to this death trap.

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