attached to the Global Leaders and came to take Santiago down.
Part of me wants to stay in the pit instead of going back to Jonas Torres. The other side wants to get away from Santiago.
Penelope and Julieta, don't hesitate and go first. Then the man points to me.
There's no point fighting it. Your fate is sealed.
I climb up to the top. Three men are waiting with guns. They're all in black, chiseled, and I pinch my arm, wondering if I'm hallucinating.
And who cares. They are connected to the Global Leaders.
"Ma'am, you're mine. Let's go," a man murmurs. He's wearing the same goggles as the others, and from what I can see, his face is just as sculpted as his body. But most of his face is covered.
He's American. Texan, I bet. He's got a slight drawl.
Probably works for the President.
I shudder, thinking about the night I had to spend with the U.S. President and almost tell the mysterious man in black that I'm not his. That he doesn't own me and I don't need another man claiming me. But I don't have time. He puts one hand on my back and his other in mine and guides me toward the trees.
"Ow," I cry out.
"Shhh," he reprimands me.
My heels are sinking in the ground.
"Stilettos in the jungle," he mumbles and picks me up.
He smells like...oh my God, I don't know what but so good.
He's part of them. Get your head in the game. Who knows where he's taking you.
"It's not like I went to my jungle closet and chose them," I whisper in Spanish to annoy him and because I'm not sure how I can fight back. He's going to transfer me from one monster to another.
His lips tic up. He says in a teasing voice, "And a sequin dress. Who wears a sequin dress in the jungle?"
I continue in Spanish, and he continues in English.
"Sorry. I'll fill my jungle closet with camouflage next time. Tell your boss."
"Watch your head," he puts his hand on my head and presses, so my face is on his muscular chest.
Why does he have to smell so good?
You've just been in the jungle too long.
His pecs are as hard as steel.
Focus. He's part of them.
I wonder what he looks like naked.
A branch scrapes on my leg. "Ow."
"Sorry, ma'am. It's dense here."
"More blood. What do I care?" I mumble in Spanish into his chest.
"Ma'am. Sorry?"
I don't know why I speak in Spanish when he speaks English. Maybe I should be grateful he's rescuing me from the pit and taking me back to civilization.
Civilization. It will never be what it was before you switched management teams.
I return to the question of whether going back is better than staying in the jungle. I decide that my current situation is better than returning to the life I had with Jonas Torres and the other Global Leaders.
"Put me down."
"Ah, she speaks English too," he mutters cockily.
I push away from him and almost fall out of his arms. Panic seizes me. "Put me down," I say louder.
"Ma'am, you need to be quiet," he growls and tightens his arms around me.
I cry out my demand again.
He covers my mouth and fiercely whispers, "Ma'am—"
I slap him as hard as I can across the cheek.
His head jerks back, and he stops. He continues to cover my mouth. "Ma'am, I'm trying—"
I slap him again.
"What are you doing? I'm trying to get you to safety. You're going to get everyone killed."
Safety? What is safety?
Is he really rescuing me?
No, it's not possible.
But is it?
You don't want to get the other girls hurt no matter where they are taking us.
"I'm going to uncover your mouth now. If you scream or hit me again, I will find a way to muzzle you. Do you understand?"
I nod.
When he lets go of my hand, I whisper in Spanish, "I'm not a dog. And you don't own me."
"Quiet," he says in an annoyed hushed tone.
I shut my mouth, and we continue the journey. Within minutes, we get through the thick trees and come out to a two-track path.
There's a Jeep, and he puts me in the back seat.
I grab onto his neck. "Don't make me go back to them. Please."
His forehead wrinkles. "Ma'am, I'm taking you to safety. No one is going to harm you under my watch."
"Who do you work for?"
"Interpol."
"I...I don't know what that is."
"It's an International spy and rescue organization."