a target without being told where to take them," Hunter says.
"Something is off."
Hunter sighs. "Let's talk to Andre and get his take on it. I'm going to wash up and then start breakfast."
"Yeah. From the sounds of it, you got pretty dirty last night. Make sure you use soap."
"Shut up," he grumbles and stomps off.
I talk with the guys, who all have the same concerns as Hunter.
Emilia steps out of the tent. Her blue eyes nervously scan the camp until she sees me.
She's gorgeous.
I smile, and a faint blush creeps through her cheeks.
Dirty old man.
She's thirty-five.
And looks twenty-four.
I step toward her. "Morning, ma belle."
She smiles. "Morning."
"Ready to go to your five-star luxury bathroom?"
She softly laughs. "Lead the way."
I glance at her feet. "I'm going to carry you. There's mud."
"Okay."
I pick her up, and she grasps my neck.
Her hands are pure silk.
"Did you sleep well, ma belle?" I ask.
"Yeah. Did you?"
"Enough."
"I feel so dirty," she mumbles.
"There's a river. Do you want to go later? I've got soap and shampoo."
"Please."
"Okay."
"I'll let you do your thing and come get you. Just yell."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
I take a step to leave, and she grabs my arm. "Hey, Malin."
I spin to her. "Yeah?"
"Umm... I'm...ummm..." She blows out a breath of air.
I place my hand on her cheek. "What's wrong, ma belle?"
"I'm sorry about last night. When, ummm..." She turns and blinks.
I step closer, slide my hand in her hair, and gently tilt her head up. "You don't need to apologize for anything."
Her blue eyes glisten. She blinks harder.
So much pain in those stunning eyes.
I run my hand through her hair. "Do you like pancakes?"
She nods.
"Let's hope that's what Interpol sent."
She tilts her head. "What's Interpol?"
"Oh, sorry. I didn't really tell you who I was last night. Interpol is an international agency that helps keep peace in the world. The guys and I work for them."
She furrows her eyebrows.
"Did I say something to upset you?"
She shakes her head and softly replies, "You have an important job, making a difference in the world. I... I wish I could say the same."
"You make a difference."
"No, I don't."
"You do with your students. You teach English to Spanish-speaking students, correct?"
"How did you know?"
"I have a bio sheet on you. We're given one before we rescue any target."
"Oh. What else did it say?"
Should say Emilia Salazar, sexiest woman alive.
"Emilia Salazar. Thirty-five. You teach English to Spanish-speaking children virtually. The only family member is your sister, Naomi. No husband."
She quietly asks, "Is that all it said?"
My stomach drops. "Did they leave off your boyfriend?"
Her head jerks back, and her eyes widen. "I don't have one."
Thank God.
"How is that possible?"
Her face reddens. "I meant, I sound like the most boring person on earth."
"They don't normally list hobbies," I tease.
She twists her fingers and peers at the river. "I am boring. My only hobbies are yoga and reading books."
"That's not boring."
She tilts her head, like she doesn't believe me.
"I like to read. I'll do yoga with you."
Naked. With your sexy little body and mine in the plow pose.
Dirty old man.
She hesitates then gingerly squeezes my biceps. "I don't think you got these from yoga."
My blood buzzes more intensely. "Tell you what, ma belle. Go to the bathroom. When you're done, let's do some yoga."
Her lips twitch. "Are you serious?"
"Yep. Show me what you can do." I dig in my bag and hand her a roll of toilet paper. "Forgot to give you this. Yell when you want to come back."
I stroll back to the tent. Axel and Hunter are making pancakes on the fire. I keep my eyes on Emilia, wondering again how she ended up on Santiago's radar. Naomi has valuable information that could hurt Santiago. Emilia could serve as a weapon for him to use against Naomi, but why didn't we get info on Emilia before I got on the plane in France?
Andre and Naomi come out, and he points her in the direction where Emilia is.
"Morning," Andre booms.
"Andre. What are the plans today?"
"Our window is in..."he glances at his watch, "about forty hours."
Forty hours? Why so long?
"Where are we dropping the women off?" I ask.
"Naomi is going to the U.S. We haven't been given instructions on the others yet."
What the hell is going on? I cross my arms. "Hmmm."
"What's that mean?"
I arch an eyebrow.
"Say it," Andre says.
"I heard them whispering in the tent last night. They—"
Emilia comes closer.
"Axel and Ryker made breakfast. There's coffee, too." I point toward the guys.
She smiles. "Thanks."
After she's out of earshot, I say, "In seventeen years, how many