spine.
When we get out of the densely packed trees, I set her in the seat behind the driver's side.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" I put my hand on her cheek. I shouldn't. I've never done it with any target before, and I've had plenty who were in shock or scared.
She inhales and blinks. A warm tear rolls over my fingers when gunshots ring through the air.
I take her head and shove it between her legs. "Stay down."
I hold my gun out, glancing around us. When Andre runs out of the woods carrying Naomi, I get in the driver's side. He sets her in the back next to Emilia, and as soon as he sits, I drive off.
When we get to the camp, Andre orders, "Malin, take Naomi and Emilia, along with the other women, into the tent."
"Malin," she quietly whispers, twisting her fingers in her lap.
"Who are you?" Naomi steps in front of Andre.
"My name is Andre L貌pez. I run the rescue team for Interpol. I have six guys out there. As soon as they're back, we'll talk."
"Interpol?"
"Yes."
The color drains from her face, and she grips his forearm. "Why would Interpol be involved in this?"
What does she know about Interpol?
Why does she look so freaked out?
"L貌pez, we need another vehicle to go back," Hunter yells, running out of the tent. "There's a flat."
"I have to go. We'll talk later," Andre repeats and takes off with Hunter.
"Ma'am, it's best if we all go into the tent." I realize I'm blocking Emilia from getting out of the vehicle. "Sorry. May I carry you into the tent?"
Emilia releases a big breath.
"Emilia, I'll help you," Naomi says and begins to walk around the Jeep.
"No. Malin will," Emilia defiantly tells her.
Naomi freezes.
I try to stop the smile forming on my face. Before Naomi can say anything to stop me, I scoop Emilia up. She's still trembling, but I lean into her ear. "It's easier if you hold on to me."
She bites her lip and shyly glances at me. "Umm...where?"
Anywhere you want to touch me.
Bad idea. Plus, she looks twenty years younger than me.
"My neck or shoulders, ma'am."
She slides her fingers up my chest and around my neck. The humming of my blood gets more intense.
Naomi is eyeing me as if she needs to protect Emilia from me. So as soon as we get into the tent, I set Emilia down. "Would you like one of my T-shirts?"
I try not to show her how much anger is stirring in me over her ripped shirt. I want to ask her what happened, but Naomi is hovering over her like a mother hen.
Emilia glances at her ripped shirt and tugs both sides together. A deep blush fills her face. "Thank you."
"Sure. Let me get it."
I go to my backpack and pull out a shirt then give it to Emilia. She tilts her head.
Naomi is pacing, and I'm happy to have a minute with Emilia by myself.
"Is there anything else you need right now?"
"Umm...umm..." She blows out a breath of air.
"Take your time, ma belle."
She bites on her lip. Her eyes glance between my eyes and mouth. "Could you take those off? So I know what you look like?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I forgot they were on. Don't mean to be rude." I remove my night vision goggles and lock eyes with her. "Hi."
"Hi."
Her blue eyes remind me of the Mediterranean on a sunny day. They're deep, but there's a sparkle in them. It's something I have a feeling most people miss. I first saw it when she defied Naomi by the Jeep.
"You have stunning eyes," I tell her.
Her face grows hot, and she bites her lip again.
This girl is going to send me to my grave.
She's not a girl. She's a thirty-five-year-old woman.
I grab a blanket off the bed. "Let's go in the corner. I'll hold this up so you can put my T-shirt on."
"Okay. Thank you."
I want to ask her what happened that her shirt is ripped, with no buttons left. But my gut tells me I need to spend some time with her before she'll tell me.
We go to the corner of the tent. I hold up the blanket. She quickly puts on my T-shirt. It hangs to her knees and slides off her shoulder. Her blue bra strap matches her eyes. I hold myself back from slipping my finger under it and moving it down so I can kiss her creamy shoulders.
I need to stay away from this woman.
The mission is clear. Get in, get out, deliver