Bad Men - Piper Stone Page 0,17
all of us wouldn’t survive.
And all I could think about was everything I’d wanted to accomplish in my life.
The sun had been beating down through the breaks in the trees for hours, the heat even more formidable. Time seemed to stand still in the gloomy environment. At least I could no longer hear the sound of gunfire. My arms and legs ached, the time spent trying to find safety no longer something I could concentrate on. There was no more water, no nourishment of any kind. Jack refused to allow us to rest, his aggression only increasing. We had some kind of timetable and he refused to allow us to miss it.
“How much further?” Diego huffed, his voice strained.
“Less than a quarter mile,” Jack answered. “We’re being met by someone the handler trusts.”
“You’re certain you trust the connection?” Diego asked sarcastically.
Jack snorted. “I guess our life depends on trust, doesn’t it? If you want to stay behind, that’s just fine with me.”
“Fuck you, Rivers. That’s exactly what you want.”
“Shut up,” I managed as I took several shallow breaths, the humidity suffocating.
“The lady’s right. You need to shut your mouth,” Jack said as he chuckled.
I glared at the two of them as they danced around their obvious hatred for one another.
Lightheaded, I remained clinging to a tree, my vision blurry. I wasn’t some kind of hero. I’d never expected to be forced to fight some kind of horrible enemy. I’d simply wanted to help people. I didn’t realize my legs had failed until Diego’s face was suddenly there, his arms wrapping around me seconds before he tossed me over his shoulder.
“Get going, asshole. She’s dehydrated and I’m not certain she’s going to make it,” Diego snarled.
While I was aware of the last steps taken, my mind had found a beautiful location to hide.
A beautiful pearly white beach.
An ocean the color of turquoise.
Seagulls cawing in the distance.
A safe and comforting place where I could be happy.
They fell into silence as they walked several additional yards, finally moving through the darkness of the trees onto a road. I lifted my head, trying to catch a clear glimpse of where we were. The bright sun was almost too much, blinding as the rays beat down.
“Where the hell is this savior?” Diego challenged.
“Five minutes, asshole. You need to learn patience,” Jack countered. “Let her down. We need to make certain we’d ready in case we’ve been further compromised.”
“That damn well better not happen or I’m going to put bullets into several heads.” Diego eased me onto my feet, rubbing hair from my face. “Stay behind us. If something happens, run.”
As if there was any place to run to. I was completely at their mercy.
Within minutes, the sound of an approaching vehicle could be heard in the distance. The two of them hid in the trees, prepared to face whatever enemy who might be waiting. I was no longer terrified, only numb.
As the engine roared to a stop, the squeal of brakes floating into the jungle, I could feel both men bristling.
“He venido para llevarte a tu destino,” the male voice said in a hushed tone.
He’d been sent to take us to our destination. Whatever the hell that meant. Was there anywhere we could find to get away from the Serpent?
“Speak fuckin’ English. I know you can,” Jack demanded. Even from where I was standing, I was able to see the disgusted look on the stranger’s face. Jack was nothing more than a bull racing his way through a china shop. Whatever the reason, the anger that furrowed in his system would likely get him killed.
The stranger glanced between the two of them before locking eyes on the various weapons. “You have left Brazil, señor. I’m here to take you to a safe house. Dante Moretti sent me.”
The two men looked at each other before Jack nodded.
Diego scanned the perimeter then nodded. “Let’s get to it and be quick about it.”
“Yes, sir.” The stranger jumped into the driver’s seat, barely waiting until we’d piled inside. As the car jerked forward, I couldn’t help but think that we were going straight into the bowels of hell.
Chapter 4
Jack
Brutal man.
Asshole.
Prick.
The good doctor had called me that and a hell of a lot more. Granted, my behavior had been less than gentlemanly, perhaps bordering on barbaric in nature. Yeah, I’d fucked her, sliding my cock deep inside. My mouth watered at the thought of doing so again. She needed to understand that we weren’t fucking around and that her life