Bad Men - Piper Stone Page 0,5

going to be a handful.”

“Yeah? Well, she’ll learn to follow the rules or else. Now, I’m going to let you go and you’re going to promise to behave.” His angry words were followed by a harsh glare.

I nodded, my fingers still digging into his. He didn’t seem bothered in the least, impervious to whatever pain I’d inflicted. Releasing his hold, he kept his hand in place, likely figuring I wasn’t the obedient type.

“Who are you? What’s going on?” I managed, my voice husky from the lack of water as well as the extreme hold.

“We’re saving your ass,” the blond huffed. “As far as who we are, that doesn’t matter at this point in time. It would seem, given the amount of money paid in order to free you, that you’re very special. Keep in mind that you are to the Serpent as well. That places a target on your back and we’ll be collateral damage. So, stay quiet.”

“Why should I trust you? Besides, you don’t know anything about me,” I countered, quickly searching for a way out of here. As if there was anywhere to go. I knew enough about the location of where I’d been taken to realize I had no chance in hell of making it out of the jungle alive.

“We know enough, princess, to realize your life is in danger. Do you know what the Serpent does to pretty little things like you who manage to get away from him?” The blond darted a quick glance around the perimeter before taking long strides from one area to another. I could tell he was checking to make certain the location was secure.

I held my arms, taking quick breaths, trying to rationalize what had occurred. Everything remained a blur, my mind foggy. The asshole had called me princess. Who did he think he was?

“This will do for now, but I don’t like being this close to the slimy bastard,” the blond denoted before easing his weapon from his shoulder. “We need to check for supplies or the pinhead who planned this location will pay for his stupidity.”

“How long do we stay here?” the other man asked.

“We’ll leave in the morning as long as we don’t detect any soldiers in the area,” the blond answered, shooting me another hateful look. “That should be enough time to get her under control.”

“Just let me go,” I implored, my voice skipping. Control. What the hell did they think they were going to do to me? “Or at least talk to me. I deserve to know who you are since you went to a significant amount of trouble breaking into the Serpent’s compound. And yes, I pay attention to everything. I know how powerful he is, and how dangerous. But I could say the same thing about the two of you.”

Both men stared at each other before the dark-haired man finally approached, taking a long hard look at me. I could read his depraved thoughts, could sense what he craved doing to me.

Tasting me.

Claiming me.

Ravaging me.

Over my dead body.

“She’s as formidable as she is intelligent,” the Spaniard stated, a hint of respect in his tone.

“You have no idea,” I shot off without thinking.

My heart was in my throat as the blond chuckled, his answer laced with acid. “We are your saviors and your worst nightmare. If you obey us, you’ll make it back to the United States safely. If not, I doubt you’ll have an opportunity to perform medicine ever again. I suggest you plant that pretty ass of yours onto the bed and stay there. You will be punished if you don’t follow directions just like we promised. We don’t have time for games and your insolence will not be tolerated. There are some dangerous assholes out there who will enjoy hunting you down, even going against whatever rules the Serpent laid in place.”

“If you’re trying to scare me, it’s not going to work.” I heard the tremor in my voice and hissed. “The Serpent tried and failed.”

“You need to listen to my friend, Doctor. We’re the only two people on this planet who can save you.” While the Spanish guy grinned, his eyes never leaving mine, I could swear he was ready to become very familiar with every inch of my body.

I wanted to scratch out his eyes.

The bastards did know who I was, or at least the reason I’d been stupid enough to come to Brazil without fully understanding the horrors that had awaited me. All I’d wanted to do was