feeling of walking on a tightrope strung across a deep canyon in Puerto Sierra’s mountains.
When she was alone with Guerrero, she sat before her legs gave out and poured herself some coffee. "Now I feel like a complete fool. What's next? Accosting a small child who comes too near?”
He took a piece of toast and bit off some. "Do you want my help?”
"Yes."
"Then you'll do as I say."
"Is that a condition to your employment?" she asked calmly although under her polite facade she bristled at his cool insolence. Guerrero reminded her of her father, a general in the U.S. Army, who had always expected total obedience no matter what.
"Do you want my protection?"
She nodded, pinned beneath the sharp, probing of his dark gaze.
"Then, yes, it is."
"But—"
"No, lady, there are no buts. I can't protect you if you fight me every inch of the way. So, what will it be?"
"It's a deal," she answered, not liking the condition one bit. Since leaving home at eighteen, she had always taken care of herself, even prided herself on not needing anyone. His stipulation made her uncomfortable because it underscored her vulnerability. For once she couldn't do it alone—she needed him, and that was hard for her to accept.
"Are you ready to leave?"
"Now?" she asked, surprised at how fast he moved once he set his mind to something.
"Yes."
"As soon as I get some supplies for the dig. I also need to see Juan. Something about more government red tape."
"I'd like to be on the road in a few hours."
"Why?"
His look was all male, reflecting again the sensation that he could take care of her in any type of situation. A feeling of intimacy as warm as the sunlight that streamed through the parted curtains quivered between them. "Because you're not safe here."
"No one's safe at the dig," she whispered, a breathlessness seizing her again as his gaze took her in from top to bottom.
"Tell me what's going on."
She glanced away, needing to break his hold on her, needing to gain some perspective. Chewing a piece of toast, she gathered her poise and finally said, "Someone's sabotaging the dig, trying to scare the workers away. I'm afraid they'll succeed. Each incident is worse than the one before. They're even using religious superstitions to accomplish their goal."
"I thought it was a minor dig."
"It is officially. Juan contacted me about uncovering the ruins in a joint effort. His boss, Senor Sauto, is behind what Juan is doing. I have two archaeologists from here on my staff. They were recommended by Professor Molina who teaches at the university. That's why I don't understand what's going on.”
“One of Juan’s goals is to make sure all archaeological sites in Puerto Sierra should be uncovered. He wants to emphasize the importance of the Indian culture in this country and its rich history. He told me he wanted to share it with the world. Other countries have and it’s helped with the tourist industry.”
“Tourist industry?”
Guerrero cocked a grin. “That’s how he sells it to the higher ups in the government.”
Tory chuckled. “Now that doesn’t surprise me. But this site isn’t easy to get to. It’s deep in the rainforest in the Puerto Sierra Mountain Range, five hours from the nearest village at the base of the mountain.
“That area has potential for growth if done right.”
“Then why is someone wanting to scare us away? If I knew that answer, then I'd probably know why the Temple of the Stars is more than it seems. That’s why I think it might be tied to my theory about the Star People. I named the group after the temple was found. I wrote my first article about my theory two years ago. My gut instinct tells me there's something hidden at the Temple of the Stars site. All I have to do is find it before the workers are driven away."
"Then the government will help?"
"Yes, but until then I'm on my own. This dig was sponsored by my university with the approval of the government here and a small amount of money.”
His eyes, which she suspected had seen too much violence, studied her as he sat across from her. "That's always been a complaint of Juan's. Not enough people to protect the Indian ruins in Puerto Sierra until they are properly excavated. I know some of the locals. I can approach them about helping you."
"I don't want this site to end up on the black market, its knowledge of the past lost forever. Once the artifacts