"What airport are we going to?" Julieta asks.
"Ramón Villeda Morales International," Ryker replies.
"That's the busiest airport in Honduras."
Ryker turns onto another road. "Is that good or bad?"
Julieta puts her hands over her mouth and breathes deeply.
He puts his hand on her leg. "Julieta?"
She tilts her head toward the sky. "It doesn't matter what airport I go to. I've been everywhere. I know tons of employees in all of them. You're all going to need to go without me."
Ryker pulls off the side of the road. "I'm not leaving you."
"The risk is too high. Someone I know will recognize me. I can't put everyone in danger."
Ryker turns. "We'll split up in twos."
"Agreed," Hunter says.
"You'll still be in harm's way," Julieta says to Ryker.
"Julieta, aren't we going to raise flags anyway?" I ask.
"What do you mean?"
I motion between the guys. "They look like thugs with their faces right now."
"Gee, thanks," Hunter sarcastically says.
"Sorry, but it's true."
Julieta turns in her seat. "What are you getting at?"
"If we're going to bring awareness to us, shouldn't we wait for their faces to heal? Then we can come up with a plan on how to navigate your situation."
"Flower, we're getting out of here on the first flight."
"Vanessa's right. Everyone from the check-in counter to security and even boarding at the gate will triple-check you two."
"So we need to wait. That will give us time to figure this out."
"No. We're leaving," Hunter insists.
"If they suspect you aren't a safe passenger, they will take you to a holding area where they can question you and take your fingerprints and scan your irises. Vanessa will go back to Belize, and Interpol will escort you wherever they choose, unless they decide to keep you instead of notifying Interpol."
"Just because my face is bruised?" Hunter blurts out.
"You're a man in your forties. It's not normal to have a beat-up face."
"So, our faces have to be completely bruise-free or just better than right now?" Ryker asks.
"The more normal, the less attention you'll draw."
"Then we wait. Hunter and Vanessa will split from us when the time comes. In the meantime, we figure out how to get you through the airport unrecognized."
"You need a disguise," I tell her.
"My passport won't match."
"We'll get you a new passport."
"It's too risky to go back to Omoa," Hunter insists.
Nervous silence fills the Jeep.
"It's time we split," Ryker states.
"Agreed," Hunter replies.
My heart races, and I turn to Hunter. "Aren't we safer if we stay together?"
"No. We've been lucky we've gotten this far together. And our faces aren't helping this situation. It's not just the airport," Ryker adds.
More silence.
"I'll drop you off near the airport. You can lay low a few days until your face heals. We'll take the Jeep back to Tinker's and get Julieta a different passport."
"Sounds good." Hunter glances down. "Don't worry, Flower."
The airport is less than two hours away. There's a small motel close by and Ryker parks outside. The lot is only a quarter full. "Go see if they have any vacancy. We'll stay with Vanessa."
Hunter takes his passport and cash out of his bag, pecks me on the cheek, then goes inside.
"Guess you get a mini-vacay," Julieta jokes.
"Are you sure we should split up?" I ask.
"Yes," Ryker states.
Silence.
"Maybe you can get a blonde wig. You'd look good in it," I tell Julieta.
She smiles and turns to Ryker. "What do you think? Want to have a blonde on your arm?"
His face falls and something passes across his features, almost too quickly to be noticed.
Julieta shifts in her seat. "Sorry. Do you have something against blondes?"
He smiles, but it looks forced, and he quietly replies, "No. You'd look hot as a blonde or with any hair color." He taps his fingers on the wheel and stares out the front window.
Julieta closes her eyes, as if she just realized something, then puts her hand on his thigh.
He clenches his jaw but doesn't say anything.
The uncomfortable silence continues until Hunter comes back out.
"What did I miss?"
I'm not sure what Ryker is upset about, but I'm sure he doesn't want to explain, so I blurt out, "Nothing. Were you able to get us a room?"
"Yep. Part of the hotel is under construction, so they had a lot of cancellations. There aren't a lot of people here. The woman at the front desk is Canadian and spoke English, thank goodness."
Ryker holds his fist out to Hunter. "See you on the other side, then."
Hunter fist-bumps him. "Stay safe, bro."
I get out. Hunter and I hug Julieta, and I give Ryker one, too.
Hunter slings his backpack over his shoulder. "Ready, Flower?"
"Yep."
We go into the hotel. Bright yellows and oranges make the lobby feel cheerful and welcoming—the girl at the check-in counter smiles and nods.
I continue glancing around. "This looks nice."
"She put us in one of the remodeled rooms. It's not far from the lobby."
Hunter guides me down the hall. Coastal colors and decor fill the bedroom. Sunshine beams through the glass and across the room.
"This is gorgeous."
Hunter pats my ass and puts his backpack on the desk. "Glad you approve."
I open the French doors and step outside onto the patio. There are two chairs and a table, and not far in front of our room is a small pool, hot tub, and a bar that serves food.
A few patrons are eating and drinking, but other than that, it's empty.
"Do we have to stay in our room, or can we use the amenities?"
Hunter pulls the bottom of my bikini out of his bag. "I've got no problem with you breaking this in."
"What are you going to wear?"
"I'll buy a suit from the gift shop."
"So, we just hang here for a few days until your face looks normal?"
"Yep."
"Okay. Let's change and go to the pool."
"There's something we have to do first."
I step forward, stroke his cock, and wiggle my eyebrows. "Does it involve your body parts, my body parts, and some sweat?"
He groans. "You're killing me, Flower."
"What else could we possibly have to do?" I pull him down for a deep kiss.
He circles his arms around me but pulls back. "We're going to go buy a swimsuit in the gift shop. Then we can either talk here or outside, you choose. But before we get wrapped up into anything else, I need you to tell me everything."
My chest tightens.
"Breathe."
We take some breaths together.
"All right. Let's get your suit. But can we do it over a fancy frozen drink?" I clasp my hands as if I'm praying.