He's angry at Carlos, not me.
Stop putting the two things into the same basket.
"Is that who you have information to take down?" Naomi asks.
"Yes."
"I'm assuming it's the same info I have on his relationship with the drug cartels?"
"That and other things."
I know why he is involved with the drug cartels as well as the other leaders. I know what they are planning. Naomi only knows about the relationship.
She continues, "Santiago Gómez kidnapped you because of these things?"
"He wasn't the original kidnapper."
"If it wasn't him, who was it?"
"The Guatemalan guerillas."
"The..." Hunter's eyes turn into slits.
Great. I just hurt him again by not telling him sooner.
"What?" I say, to try and move the conversation past it.
Hunter crosses his arms. "The U.S. had a military operation in Belize in the 1980's against the Guatemalan guerillas. They wanted to shut down the Communist Movement."
"Belize isn't communist," Naomi points out.
"No. But if it were up to the Guatemalan guerillas, it would be," Hunter states.
"True. But what does communism have to do with them kidnapping Vanessa? And how did you end up with Santiago Gómez?" she asks.
"They sold me a week ago."
"Mother..." Hunter mutters under his breath.
I take a deep breath and shift. I can feel his eyes on me, but it's too painful to look at him.
"If the U.S. were worried about communism, they would want Vanessa, not Naomi. I don't think that's it," Andre says.
"I agree," Naomi says.
The conversation moves into what Naomi knows.
Hunter explains how the U.S. President has made it his mission to destroy the Colombian cartel because of his daughter, whose death he blames on Santiago's brother, Nicolas Gómez. She met him four months ago, and they had a scandalous affair before she overdosed on cocaine. And that the President has escalated the war on drugs campaign.
That's a lie. The President and his daughter both met the drug cartel leaders prior to four months ago.
Should I tell them?
No, it's too dangerous. I would have to tell them how I know that.
My pulse increases, and I debate about what to do.
But I decide that piece of information isn't pertinent to Naomi going to the U.S. or not.
Naomi puts her hand over her heart. "Nicolas...oh God. I know why the U.S. wants me."
Andre's eyes widen. "They're going to trade you."
"He wouldn't!" I cry out. But I already know he would. I've spent numerous hours with him and he is as sinister as Carlos. "You'll die or spend the rest of your life in prison if he hands you over to the Belizean officials. He would know the consequences."
"He would. I've met him. He's callous and only cares about his own agenda," Andre growls.
I jump, and Hunter's jaw clenches.
"Andre's right. There isn't anything I wouldn't put past that man," Hunter agrees.
"So, he wants to trade Naomi for Nicolas?" I ask.
Andre stares at Naomi. "Can you think of any other reason?"
She rises. "No." She leaves for the tent, and Andre follows her.
When they are both inside, I swallow hard and turn to Hunter.
"Why didn't you tell me the guerrillas had you?" He quietly asks.
"I didn't think it was important."
His face is hard, and his eyes turn cold. It's the first time I've seen them like that, and a chill runs through my body. "I want to know what they did to you."
"They didn't do anything. Honestly. There was only one slap."
"Only one slap," he seethes.
I close my eyes and try to breathe through the racing of my heart.
He slides closer to me and softens his tone. "They are the ones who kept the shackles on you for eight months?"
I nod.
He puts his arms around my back. In a controlled voice he asks, "What else did they do?"
I open my eyes and tilt my head up. "Honestly, that's it. It was easier than being with Carlos."
He scans my face, as if he doesn't believe me.
"I'm telling the truth."
His golden eyes pin me. "Okay. What did Santiago do?"
"I had to shave, dress up, and have dinner with him."
"What do you mean shave?"
"He doesn't like hair."
"What did he do that you weren't allowed to have hair?" Fire ignites in his eyes and his face reddens.
I place my hand on his thigh. "Nothing. Please calm down. Nothing happened. I just had to tell him what I know."
"What's that?"
Silence.
"Please tell me, Flower." His voice and eyes plead with me, but I can't. It's too dangerous.
"I'm sorry. I can't. I want to, but I can't."
He looks up at the sky.
"Hunter."
He raises his eyebrows. "Hmm?"
"I... I can't stay in Belize. Am I allowed to leave the camp, or will your guys come after me?"
His eyes widen. "You aren't our prisoner. But if you leave, I will come after you."
I misunderstand what he's telling me. Tears fall so fast I can hardly catch my breath. "Please. Don't make me go back to him."
He cups my cheek. "That's not what I meant, Flower. You will never go back to him. I will make sure of it. And if you need to get out of Belize, I will get you out."
"You will?"
"Yes." He states it as if there is no question about it.
"How?"
"Let me speak to Andre. Us guys all need to talk. But don't worry about this. I will take care of it."
"Thank you." I kneel to kiss him but stop.
He glances at my lips then painfully closes his eyes. When he opens them, he says, "Give me some time to figure out our next steps." He rises, and while all I should feel is gratitude, my heart feels like it's being ripped out of my chest.
8
Hunter
The six of us guys meet and agree that something isn't right with this situation and that, for the first time ever, we aren't going to deliver our targets. We're probably all getting fired for it, but in the current situation, none of us seem to care about that.
Leaving in groups is a bigger risk, so we agree to set off in pairs at different times and turn off our trackers once we are out of the campground.
"What about the other team members?" Ryker asks.
Dirk clears his throat. "It's best not to get them involved."
That seems like the wrong thing to do. "We're going to trick the other guys?"
Dirk crosses his arms. "No. But what if they don't agree?"
"They're our brothers. They will agree," I growl.
"No. We aren't telling them. This is our decision. We know the consequences going into it. Interpol is going to want our heads on a silver platter when they find out. No point putting their careers in jeopardy as well," Andre states.