If anyone is going to understand our current predicament, it's Kalim. "You aren't going to tell Kalim?"
Andre sighs. "No. I'm not putting him in any risky position."
"But—"
"No. We can't move in a group. They have to stay back, regardless, so let them stay in Interpol's good graces."
He has a point. And Kalim isn't going to get another chance with Interpol after his stunt with Annabella. "Fine. Do they know coordinates and times to get out of here?"
"The last guy to leave puts a note in the tent," he instructs.
"Where are we taking them?" Axel crosses his arms and glances quickly at the tent where the ladies are all changing.
We have a heated discussion on where to go and finally decide we'll go south to Omoa, Honduras, where our military buddy, Tinker, retired. He's got connections and will be able to get passports for everyone.
"We'll leave tonight, then. In stages, so the guys don't notice anything," Andre instructs. "I'll leave with Naomi now. Everyone stay safe."
We all fist-bump and go back to the tent. I motion for Vanessa to join me outside.
I want to pull her on my lap, but I remind myself she doesn't want me and not to touch her. "We'll leave tonight. We're second to last."
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone is leaving, but the guys on the perimeter can't know."
"Why?"
Let's see how she likes it.
"Sorry, I can't tell you."
She furrows her brows and tilts her head.
I'm such an asshole.
She's been treated like shit by men, and now I'm doing the same. Way to go.
I sigh. "Andre doesn't want them to lose their jobs."
Her eyes widen. "I didn't think about your job. I'll go myself."
"Over my dead body," I growl, and she jumps but not as much as normal. I put my hands over my face in frustration.
Why can't I talk in a calm voice?
She pulls my hands off my face. Her blue eyes pierce into mine. "Let's hope there's no dead body."
It takes a moment for me to realize that she's teasing me.
"At least not until you get out of Belize." I joke back.
Her face falls. "That's not funny."
"I don't know why I can't think about my tone before I talk," I blurt out.
She scoots closer to me and puts her hand on my cheek. "Hunter, I don't want you to change. There isn't anything wrong with how you talk or act."
"I want to stop scaring you."
"You don't."
"I do. You jump every conversation we're in."
She twists her hair around her finger. "I don't mean to."
"It's not you. It's me," I tell her, taking responsibility for my actions.
"No. It's not. And I feel safe with you."
My heartbeat picks up. "You do?"
She releases her hair. "Yeah."
Andre and Naomi step out of the tent and wave to us. They go to the edge of the campground and into the jungle.
"One down, four to go," I joke.
"Should we go pack? I now have one new bikini, another spare outfit, and shoes. Oh, wait! I'm wearing the shoes, and the bikini top has become my bra. So I guess that leaves me with a bikini bottom, pair of shorts, and a T-shirt. Where shall I stuff them?"
She's still not wearing any panties.
Oh Lord.
"Let's go into the tent and stock my backpack."
When we get in the tent, I dump the contents from my backpack out, repack everything, and throw in some extra military food packs from the bins Interpol flew in. Vanessa hands me her small pile. The bikini bottom is on top. It's barely there, and the vision of her perfect ass pops into my mind. I swallow hard.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I stuff the items in my bag, and Zoe comes over and hugs Vanessa.
"Stay safe. And make sure you eat what Dirk catches. Protein is important," I tease.
Zoe rolls her eyes and stretches her arms.
I lean down to hug her, and she says, "Don't forget your promise to me."
I groan. "I won’t. There just hasn't been time."
"Now's probably the best you'll get." she sings.
She's right. I need to apologize to Julieta before we leave. "Got it."
Dirk fist-bumps me then turns to Zoe. "Ready, my Little Diva?"
She snorts and tries to hide a smile. "As ready as ever, country boy."
"Are you two going to kill each other? I'm a little worried about you being in the jungle alone," Vanessa comments.
"I'm good. Are you good?" Zoe asks Dirk.
"I'm always good." He smirks.
Zoe snorts. "I'll see you later."
She and Vanessa hug one last time, and they leave.
"What was Zoe talking about?"
I sigh. "Give me a minute?"
"Sure."
I walk over to Julieta. "Can I talk to you?"
Ryker crosses his arms and raises his eyebrows.
"What's up?" she asks.
"Away from him?" I point to Ryker, and his eyes turn to slits.
She glances at him and softly laughs. "Yeah. Sure."
We go outside.
She starts. "I'm not looking—"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have argued with you."
Silence.
"Are you going to say anything?"
"Nope. I'm waiting for you to continue."
"To continue?"
"Yep."
Why did I not take those lessons from Zoe?
"I'm sorry, and it's all my fault?" I smile big.
More silence.
"I'm not sure what else I'm supposed to say, Julieta. My apology is genuine."
"Information has consequences. You need to understand that. Actually, all you guys need to understand that."
"We only want to help."
She sighs. "I know. And I'm sorry I insinuated otherwise."
"So, can we call a truce?"
"Yes. But what about Vanessa?"
My blood pressure spikes.
"What about her?"
"How are you going to help her if she has another attack?"
I suddenly feel like an utter failure.
If I don't know how to help my woman, then what kind of man am I?
She's not my woman. She made it clear she doesn't want to be.
"I don't know."
"You need to speak gentler."
"I'm trying."
"Try harder."
I scrub my hands over my face. "I'm not out to hurt Vanessa. I've apologized. Please accept it. But let's leave Vanessa’s and my relationship between us."
She glares at me.
"Have a safe trip." I spin and walk back into the tent.
That woman is impossible.
I can't wait to get out of here and just be with Vanessa.
Everything was fine between us before anyone else came around.
"Everything okay?" Vanessa scrunches her face.
"Yeah."
"Where's Julieta?" Ryker asks.
I shrug. "Outside, where I left her."