Chapter 10
I did this to myself.
Can’t blame anyone except maybe my maker for giving me the unstoppable need to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
So, I stand by the front of the tent glaring at anyone that looks like they could be trouble.
No one is getting to Camile and her people.
Scout crosses the cracked earth that used to be the main street of Santa Rosa. His eyes are on a pivot, scanning the area as he makes his way toward me. The shadow of his baseball cap bill hides his face. But his stride is urgent.
He hauls to a stop next to me and assumes a stance so he can also watch everything. “Got a confirmed sighting from the day before yesterday.”
Love working with the man. He can get intel out of a rock.
“Where was she spotted?”
“The fruit market.” He motions to the left. “Just around the curve in the road.”
It’s one of the few buildings left standing in the heart of Santa Rosa where the worst of the quake hit.
I shift deeper into the shade of the FamFind tent, but still keep my eye on a group of young local men walking by. “Did they know if she was staying in town?”
“The woman has seen her a couple of times, a few days apart. Thought maybe MZ was passing through or coming to town to resupply.”
I scan the hillsides to the east of town. Dense forest covers much of the terrain. A few small houses dot the ridges, gathered in small clusters. “Maybe she was staying nearby, but not in town.”
“Makes sense. If she was trying to be less visible. That’s where I’d stay. Did you find it odd that her father didn’t seem to know much about her work?”
“All clear!”
We both cut our eyes toward the shout. A few hundred yards away a man is standing on top of a pile of rubble. He’s wearing one of the green uniforms for an international recovery team. “All clear!” he shouts again, this time in Spanish, and a few other languages.
A palpable wave of relief washes over the town. Men and women rush into the street, swarming around the earthquake team. Cheering. Thanking the dirty, tired workers.
Kids cling to their parents. A gang of ragtag dogs runs through the crowd, barking with excitement.
The knots in my chest loosen just a bit.
Scout shudders as we join the clapping. “Damn, that’s good.”
“I was told it’s the second building they’ve cleared today. No one was trapped in either.”
Emotion rides high in my throat as I watch. This poor little enclave got destroyed. The residents don’t have much and now they’ll have to rebuild their little community, stone by stone.
When I speak, I’m raspy. “I think they have four or five more buildings to finish.”
We stand in silence for a few minutes, watching the people celebrating.
Scout’s voice is rough, too. “Anyway, back to MZ. I have a feeling Daddy Dearest wasn’t clean with Agile when he hired us. Did you see how he wouldn’t meet Marshall’s eyes?”
“I did. Shifty bastard.”
“I think he lied when he said he knew she was staying here.”
He nods and crosses his arms. “So, MZ doesn’t tell Daddy everything. That’s pretty clear.”
“Not everyone wants their father in their business. I know I sure as fuck didn’t.”
He chuckles. “Same, brother. So, let’s assume they don’t get along.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
“But doesn’t Daddy provide the funding for her research?”
“Marshall hasn’t traced everything down yet. She’s employed by a university part-time. She has some kind of non-profit backing her. And then she raised money on her own. It’s complicated.”
Scout goes back to worrying at his scruff with his hand. “But her father’s sure something is wrong?”
“You heard him. He’s panicked.”
“But she works in places like this all the time.”
We both glance at Camile at the same time. I know what he’s thinking. This country is a damned dangerous place for women. Anything could have happened to MZ.
“Her father didn’t know about her security.”
“Seems so,” I say as I reach into my cargo pocket. “Did your store clerk indicate if she was alone?”
Scout takes a fresh bottle of water that I pass him. He twists the lid off and drinks half of it in one go. “Thanks.” He wipes the sweat from his face with his sleeve. “Two men were in town the same day. She didn’t see them in a vehicle together, but there’s not much tourist traffic here this time of year.”
“So, two men and MZ. That helps us, and truthfully, it makes sense that she’s not traveling alone. Any details on the men?”
“One in his forties, short and stocky. The other younger guy. Slim but fit, and darker complected. Dangerous-looking, according to the store owner.”
“A native guide, you think?”
Scout considers that for a beat. “Maybe that and her bodyguard. My best guess is that the other man is a fellow researcher.”
“Or a love interest…”
Scout’s eyes flicker. “Good point. Could be. That could be the reason her papa is ruffled. Older man messing with his little girl.”
“You never know. Regardless, this is a good development. We’ll start watching for those two as well as MZ. She might be lying low, and the men might be doing the supply runs.”
With a grunt, Scout finishes the last of the water. “I just hope she’s not under that earthquake debris.”
“You and me both. We won’t know until all the buildings have been cleared.”
He glances behind me toward the setup under the FamFind tent. The tables are arranged. Supplies in order. Camile, Belle, Brian, and Pembrook are busy talking with locals and starting their database of missing people.
He nods appreciatively. “Quite a setup. Looks like they’re down to business.”
“We helped get them straight.”
I know he’s gearing up to harass me.
“And you’re standing guard?”
I suppress a grumble. “Looks that way, doesn’t it?”
He stares at me for a beat before he briefly chuckles. “Man, I had a feeling when I saw you carrying her…”
“You might want to drop that subject.”
His chuckle grows into a low laugh that only we can hear. “Couldn’t get her to go packing?”
My muttered reply is low. “Stubborn ass.”
Scout adjusts his hat and snickers. “You should see the color on your cheeks.”
“Fuck. You.”
I don’t blush.
Course he doesn’t leave me alone. Instead, he asks, “So, what now?”
“Now I stand here, and you get back to work.”
He’s grinning like a monkey with a banana. “So, you taking them all home to your cabina tonight?”
“You’re taking them all to yours.”
“Right.” He snorts and looks away. After he tosses his bottle in the garbage can, he stirs the pot. “I’m sure Justice will be glad to sit watch over Camile.”
The fuck. I pivot my head and look at Scout with malice.
We’ve known each other a long time. Served together. Killed together. Lost lives of the people we cared about together.
Through all this, I’ve learned that he’s keen.
Good at interrogation.
Sadly, I know he sees right through my bullshit.
“Justice’s ass is going to be watching their equipment tonight.”
“Figured. I’ll just be heading off to look around town now.”
“Good. You’re annoying me.”
I have a whole new appreciation for solitude when he’s gone. Only it’s short-lived.
An awareness causes the skin along my shoulders to tighten. Right on cue, Camile appears at my elbow.
“I think the rebels are gone now.”
I pivot my head and look down at her. She’s tall. I don’t have to look far. I like that about her.
Damn. I also like the sweet gray-green color of her eyes. They make me think of misty mornings in the mountains.
“For the moment.”
She shrugs and looks away. It’s cute how she scrunches her nose to look across the opening at the people gathered there. “Another one down. I’ll be so glad when they’re done.”
“How are things going for your team?”
Her head whips my way. “Fine. Why do you ask?”
“Because I’m thoughtful.”
She blinks. Then a smirk forms on her pretty lips. She snickers. “Good one. You almost had me there. I know what you’re up to.”
I seriously doubt she has any idea of all the things that looking at her makes me think about. “And what is that?”
“Sending us packing.”
I lift a brow.
She sighs dramatically. “I thought we were teaming up?”
I grunt, “Were we?”
She pinches me. Freaking pinches me. Grabs the skin over my ribs and gives it a hard squeeze.
I grab her hand. “Easy, kitten. You’re playing with a big dog.”
That gets her. Her lips part. She exhales and softly laughs. It’s a nervous little sound.
She got the message loud and clear.
“You can let go now.” She tries to tug her hand loose. I keep it gripped in mine. Just because I like the feel of her delicate bones and soft skin.
Lord. Listen to me!
I narrow my eyes. “Think you can help us look out for three people?”
Her gaze drops to my hand which is latched around her wrist. She swallows hard. “Depends.”
“On what?”
“How much you annoy me.”
I laugh, making a low sound as I bring her arm up. I must be possessed because I murmur, “You mean like this?”
And for some damned reason, I bite her arm.
She lets out a little gasp and goes perfectly still.
Her skin is salty and tender under my mouth.
The taste makes my heart clunk. Blood rushes to my cock. I’d like to be biting her in other places.
When I drop her hand, she jerks it behind her back. Her words come out breathy, and she blinks furiously. “I’m going back to work.”
God, I love seeing her flustered. It’s stupid how much that thrills me.
I grin down at her. “I know where to find you.”
Her mouth presses into a hard line. She stands taller. “You can talk to Belle. She’ll deal with you.”
With a flick of her hand, she whirls and stalks away.
“Hey, Camile. Remember that you’re camping out with me tonight.”
She freezes, pivots around, and her whole body goes rigid as a guitar string. For a second, I wonder if she’s going to pounce on me.
I’d welcome the attack. A vision of her latching those long legs around my waist as she unleashes her fury almost makes me groan.
There are daggers shooting from her eyes like AK-47 fire.
She bites out, “I’ve got accommodations.”
“Yes, you do.”
In my bed.
Fuck. I should punch myself in the face. Or the dick. Yeah. That would help.
A voice calls, “Hey, boss.”
Not now.
I swing my eyes away and find Justice sauntering over. He’s carrying a notepad in one hand. His naturally tan skin is glistening. His tight T-shirt is stretched across his guns. The man is jacked like a fitness model. He’s also grinning at Camile.
She gives him a little wave. “Hey, Justice.”
I clench my jaw so hard I nearly snap it in half.
She arches a brow and gives me a sassy little head wiggle. There’s no cute, friendly smile for me. It’s all vinegar between her and me.
That she-devil.