Chapter 3 #3
He gripped her arms, staring down into her face. “Marta, you don’t understand. Your skin is burning up.”
She pushed away from him, shaking her head. “I’m okay. We should keep moving.” When she took a step away, her knees gave way.
Crusher dove for her, scooped her up into his arms and took off through the jungle. He had to get to the village. The sooner the better.
“I can walk,” she argued, though her voice lacked conviction and her body remained tucked against him without her putting up a fight.
“If I’m not mistaken, the wound has turned septic,” he said softly, his lips so close to her temple that, with very little effort, he could brush them across her skin.
Who was delirious now? Thoughts of kissing Marta should never have entered his mind—especially with her at her weakest and sick with infection.
He gritted his teeth as he charged through the underbrush, carrying her.
“We need to clean the wound and get antibiotics into you ASAP.”
“I’m fine,” she said, her words slurring slightly, her eyelids drifting downward, her lashes forming dark crescents across her cheeks. “I can walk.”
“Like hell, you can,” Crusher growled.
In the starlight, Crusher made out buildings ahead—the village. Hopefully, if they didn’t have an actual pharmacy, they might have a store where he could get antibiotic ointment and bandages.
As he neared what appeared to be a rundown shack at the back of another small structure made of plywood with a corrugated tin roof, he slowed. He lowered her feet to the ground. “I have to leave you for a few minutes. I need you to sit here until I get back.”
Marta gripped the front of his shirt and shook her head, staring up into his eyes. “I’m going with you,” she insisted.
“I can move faster alone,” he said. “You need medicine for that wrist. I’m going to find some. I can do it faster by myself.”
Still, she didn’t release her hold on his shirt. “You’ll come back?” she whispered.
He nodded. “I will,” he said. “You’re stuck with me until we deliver you to Miami.”
“Thass it?” she slurred. “Only to Miami?” Her head lolled against his chest. “I’d hoped for longer.” Her voice faded off, and her eyelids lowered over her eyes.
Crusher’s breath caught. “Marta?” He brushed the hair off her forehead.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Juss resting my eyes.”
He didn’t like that she was slurring her words.
It could all be signs that the infection was affecting her entire body.
“You’re going to be all right,” he said, more to convince himself than her.
He lowered her to the ground, propping her upright with her back to the ramshackle shed.
“Stay put. I’ll be back as soon as I locate some medical supplies. ”
She blinked. “So you say.” Her brow furrowed, and she stared over his shoulder. “I thought you said the residents of this town would be asleep?”
Crusher glanced over his shoulder toward the gravel road in front of the house. Headlights cut through the darkness. A spotlight swept into the shadows, coming close to the shed behind the house.
“Get down,” Crusher said.
Marta sank lower to the ground and waited for the vehicle with the headlights and spotlight to roll slowly past.
“Think that was Vasquez’s men?” Marta asked in a voice barely a whisper.
Crusher nodded. “Probably. All the more reason for you to stay here while I gather medical supplies.”
“Nothing’s open at this time of night,” Marta noted.
“I won’t let that slow me down. But you need to promise not to leave this position until I get back.”
She held up a hand. “I promise. Scout’s honor.”
His lip twitched. “Drama much? Keep that promise unless a jaguar corners you.”
Her eyes widened. “Are there jaguars in this area?”
“Even if there are, I doubt they’d come this close to a village.”
“Doubt? I’m coming with you,” she said and tried to stand.
He pressed a hand to her shoulder. It didn’t take much to keep her from getting up. “I’ll be back. Lie low if you see headlights or a spotlight swinging your direction.”
She grabbed his arm. “What about you? What if you don’t come back?”
He didn’t want to leave her, but she wasn’t in any condition to accompany him on his mission to find medicine and a faster way to the next location.
“I’ll be back. I promise.” He held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.” He bent and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
Marta snorted, leaned her head back against the wall of the shack and closed her eyes. “Like you were ever a Boy Scout.” She waved her right hand. “Go.” Her eyes opened again. “But please hurry back. I kind of like having you around.”
With one last glance at the scientist, trying to be brave when she was obviously hurting, Crusher slipped into the shadows and hurried away. Marta needed medicine. If she didn’t get some soon, she might not make it to Miami.
His heart squeezed hard in his chest. He couldn’t let that happen. The feisty scientist had come this far. She deserved a chance to save the world.
Not that they had anything in common, a scientist and a mercenary, but Crusher found that he kind of liked her. She was growing on him.
Go figure.