Chapter 3
Sierra Oscura, Mexico
Code Name: Raven
Jade clung to Liam like a lifeline in the middle of class five rapids.
He’d scooped her into his arms without hesitation and hadn’t let go.
She’d done her best to ignore the pain. But when another ambush sent them detouring in a different direction, she couldn’t hide her whimpers from being jostled.
The team moved at a rapid clip deeper into the jungle.
The twisting vines swallowed them, obscuring their location.
Sweat drenched her hair and soaked her thin shirt and shorts.
The open space stole the air from her lungs.
As terrifying as the hut had been, at least she hadn’t worried about an anxiety attack from being out in the open.
The rhythmic pulse of insects surrounded Jade as Charlie Team wove farther into the Sierra Oscura foothills. With shallow breaths and screaming ribs, she’d finally insisted that she could walk.
In hindsight, that request had bad idea written all over it. With each step, she experienced a new level of agony. The lack of food and water had zapped her energy. Her injuries added another layer to her fatigue and ability to move at the quick pace.
She’d seen Xander, the team’s pilot and Charlie Five.
If he was here, then they had no helo extraction.
Though no one said it out loud, Jade knew they weren’t getting out of the jungle tonight.
And that terrified her even more. How would she cope with spending the night under the stars?
It might sound amazing to most people, but to her, it spelled unimaginable fear.
A gripping terror that stole her sanity.
Jade lagged behind Liam as the group paused in a small clearing.
The overhead canopy broke just enough to show a strip of the darkening sky.
Her chest tightened. The openness of the space wrapped around her like a noose.
No walls to protect her. No feeling of security behind her screens.
Just jungle. Tremors invaded her body. Not noticeable—yet. But there all the same.
Eyes focused on a spot in front of her, she took deep breaths, remembering Breana’s advice. The problem—it wasn’t working.
Liam turned to check on her, his expression unreadable in the low light. “We’ll make camp here.”
Camp? He had to be kidding. She’d walk hours if it meant getting out of here and back to her hotel room behind four walls and a locked door.
Boone and Dax dropped their gear and started clearing debris.
“I’ve got the perimeter.” Rafe adjusted his weapon and ducked out of sight.
“Why don’t you sit while we set things up?” Liam’s voice pulled her from the panic rising inside her.
She rubbed her arms and stared at the fallen log resting against a tree that he gestured toward. A lump the size of a watermelon clogged her throat. She nodded and lowered herself onto the makeshift seat.
Liam crouched next to her and placed a hand on her knee. He no doubt could feel her body shake. “Raven, how long were you in that hut?”
“What day is it?”
“Tuesday.”
“Three days.” Three miserable days.
“Tell me what happened.” Liam’s eyes never left hers.
“After arriving at the resort and taking a nap, I decided to go for a walk. Two men came out of nowhere, beat me, drugged me, and abducted me. I woke up in that hut. They thought I was a contractor’s daughter and asked me questions I couldn’t answer.
” She waved a hand, circling her face. Her cheek and eye throbbed, and her fat lip…
well, it just hurt. “They thought if they encouraged me to talk, I’d tell them what they wanted to know. It didn’t make sense.”
“I’m going to assume you aren’t a contractor’s daughter.”
She snorted. “No.” She’d never had the privilege of having parents to call her own. Well, not since her mother died early in her childhood.
“That’s what I thought. Next question. Did they…” His brow furrowed. He opened his mouth and closed it, as if the words refused to come.
Her brain clicked, understanding what he struggled with. Jade shook her head. “They only used their fists and boots.”
Relief and anger warred in Liam’s expression. “I’d like Xander to take a look at those injuries.”
Her head swam. From terror or dehydration, she wasn’t sure. Maybe both. The idea of hands on her sent a shudder through her. But she couldn’t ignore her injuries. “Okay.”
Liam motioned for Xander to join them.
She forced a smile and focused on keeping herself from crawling out of her skin.
Liam stood and intercepted Xander. The two men exchanged a quick conversation. Then Liam stationed himself ten feet away—alert—ready for trouble, but his eyes never wavered from her.
Xander strode toward her. His medic pack slung across his shoulder. “It’s nice to finally meet the lady behind the voice.” He crouched beside her. “Liam said you’ve been in that hut three days.”
“They wanted information. Kept asking who I worked for. I didn’t give them anything, but they didn’t like that answer.” She touched her side. “I think I’ve got cracked ribs.”
Xander rummaged through his pack. “Mind if I take a look at your injuries?”
She shook her head.
“I’ll try to be gentle.” He checked her pupils and vitals, then probed her ribs.
Every touch made her flinch, either from pain or fear. On the positive side, she’d temporarily pushed aside her panic from being out in the open and the fall of night. So that was something to be thankful for.
Xander lifted her wrists. “Zip ties?”
“Yes. When they abducted me, they secured my hands and weren’t nice about it.”
His jaw twitched. “You appear to have a mild concussion, and I agree with your assessment that you have a couple of cracked ribs, but that’s not definitive.
Only an X-ray will confirm that. The bruising across your back and shoulders will ache, but I don’t see any serious damage.
I’m more worried about infection from the cuts on your wrists.
I’ll clean and bandage those and wrap your ribs to give you support.
” Xander paused and made sure he had her full attention.
“Raven, you’re severely dehydrated. When’s the last time you ate or drank something? ”
“I ate before they took me.” Her voice cracked. “And they gave me water a couple of times. Not much. Just enough to keep me alive.”
Xander muttered under his breath. “And we dragged you through the jungle. I’m sorry, Raven.”
“As if you had a choice. Besides, it’s not your fault. You didn’t kidnap me.” Her gaze met Liam’s. He’d heard the entire conversation and didn’t look happy.
Xander went to work on her wounds.
Liam strode over and handed her a canteen. “Start with the water. Take small sips.” His clipped words jolted her, but she knew this man. Maybe better than herself. He was mad. Not at her, but at the men who’d hurt her.
Her fingers trembled as she took the container and brought it to her lips. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how dry and cracked they were. When the liquid hit her tongue, she almost cried.
“Remember, go easy.” He held out an energy bar from his pack and peeled back the wrapper. “Small bites. Don’t push it or your stomach will revolt.”
Her stomach growled, but the first nibble churned her belly. She handed the bar back to him. “I can’t.”
“Keep it. Try a little more every few minutes. You need the calories. And the water.” He tapped the canteen.
She sighed and followed his directions.
Xander wrapped a compression band around her ribs and gently wiped away some of the dried blood at her temple.
Liam stepped a few feet away, allowing Xander room to work. Jaw tight, he crossed his arms over his chest. When their eyes met again, something passed between them. She couldn’t name it, but it settled the swirling anxiety inside her—mostly.
The man had intrigued her on the missions she’d supported his team. His strength and confidence endeared him to her. It was silly, really. She didn’t personally know the man, but somehow, he’d carved a special place in her heart.
“There, all finished.” Xander tucked his supplies into his kit.
The medic’s words yanked her attention from Liam.
The intensity of her situation swarmed her.
For a moment, she’d forgotten about the jungle—the open space.
But the calming link to Liam had broken.
Her pulse raced, and her respiration increased.
Her agoraphobia took hold and choked the air from her lungs. The desire to bolt overwhelmed her.
She wanted four walls and a locked door. Someone or something was going to find her out here, and she wouldn’t be able to hide.
Xander stood. “I’ve done all I can do out here. You’ll need real medical attention when we get out of here.”
“Thank you.” Her voice quivered.
“You’re welcome, Raven.” Xander nodded to Liam and sauntered away.
Liam stepped forward. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person. I can’t thank you enough for saving our sorry behinds on several occasions. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“I’m fine,” she lied. Her eyes darted to the different sounds. She blinked to keep the tears from falling.
Liam opened his mouth but chose to nod instead. “We’ll set up camp and a watch rotation. I promise we’ll keep you safe. I’ll let you relax and finish that water and protein bar.” He left and helped Dax and Boone make camp.
Jade pressed her back against the tree and drew her knees to her chest. The strain on her ribs made her wince.
The light seeping through the trees wouldn’t last much longer as the night continued to close in.
Being outside in a strange place was bad enough.
How would she survive the fall of night?
Her skin crawled, but she had no way out of the situation.
It would be a long night filled with anxiety and panic.
Jade curled tighter into herself. Fear wasn’t always screaming. Sometimes it was silent white-knuckled breaths.