“What happened to those men last night?” Part of her wanted to forget about the threat, the other part worried those men or others would ambush the team before they got to the resort.
“Boone and I led them away from your location. Then we scouted around for others coming to find you. Those two appeared to be alone.”
“So, we’re safe?” Oh, how she hoped. But her gut told her otherwise.
“No. I believe the rest of your captors aren’t in the jungle. It’s hard to track with all the trees and vines everywhere. I think they’re strategically placed at the resort and along the highway leading out of here.” Liam continued scanning their surroundings while delivering the unappealing news.
Dax picked up where Liam left off. “You weren’t that far in the jungle. Just enough that no one would hear your screams for help. Any farther in and we probably wouldn’t have found you. The best bet for whoever took you is to wait for us to make our way out of here.”
“Thanks for the uplifting thought.” Jade fought the panic rising inside.
“Don’t worry. We’ve got this.” Liam brushed his shoulder with hers. “We won’t let them get to you.”
The group trod through the foliage in silence to the edge of the resort. Birds warbled, and insects clicked and buzzed in the background, pressing in on her. Dizziness washed over her. She had to get out of her head. A list. That’s what she needed. Get out of the jungle. Go home. Okay, so maybe she’d missed a few steps. She racked her brain but came up empty. Liam would know what to do.
Jade shifted her gaze to him. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Boone’s normally our breacher, but inside the resort without a key, it will take a little more finesse to pick the electronic lock on your room. That’s where Rafe comes in.” Liam jutted his chin at Charlie Two. “I don’t want to call attention to you by going to the front desk, so he and I will escort you to your room and gather your things, while Boone holds watch outside. Dax and Xander will double-time it to the SUV we secured when we arrived in Mexico. They’ll swing back to the resort entrance and pick us up. The whole thing should take less than twenty minutes.” He glanced at her. “Will that work for you? I’d extend the time, but I want you out of here. This whole mission has a hinky feeling.”
“That won’t be a problem. I barely got here before those men abducted me and threw me in that hut.”
“I have questions.” Dax grinned. “How—” He stiffened. “Ten o’clock.”
Jade opened her mouth, but Liam held up a fist, and the guys froze. Her heart pounded, and her breathing shallowed. She struggled with the open space, but the intensity of Charlie Team pulled her nerves tight enough to snap.
With two fingers, Liam pointed at Boone and then deeper in the jungle.
Boone ghosted into the trees.
“Charlie Two, proceed.”
She strained to hear Liam’s order. The men were intimidating when they shifted to warrior mode. If she hadn’t worked with them and known what kind of men they were, she’d be terrified.
“Raven, we need to pick up the pace. Can you do that?” Liam continued to scan the surroundings while he asked.
Could she? Not really, but what choice did she have? “I’ll do what I need to do.”
Liam paused. The rest of the guys followed suit without hesitation or word. His eyes met hers. “Raven, you are one impressive woman.”
Jade blinked. No. She wasn’t impressive. A hot mess express on the blue screen of death described her better. Before she responded, the men started moving again.
Her ribs protested, and her bruises ached, but she refused to give in to the pain. She wanted out of Mexico and away from the memories of being kidnapped and held against her will. The pride of venturing out on a vacation had died and breath-stealing fear had taken its place.
Boone slipped back into formation.
“Anything?” Liam asked.
“Two tangos. I led them off in a different direction. I doubt they’ll fall for it for long.” Boone tightened in next to her.
“Then let’s move.” Liam picked up the pace.
A little while later, they entered the side of the resort, out of sight. Liam and Rafe handed off their rifles and packs to Dax and Xander.
Jade followed the pair onto the resort grounds, wondering what people would think of their rough and dirty appearance.But the men strolled down the pathway like they didn’t have a care in the world. To her surprise, no one noticed them, or at least, didn’t focus on them.
“What’s your room number?” Rafe asked.
“Two twenty-four.”
