Page 54 of Colombian Chemistry

He took another long drag and spluttered out the smoke. When he got done, he leaned back and rested his arms on the back of his couch.

“I’ve never seen Marcus with a woman before. Well, a woman other than Piper.”

An inferno of jealousy burned through me for a moment before I remembered him mentioning Piper was one of his crew. He’d referred to them once as family, and I doubted anything sexual had transpired between him and a woman he’d told me thought of as a sister. Not that it should matter to me. I wasn’t a virgin, and I knew he wasn’t either, but still, the thought of his lips locked with someone other than mine sent that jealous rage bubbling back up inside of me.

“He’s helping me out,” I answered.

“Marcus. Always the knight in shining armor. Just can’t keep his nose out of trouble that one.”

“I’m very grateful for all he’s done to help me. I would probably be dead without him.”

Hector nodded. “You’re in good hands. Marcus never fails, and if his mission is to keep you alive, then alive you’ll be.”

Though I was grateful for that, I also had to hope he could keep my father alive as well. I knew he’d promised to rescue him, but from what I was beginning to understand about the Jungle Kings, it would be no easy task. I went from having the American embassy in my corner to having just one man. Although, if there was ever one man who could do it, Marcus was the one.

Marcus emerged from the corner and tossed the phone into the bag Hector had given him.

“Knox is still in Costa Rica, and he can get his hands on a plane. With his flying skills, he’ll be able to stay under the radar and get into the country undetected. Says it shouldn’t be an issue. We’re meeting him at an abandoned airstrip just outside of Bogotá tomorrow at noon. He’ll get you out of the country and back to Costa Rica. You can go to the embassy there. They’ll help you get home.”

I sat upright. “Wait? I’m still leaving? I thought we were going to save my father?”

Marcus glanced between me and Hector, then shook his head. “We’ll figure all that out. But no matter what, you’re getting on that plane out of here. I’m going to save your father. Not we.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Marcus yawned and lifted his hand. “Could you hold off on the arguing with me until I at least get a hot shower?” His gaze swept over my disheveled appearance, and he lifted his eyebrows with a chuckle. “And you could really use one too.”

I slunk down in the coach, realizing he was completely right. I had knots in my hair that would have made any rat’s nest green with envy.

“Fine. We shower and rest, but this conversation isn’t over.”

“Towels are in the closet outside the bathroom,” Hector said.

“I remember,” Marcus answered. “Come on. You can go first so I don’t steal all the hot water.”

He reached out his hand, and I took it. He pulled me up to standing and led me over to the small orange and olive-green bathroom.

“This guy really has a thing for the seventies,” I whispered.

“He really liked the seventies, so he’s just refused to leave.” Marcus chuckled. “His only job is to stay here and be ready when American agents need a place to stay, and other than that, he can just hang out in his disco room and get stoned as much as he wants.”

“I guess that’s a pretty sweet gig.” I chuckled.

“Yeah. I definitely should have thought about being a safehouse keeper before I went in the direction of a special ops agent. I’d have a lot less bullet holes in me.”

I remembered his scars, and even though I’d suspected they were stab wounds and gunshots, it was the first time he’d said it aloud.

"Should we stay in the bedroom at the end of the hall?” Marcus called to Hector.

“Yep! I still have that pillow you wouldn’t stop raving about in there,” Hector shouted back.

“Oh, yes!” Marcus smiled. “Best pillow ever. When you’re done showering, just head to the bedroom at the end of the hall. I’ll go find you some clean clothes. Hector keeps clothes of all sizes for an array of agents.”

I thanked him, then went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. I moaned out loud when the hot water hit my skin. This was the longest I’d gone in my life without a shower, and I’d taken for granted just how amazing it could feel. After scrubbing every dirt-covered inch of myself clean, I stood under the water for a few more minutes before forcing myself to get out and leave some hot water behind for Marcus.

I wrapped a towel around my body and peeked out into the apartment. Hector was passed out on the couch with the vintage TV blaring, and Marcus was nowhere to be seen. I tip-toed down the hall to the bedroom he’d mentioned.

Marcus was sitting on the bed finishing up something that resembled a Hot Pocket. “It’s not gourmet, but it’s damn good. I heated you up a couple too.”

“Real food!” I sighed and hurried over to grab the plate. I tucked my towel tighter around my body and sat beside him on the bed. I moaned when I took a bite far larger than I normally would have.