Page 86 of Colombian Chemistry

“We ready?” Piper asked.

“Let’s move,” Marcus answered.

My bags were heavy, but I kept pace with the three of them moving down the halls. When we reached the outer door, Knox went first then waved us through when it was clear. We hurried through the grass to the tall brick wall topped with electrical wire. Two ropes dangled down.

“This is where we went through with Dr. Saltzman,” Knox said. “I’ll go up first and take Irene. Once she’s safe, we’ll pull the bags of money up and get the fuck out of here.”

Marcus nodded his approval, and Knox scaled up the wall with ease. Considering his size, his agility surprised me.

“Hold still,” Marcus said as he looped the other rope around me like a harness. “There. Just hold on, and Knox will pull you up. I’ll be up there soon.”

The rope tightened, and I started lifting off the ground but shouted, “Wait!”

Knox stopped pulling, and I put my hands on Marcus’s face and pulled him in for a kiss. “I love you, Marcus. More than anything in this world. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

He slid his hands into my hair and deepened our kiss. Then he pulled back and furrowed his brow. “You can thank me later. Now get your ass up there and get out of here before someone finds us, and we have to kill more people.”

“Oh yeah. Right.” I sucked the air through my teeth. “Okay, Knox! I’m ready!”

He pulled me up over the wall, and after getting the money up, Piper and Marcus hopped over too. The four of us crept through the jungle the short distance to where a van waited under cover of the thick canopy.

“It’s us, Dr. Saltzman,” Marcus said before sliding open the white door. “Don’t shoot us.”

“Oh, thank God!” I heard my father say.

The sound of his voice caused an instant flood of tears to break free.

“I hate guns! Someone take this thing away from me.” He stepped out of the van and handed his pistol to Knox, then stopped when he saw me.

“Irene,” he breathed, and his eyes flooded with tears. “You’re safe!”

We stumbled forward, each collapsing in the other’s arms.

“I’m okay, Dad. We’re both going to be okay. Thanks to these guys.”

He squeezed me harder then finally released his grip. He turned his attention to the three people standing behind him.

“Thank you for saving us,” he said. “You all have my eternal gratitude. If there is anything I can ever do for you, all you ever need to do is ask. I’m not sure where my journey in life is taking me now, but I do hope our paths cross again.”

Marcus’s sly smile started as he stepped over to me and slid an arm around my shoulder. “Well, I don’t know about these schmucks, but your path in life is gonna cross with mine a lot because my path in life leads only to one place. Her.”

I sighed and settled my head onto his chest as he wrapped me in his arms.

My father’s eyes bulged for a moment before he gently shook his head. “Well then, I guess I don’t need to worry about these Jungle Kings hunting you down and taking you again. You’re well protected! Wonderful news!”

“Actually,” Marcus said, “you don’t need to worry about them anymore at all. We’ve taken out Pedro and his lieutenants, and we’re about to make a call alerting the Los Lobos that the compound is breached and they can take down the Jungle Kings, their mortal enemies. By morning, the Jungle Kings won’t exist, and the Los Lobos know nothing about you and will never bother you again. You’re both safe and free.”

“Really?” my father asked. “It’s really over?”

“Hey, Pretty Boy,” Marcus said. “You want to send out the alert the Los Lobos? Let them know the Jungle Kings are weakened, and if they move tonight, the compound is theirs.”

“Oh! Tell Wesley I said thank you for all the help. I lost my mic,” I said.

Marcus relayed my message and responded, “He says he’s so proud of you, and you kicked ass like a real pro.”

“Tell him thank you.” I beamed. “I did kick some ass.”

After a long pause, Marcus smiled. “Thanks, Pretty Boy. Let us know when they breach. And tape it. We’re gonna wanna watch that action over a few Caipirinhas tomorrow.”