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“I like it,” she said breathily. “You could barmy protect me from any chump or git out there. You arebrilliant, my favorite mate.”
He smiled at her attempt at humor and tilted his chin up to her, looking tougher and more appealing than any man had a right to do. Could Cash be her man? If fantasies ever came true.
“I will definitely keep you safe.” He winked, and she went hot all over. “Stay right behind me. The waterfall and darkness will cover our approach. If there’s danger, stay out of sight until I neutralize it.”
He leaned down and pulled the satellite phone out of his backpack, turning off the sound and sliding it into the side pocket of her running pants.
“If there’s danger, I need you to text Shawn and make sure help is coming. Don’t call and risk them hearing you talking and pinpoint your location.” He looked her over. His dark eyes were intense. “Promise me.”
Brylee’s breath caught. “To text for help?”
“Yes, and to stay out of sight. Don’t come try to help me fight and don’t expose yourself. Even if they kill me, you stay hidden. Get deep in the foliage and don’t let them find you. Wait for Shawn or the St. Lucia Coast Guard.”
He nodded as if the discussion were over. He hadn’t even let it be a discussion.Kill him? What was he talking about?
“The cameras will record it all and the people will be prosecuted,” he continued. He pulled another knife out of the backpack and slid it into her pocket with the phone. “Last resort. If they somehow find you, fight with everything you have. All that matters is you staying safe. But promise me you’ll wait for help and stay hidden.”
“Even if they … kill you?” Brylee smacked his arm. “Don’t you dare talk like that.”
Cash grinned. It was a devil may care grin. He was afraid of nothing, including death. What a man.
“Worst-case scenario, beautiful Brylee.” He bent and swiftly kissed her. “We don’t know that whoever came in that boat has evil intent. More than likely, it’s Shawn or somebody cruising around the Caribbean exploring the islands. And I’m not an easy kill. Not right now, I’m not.” His smile slid as he said that, but he still looked confident and tough and as if he could take on an army for her. Then his smile disappeared completely. “And you haven’t promised yet. You will stay hidden, text for help if necessary, fight with that knife as a last resort, and under no condition will you reveal yourself. Not until I tell you to come out.”
He studied her, and she squirmed. It was clear he wouldn’t move or back down until she promised.
“Okay, okay. I promise to text Shawn if the people show a hint of danger and stay hidden untilyoucall for me. You, Cash. ‘You stay alive, no matter what it takes,’” she demanded in her Hawkeye fromLast of the Mohicansvoice.
“‘I will find you.’” He grinned.
Brylee was thrilled he had caught the reference. She prayed he would listen and stay alive. She didn’t want to live in a world where Cash was dead.
“Thank you, Brylee.” He kissed her again. It was short, but it was sweet and held a better promise than the one she’d just made. He gently slid her backpack off and set it down. “So you don’t accidentally bump into a tree or something with it.”
“Okay.”
Then he took her hand and led the way up the side of the stream toward camp. The lights filtered through the trees. As they got closer, she could see two men moving around the camp, illuminated by the bright lights. They were searching through their supplies. She could hear voices over the rushing of the falls. Loud voices. Angry voices.
Cash stopped and directed her behind some thick trees. “Stay here.”
“Can I just come close enough to see?” She didn’t want to stay here and not have any idea what was happening.
Cash looked ready to roll his eyes, but thankfully he didn’t. He took her hand and eased her to a closer spot. She was hidden in the dark among the many trees and bushes, but with the lights on at camp, she could easily peek through and see what was happening. Now she could hear the two men clearly enough to distinguish what they were saying.
“Where do you think they hid it?” a dark-looking man asked, glaring at the other man.
“I don’t know, you idiot. Just keep looking,” a blond man hurled back. “Maybe they don’t have it yet.”
“Should we leave and come back tomorrow?”
The blond shook his head. “Probably. She said they would be back by dark. If you hadn’t messed up the coordinates the first time …”
They were both dressed in T-shirts and shorts, not particularly fancy, but not dirty or disgusting-looking either. They looked like they were maybe out on a sail around the Caribbean. Except their words were off. What did they think sheand Cash had hidden and how did they know to come here and when they’d be coming back? Who was this “she” who had given them information? Did they somehow know about the treasure? The only “she” associated with the treasure was Mercedes, but in no world would that cheerful, loving, beautiful billionaire send men like this after her own million dollars.
Cash slid the phone out of Brylee’s pocket, brushing her leg and making her far too aware of him. He tapped out a quick text and showed it to her. To Shawn.Unfriendlies in camp. Send Coast Guard now.
He made sure the ringer was off and then slid it back into her pocket. He was taking care of one of her responsibilities. She didn’t mind. Her hands were shaky knowing they were in danger and Cash would go confront two men who were probably armed and dangerous if they were shady characters trying to steal the treasure.
Cash nodded to her, confident, unfazed by the danger he was heading into, and then he strode away from her and through the trees into the clearing near the stream.
