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I plunged deep into the river, boots kicking, the current tearing at me like it had a personal grudge. When I surfaced, gasping, all I saw was jungle on both sides and foam crashing against rocks.

And her.

Sister Jude was already swimming hard, one hand pulling Sister Margaret along with her. She turned just long enough to shout, “Help the others!”

No hesitation. Just mission-first instincts. Just like us.

We got all four nuns into the water, Faron keeping pace behind me, the current dragging us fast and far. I reached Sister Jude just in time to see her foot slip on a submerged rock.

“Got you,” I grunted, grabbing her arm.

“I had me,” she shot back, breathing heavily.

“You’re welcome,” I said, pulling her to the riverbank with the others. We scrambled up the muddy slope, soaking wet, scratched up a little from the rocks, and the nuns looked like they were barely holding it together.

But they were alive.

Once we were clear and the others had caught their breath, I pulled Sister Jude aside.

“You okay?” I asked.

She nodded, chest heaving, eyes sharp. “Yes, I’m fine. I need to check on the others.”

I should’ve walked away. Should’ve stayed focused. But something about her—this woman in a torn habit with a wicked grin and too many secrets—had crawled under my skin.

“You ever think about what you’d say if it all ended tomorrow?” I asked suddenly, not sure why those words were coming out of my mouth now.

She blinked. “Wow. Dark turn.”

“Just answer.”

Her smirk faltered. She looked at me—really looked. “I’d say I regret not kissing someone when I had the chance.”

My throat went dry.

“Yeah?” I said roughly. “Me too.”

And then—we leaned in.

Close. Closer.

I saw it all in that second: the fire in her eyes and her lips parted like she was daring me to close the gap. My hand found her waist. Her breath hitched.

And just before our mouths met—

“HEY!” Faron’s voice cut through the trees. “Not to interrupt the whole jungle love story, but we’ve got company! Movement!”

The moment shattered.

We sprang apart.

“I’m sorry, sister.”

Jude’s face flushed, but she gave me a quick wink. “Saved by Faron.”

I groaned.

“Right now? We run.”