Page 27

My heart boomed as we ran for our lives, charging deeper and deeper into the bushes.
Cody crashed into plants, and wet leaves slapped his face proving he couldn’t see anything properly.
“Keep going!” Hunter paused and shoved us past him.
I grabbed Cody’s hand. “I’ve got you. Come on.” Squeezing his fingers in mine, I dragged him through bushes as big as elephants.
Brittle branches scratched my face and bare arms. My breaths were ragged gasps. My mind was bedlam.
I couldn’t believe Hunter was here.
And I couldn’t figure out who was trying to kill us. The natives didn’t have weapons, at least not that I was aware of.
The jungle seemed to smother me, dragging my thoughts deeper and darker.
Cody stumbled and fell to his hands and knees.
“Shit, Cody. Are you okay?” I clutched his arm, helping him to stand.
“Don't stop!” Hunter caught up to us again, launched Cody to his feet, and dragged him forward.
The steep incline was brutal. Every step was forced.
“Where are we going?” My heart raced as I urged my body to keep up with Hunter.
Fat raindrops splattered onto our heads and the slippery ground became even worse.
“Keep moving.” Hunter’s eyes were locked on the GPS screen clutched in his hand.
“We’ve got company,” Wyatt blurted.
“Get down!” Hunter's strong arm wrapped around me, shoving both me and Cody behind a massive tree trunk.
Cody and I screamed as bullets whizzed past.
Hunter used the tree for cover as he raised his rifle.
Panic bubbled inside me at the intensity in his expression.
He fired his gun.
A blood-curdling scream tore through the bushes.
Wyatt fired his weapon too. Hunter and Wyatt were controlled professionals. The men shooting at us fired wildly and their bullets ripped the plants around us to shreds.
Another man screamed. As did a third.
The hail of bullets stopped. Wyatt and Hunter peered down the hill through binoculars.
A silence fell over us that was as eerie as a funeral home.
Rain started again, slapping onto the leaves in a hollow, rhythmic sound.
My chest heaved with fear and exhaustion as I tried to catch my breath. My mind raced with thoughts of what might have happened if Hunter hadn't been there to save me.
“Are you okay?” Hunter’s deep voice was tight with concern. His blue eyes, the color of an early dawn sky, pierced me.
I wanted to throw my arms around him and show him just how grateful I was that he was here saving us. “I'm fine,” I choked out, forcing a brave smile. “Thank you.”