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“Sí. It’s likely,” he added, correcting himself since he couldn’t be sure how much the drug lord cared about hanging on to Nyx. She’d been a target of opportunity to leverage against him and not a cog in his scheme.
“We plan a defense, gentlemen,” he said to his two friends.
“It might be better to tell Vargas’s men that we showed up, got her things, and left. That you don’t know where we went.” A defense meant a potential fight, and Case didn’t want to see anything happen to these old men.
“Perhaps you are right.” Alvarez turned his attention to Nyx. “Do you need another key for your room?”
“No, I have mine.” She unzipped a pocket on her right thigh and pulled it out.
Case stared for an instant. Despite everything she’d been through, his Fireball had kept track of her room key.
Alvarez cleared his throat. “Your friend, the one with the long hair, he was supposed to find her for us. He didn’t report back.”
“Until tonight, I’m not certain he was aware she was on the property.” Case had no idea what Oz knew or didn’t know, but his teammate didn’t make empty promises. “It might be better for everyone if you don’t refer to him as my friend again.”
“Sí. I understand. It’s best if you don’t linger.”
“Sí,” Case agreed. “Come on, Fireball. Let’s get your stuff.”
The room was spartan, with only a bed and a dresser, but everything was well taken care of—not a surprise given what he knew of Señor and Señora Alvarez. Nyx opened a drawer and added items to the backpack. She did a check of the space, and then zipped the pack closed.
“I’m ready.”
“Let’s say goodbye, drop off the key, and get out of here.”
Nyx nodded, slung the pack on, and went downstairs. This time, Case was on her heels. He had a moment of gratitude. Her actions, her attitude made protecting her easier than he’d expected it to be.
She handed the key to Alvarez and then pulled out some Puerto Jardinese money. “I paid you for Friday and Saturday nights, but I need to reimburse you for Sunday and tonight.”
Alvarez argued.
With a smile so sweet Case felt it in his chest, she said, “Señor, your refusal hurts my heart. I am a woman who pays her debts. I will lose sleep if I don’t cover my entire stay.”
A stubborn look settled on the innkeeper’s face, one very similar to Nyx’s expression. Fuck. Case stepped in, “She’s not kidding. Please take her money so we can leave. Vargas is busy right now, but I don’t know how long that’s going to last.”
If this didn’t work, Case was tossing her over his shoulder and hauling her out of here.
There was grumbling, but Señora Alvarez came to the rescue. She took the money and said, “Gracias.” She handed Nyx a wrapped package. “Food. For later. You are always welcome here. You and your fiancé. Now go. Vargas is not the kindest of men.”
“Gracias,” Nyx said and began an extended goodbye. Case didn’t hang around to listen to more. He headed for the door.
And as he walked outside, his Fireball was right on his heels.
Nyx sank onto a wooden chair, dropped her pack between her feet, and let Case do whatever checks he felt necessary without offering to help. He’d only turn her down anyway, and she was out of energy.
They’d made another trek through the rainforest in the dark and she suspected Case had used a roundabout path to reach this place. The sun was coming over the horizon, and he was out walking some perimeter. Keeping her secure. She appreciated his diligence.
This safe house was interesting. It might have been the beginning of some kind of tourist ecolodge, but clearly the idea had been abandoned. The good thing was the concrete structure was solidly built, and she didn’t see any cracking. That meant there was a decent chance they wouldn’t have to deal with an infestation.
Given the fresh mosquito netting surrounding the only bed, she suspected Case had done work here to make it livable. If he was calling it a safe house, it meant he had plans to use it in an emergency.
The hut was small with only room for one bed, a tiny wooden table, and two matching chairs. There were paintings on the wall, both hanging wildly askew and a back porch with fine mesh screens to keep out the bugs.
Nyx stiffened when the door opened but relaxed as soon as she ID’d Case. He wore the black T-shirt with his camo pants and was carrying an assault rifle. He shouldn’t make her blood heat, not when he looked as scary as he did now. Except he was protecting her, and he’d never frightened her, not even when she thought he was a mercenary.
“We’re clear?” she asked.
“Clear,” he confirmed. He had the NVD pushed out of his way, but now he took off the helmet and set it on the table. His hair was flatter than usual, at least until he ran his fingers through it, returning it to the tousled blond mop she was used to. “You’re okay?”