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Ramirez’s voice held a threat and Case shifted, balancing his weight more evenly. Not that it would help with guards just outside the door. “What do you think my plan should be, Colonel?”
“You sell your weapons to me. I’ll give you two percent more than the pittance Torres would pay you.”
“Risking Torres’s wrath for two percent? I don’t think I’m willing to do that.”
“Aren’t you? Not even to keep your charming fiancée alive and breathing? Or perhaps you don’t care about her wellbeing?”
Case was expecting the threat against Nyx, but it still made him freeze for a moment. “I care. I’m not tired of her yet.” He wasn’t sure he’d ever get tired of his Fireball. She kept him on his toes and he enjoyed that. “It’s difficult to do anything about the weapons in the middle of the rainforest, especially when I don’t have a phone.”
“That is understood. My men will return you to Trujillo at first light tomorrow, and you can arrange for the weapons and munitions to be delivered to me.”
“Your men will return me and my fiancée to Trujillo.”
“No, Señor Case. Only you. Your betrothed will remain with me. That’s the only leverage I have to ensure your cooperation.”
Again, this wasn’t unexpected, but he didn’t like it. “What items are you looking for?”
“I have an inventory, but what matters the most to me is the M4 replacement rifle.”
The one weapon on everyone’s wish list. “The US Army was not happy to have that particular item stolen last year. They’ve got it locked up tight and my contacts can’t get their hands on it.”
“You better find a way to get it to me.” Ramirez’s brows came down as he leaned forward, adding emphasis to his words. “I would be most displeased if you neglected to deliver it and I would hate to take my unhappiness with you out on your betrothed. Sí, I would hate it, but I will do it. Am I clear?”
“Sí, Colonel. You’re clear. In return for the rifle, I will expect you to keep my fiancée completely safe in my absence. I want her in the same condition when I return as she is now.”
Ramirez relaxed, his lips curved, but the smile wasn’t reassuring. “She stays as is for three days. If you provide proof my weapons are on their way, she will remain safe. If you do not? Well, my men have been restless lately. They need to let off some steam.”
Case had to force the anger aside. “Three days isn’t much time.”
“It’s long enough to get the rifle en route. If you care about your woman as much as you claim, you’ll be motivated to get the job done on time.”
Nodding once, Case said, “I’ll get you the rifle.”
Chapter 26
Case returned to the hut to find Nyx already had her brave face on. Damn, he loved this woman. He could count on her to stay calm, and when he needed her to suck it up, she did without complaining. Her strength would help a lot when he told her about Ramirez’s plan.
One side of his mouth quirked up. Of course, she also might skewer him when he shared what would happen tomorrow.
Nyx remained unmoving until his escort closed the door to the hut behind him. “Are you all right?” she asked, standing and crossing to meet him. Her eyes ran over him, looking for any injury and something inside him warmed at her concern.
“I’m fine. Colonel Ramirez and I had a meeting, nothing more.” He tried not to hug her, but when she stood right in front of him, Case couldn’t help it. He wrapped his arms around her and brought Nyx against his body, holding on tightly. Fuck, he didn’t want to leave her here, and there was no way for him to get her out.
Not alone.
He needed his team and the only way to reach them was to pretend to cooperate with Ramirez. He didn’t want to think about his Fireball’s reaction. He wouldn’t be able to tell her what the ultimate plan was, and he’d have to count on her trusting him without all the facts.
Maybe she would.
They’d developed a connection over the past few days. She relied on him, did what he said without arguing, and he’d learned he could depend on her word. When she said something, he didn’t have to look for ulterior motives.
“Talk to me, Lurch,” she said, voice muffled against his shoulder. “What’s going on?”
The way she said Lurch sounded like an endearment and not his handle. And he had an immediate, negative reaction. He didn’t like her using it. Everyone called him Lurch. Nyx wasn’t everyone.
Case froze and listened to himself. He didn’t like her calling him Lurch? They had a connection? He didn’t have to look for hidden motives with her? And what had he thought when he first walked into the hut? That he loved her?
Every muscle in his body went taut. They hardly knew each other.