Page 9 of Cavern of Silence

She swallows hard.

Andre and Malin arrive, and she spins toward them. Hunter carries his target into the tent. Julieta continues to stare at them. A moment later, Dirk's target attempts to walk in stilettos, and he picks her up and slings her over his shoulder while she slaps his ass and yells in Spanish. Julieta watches them and rolls her eyes and shakes her head in disapproval.

"I don't speak Spanish, so I have no idea what she's saying. Do I need to go talk to Dirk?"

Julieta tilts her head up. "You do know who she is, correct?"

I probably should have paid attention to who the other women were instead of obsessing over your folder all day.

"Should I?"

"It's Zoe Diego, the uber-famous Latina pop star."

"Hmmm. Well, I guess it's good I didn't get assigned to her, then."

"Why is that?"

"My Spanish is very limited. Dirk is the only one of us who is fluent."

"Lòpez, we need another vehicle to go back," Hunter yells. "There's a flat."

"It's best if you go inside the tent, ma'am. It may not be safe to be out here."

"What do you mean?"

"Just precautionary." I put my arm around her waist and guide her toward the tent, but her shoe gets stuck in the mud.

I scoop her up in my arms. "Let me help you."

She puts her arms around my neck. "Thank you. These are my work pumps. I wish they would have let me change my shoes before abducting me." A small grin forms.

"You have a beautiful smile," I blurt out.

Her face falls.

Crap. Why did I say that?

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't."

"No?"

"No. Thank you."

We get in the tent, and I set her down. "Make yourself at home."

She slides her hands from my neck to my chest but doesn't move them.

"You aren't part of the Global Leaders?"

"No, ma'am, I'm not. Can you tell me who they are?"

She shakes her head.

Axel interrupts. "Malin went to get the first aid gear. Dirk's on food. I'll take the back of the tent. You take the front."

"Got it."