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A wall of mind-melting humidity slams into me the moment I step out of the plane and down the steps.

El Salvador has a history of being a very dangerous country to travel in. It’s said to be riddled with the promise of violence and death. But I know beneath all the darkness is a beautiful country that has a culture rich with life.

The land around the airstrip is a mass of jungle. The plants are so green, it’s hard to think they’re even real. I can hear the calls of a variety of animals within the trees. It’s breathtaking.

It’s then I decide to refuse to let the reason we’re here stain the way I see this place.

“Sarah.”

I turn to Rhys, and he gestures toward the convoy of armed SUVs that wait for us.

I glance once more at the forest then walk to where Rhys stands and climb inside the vehicle.

The drive to where we will be staying is silent. Everyone’s mentally preparing for what is to go down tomorrow night.

The SUVs travel down a dirt road within the jungle. I slide closer to the window and watch as the trees go by. A wide smile spreads across my face when I see a group of monkeys swinging from tree to tree.

I take in the place we’ll be staying for the night. It’s an older building that seems to have been built to fit into the land versus on it.

The canopy of trees combined with the different vines growing along the walls make it difficult to spot the structure. It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots why we are staying here.

* * *

Later that night, Rhys and I are lying in bed. My head rests on his bare chest. His fingers lightly trace up and down my side. I soak up every minute of his skin pressed against mine. Of the rhythmic beating of his heart.

After everyone set up and separated to their respective rooms, Rhys and I showered and fell into bed.

The way we moved wasn’t as aggressive – borderline feral – as it has been before. It was sensual. Slow. Every touch of his body, lick of his tongue, and stroke of his length moving in and out of me felt heightened.

Those three little words fall from my lips as if I’ve always said them. I still struggle with survivor’s guilt, but I know my brothers would be upset if I held back my chance at true happiness because of it.

So, here I am.

Feeling the blissfulness, I’ve been denying myself.

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Rhys’ whisper breaks our comfortable silence.

“Yes,” I reply without hesitation. “You, Declan, and Liam were able to take out nearly the entire Bratva. It’s time to put a stop to what that bastard started.”

Just the thought of destroying Vladimir’s perceived legacy has me wanting to say, ‘fuck it’ and go to the location now.

“We will,” he says, lifting my chin so I have to meet his eyes. “Just promise me, you’ll stay close.”

After my freak out during our first mission, I made it a priority to work through whatever I could to avoid, or at least reduce, the chances of it happening again. I’ve been writing in a journal, meditating, and practicing more kickboxing and muay thai moves to help clear my mind. It’s helped, but after I lost it in the penthouse, I’m not as confident about my progress.

“I promise.” I lift up, pressing a kiss to his lips.

His hand moves to play with my hair when I set my head back on his chest.

It doesn’t take but a few seconds before I’m asleep.

* * *

“Holy Christ.”

I blush when I step out of the bathroom. The red dress I’m sporting makes me feel like Jessica Rabbit, sans the massive ass and tits, but we’re going to pretend that isn’t an issue. It fits me like a second skin, and I’m obsessed with how comfortable it is.

The only thing this dress is missing is pockets.

When will people realize that women want pockets?

Under my dress, a pistol is strapped to my inner thigh. The slit going up my leg stops just below the knee, so there isn’t a risk of it being seen.

Rhys still sort of towers over me despite the heels I’m wearing. He pulls me into his arms and presses a gentle kiss to the hollow of my neck.

“This fucking dress,” he mutters against my skin. “My cock is already begging me to lift it and fuck you right now.”

I whimper as his words send electricity through my body.

Emphasizing his point, he presses his erection into me.

“Cut the shit.”

I startle and shove Rhys away.

Declan stands with his arms across his chest, wearing the most unamused face possible. “Get your dick wet after we’ve completed what we’re here to do,” he grunts.

Rhys chuckles. “I plan to get my dick wet any chance I can.”

I jab him in the stomach with my elbow. “He’s right. We need to focus.”

Heat still radiates from my core in spite of what we’re getting ourselves into tonight. Declan is right. There is no time to mess around when we have a mission to complete. Regardless of how it goes down, its guaranteed people are going to get hurt. Some will die.

We need to avoid being in either of those categories by the end of this.

Clearing his throat, Rhys swipes a hand through his hair. “Just trying to help the tension I can feel rising in the air.”

My heart softens at his statement.

“As long as we stick to the plan and keep our heads on straight, we’ll all get to go home when this is over.”

Liam steps into the room dressed in all black tactical gear. He has on a shoulder holster which holds two pistols. Another holster is strapped to his thigh. “Almost time to go.”

Declan turns and nods in his direction. “Alright. Let get those women and girls out of there.” He looks pointedly at me for a moment. “You need to stay alive. Paige needs you to stay alive.”

My eyes sting and I swallow the lump in my throat. “I don’t plan to die tonight.”

“We will all make it back in one piece,” Liam adds. “I still have my woman to marry.”

A watery chuckle escapes me. Liam has been very impatient about marrying Emily. But she wants to have a very intimate wedding after we’re no longer at risk of being abducted or murdered. She and Paige deserve to live a life in peace.

Declan clasps a hand on Liam’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “ Go ndéanann tú deartháir. ” That you do, brother.

I’ve learned enough Gaelige over the last year that I’m not completely lost when the three of them decide to speak it.

We follow Declan and Liam out of the house. The heat of the day has mellowed from blistering to a slight simmer after the sun set. The humidity is going to kill me though.

Once everything is ready and loaded, we stand in front of the SUVs we will be taking to the auction’s location.

Declan, Liam, and Rhys take turns clasping each other by the back of the neck and pressing their foreheads together. Each of them whisper “ Bígí slán deartháir. ” Be safe, brother.

Declan and Liam hug me tightly then climb into separate vehicles. As they drive away and Rhys and I climb into our own car, my stomach knots.

Unease coils in my chest.

It’s just the nerves. Everything is going to be okay.