Page 23 of Depths of Destruction

My chest tightens. "Why not?"

The icy fear consuming her eyes stabs at my heart. "Are you delivering me to the U.S. no matter what?"

It's the question that's been plaguing me since meeting her.

I've nevernotdelivered a target.

I've never asked questions.

I've never considered doing anything besides following orders.

"Let's figure out why they want you first and cross that bridge when we get to it."

5

Naomi

All dayI try to figure out what the U.S. wants with me while attempting to appear as if everything is normal to Emilia so she doesn't worry. But it's easy, since half the time she's been attached to Malin's hip. I don't understand it since she usually stays far away from men, but she appears happy hanging out with him.

I talk with the other women, trying to find out why they were abducted, but no one is overly enthusiastic to spill their secrets. Most of the day, I pace around the camp with my frazzled nerves.

But my flutters aren't just from anxiety, I've been stealing glances at Andre and he keeps catching me.

I shouldn't be thinking about anything except my current predicament, but all I keep imagining is his rock-hard body underneath his clothes.

Every now and again, he stops what he's doing and steps in front of me. He quietly states, "You're pacing again."

"When you get answers for me, I'll stop," I say in a bitchy tone, wishing I could refrain from taking my fears out on him, but his calm demeanor about my situation isn't assuring me of anything.

His jaw clenches. "I'm working on it."

I return to the walking pattern I've created around the camp.

True to his word, Andre sent Dirk and Axel to get supplies for the women. It's midafternoon when they arrive back to camp with shopping bags full of clothes and shoes.

I rifle through the items then dangle a skimpy white bikini in my size. "Have something in mind?"

Axel holds his hands in the air. "There were no undergarments. Those were the only options."

Dirk's lips twitch. "The other guys have the perimeter secured. I'm bored, hot, and going for a swim. Anyone want to come?"

Zoe snags a brown bikini out of the bag. "I'm in."

"Me, too," Penelope replies.

"Yours is green," Axel says with a smug expression.

I hand it to her.

Julieta rifles through the bag; she pulls a hot-pink bikini out and looks at the tag. "Guess this one is mine."

"You want to go?" Malin asks Emilia quietly but not so low I don't hear.

"I'm not the best swimmer."

"I'll keep you safe."

She hesitates but surprises me and replies, "Okay."