Page 25 of Depths of Destruction

"The..." Hunter's eyes turn into slits.

"What?" Vanessa asks.

Hunter leans forward. "The U.S. had a military operation in Belize in the 1980s against the Guatemalan guerillas. They wanted to shut down the communist movement."

"Belize isn't communist," I say.

"No. But if it were up to the Guatemalan guerillas, it would be," Hunter states.

"True. But what does communism have to do with them kidnapping Vanessa? And how did you end up with Santiago Gómez?" I ask.

"They sold me a week ago."

"Mother..." Hunter mutters under his breath.

"If the U.S. was worried about communism, they would want Vanessa, not Naomi. I don't think that's it," Andre says.

"I agree," I say.

"Naomi, your secrets all have to do with politicians having their campaigns funded by the drug cartels, correct?" Andre asks.

"Yes," I reply.

Andre taps his fingers together. "Are there any other facts we're not looking at besides the secrets you know and you were kidnapped by the Colombian drug cartel?"

Something nags at me, but I'm not sure what. "No. I can't think of anything else."

Andre continues, "You weren't with Santiago Gómez long enough to learn anything the U.S. could use against his cartel. They would assume that."

"The U.S. President has made it his mission to destroy the Colombian cartel. He blames them for the death of his daughter," Hunter points out.

"What happened to his daughter?" Vanessa asks.

Hunter continues, "Three months ago, she overdosed on cocaine. She went to Colombia for vacation and met Nicolas Gómez at a nightclub. The two had a pretty scandalous affair. Several months later, she died. The President has escalated the war on drugs campaign as a result."

"Nicolas...oh God." My chest tightens so much I can hardly breathe. "I know why the U.S. wants me."

Andre's eyes widen. "They're going to trade you."

"He wouldn't!" Vanessa cries out. "You'll die or spend the rest of your life in prison if he hands you over to the Belizean officials. He would know the consequences."

Andre's face hardens. "He would. I've met him. He's callous and only cares about his own agenda."

"Andre's right. There isn't anything I would put past that man," Hunter agrees.

"So, he wants to trade Naomi for Nicolas?" Vanessa asks.

Andre stares at me. "Can you think of any other reason?"

Chills run through my bones as I rise. "No."

I need to get out of here.

I can't let them deliver me to the U.S.

I should have left last night when I found out who was behind my rescue.

I snatch the bag of clothes from the ground and storm toward the tent.