Page 46 of Devlin (Lighthouse Security Investigations Montana #4)

Mia didn’t know which was worse—moving west, closer to the water, where she might stumble into a python, a leopard, or, God forbid, a hippo. Her mind clung to the words from her orientation: More people are killed in Uganda by hippos than by any other animal.

Her breath came fast and sharp, almost painful, as she scanned the jungle around her.

She couldn’t tell if she should watch the ground for snakes or the trees above her for something with claws.

Her pulse pounded at the base of her throat.

Pythons weren’t just on the ground—they coiled in branches, waiting. Shit!

She tried to tell herself the jungle wasn’t as dense as she’d feared, that she could still see ahead, but it didn’t stop the walls of panic from closing in around her. Every sound, every rustling leaf, and every distant cry sent another spike of fear through her.

Moving toward the light, she came to the edge of the jungle.

The savanna ahead was open, stretching wide beneath the colors of the blue sky and brilliant sun scorching the dry grasses.

It was beautiful, but it left her exposed.

If she could see across the landscape, so could anyone looking for her.

Maybe it would be easier for Devlin to find her out there.

What if the smugglers were still out there? That thought stilled her feet.

A shriek split the air. Hyenas. Her stomach clenched as she glanced down at her hands, still covered with blood. Charlie’s blood. And her own as it dripped down her shoulder. She had no idea how strong the scent carried, but she knew enough about predators to realize she was a walking target.

Her left boot felt tight with swelling, and the ache in her ankle and knee grew worse with every step. She must’ve twisted it when she jumped from the truck. And her shoulder pain radiated in sharp bursts down her arm.

She didn’t see the tree root ahead. Her foot caught, and she crashed forward, hands scraping against rough dirt. Her breath left her in a hard rush, and she couldn’t move for a moment. Mia, get up. She had to keep going.

Blinking away the tears streaking her cheeks, she forced herself onto her knees, her fingers digging into the ground as she listened. If danger was near, she had to hear it first. That was when the sound reached her. A deep, rhythmic, whooping noise.

Her chin jerked up, pulse stuttering. A vehicle? Another truck? Had they found her? Terror clawed through her, and she grabbed a tree trunk, pressing her body against the bark as she strained to listen.

The noise grew louder, reverberating through the ground. Pressing her lips together, she tried to hear over her galloping heartbeat. It didn’t sound like a truck engine. A helicopter?

Hope surged, but fear still coiled inside. It could be Devlin. It could be the police. It could be smugglers. She wasn’t about to run out into the open without knowing for sure.

The jungle thinned to her left, and the savanna was so close. She crept toward the tree line, staying within the shadows and peering out. A military-style helicopter hovered in the distance, and the side panel door opened. It was too far for her to see who was on board.

The sound of boot steps pounding against the dry earth met her ears. She crouched lower, heart hammering against her ribs, watching as two figures moved fast, closing in. Sweat dripped into her eyes, making it difficult to see clearly.

“Mia!”

Her head snapped around, and everything inside her locked into place. Devlin! He was in full tactical gear, weapon out, his gaze scanning the area.

She tried to run. Tried to get to him. But the moment she pushed off the ground, her leg buckled, sending her sprawling into the dirt. A sob tore from her throat, frustration and relief tangling into something raw and uncontrollable.

“Mia!”

She barely had time to lift her head before Devlin appeared, dropping to his knees and scooping her into his arms. She collapsed against him, gripping the front of his vest with shaking hands, her breath coming in gasps. His arms were strong and solid, holding her tightly.

“I got you,” he murmured, voice rough, barely above a whisper. “You’re safe now, baby. I got you.”

Tears burned behind her eyes as she pressed her face against his shoulder.

Moses called out for Cole, but Mia barely registered it. All she knew was the heat of Devlin’s body and how his arms tightened around her like he’d never let her go.

He lifted her effortlessly, his arms locking around her as he ran toward the helicopter.

The landscape blurred past her as the sound of the rotors grew deafening, the wind whipping, flattening the tall grasses.

Mia buried her face against Devlin’s chest, her fingers clutching at his vest as he moved with fierce determination, his grip unyielding.

The moment they neared the chopper, hands reached for her, trying to pull her away. Panic seized her. She cried out, her body tensing as she fought against the sudden separation.

“It’s okay, Mia. I’ve got you.”

The firm voice was familiar. She forced her eyes open just enough to see Todd’s face, his hands steady as he guided her into the massive helicopter. She barely had time to register anything before Devlin was also inside, yanking her into his arms again.

The doors slammed shut with a metallic clang, and the chopper jolted, the floor vibrating beneath her as they lifted off. Mia turned sharply, her stomach twisting, her heart hammering. “No—no, we have to get Charlie!” she cried, clutching at Devlin. “We can’t leave his body!”

Devlin’s gaze locked onto hers, unwavering, but she saw the flicker of pain there. “Mia?—”

She shook her head, desperate, pleading. “He saved me, Devlin. He saved me. We can’t leave him!”

For a moment, the noise of the rotor blades was the only sound between them. Then with a tight nod, Devlin jerked his chin toward Cole. “Get him.”

A sob broke free from Mia’s throat, her fingers curling into Devlin’s vest as she collapsed against him. Her body shook, the sheer weight of everything pressing down on her.

He settled onto the seat, his arms still wrapped tightly around her.

His body was like a shield, grounding her when everything inside felt like it was unraveling.

Then pain. She gasped as Devlin’s hand ripped at the fabric of her shirt, baring her injured shoulder.

She bit back a cry, her fingers digging into his arm.

“What the hell happened?” His voice was rough, edged with a barely restrained fury.

She swallowed hard, her throat tight, her pulse erratic. “The shot hit the tree first,” she murmured. “Then… I don’t know. It got me.”

Devlin’s jaw flexed, his hands working swiftly and efficiently as he pressed gauze to the wound. Todd rummaged through a med pack, handing Devlin what he needed. Mia exhaled shakily when the bandage was secured, her head pressing against Devlin’s chest.

She barely registered the chopper dipping lower, the world tilting beneath them as they descended. When they landed, Moses and Todd moved quickly, retrieving Charlie’s body and wrapping it carefully. There was a heavy silence as they carried him inside, placing him toward the back.

Mia swallowed against the thick knot in her throat, her gaze following them. Moses returned moments later with another body—Enock. Her stomach twisted. A sudden wave of exhaustion crashed over her, dragging her under. She curled into Devlin, her body giving out.

His arms tightened around her, his lips brushing the top of her head. “You’re safe,” he murmured. “I’ve got you, Mia. I’m not letting go.”

And for the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself believe it.