Page 56 of Duty Devoted

He peered around the trunk, body tense. “They’re gaining.”

I risked a look and saw them—all four men moving through the jungle with purpose. They weren’t running, but their steady pace was eating up the distance between us. They knew we couldn’t maintain this speed forever.

“Come on.” Logan pulled me forward again, but this time, he led us up a steep incline. My legs shook with the effort, muscles threatening to give out entirely. He practically dragged me the last few feet to the top.

“Logan, I can’t—” I started, hating how weak I sounded.

“Yes, you can.” He had no sympathy in his voice, just certainty. “One foot in front of the other, just keep going.”

We ran along the ridgeline, the terrain slightly easier here. But I could hear them behind us now—branches breaking, occasional voices calling to each other in Spanish.

Logan glanced back, his expression grim. “They’re not shooting.”

“What?” I gasped between strides.

“They’ve had clear shots at us twice now. They’re not taking them.” He helped me over a cluster of roots. “Means they have orders to take us alive.”

The implications of that made my blood run cold. Mateo wanted me brought back. After what had happened to Carlos, after seeing what the Silva father and son were capable of…

“What do we do?”

“I don’t think we can outrun them.” He suddenly changed direction, leading us down the other side of the ridge. “This way. I have an idea.”

We half ran, half slid down the steep slope, my boots skidding on loose soil. At the bottom, Logan paused, studying our surroundings with that tactical awareness I’d come to depend on.

“Listen to me,” he said, gripping my shoulders. “There are four of them. I can’t take them on if I’m trying to protect you at the same time.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying you need to hide. I’ll lead them away, circle back, and pick them off one by one.”

“No. There are four of them.” The words came out harder than I intended. “We stay together.”

“Lauren.” His hands tightened on my shoulders. “I’m good at what I do, but I’m better when I don’t have to worry about civilian safety. You hiding gives me the advantage I need.”

Everything in me rebelled against the idea. Hiding while he risked his life felt wrong on every level. But the logical part of my brain—the part that made quick decisions in a medical emergency—recognized the truth in his words.

“Where?”

He scanned the area and pointed to a cluster of fallen trees creating a natural blind about thirty yards away. “There. Get deep in the shadows, don’t move, don’t make a sound, no matter what you hear. I’ll come back for you.”

“What if you don’t?”

His expression softened for just a moment. “I will. But if something goes wrong, you run for Puerto Esperanza—straight along that ridge, then as the sun starts to set, follow it so you’re heading west. Stay off the main paths, trust no one, and get to the port.” He pulled the satellite phone from his pack and pressed it into my hands. “Speed dial one. That’s Jace. Call when you reach the port, and they’ll come get you.”

I wanted to argue more, but voices carried through the trees—closer now. Our time was up.

“Go,” he urged, pushing me toward the hiding spot.

I ran for the fallen trees, squeezing myself into the deepest shadows between two massive trunks. Dead leaves and debrisprovided additional cover. From my position, I could see glimpses of the area where I’d left Logan, but not much else.

He waited until I was hidden, then moved in the opposite direction, deliberately breaking a branch loud enough to draw attention. He continued farther from my position, making just enough noise to be followed. Leading them away from me.

The voices grew louder, excited. They’d heard him. I pressed myself deeper into my hiding spot, barely breathing as multiple sets of footsteps rushed past my position. They were focused on him, not searching for anyone else.

Then…silence.

The jungle held its breath. No birds, no insects, just the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. Minutes stretched like hours. Where was Logan? What was happening?