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A blush shifted across her jaw and she looked away. “Why do you think I was dreaming?”

“Ah, no reason. You were just moaning. Then you said something like that feels so good. Don’t stop.”

Given the level of danger we were in, making jokes was completely unprofessional. I needed her to trust me and that meant treating her with the utmost respect. It reminded me that I needed to stay out of the business of peopling.

“I don’t remember. Maybe about what I went through,” she covered, returning to her food.

My gaze fell to the bruise on her face. “They hurt you.”

She touched her cheek and sighed. “It’s okay. I’m not very good at following rules.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. But you’re going to need to break that cycle with me. Until we land back in the United States, your life will still be in danger.”

“What about yours? Let me guess. You’re trained for this.”

“Yeah, I was. But that was a long time ago.”

“Then why did you come to rescue me?”

Her question was valid, but at this point, I certainly wasn’t going to tell her what I considered the real reason.

Sure, I had experience in the jungles and with Alfaro and other brutal leaders just like him.

Yes, I’d been one of the tactical experts in the unit, my marksmanship second only to Kage.

Another plus. I also knew people and had continued my friendships even after leaving the service.

I was certain Gray had checked out that I had friends in various countries, men that could be trusted.

But none of them were the real reason.

I was being offered a chance to completely clear my name. If for no other reason than for myself. Just like the shrink had told me I needed.

Maybe that’s the only reason I’d allowed Gray to convince me to come to this death trap.

“Because I’m the best at what I do. I will get you home safe and alive. I’m only sorry I couldn’t help your entire team.”

Her eyes darted back and forth before she nodded. “They were good people. I feel so… guilty.”

“You’ll have time to reflect after you’re safe. Let’s get out of here.”

“Okay.” She hesitated as we reached the mouth of the cave.

“What is it?”

“For the first time in my life, I’m terrified.”

I thought about what to say to her or if I should say anything at all. Maybe she just needed to hear the truth.

Our chances of making it out alive were about twenty percent, maybe less. “Good. Maybe that will help keep us alive.”

“Don’t make a single move,” I instructed as we neared the border crossing. “Put the scarf around your head.”

“Why?” Charmaine asked.

“Because I told you to.” I threw her a quick look before glancing into the rearview mirror. There were dozens of soldiers positioned on both sides.

At least she didn’t fight me, grabbing the scarf I’d brought and wrapping it around her long hair. With sunglasses and the simple outfit, she could pass for a local.

“How are we getting through? I don’t have my passport.”

“That’s been taken care of.” I pulled the fake passports into my hand as we rolled ahead by two car lengths.

When a soldier noticed our vehicle, I bristled.

My weapon was out of sight, the two duffle bags positioned in a false bottom inside the vehicle.

We’d experienced no significant issues up to this point.

But that didn’t mean anything. At any time, we could be discovered.

It was obvious Alfaro controlled the border police on the El Salvadoran side. From the intel I’d been provided, he’d yet to lay claim to the police in Honduras. If we made it across, we had a chance of getting home alive.

A chance.

Although I still didn’t like the odds.

With a single vehicle in front of us, I braced for the worst. “Do you know any Spanish?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice quavering.

“Good. Just don’t say anything unless you are directly asked a question. Understood?”

I threw her a look and she nodded.

As soon as I rolled forward, a soldier approached the driver’s window. He peered in directly at Charmaine. I immediately shoved the passports in his direction.

“ ?Hacia dónde te diriges? ” he asked before I had a chance to say anything.

Where are you headed?

“San Pedro.” At least all those years of enduring Spanish classes was paying off.

He flicked his eyes to the passports then back to Charmaine. “ ?Para? ”

“ Una boda .” A wedding. My answer didn’t seem to create any favors. The soldier narrowed his eyes.

“ Quiero su respuesta ,” he barked.

I want her answer.

Keeping my cool in these situations wasn’t something I was well known for, but a requirement today. I only hoped she had a clue what excuse I’d offered.

Sighing, Charmaine cocked her head toward him, displaying complete relaxation. Although even while wearing the sunglasses, it was obvious she was annoyed. “ Mi hermana ha decidido casarse con un imbécil. Incluso después de las acaloradas llamadas, se niega a escucharme. Solo vamos a tomar algo .”

My sister has decided to marry an asshole. Even after the heated phone calls, she refuses to listen to me. We’re just going for the booze.

I did my best to keep a smirk off my face. When she added emphasis by placing her hand on my thigh, I shook my head, fighting the arousal suddenly increasing.

The connection we shared was dangerous.

The soldier continued studying the two of us and our credentials for longer than what was appropriate. To Charmaine’s credit, she simply acted bored and impatient.

“ Pasar a través .”

Go through.

He shoved the passports into my hand and waved us on. I kept my eyes locked on the rearview mirror. Just as we were about to cross the border into Honduras, he jerked his head toward our vehicle.

I didn’t need to hear what he was saying as he attempted to stop us from crossing into the country.

It simply didn’t matter.

I slammed my foot on the accelerator, roaring through the open gates.

And hopefully to some sense of safety.