Page 79 of Marks of Rebellion

Stop thinking about Carlos.

But all I see is his face. Hunter tilts my chin up. He comes into vision but has two heads.

"Flower, look me in the eyes," he barks.

The weight of Carlos's hands around my neck feels so real, I start choking.

"Ryker, pull over," Hunter yells.

We stop moving, but I can't stop gasping for air.

I'm disoriented, and when I come back to reality, I'm crouched on the ground, and Hunter is next to me, rubbing my back, taking deep breaths with me.

"There you are." The browns and golds flicker in his eyes, and the line between his brows deepens.

Julieta hands me a bottle of water. "Have a sip."

I drink, and several more minutes pass where Hunter guides my breathing.

When we finally return to the vehicle and get back on the road, I sit with my hand covering my face for quite a while.

Why is this happening to me?

I need to get this under control.

Someone turns the radio on and music fills the air. I slowly lift my head.

Hunter tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"I'm—"

"Shh. Don't." He puts his arm around me and hums to the song then kisses my head.

We approach the coast, and Hunter tugs me closer to him. "Nice view. Almost as gorgeous as you, Flower." He pecks my lips. "I've not seen the Honduran coast before. Good idea, Julieta."

She turns. "It's nice, isn't it?"

"You've driven it before?"

Her eyes darken and her face falls. "Yes. Several times." She turns back, and Ryker covers her hand and squeezes it.

Hunter's body stiffens.

I sit up straighter, but he drags me onto his lap and cradles my head to his chest so I face the ocean and sparkling turquoise water. The smell of the salt mixes with the scent of Hunter's skin, and it flares in my nostrils, calming me.

The rest of the ride through Guatemala, I cuddle with Hunter, safe in his arms, listening to his heartbeat and him hum reggae music. We steal kisses and take in the scenery. Once again, I forget about the prisons haunting me and lose myself in the world of being free with Hunter.

14

Hunter

We stopat a gas station for a bathroom break. The restrooms are around the corner of the building, and Ryker and I escort the women. One of us stays outside at all times, and we quickly do our business.

The ladies are both inside the restroom, and I ask Ryker, "What's the situation at the border?"

"If Julieta says it's safe and she can get us through, then she will."

I cross my arms.