The man stood, ducked his head and stepped out of the tent.
Finally alone in the tent, Reese scooted on her butt toward Ferrence and whispered into his ear. Wake up.
He moaned, rolled onto his back and frowned when he couldnt move his hands. For a moment, he lay still. Then he asked, Any news?
She shook her head, and then realized he wouldnt see the movement in the dark. None. We cant wait to be rescued. We need to get ourselves out of this mess.
And hide in a jungle full of snakes, gorillas and who the hell knows what else? He shook his head. No way. Ill wait for my father to pay the ransom and be escorted out of here in one of his helicopters.
She snorted. Wake up and smell the coffee, Ferrence. As soon as she mentioned coffee, her belly rumbled. The only thing theyd been given to eat were a couple of bananas and unbaked sweet potatoes. Fortunately, theyd been supplied bottled water to drink, thus saving their stomachs from parasites. But the last bottle of water had been on the second morning. Its been three days. If they dont get their ransom money soon, they might decide to kill us and hide the bodies.
Were still equipped with the GPS tracking devices, Ferrence argued. Theyre probably on their way as we speak.
Are you willing to risk it? Do you really think these men will wait much longer? Just today, they were fighting among themselves. At least sit up and let me see if I can untie the ropes on your wrists.
He did as she asked, scooting around to put his back to hers.
Reese had already tried to untie her bonds or to rub the rope against something coarse, but she was confined to the tent, and nothing inside the tent presented itself as a coarse surface.
She fumbled with the ropes on Ferrences wrists, finally finding the end and working it back through one of the knots.
Shed broken out in a sweat by the time shed freed Ferrences hands. Now me. Untie my hands.
When I get my feet done. He leaned away from her and grunted.
Reese grit her teeth. Think about it, Ferrence. If you untie my wrists first, we can both untie our feet at the same time.
Ive got it, he said, triumphantly, and then turned to work at the knots on her wrists. Yours are tighter. He blew out a frustrated breath. I dont think I can get it.
Try harder, she urged.
Finally, she felt the ropes give, and she shook her hands free. She immediately bent to the task of untying her legs. If the guard comes back, pretend your wrists and ankles are still tied.
Like hell. Im getting out of here.
Wait until Im free, she said. We need to stick together.
Youre fast. You can catch up. He lifted the back of the tent, stared out at the night and whispered, I dont see anyone out there. I think we can make a run for it.
Wait Her hands still fumbling with the knots around her ankles, Reese couldnt lunge after Ferrence. He was out the back of the tent and gone.
Son of a b The end slipped through the knot and the ropes fell away from her ankles. A grunt sounded outside the front of the tent, and something fell, landing hard against the ground.
Not willing to stick around to find out what it was, Reese ducked beneath the bottom of the tent, rolled out and sprang to her feet. She ran for the nearest trees and bushes.
A shout rang out to her right, and then all hell broke loose.
Shots were fired, men yelled and chaos reigned. Reese didnt slow down, didnt stop, just kept running until she hit a wall. She hit the obstacle so hard, she bounced off and landed on her butt. Refusing to be captured again, she shot to her feet and dodged to the left.
A hand snaked out and grabbed her arm.
She rolled beneath the arm, sank her elbow into what she hoped was the mans belly and hit what felt like solid steel. Pain shot through her arm. Shed likely chipped her elbow.
Whoever had hold of her was wearing an armored plate. Having been caught and tortured before, she refused to be a victim again. She kicked her foot hard, connecting with the mans shin.
He yelled and almost lost his grip on her arm.
Reese took advantage of the loosened hold and yanked herself free.
Before she could run two steps, arms wrapped around her waist from behind, and she was lifted off the ground. She struggled, kicked and wiggled, but nothing she could do would free her of the man holding her.
Damn it, hold still, a mans voice whispered against her ear, his breath warm and surprisingly minty.
Reese recognized the American accent immediately. Who are you? Why are you holding me captive? She fought again. Many Americans hired out as mercenaries. This could be one of them.
Im not here to hurt you. He grunted when her heel made contact with his thigh. Damn it, Im here to rescue you. He dropped her to the ground so fast, she lost her footing and crumpled into a heap at his feet.
More gunfire sounded behind her. Where the hell was Ferrence? Had the rebels shot him for trying to escape?
This time, when she tried to get up, the man in the armored vest laid a hand on her shoulder and dropped low beside her. Stay down. You dont know the direction theyre shooting. He stayed close to her, and then he said. Get him out of here.
What? she asked.
Were getting Klein out of here.
Not without me, she said. Hes my client. Reese started to get up, but that hand on her shoulder kept her down. Who are you?
My team was sent to get you two out of here.
Your team? She glanced around. Are you Spec Ops?
Shh, he said. Someones coming.
In the limited light making its way through the canopy of foliage, Reese could make out the silhouette of a man carrying a weapon. She lay low against the ground. The man beside her flattened himself, as well.
Neither moved a muscle as the man carrying what appeared to be an AK-47 passed inches away from where they lay.
More shouts rose up from the rebels in the camp. A motor sounded close by, and flashlights lit up the area.
The man with the AK-47 turned and almost walked over them on his way back to camp. Thankfully, he must have been too blinded by the lights to see what was right next to him.
Once the rebel fighter was out of hearing range, the man beside Reese spoke softly. Looks like theyre getting into their boat.
Reese peered through the darkness. All she could see were flashlights heading away from her and the occasional man caught in the beam. The camp was emptying out, heading for the river.
Theyre heading south, the man said softly. Your direction. Dont wait on me. Get Klein out of here, now. I have Brantley. Well find our own way back. Ill contact you when were out of danger. Dont argue. Just go.
Reese was only half-listening to her rescuers side of a conversation. Some of the men appeared to be climbing aboard a boat. The others turned around, shining lights toward the jungle. She tugged on the sleeve of the man beside her. Weve got a problem. She rose onto her haunches. Some of them are coming this way with flashlights.
* * *
BRANTLEY WAS RIGHT. Diesel glanced around. The men were coming toward them and spreading out, heading south along the river. A shout went up when they found their sentry.