Page 33 of Her Faithful Protector

Between the two of them, they made quick work of getting Jan to the truck. Travis and Paul were at the edge to help all three of them up when they got there.

“Where are we going?” Camilla asked Travis as she glanced over at the two stone-faced men with their rifles pointed at Paul and Brian.

“They said something about a village. All they keep talking about is the food. Sounds good to me.”

Camilla nodded. Food would be good. She looked over at Lisa. She was looking as wan as she and Jan. Camilla needed to think of a way to get them some help.

“Once our parents pay up, everything will be all right, right?” Travis asked her quietly. She sat as straight as she could with her shoulder hurting as badly as it was. He needed her to be strong, she was in charge after all.

“Yes,” she lied outright. She refused to think of what Maria had said. “They know the only way they will get their money is if they return all of you unharmed.”

The eagerness in his eyes about broke her heart. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” she confirmed.

“That’s good. That’s real good.”

The truck hit a bump and she almost toppled onto her side. Her eyes smarted with tears. She bit her lip. She couldn’t let herself cry, otherwise, she might not stop.

You can be strong, Camilla, she reminded herself.

I’m Camilla!

Remember who Dad named you after.

Camilla let out a snotty snort-laugh and wiped her nose with her sleeve. Yeah, here she was, Camilla Ross, named after the great Roman virgin warrior and she wasn’t doing crap.

“Some warrior I am,” she mumbled.

“What did you say? Are you okay?” Travis asked as he helped her back up into a sitting position.

“I’m fine. Go help Lisa,” she said.

Think, Camilla, think. She hurt so bad and she knew a fever had started. Great—fuzzy brain, just what she needed.

Think.

She looked out the back of the truck. Rain. Perfect. At least they were in the truck, but God knew where they were taking them. What was next?

9

“We’ve got a problem,” Nic heard Zed say through his receiver. Raiden glanced over at him, having heard the same thing.

“What?” Max demanded to know.

Nic and Raiden sped up to meet up with all the others.

“We’ve got a fork in the road and the rain has doused all the tracks.”

Nic’s heart stopped. He and Raiden ran faster; their boots kept them steady on the wet and slippery jungle floor. When they met up with the group, everybody was there except Zed and Cullen, their two best trackers.

“Any word?” Nic managed to keep the anxiety out of his voice as he addressed his lieutenant.

Max shook his head.

Kane sidled up next to him. “We’re going to get them, you know that, right?”

Nic gave one short nod.