Jungle of Deceit by Maureen A. Miller Page B

it up here. Solis, as he had heard the guards refer to their leader was the next obstacle. Mitch kept the rifle slung across his shoulder, but his free hand wrapped around a switchblade in his pocket should his masquerade be revealed. As Mitch expected, Solis had no recognition for individual faces in his army, he cared only that they executed his bidding.
    With Alex in hand, Mitch started to relax after they passed through the ridiculously posh corridor and into the guard shack at the top of the stairs. He couldn’t let up on his grip however. If she broke free, her fate would be sealed.
    “ Vamos,” he whispered, urging her through the door and into the brilliant light of day.
    He felt the recoil of her body, but then she raised her hand over her eyes to shield them, seeking out the stronghold where her group was contained.
    Urging her down the stairs, he noticed that she no longer resisted him. Instead, she was eager to reach their destination and ended up hauling him. They started across the open courtyard, the crunch of dry dirt beneath their boots. Mitch had to think in short-term goals. Each step across the open turf was a small goal. The major objective was to reach the first concrete structure and get behind it, knowing full well that Solis stood at his window watching their progress.
    Attaining that goal by rounding the corner, Mitch yanked Alex, but it took a lot of force to break her from her track towards her students.
    “ What the−”
    Mitch drew her into the shadows and took stock of the nearby personnel. Within closest proximity, a guard smoked a cigarette, his shoulder propped against the front gate. Mitch pushed Alex further along the wall, out of his view.
    “ Goddammit, you are not going to do this!” She struggled against him.
    “ Look,” he began, “I know I haven’t made much of an impact, but I damn well nearly kissed you the other day. I would think you might recognize me.”
    The shock was so severe he had to hold onto her as she sagged against the concrete. Her normally tan complexion paled and her breathing turned into a short succession of hiccups.
    “ Hey. Easy, Alex.” He propped her against the wall, trying to make sure she didn’t slide down into a pile at his feet and draw attention. To the passing eye it might look like he was molesting her.
    “ You−”
    “ Look at me.” Mitch let go and tore off his sunglasses.
    Her eyes devoured him with enough zeal to siphon his strength. After that initial feast he could see clarity return.
    “ Mitch?” She gaped.
    Who was he kidding? He was the one indulging in the sight of her. She was safe! God help him, he wanted to kiss her, but his grip gentled. His hands brushed up her biceps and across her shoulders, to cup her neck and trace his thumbs against her cheeks.
    “ Are you okay?” His voice was hoarse. “Did he hurt you? I would have been up there sooner, but I couldn’t find the goddamn key.”
    Alex reached up and grabbed his arms, touching him. He could tell that she was still trying to establish whether he was real.
    “ I don’t feel so good.” Her eyes rolled back.
    “ Whoah.” He took hold of her shoulders. “I’ve got you.”
    Verdant irises slipped back into focus. “I thought−I thought you died.”
    “ I know.” He shook his head. “We were split up at first, and then I saw what your destination was. Alex, I didn’t trust this place. I thought if we all went inside…that was it. We had no cards to play. No fallback.”
    “ You became our fallback,” she whispered.
    “ I had to. I had to stay back. Going all the way to Ramonez for help wasn’t an option. It would take too long. I needed to be an asset to you inside. I needed to get in here−away from the group. I needed to−” protect you .
    This was not some cryptic mission bestowed by an eccentric museum director. Nicholson and his dubious intentions were not in play here. Where this need to protect Alex came from was too complex to