Chapter 19

Case stayed in the trees behind the inn and waited. The bar had closed about half an hour ago, but he wasn't ready to move yet. Nyx stood patiently beside him. She didn't ask questions, and she didn't chat. Before she told him about her father, he might have wondered over her forbearance. Now he wondered how much training her dad had given her.

Pushing the questions away, he returned his thoughts to the primary issue. Getting inside and retrieving Nyx's things. Se?or Alvarez, the innkeeper, had been in Puerto Jardinese special forces, and last year, his wife had been taken hostage. It was a good bet he'd reinforced his security around the building.

The safest course of action was to use the front door.

He didn't like it. They'd be exposed, visible to anyone in the area who happened to be looking out their window. Vargas had employees who lived in town, and they'd report Nyx's presence to the drug lord.

He'd rather go in the back door or through a window, but he didn't want to try dismantling booby traps with a civilian beside him.

They could leave her things behind, except Case had met Alvarez. He took his guests' safety seriously. The miracle was that he hadn't already launched a mission to rescue Nyx. The man was in his seventies. His two friends who'd also been in the presidential brigade were his age or older. Stony, his former teammate, would kick Case's ass if he allowed anything to happen to the three old men.

So they'd go inside, he'd let Alvarez see Nyx was fine, they'd get her things, and he'd take her to a safe house he'd set up near here.

Front door. He grimaced. "On my heels," he reminded her in a whisper. He didn't need to see Nyx's nod to know she was with him. He could feel her at his back. Case didn't linger on the street. He went up the steps to the inn. "You need to go first." He hated that.

Another nod and she reached for the door.

The room went silent. It wasn't only Se?or and Se?ora Alvarez cleaning up for the night. Se?ors Otero and Garcia were there as well. The three men had a map on the table in front of them.

Case nudged Nyx forward and closed the door behind them. He didn't like their backs exposed or anyone knowing someone had entered the inn this late at night.

Se?ora Alvarez headed toward them. Her expression suggested she was prepared to do battle for Nyx. "You're safe?"

"Sí," Nyx said. "My fiancé got me off the compound."

"Fiancé?" The woman stopped in her tracks. Her gaze went to Case, and she frowned. "He is a mercenary."

"It's all right, Izel," Se?or Alvarez said as he stood. "This man is a friend. I met him last year while you were held at the hacienda. He works with Zofia's husband."

The relief that crossed Se?ora Alvarez's face spoke volumes about what she knew, but in the next moment, it was gone. "Are you hungry?" she asked Nyx. "I can warm up some stew for you."

"Gracias, Se?ora Alvarez, but I ate."

"We can't stay," Case said. "We're only here to get Nyx's things and let you know she's okay."

"Vargas will be looking for her?" Alvarez asked.

"Sí. It's likely," he added, correcting himself since he couldn't be sure how much the drug lord cared about hanging on to Nyx. She'd been a target of opportunity to leverage against him and not a cog in his scheme.

"We plan a defense, gentlemen," he said to his two friends.

"It might be better to tell Vargas's men that we showed up, got her things, and left. That you don't know where we went." A defense meant a potential fight, and Case didn't want to see anything happen to these old men.

"Perhaps you are right." Alvarez turned his attention to Nyx. "Do you need another key for your room?"

"No, I have mine." She unzipped a pocket on her right thigh and pulled it out.

Case stared for an instant. Despite everything she'd been through, his Fireball had kept track of her room key.

Alvarez cleared his throat. "Your friend, the one with the long hair, he was supposed to find her for us. He didn't report back."

"Until tonight, I'm not certain he was aware she was on the property." Case had no idea what Oz knew or didn't know, but his teammate didn't make empty promises. "It might be better for everyone if you don't refer to him as my friend again."

"Sí. I understand. It's best if you don't linger."

"Sí," Case agreed. "Come on, Fireball. Let's get your stuff."

The room was spartan, with only a bed and a dresser, but everything was well taken care of—not a surprise given what he knew of Se?or and Se?ora Alvarez. Nyx opened a drawer and added items to the backpack. She did a check of the space, and then zipped the pack closed.

"I'm ready."

"Let's say goodbye, drop off the key, and get out of here."

Nyx nodded, slung the pack on, and went downstairs. This time, Case was on her heels. He had a moment of gratitude. Her actions, her attitude made protecting her easier than he'd expected it to be.

She handed the key to Alvarez and then pulled out some Puerto Jardinese money. "I paid you for Friday and Saturday nights, but I need to reimburse you for Sunday and tonight."

Alvarez argued.

With a smile so sweet Case felt it in his chest, she said, "Se?or, your refusal hurts my heart. I am a woman who pays her debts. I will lose sleep if I don't cover my entire stay."

A stubborn look settled on the innkeeper's face, one very similar to Nyx's expression. Fuck . Case stepped in, "She's not kidding. Please take her money so we can leave. Vargas is busy right now, but I don't know how long that's going to last."

If this didn't work, Case was tossing her over his shoulder and hauling her out of here.

There was grumbling, but Se?ora Alvarez came to the rescue. She took the money and said, "Gracias." She handed Nyx a wrapped package. "Food. For later. You are always welcome here. You and your fiancé. Now go. Vargas is not the kindest of men."

"Gracias," Nyx said and began an extended goodbye. Case didn't hang around to listen to more. He headed for the door.

And as he walked outside, his Fireball was right on his heels.

Nyx sank onto a wooden chair, dropped her pack between her feet, and let Case do whatever checks he felt necessary without offering to help. He'd only turn her down anyway, and she was out of energy.

They'd made another trek through the rainforest in the dark and she suspected Case had used a roundabout path to reach this place. The sun was coming over the horizon, and he was out walking some perimeter. Keeping her secure. She appreciated his diligence.

This safe house was interesting. It might have been the beginning of some kind of tourist ecolodge, but clearly the idea had been abandoned. The good thing was the concrete structure was solidly built, and she didn't see any cracking. That meant there was a decent chance they wouldn't have to deal with an infestation.

Given the fresh mosquito netting surrounding the only bed, she suspected Case had done work here to make it livable. If he was calling it a safe house, it meant he had plans to use it in an emergency.

The hut was small with only room for one bed, a tiny wooden table, and two matching chairs. There were paintings on the wall, both hanging wildly askew and a back porch with fine mesh screens to keep out the bugs.

Nyx stiffened when the door opened but relaxed as soon as she ID'd Case. He wore the black T-shirt with his camo pants and was carrying an assault rifle. He shouldn't make her blood heat, not when he looked as scary as he did now. Except he was protecting her, and he'd never frightened her, not even when she thought he was a mercenary.

"We're clear?" she asked.

"Clear," he confirmed. He had the NVD pushed out of his way, but now he took off the helmet and set it on the table. His hair was flatter than usual, at least until he ran his fingers through it, returning it to the tousled blond mop she was used to. "You're okay?"

She nodded. "Just tired."

His lips curved showing the barest hint of a smile. It made her breath catch. "From formal dining with the Puerto Jardinese president to hiking through the rainforest at night, you've had a hell of a day."

"Don't forget convincing a drug lord to let you accompany me to the library and researching historical documents. Dealing with Vargas is high stress."

"You've spent a lot of time alone with him. Has he made you any offers that involve going around me?"

Voice low, fierce, Nyx stood, facing him, and said, "No, and if he had, I'd turn it down. You and I are a team and you're the leader. My loyalty is to you. I'm trusting you with my life, Case. I'm relying on you to keep me safe in a situation my dad never prepared me for. I'm used to being in charge. I'm used to people looking to me to solve the problem. Letting you make the decisions isn't easy for me."

"I know, and you're doing well, Fireball." He clasped her hips, loosely enough for her to pull away if she wanted to, but she rested her hands at his waist instead. That got her another curve of his lips. It didn't last long. "You can put your faith in me. I'll kill to keep you safe if that's what it takes. You're my number one priority."

Nyx wasn't sure how to respond, but it ended up being a moot point. Case lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers, once, twice, a third time. She leaned into him, her mouth following his. The kisses were too quick. She wanted more.

Their fourth kiss gave her what she wanted. There was no more teasing. Only need. From him. From her.

She inched closer and his arms went around her, pulling her tightly against his body. Her hands ended up on his back, and she flexed her fingers in the soft knit of his T-shirt. Even through the cotton, she could feel his hard muscles, the warmth of his body.

Opening her mouth, Nyx invited him to deepen the kiss. He didn't hesitate, taking her up on the offer. Turning them, Case pressed her into the wall.

Nyx shifted, making room for him to settle between her legs. His cock was hard, and it felt so good. So right.

There was a needy, mewling sound. It took her a moment to realize it had come from her. It woke her up and reminded her that they couldn't do this. Moving her hands to his chest, she pushed lightly. "Stop."

Immediately, Case raised his head. She could almost see him shake himself out of the arousal. "Holy shit." He stepped back, breaking the embrace and crossing the room. "That got out of hand."

She nodded, but Nyx didn't have words. He'd rocked her world off its axis and she was holding on for dear life.