Page 129 of Dangerous Mission
When I finally reach the tree where the fruit-laden vine is climbing, I’m so happy, I laugh out loud.
“Thank you!” I tell the jungle gods, sounding a little breathless with awe. Once again, I have been blessed. The gods have become my steadfast imaginary companions through this hellish ordeal.
It really is passion fruit!
I step closer, careful of where I’m walking and reach out to grab one. The fruit is so high off the ground, I can just barely reach it. My fingers only brush over the smooth, purple skin. Come on! I jump, making me wince in pain.
God, I can’t imagine what the pedicure lady is going to say when she sees my feet.
At last, I grab one. Wiggling my bare butt cheeks, I do a little victory dance. Everything feels like a win right now.
I’m alive. I’ve survived two days. My hands are free. And I have food.
Next up, leaf shoes.
Then I’m following the sun until I get somewhere.
I pick my fill of fruit, and study my feet as I eat. They are a mess. Covered in cuts and bruises. But my thoughts drift to Scout and Griff.
They have to be safe. I won’t allow a single thoughtthat doesn’t align with that. My will to keep going would just evaporate if I did.
Longing fills me. I can’t wait to see them.
And we’re figuring out how to fix whatever’s wrong between them. I don’t care how bad it is. I love them both. I want them both in my life. It feels complicated but not. Scary but right.
Maybe Scout will move to Florida with me.
Could he be based out of there for his job?
With thoughts of him filling my head and warming other parts of me, I find leaves to tie around my feet.
After testing a couple of configurations, I start to make my way, following the sun. The weight of my flashlight—now named Hammerhead—a little less now that I have food in my belly and thoughts of Scout to push me forward.
Too bad my new ‘shoes’ are slippery.
“Oy!” I scream as the light goes flying out of my hand and I slip down a long ravine like a turtle in a luge.
Chapter Sixty-Five
I’m looking at a map on the tablet when Beast slams on the brakes. His voice booms inside the truck. “What the fuck am I seeing?”
The device flies out of my hands, landing between my feet. We’re still rolling when I leap out of the truck like I’ve been shot out of a gun. Behind me there’s a whoop of relieved laughter.
In front of me…
Heaven.
Aria climbs to her feet, brushing her hand over her dirty face, a wobbly smile on her sweet lips. “I guess I found you.”
“Babe.” Choking out a relieved sob, I grab her and bury my face in her damp, tangled hair. She smells like fruit and mud, and my forever girl.
“Are you okay?” The words shake out of me, like rocks tumbling down a hillside.
“A little ragged, but I’m fine.” Tightening her arms around my neck, she whispers, “So glad to see you.”
I rock her, holding her off the ground for several minutes until my hands stop shaking and I can finally breathe.
She wiggles against me. “Um. We have an audience and I’m kind of not wearing much.”
