Beth’s listening device was working loud and clear. Zach and the guys heard every word. Furious didn’t come within a bull’s roar of how angry he was.
“El Sleazo’s going to rape her.” Hawk voiced what was plain to them all.
“I’ll kill the mother fucker if he does.” Zach narrowed his eyes and squared his jaw. “See if you can get behind them, kid. Havoc and I will come from this side.”
“Gottcha.”
Hawk sped off like a deer in flight, nimble and quiet. He and Havoc, on the other hand, charged like rhinos and would be upon them in minutes. Zach prayed Beth could hold the scumbag off until they got there. She was brave but only a little thing.
The sound of her scream being cut off unleashed the demon within. “Son of a bitch,” he roared like a wild animal, and half a minute later erupted into the clearing.
“Stay back or I’ll cut her. I mean it, gringo.” Hernandez snarled, holding Beth in front of him like a human shield.
“Zach.” She gulped, liquid eyes pleading.
He skidded to a halt and absorbed the scene. The tip of the knife pressing against her throat dented the skin as he watched. Her bloody and bruised face and stricken eyes enraged him further. “Drop it now, or you’re dead meat.” The cold and calculating words were not an idle threat.
“Stay back.” The scumbag’s grip tightened around her shoulders, almost dragging her off her feet just as Havoc flew into the clearing and came to a dead stop. The ropey veins in his neck standing out like railroad tracks, his biceps bulging, and hands fisting by his side. The man was a mountain. Zach thought his pal’s rage mirrored his own and that he must look every bit as intimidating as Havoc, but still the Columbian didn’t lower the blade or relax his grip on Beth.
“Let her go now. Do it.” Zach didn’t mince his words. The Columbian’s eyes widened and darted from Havoc to him but he didn’t obey.
“Don’t come any closer.” The point of the blade pierced her skin, causing a crimson bead to appear, shockingly bright against her alabaster skin. It pooled, then trickled down her throat, igniting his blood lust. Hernandez seemed to be weighing his options, unaware time had run out. Little did he know Hawk was skirting the perimeter, foraging a path toward them.
The click of the safety being released was sure to help make up his mind as Hawk came from behind and pressed the lethal barrel of steel to his temple.
“Drop it.” Hawk’s voice was gruff and savage. Gone was the jovial easygoing young man, and in his place was a soldier, hardcore, battle-ready.
Three against one, the odds were stacked against Hernandez. They knew it, and so did he.
“All right, all right,” he said and threw down the knife. Zach was almost disappointed. He’d wanted revenge for the scarlet bead.
“If anything happens to me you’ll never get the other one back alive.”
“Don’t bet on it.” Hawk jammed the barrel into his back and the asshole lurched forward, relinquishing his hold on Beth.
She stumbled, her legs wobbling like jelly, but he was there in a beat, pulling her trembling body against his.
“Shush, honey, you’re safe now.” Though he noticed his hand had a slight tremble as he stroked her hair, her back.
“I was terrified you wouldn’t get here in time.” She sobbed, shaky fingers fumbling with tiny buttons without success.
“Here, let me,” he said, brushing her hands aside. The blouse was buttoned without fuss and he folded her back into his arms, cradling her as if she was precious, delicate china, and to him she was.
“Now let me take a closer look at you.” Without waiting for consent he tilted her chin and examined her face. A tight ball fisted in his gut and punched from the inside out. Even now, her eye was beginning to color and swell. A congealed crimson line ran from her nose and along her upper lip.
Her perfect face was a mashed bruise, and it was with supreme effort that he stayed calm, unlike her. Her trembling jarred. Shock was beginning to set in. He tightened his arms in a protective hold and kissed the top of her curly head. “You’re okay, babe, he can’t hurt you now.” But his voice was husky, his throat tight.
She nodded and buried her forehead into his chest. He checked out the clearing as he held her close, his eyes drawn to a swatch of pink lying on the ground, alien in its surroundings. With a puzzled frown he examined the cloth from a distance. Recognition was not difficult. He stiffened and slitted his eyes. The swift diagnosis filled his veins with liquid ice colder than a blizzard. He’d only thought he was angry before, his fury now was like a boiling sea that could not be contained.
Pumped with adrenaline and revenge, he caught Havoc’s eye and jerked his chin, then cocked his head sharply to the side. Havoc was quick on the uptake. He glanced toward the pink material and then their gazes connected and held—no explanation was necessary. The big fellah reached them in a few strides and drew Beth into his embrace, freeing him up.
Blind rage propelled him across to Hernandez, where Hawk still had Jacinta jammed into his back.
“Right, asshole, you and me, now.” The clearing was less than six yards in diameter, more than enough room to beat the shit out of the little maggot.
Hawk lowered his weapon and moved aside. Hernandez’s mouth pulled up in a smug grin. “With pleasure.”
The asshole took up a pugilist’s pose, elbows tucked into his sides, fists up protecting his face. Zach’s lip curled. Truth be told, he hoped the guy could fight. He needed to burn off some anger and knocking the fucker out in one punch would give him no satisfaction.
Hernandez fist shot out but Zach was quicker and dodged the punch. His first blow flattened the Columbian’s nose and sent him staggering backward, but he kept his footing. Zach barreled forward and struck him again, this time splitting his lip. Hernandez spat blood and teeth and shaped up again.
“Come on.” Zach beckoned his opponent, itching to engage and do more damage. The other man growled, and head down, hurtled forward like a runaway train.
In the ensuing scuffle, he landed a bruiser to Zach’s chin with a right hook and followed through with a left jab to his ribs. It was clear the guy had training. But when he came at him again, Zach landed a few good body blows before giving him a swift upper cut that knocked the creep off his feet.
He didn’t stay down long and sprang up with vicious intent. A few solid punches were exchanged. Hernandez danced around, and although he was quick, Zach was quicker, and the Columbian missed more than connected. He, on the other hand, made every one count, and his blows were brutal.
After a particularly savage bout, the asshole tried backing away, but Zach was having none of that. His fist was in motion, and when it connected he felt the cheekbone cave in, and the contemptible man dropped like a stone.
“Get up, you useless sack of shit.” His chest was pumping in and out as he loomed over him. Not so much from exertion, but more from the satisfaction he was going to get in finishing the dog off.
But the asshole didn’t move, just cowered on the ground like the animal he was and presumably praying for mercy.
Well, fuck that. Zach leaned over and jaw-jacked him to his feet, the shorter man dangling like a limp piece of meat.
Zach ripped back his arm to knock him into next week when Beth broke free of Havoc’s embrace and screamed, “Zach, stop, please.”
It caused him to release the prick who fell in a heap. He sucked in some big ones and started to make his way over to her when Hernandez surprised him. He sprang to his feet and charged like a bull at a gate.
*
Havoc’s arm shot out and pulled Beth back into his arms. “Don’t watch, love,” he said, blocking the fight from her view as he cradled her face against his chest. “The bastard is only getting what he deserves.”
“Please, Havoc, stop them.”
Personally, he didn’t give a shit if Wolf smacked the ever-living tripe out of the son of a bitch, but Beth was right. The sound of fists crunching flesh and bones had gone on long enough. It was time to intervene.
“Okay, love, don’t fret.” He handed Beth, who felt like ice, into Hawk’s care and with deliberate strides put himself between the two men.
“Enough, Wolf.”
“It’s enough…when I say it’s enough.” Wolf was breathing hard, gulps of air peppered the words, his knuckles were bloody, his face bruised.
“Quit it, mate. If you kill the A-hole it’ll be harder to find Loretta.” That was a huge consideration, but not the only one. “And if you don’t, one of us is going to have to carry the worthless piece of shit.” His words had little effect as Wolf landed another blow. “And you’re distressing Beth.”
The battle lust in Wolf’s eyes evaporated like mist in the wind. His chest was still heaving, but he backed off and acknowledged the end with a nod.
Hawk released Beth as Wolf approached.
“Thanks, man, I’ll take over from here,” Wolf murmured, folding Beth into his arms.
Yep, he was smitten all right. First, their commander Ice found love with Kathy who was now his wife, and now Cupid’s arrow had hit lover boy. Havoc smiled in amusement as he gripped Hernandez’s biceps. “On your feet, asshole.” He growled, hauling him up.
“Need a hand?” Hawk sidled up beside him.
“Na, mate, it’s all done,” he said, tightening the set of nylon cuffs over the prisoner’s wrists.
*
Beth wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. To stay cocooned in Zach’s warmth would be heaven, but he’d voiced his true opinion. She was a liar, and a troublemaker. He was only being considerate now because of the attack, well to hell with his sympathy.
Space, she needed space. The jungle was a prison with no escape, but at least the clearing provided some distance. She extracted herself from his embrace and rubbed her arms. “I’m fine now, Zach.” But he seemed oblivious to her mood. Instead of moving away, he took out his handkerchief, doused it with water from the canteen, and began to mop her face.
Sure, he’d just fought for her honor, and his face was a bloody mess, but he’d judged her last night and found her wanting, his kindness now was more than she could handle.
“Don’t.” Her voice was sharp like razor blades, meant to cut, and he looked up with confusion in his eyes.
“I know it hurts,” he exclaimed. “But it’ll be done soon, and I’ll be gentle. Lucky your nose isn’t broken, but you’re going to have a shiner.”
“I said don’t. Please. I can do it.” She snatched the cloth from him and began scrubbing her face. His bewildered expression demanded an explanation, so she gave it to him in spades. “I know what you’re thinking—this is my fault. If I’d just backed away like you told me, I wouldn’t be…and you wouldn’t be…and maybe you’re right, this was my fault.” Her lip wobbled and she bit down.
“Beth, about last night…”
“Save it, Zach. You’ve made your view plain, so let’s leave it at that.” She dismissed his attempted explanation and marched over to where Havoc stood giving an Academy Award-worthy performance of disinterest.
Zach followed; she heard his footsteps behind her. His hand on her shoulder as he whisked her around was unexpected, though.
“God, damn it, woman, I just beat that punk to within an inch of his life, surely that makes up for something.”
She tilted her head back and looked up at him, the scorn visible in her eyes. In their most intimate moment she’d confessed to being a virgin, he’d responded by calling her a liar. Did it make up for that? Nope.
She shrugged. Too emotionally drained to argue, she turned away and continued walking toward Havoc. “Is my face clean?” she asked, lifting her chin for his inspection.
His face screwed up in a wince, it must look bad.
“You missed a bit” He took the damp cloth and with a gentle hand dabbed her face. “There, all done.”
“Are you ready to push on, Beth, or do you need a few minutes?” Hawk asked. He was sitting by the prisoner, swigging water from his flask, Jacinta resting across his lap.
Did she need time to recuperate? Yes, but she was also eager to get away from the place of her attack—staying here was too confronting. Besides, they had to keep ahead of Hernandez’s schedule. The element of surprise was crucial. If they were late, Loretta’s captors might panic and do something stupid.
“No, I’m ready as soon as I get the rest of this wire off.” She lifted her shirttail and tugged at the remaining tape, pulling the wire free. “Thanks, guys, if I didn’t have this I…I…”
“Don’t go there, love.”
Havoc’s big paw landed on her arm with a couple of comforting strokes. She smiled at his kindness. He replied with a wink and took the device from her.
The tape had left tiny red bumps on her skin. As she pulled her blouse back into place covering them up, Zach caught her eye.
He’d been rummaging through his pack and his face was savage, the thunderous expression making her flinch. So much so that when he sprang to his feet and marched toward her, she took an involuntary step closer to Havoc.
“Here.” He shoved something into her hands.
She stared down at the wadded fabric. Recognition was instantaneous and she raised her eyes to his. “Thank you.” The words were more mouthed than spoken. She pulled back her shoulders and turned to the other men. “I’ll just be a minute,” she mumbled and then disappeared behind some thick greenery and stepped into Zach’s jocks.
Havoc and Zach were huddled together when she reappeared. She ignored them and picked up the pack holding the ransom, and without a backward glance walked over to where Hawk was now standing with Hernandez.
“I’m ready.”
The sight of the repugnant man repelled her, but she held her head high and followed Hawk, it was preferable than traipsing along next to Zach.