He probably should’ve. I’d acted like a jackass, and now that was the last memory I had of the two of us alone together.
Why hadn’t I just given him that reassurance? That I wanted him and I didn’t give a shit if King or anyone knew? Why did I even waste time caring what King’s reaction would be when he found out and then worrying when he actually did?
It was fucked.Iwas fucked. I’d never expected to actually fall for Theo. It had happened so naturally I hadn’t even realized until it was too late. Until I woke up to him sleeping beside me and realized there were deeper feelings happening than just a fun hookup.
You’re such a goddamn idiot.
I was so caught up in berating myself as I trekked deeper into the jungle that I almost missed it—the half of a booted footprint that disappeared into scattered leaves and vines.
A curse escaped me as I knelt down for a closer view, shining the flashlight in the direction the print was headed.
“I knew it,” I murmured, hope rising in my chest. “You’re fucking here somewhere. I’ll find you.”
And when I do, I’ll never let you go.
I straightened and started forward, moving a little to the side to keep an eye on what direction the prints veered off in—not an easy task now that darkness had officially taken over.
Something swooped low at my head and I instinctively swung the machete in its direction, but the bat had already flown off. I could only imagine Theo’s reaction if he’d been here.
The thought made me smile for a second, a welcome feeling in amongst the dread and desperation that had been guiding me so far. But knowing they’d definitely come this way made the tiniest spark of hope ignite.
Hope that I would find him, and pleasure at the idea of ending the life that had dared take him from me.
That thought had my smile turning to a scowl as I started up again, my muscles protesting against the strain of having trekked all day through rough terrain, but I wasn’t about to stop now.
I slashed my way forward through the vines, cursing when one fought back by smacking my cheek and slicing open a sliver of skin. A howl rent the air from above and sounded suspiciously like laughter as I pressed my fingers to the wound.
Well, at least I was amusingsomethingout here in this damn jungle. It served me right for laughing at Theo when he complained about spiders and leeches. If he were here right now he’d no doubt be mouthing off about how karma was a bitch and she was slapping me right in the face, and really I couldn’t blame him.
I did have some karma coming my way, but could it happenafterI had Theo home and in one piece?
I rinsed off my cheek with some water and then started up again, following the boot marks on the ground. One set was clear and decisive, the second like someone had been dragged. The mud at times formed a somewhat legible impression, only to then smear along the ground in a line, as though the person’s feet had given out from under them—andthatthought made my blood fucking boil.
It’d be one thing to know Theo was conscious and able to do bodily harm. But these prints made that glimmer of hope I’d been feeling snuff out like the flame of a dying candle.
Fucking hell.I needed to find him, and I needed to find him now.
I marched on, my senses on high alert as the sounds of the jungle became the soundtrack of my living nightmare. The rustling in the trees, humming from the insects, and slithering ofGod knew what pushed me to move faster, to forge on, and when my light caught on something shiny on some leaves up ahead, my breath caught in the back of my throat.
I hurried forward, my stomach dropping as the slick red liquid coating the leaves became visible.
Blood.That was fucking blood. And a whole lot of it.
My vision started to spot as every worst-case scenario I’d imagined flashed before my eyes. Up until now, I’d been doing pretty good at squashing those persistent fuckers. But seeing this? Coming face to face with what could very well be Theo’s final moments made my stomach lurch. I grabbed hold of it, turning off the path in case my breakfast wanted to make a reappearance, but apparently it was smart enough to stay in place.
I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes, telling myself this could mean anything. This might not even be Theo’s blood. It might be the dumb fucker who’d tried his hand at besting my guy.
Yeah, that seemed more accurate…unless Theo was out cold.
I straightened and took another look at the blood and spatter, then all around to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. When I could finally move my legs again without feeling like I’d pass out, I aimed my light up ahead.
It was then I saw it, the distinct pattern of clear boots and ones that had been dragged, and that got me moving again.
If they’d killed Theo, why would they continue to cart around dead weight? They wouldn’t, and that meant only one thing—Theo was alive.
Something that wouldn’t be true for his captor when I finally got my hands on him.
4
