The room I’m in is light and airy, lined with large windows, cream colored furniture, and wooden accentsthroughout. But what I seeoutsidethe windows is what has me shaking my head in disbelief. Outside is a tropical paradise of lush green plants and vibrant flowers in all shapes and colors. I would think myself crazy if I wasn’t certain I was hearing the twittering of exotic birds and breathing in warm, humid air.
Where the hell am I?
I slide out of bed and wobble on shaking legs as I head out of the bedroom. I find myself in an indoor-outdoor loft area with a large balcony overlooking a literal tropical forest. There is a hammock in one corner of the loft and an indoor-outdoor tub sits in another. There is a sitting area in the center, and a bar against the wall across from the couch. I cross the loft to a staircase on the other side. The answers I need are obviously downstairs, so I hold tight to the railing, and head downstairs on shaking, weak legs.
The bottom of the staircase opens to a large kitchen and living room, and seated at the dining room table playing cards, are Flores and Jenkins.
“Oh, you’re awake,” Flores says in surprise. She’s ditched her typical navy suit and wears a white button-down blouse and tan suit pants. Jenkins is the same, although both still have their holsters with guns strapped to either side of their torsos.
“Where the hell are we?” I demand, my voice hoarse.
“I’m afraid we can’t tell you,” Jenkins says, looking uncomfortable.
“You’d better rethink that answer, Jenkins.”
He sighs. “I’m sorry, Ms. Hale. But we really can’t tell you.”
“Then answer this: what are we doing here?”
“Keeping you safe and out of the action,” Flores says.
“How long are we going to be here?”
“As long as it takes.”
Anger burns through me. “I was drugged and brought here against my will. Stop with the vague answers and give me somereal fucking information.” I know my anger is misplaced, I know this is all Asher’s doing, but I can’t help it.
Now Flores sighs. “We’ve been ordered to only give you so much.”
“Why?”
“To keep you safe.”
“What—” I don’t finish my question as I sway on my feet, a dizzy spell hitting me hard.
“Let’s get you seated,” Flores says, standing and hurrying over to me.
She helps me to the table, and I plop down into a seat.
“Would the lady like some food?” an older woman with tanned skin and gray hair asks, walking with a limp into the kitchen. “The lady must be hungry. She has been sleeping for many hours.” She sets a glass of water down in front of me.
I snatch it up and drink the entire thing in a matter of seconds.
“Yes, dinner would be nice, Camila,” Flores says. “Thank you.”
“Mr. Langford has ordered us to remain in this safe house until he authorizes us to leave,” Jenkins says in a calm, reassuring tone. “He is taking care of the problems back home with his brothers, but he couldn’t do that with you and your safety as a constant distraction.”
“I’m a distraction?” I growl.
“When he’s constantly worried that you’re going to be taken hostage or killed, you are.”
“So, where are we?”
“Somewhere in South America.”
“That’s helpful.”
“That’s all the information we can give you. There is no internet for you to use, and no way to trace where we are.”
