Instead of releasing her arm, Reaper began dragging her toward the thick line of trees edging the small clearing.
Her toe caught on something. She tripped and would’ve hit the ground if Reaper hadn’t held her up. When she saw what she had tripped on, she nearly gagged. A severed foot lay in a pool of its own blood.
She slapped a hand over her mouth, fighting back the rush of bile. Carnage lay all around her. She could see at least five or six dead bodies. Dear God, had Reaper taken out that entire team?
“What did you do?” She croaked out, resisting his forward momentum, but it was like pulling against an elephant. Reaper didn’t even slow down or look over his shoulder.
He lifted his bloodied arm in front of him and they plunged into the forest, Reaper’s body protecting her from most of the thick, blade-like leaves that grew so abundantly from the trees.
“I saved your life. Don’t sound so shocked.”
“But did you have to kill all of them?” she blurted out, trying to process the scene they’d just left behind. She’d never seen limbs separated from bodies before. Not even in movies. She’d always covered her eyes to keep from seeing the scary parts.
Reaper let go of her wrist and slammed to a stop. Caroline blundered into his back and bounced off. When he turned to face her, his expression was empty and a shudder worked down her spine. His midnight-black gaze traveled from her head to her toes before he answered. “Did you want me to leave you there?”
She became acutely aware of her naked state beneath the hospital gown and crossed her arms over her chest. He was being so coldhearted. So . . . vicious. “Of course not, it’s just that—”
He stopped, his blood-covered body rigid, making him appear even more menacing. “Just what? You enjoyed being a permanent blood donor? Did you think those men—” he stabbed a finger over her shoulder, “—were going to politely ask you to return to your quarters, and if you refused, escort you to the nearest airport so you could fly home to daddy dearest?”
“No, you know I didn’t. There were just so many bodies. So much blood,” she tried to put some force behind her tone but failed miserably.
Reaper didn’t give an inch. Instead he took another step forward, forcing her to crane her head back to look up into his harsh face.
“Each and every one of those men would have beaten and raped you if not for their orders to bring you back alive and safe so that the scientists could continue their experiments on you.” Even though his face was hard and cold, menace rolled from his body in waves, punching against her system.
Did he think she was disgusted by him? Was he angry with her because of that? “Reaper, I’m not disgusted. I’m just in shock. I’ve never seen carnage like that.”
“Well you better get used to it, Princess, because I guarantee you those aren’t the last men I’ll have to kill.”
In that exact moment, her world narrowed on him. She noticed the slightly paler shade to his skin and sweat beading around his hairline. He was striking out at her because he was in pain.
Her father had been the same way. The senator had never been shot, of course, but he always got cranky when he was sick. Reaper must be experiencing that, times a thousand.
Suddenly, he didn’t seem so menacing to her anymore. This was her wounded dark angel.
Despite his wound, his shoulders were tense—like he was waiting on her to come at him with guns blazing.
Her trepidation melted away, and though she wanted to reach out and touch him, soothe him, she was also smart enough to know he wouldn’t welcome that contact right now. So she said, “I’m glad my father sent you. I feel safe having you around. And while I hate seeing death in any form, I’m glad you killed those men to save my life.”
She poured every ounce of sincerity she could muster into her words.
Reaper just stared at her, and after a full minute of silence, he turned and marched deeper into the jungle.
Caroline stood rooted to the spot, watching him stalk off. Well, it wasn’t exactly an epic ride into the sunset, but at least he was no longer growling at her like an angry bear.
After a few moments, he realized she wasn’t following him and stopped. A tiny defiant spark ignited within her, but she quickly put that light out. Her warrior needed her cooperation. She had no idea how bad his injury truly was, but any creature losing that amount of blood wouldn’t last long. And she wouldn’t survive in this jungle without him.
She sucked in a deep breath, lifted her chin, and strode forward.
“Are you through with being complicated?”
His question caused her to nearly stumble. He thought she was being complicated? Because she’d been shocked by the sight of men blown to bits? “I guess you’re used to that kind of scene,” she said sarcastically.
“Yes, I am.”
She stared into his eyes, searching for any hint of humor. There was none.
His frank answer took all the wind out of her sails. Of course, he’d seen things like that before. It was obvious the man was highly skilled. Even if she hadn’t heard Doctor Winters call him captain, she would have guessed from his hair cut and bearing. Her father would have only sent the most elite to save her.
