The more she thought about it, the better it sounded. Because there was no way she’d let José marry her off to one of the vicious Cardenas brothers. As soon as she reached a town, she could contact Tomás and tell him she was coming for him. She’d figure out the details later.
Essie continued down the rocky path illuminated every so often by a hanging light. Pushing her fears aside, she kept walking until she saw the rocky opening at the end of the tunnel and the outline of bars. She’d explored most of the tunnels in use and she knew there were three cells. But only one was currently occupied.
Pulling in a deep, steadying breath, she stepped out of the gloom. The dark, hulking shadow lying on the cot in the cell stiffened, immediately sensing her presence. Very slowly, he rolled into a sitting position to face her. The light angled through the bars, spotlighting his brilliant blue eyes, but kept the rest of him in shadows. Swallowing down her nerves, Essie walked straight up to the cell.
Heart in her throat and pounding out a rapid staccato, she locked in on those arresting eyes. Intense, vibrant, royal blue.They reminded her of the deepest part of the ocean where the deadliest predators roamed.
“I want to make a deal with you,” she stated. Clear and bold, no trace of the fear which held her hostage.
In between blinks, he popped up and reached the bars. So damn fast, she took an unsteady step backward. “Who the hell are you?” he growled, sounding like a beast who hadn’t used his voice in a very long time. Its deep raspiness and the beard covering his face reminded her how long he’d been locked away down there. Over a month.
The man was damn intimidating.
Exactly what she needed.
“I’m the woman who can set you free.”
Chapter five
Xander looked down at the dark-haired woman, quickly assessing her. Then he leveled his fiercest scowl on her. The one that made most men take a wary step back. To his surprise, and to her credit, her dark eyes didn’t waver as she held his stare. Unflinching. Even tilted her chin up a notch.
She was either overly brave or incredibly naive. He knew he must look half-feral. So why wasn’t she scared of him? And how did she plan on getting him out?
“How?” he demanded, fingers curling around the bars.
She arched a slim, ebony brow then crossed her arms, drawing his attention down to her full tits hugged by a fitted, black sweater. “With the key,” she answered. Her accented voice possessed a melodic quality and a tinge of sarcasm. “How else?”
Debating whether or not he could trust her, his gaze zeroed in on the gold cross hanging around her neck. So similar to the one Alyssa used to wear.Maybe it’s a sign.He didn’t know many women who wore religious jewelry.
“Maybe the better question iswhy?”
“My reasons are my own.”
She lifted her chin higher and he did a quick perusal of the rest of her facial features—long lashes, high cheekbones and a slim, pert nose situated above full lips with a deep Cupid’s bow. Lovely, tanned skin. He leaned in closer, forehead practically pressed to the steel bars and breathed in her scent. Warm and a little spicy with a dash of cinnamon. Slightly intoxicating.
Warning lights flashed in his brain. A gorgeous woman just showed up out of nowhere, promising him freedom? Something wasn’t adding up.
She must’ve sensed his hesitation, because she stepped closer. The soft lantern light illuminated her flawless skin. “You can trust me. I want out of this prison just as much as you do. But we have to move fast.”
Well, alright then. Who was he to argue with that kind of logic?
Suddenly, the distant sound of voices filled the air, and she glanced over her shoulder. Her slim fingers fluttered to her throat and caught the delicate cross, lightly holding it. For the first time, she looked nervous. “I have to go.”
When she began to turn around, Xander snaked a hand through the bars and grabbed her upper arm. “Wait!” He tugged her back, and panic flared in the depths of her dark brown eyes. “I thought you were getting me out of here.”
“Tonight. Andonlyif you agree to get me out of Tierra Caliente and safely escort me to Manzanillo.”
Ah, so the littleseñoritawas running. Now things were falling into place. She was probably some low-level soldier’s girlfriend and she’d experienced something unsettling. “Cartel life’s not as good as you’d hoped?” he asked, beyond droll.
Her full lips flattened. Then she jerked her arm away. “Maybe you’d like to stay in your cell?” she tossed back, sweet as can be.
“I’d rather not.” He pulled his arm back through the bars. “So, when’s the big escape?”
She eyed him for a moment and his heart sped up. If she didn’t return… Well, he hoped she did. If he didn’t stage a prison break soon, he was going to lose his damn mind.
“Do you promise to take me to Manzanillo?”
“Sure.” If it would get him out of there, he’d promise to take her to the moon.
