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I’d expected him to clean me up in the morning.

I sat up slowly as Rico slid a key into the cuff around my leg.

My heart accelerated as I realized I was about to be free for the first time since I’d been imprisoned here.

This is my chance!

This would probably be my only opportunity to get away before the move to Ecuador tomorrow.

I had no idea where I was going to go or what I was going to do if I could break free from Rico, but anything was better than being transported to South America.

My kidnapper gripped my arm and hauled me roughly to my feet.

I bit my lip to keep from groaning in pain.

My ribs definitely needed more time to heal.

Suck it up, Jenna.

I took a deep breath and ignored the pain as Rico pushed me toward the door.

I focused hard on the outdoor area once Rico had shoved me outside, taking in every detail I could absorb.

It was dark, but there was enough ambient light from the moon and stars to see that the area was remote.

There were no lights in the distance to indicate that we were close to a city or town.

The only illumination was coming from what appeared to be a home in the distance, which was probably the dwelling where Rico had been residing since my kidnapping.

Panic welled up inside me as I realized there was nowhere to run, but I shoved those emotions back down.

Relax, Jenna. You’ll find civilization.

Okay, I couldn’t simply make a break for it and run somewhere nearby for help.

I was going to have to try to incapacitate my captor so I had time to actually get away to a safe place.

Rico could chase me down quickly in my weakened state if he was able to pursue me.

I had zero chance of outrunning him in my condition.

The guy might be middle-aged with a pot belly, but he could still move faster than I could at the moment.

Not to mention the fact that he had a gun that could easily take me down.

I’d taken a few years of MMA classes. I didn’t practice religiously, and I didn’t compete. I had studied martial arts simply for self-defense. I’d wanted to feel like I could defend myself if necessary.

Right now, I was willing to try every technique I’d ever learned to get this asshole on the ground.

I was desperate to get away from here.

If I didn’t, I’d end up being a sex slave in South America, with very little hope of rescue.

It was becoming very clear that nobody had noticed my absence yet and that rescue wasn’t going to happen for me here in Mexico. I’d be long gone from the country before anyone started searching for me.

My eyes moved sideways to Rico, and I was disappointed to see that he had his gun out and pointed toward me.

Crap!