Page 105 of Four Cards Exposed

James kissed her back, gently and thoroughly, and when he pulled back, there was something infinitely sad in his expression.

I’m not leaving you.

No matter what, I’m not leaving you.

She clenched her jaw, getting ready to defend her position, when there was a noise behind them. Too big to be a spider. Not stealthy enough for a jaguar.

James was up in an instant, his body placed protectively in front of hers, though she could see how badly his body shook. Like it was all he could do to stay on his feet.

No.

Now it’s my turn to protect you.

Susan gripped her knife tighter in her right hand and stepped out from behind James, stood right next to him, her left shoulder touching his.

A large man appeared from behind the trees. He was dressed in black tactical clothing, with night vision goggles over his eyes. He looked dark and intimidating—but he clearly hadn’t come from the drug lord’s camp.

Susan took a small step forward, positioning herself ahead of James.

Then a second, slimmer figure stepped into the light of the torch. The figure removed her goggles, revealing her face. Even darkened with black paint as it was, Susan recognized the federal agent.

“Lorraine,” she gasped.

Her knees shook.

Am I hallucinating this?

Lorraine ran forward and grabbed Susan, bringing her in for a hug. Then she turned to do the same to James, but Susan stopped her.

“Wait. He’s hurt. Some of his ribs are broken.”

The first man approached them. “I take it this is them?” he asked Lorraine. His voice was deep, but not unkind. He said something in a lower tone, not meant for their ears.

“Please help him,” Susan said.

The man stepped forward—just in time to catch James as he fell.

31

* * *

James

James woke up in a panic. He recognized the vibrations underneath him, but couldn’t remember how he’d gotten onto a plane. His last memory was of being in the jungle with Susan—then everything fading to dark.

Susan.

He turned his head and almost vomited at the pain.

“Stay still, James,” a familiar voice said. James blinked.

“Lorraine?”

She moved closer to where he could see her. He hadn’t imagined her. She was really there. She’d found them.

“Susan,” he rasped. The pain in his chest was worse than before. So intense it could legitimately be called agony. “Where’s—“

“She’s okay. She’s getting her injuries seen to. James, did they—“