Page 96 of Death Wish

She turned, eyebrows soaring. “You need a break, Boudreax? How out of shape are you?”

“Shut up, you little twit. You’ve walked far enough. This isn’t the clearing I wanted to take you to, but you’re too slow and I don’t want to be stumbling around in the dark.”

Jesse stepped in front of Simone as he faced Boudreax and Sophie. He backed up one step at a time, forcing Simone closer to the jungle.

Didn’t take a genius to know his plan. Duck and run. But would they be fast enough to evade a barrage of bullets?

“That’s far enough, Porterfield.” Boudreax raised his gun and aimed at Jesse.

“Come on, Boudreax. No chance to say goodbye to the woman I love? Have a heart, man.”

Sophie sighed. “Hurry, Jesse. This is taking too long, Bastien. This place is creepy, and I want to go to the hotel and take a long, hot shower.”

“Not much longer, Soph. Get on with it, Porterfield or I’ll shoot you and your woman and walk out of here with my woman for a nice steak dinner while the wildlife chomps down on you.”

Jesse pivoted and crowded against Simone, nudging her back until she was only one step from the jungle foliage. He bent his head and brushed his lips over hers. “Ready?” he murmured.

“Any time you are.”

He raised his voice. “I love you, Simone Kent.”

“I love you, too, Jesse Porterfield. I’m sorry I kept you waiting for my answer.”

“Oh, yeah?” He smiled, a teasing glint in his eyes. “So, what is it? Yes or no?”

How could he smile at a time like this? What if his plan didn’t work and Boudreax fired multiple rounds into both of them? Where was Fortress?

She tilted her chin up to look at Jesse. Would his face be the last one she would see on this earth? “My answer is a resounding yes. I’d love to marry you.”

The words settled into her bones and felt right. He was the right one for her. Too bad she’d just discovered the truth.

Shock filled his eyes. “You would? Seriously?”

Simone smiled. “I would.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Your timing could stand some improvement.”

“I’ve been told that.”

“I really love you, you know,” he murmured.

She captured his mouth with hers. “Then we better stay alive to do something about it.”

“Deal. I’m looking forward to dating you and learning everything about my future wife.”

“Same.”

“When I tell you to run, take off. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Enough sap, Porterfield,” Boudreax said. “Turn around or I’ll shoot you in the back like the coward you are.”

Jesse ignored the security chief. “Ready, sweetheart?” When she nodded, he winked at her and said, “Run.”

She spun and took off like a rabbit.

Boudreax shouted for her to stop.

Simone kept running, stumbling every few steps. The jungle floor was a carpet of traps. If she fell, they’d be on her like white on rice. If she twisted her ankle, she and Jesse would be caught.

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