Page 42 of Silk Shadow

She nodded, grateful that he'd been able to read her so easily.

He was still in his wet clothes which stuck to him like a second skin. He didn't seem bothered, though, rambling through the jungle like he was taking a Sunday stroll. Phoenix was the same, even whistling a soft tune to himself.

The further they went, the denser it got. Soon, she was slapping leaves and branches out of her face as she walked. Just when she was about to collapse, Viper called a halt.

"Let's take a break here," he said. "You can get changed and then we'll find someplace to shelter for the rest of the night."

Thank God.

"I'll keep watch." Phoenix disappeared back the way they'd come. She couldn't believe he was going to retrace their steps.

"He'll let us know when the kidnappers land," Viper told her. "But you're safe for now."

For now?

"How soon before we get to a hotel?"

He shrugged. "No idea. We didn't launch from this part of the mainland, so we'll have to see. There might not be anything around here for miles."

“Seriously?” Izzy felt like crying.

“Why don’t you get out of that dress,” he said, more gently. “Being warm and dry will make you feel better.”

“Okay.” She pulled off the sweater and looked in the pack. “You packed this?”

“Yeah. Sorry, I hope it’s okay? I wasn’t sure what to?—”

“It’s fine.” He’d packed jeans and a T-shirt, as well as a pair of panties into the backpack. The thought of him rifling through her underwear, selecting what to bring, made her flush. It seemed so intimate.

He turned away.

She peeled off the dress and threw it onto the ground. She didn't want to ever see it again. Then, she pulled on the T-shirt and wriggled back into the warm sweater. Was it his, or just a spare he’d picked up somewhere?

She took off her shoes and put on the panties, followed by the jeans. At least her legs would be protected. They'd already been scratched by the foliage. With her socks and shoes back on, she felt almost normal again.

"Better?"

"Yes, thanks."

He picked up the silver dress. "We can't leave anything behind. Put this into your pack." She did as he said.

Viper handed her a bottle of water, which she eagerly chugged down. It beat the putrid jug of water they'd given her on the trawler.

"Better save some for later," he warned. "We don't know how long we're going to be out here."

She gazed up at him, blinking as a few errant raindrops hit her in the eye. "Where are we anyway?"

"Mexican coastline, I think."

"You think?"

He grinned. "We flew to Mexico City and caught a lift with the CIA to the coast, but I think we're somewhere south of Acapulco, judging by the terrain."

She had a vague idea of where Acapulco was, but she’d never been there. Her Mexican trips had only extended as far as the areas where her father had mines, and those were often rural and out of the way.

There was a soft rustling nearby and Viper immediately pulled her down into a crouch. "Stay still," he whispered.

She froze. Thank God for pilates, otherwise she'd never be able to hold this pose. The rustling grew louder.

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