Page 37 of Unleash You

“How do we get out?”

“Same way we came in. Private jet. I doubt they’ll let us stay for longer than twenty-four hours. We’ll have to be quick.”

“Or have a backup plan.”

“Any ideas?”

“A few that may or may not get us killed.”

Her gaze snapped up at me. “You know, feel free to sugarcoat a few things for me.”

“We’re in this together. Lying won’t help.”

I’d promised her no more lies. But right now, I figured it would be best if I didn’t mention that Charlie was hiding for a reason. We crossed the local cartel in a big way. Smith lost money, men, and his favorite accountant, Rebecca. Even with Smith dead, we were still in danger. His son Marcel was out for revenge. There was no way in hell he was going to let us out of the jungle alive. Marcel lost family. What would he give to make Charlie feel the same pain?

“Okay, fine. What about Tyler?”

“I would hate to get him involved again.”

“I get it, but he knows the route. Between him and Teak, I’m sure they can get us out if things get tricky.”

“You mean deadly.”

“Yes, I mean deadly. Would Tyler mind?” She asked.

Anabelle understood what was at stake here, but she didn’t care. For her sake, I hoped that in the last eight months, Charlie had found a reason to be the brother she remembered.

“Of course not. Him and Matt feel as guilty as I do. They’d do anything to get Charlie back.” Ideally, I’d like to keep my brothers out of it. Especially Matt, who had recently found someone. If he had a chance at love, I didn’t want to be the one to ruin that for him.

“So that’s it. We have a way in. And a backup plan to get out. We’re doing this?”

“Shit. Yes, we’re doing this.”

She beamed at me, and something in my chest expanded. I was getting addicted to this feeling I had whenever she was around. This plan of hers had to work because if it didn’t, I didn’t know how I would ever make this right with her and Charlie.

She bit her lip as her gaze scanned the ground around us. “There it is.” She picked up her phone and tapped on the screen. “I hope Josh hasn’t changed his mind about helping me. I wasn’t very nice to him at the party.” She typed a message fast.

“Politicians have short memories. Just remind him you have money.” If she heard the bitterness in my tone, she didn’t show it. “Is he in?” I stepped closer to take a peek, but she turned away. No doubt Josh would jump at the opportunity to play the hero with Anabelle. I rolled my eyes. “I wish your plan didn’t involve the good congressman.”

“What’s your beef with him?”

“He’s too old for you.”

Anabelle glanced up at me with a laugh that warmed me to my core. “Are you still on that?”

“Yeah. If I knew he wanted to help you out of the kindness of his heart, I’d be okay with this. But you saw how he was looking at you when we were at the St. Regis.”

She placed her hand over her taunting grin. “How was he looking at me?”

“Like he wanted you.” I opted for honesty.

“Oh.” She blushed.

A wave of hot desire spread through me again. By the dark look in her eyes, I could only guess she was also thinking about our most recent make-out session. Jesus, what was I thinking? Sex with Anabelle, Charlie’s little sister, seemed wrong. But the Anabelle I’d gotten to know through our letters wasn’t that girl. We were different people. I’d never wanted anyone else like this. We had a connection that expanded beyond the physical.

“I’m sorry. I keep forgetting that in your head I’m still just your brother’s friend, your neighbor over the summer months. To me, you became something else over the past few years when I got to know the real you.” I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling vulnerable, naked.

“What do you want, Wesley?” She gripped my forearm, eyes shiny with unshed tears.

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