Page 75 of Unleash You

“Power and influence are the currency around here. He had Smith’s backing, and now Marcel is his beck-and-call girl.” Luisa let out a breath and met my gaze. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and he won’t be able to make it back.”

“Thank you for all you’ve done for us.” Even if she also sold us out, we got what we’d come here for. It wasn’t her fault that Charlie had become someone else. Or rather, he’d chosen to stop pretending and hiding who he really was.

“What happens when we cross the border to Colombia?” Teak asked.

“We go home as planned. My main concern now is getting to Anabelle. Why is he going to Atlanta? I doubt he’s there to escort Anabelle.” I rubbed my eyes to ease the sting, and the wet spread to my cheeks.

I had no way of knowing what Charlie planned to do with his own sister. Would he take her home and let her be? Or make her pay for something she didn’t do? Anabelle had nothing to do with their parents’ accident, but Charlie filled his head with his own lies throughout the years. Over time, he had begun to believe it.

“He didn’t tell me why he needed a plane. But I can guarantee you it has something to do with Rebecca. If Rebecca is in Atlanta, it’s a sure bet he’s there for her.”

“Jesus, I did it again. I tried to make things right, and Rebecca ended up on the chopping block once more. We created this opportunity for Charlie the minute we decided to come get him.”

“You did. So go fix it. Find Rebecca. And hey, tell her I said hi. Tell her to never come back.”

“You could tell her yourself. Come with us.” I spoke without thinking. Teak shot me a disapproving look. Changing the plan required planning.

“My family’s here. If I leave, they won’t survive. But thanks for the offer. You’re all right, Marine.” She grinned. When she glanced down at the map with Teak’s and her scribbles on it, her smile faded. “You know, once Charlie has what he wants, Anabelle will become a liability.”

“He wouldn’t kill his own sister.” My gaze bounced from her hand on the table back to her face.

“Killing isn’t the only way to get rid of someone. He has the means to leave her where you’ll never find her.”

I blinked fast, taking a deep breath. “Teak, we leave now.”

“I’ll get some provisions ready for you. If you get stopped, you’ll have something to trade.” She went out the back door with her phone pressed to her ear.

“This plan is insane.” Teak paced the room, his gaze not really focused on anything.

“This entire trip was insane. I can drive.”

“No, I got it. I know that part of the jungle, and I also know a few guys on the other side of the border. We’ll be targets out there.”

“We’re targets here. Let’s just try to get home.” I rose to my feet. This trip would be hell for Mack. But Luisa’s doctor friend had given him enough painkillers to put him out for days. That would have to do. “I’ll get Mack. Maybe we can set up some kind of bed for him in the back.

“Hey, at least he’s not walking around with a bullet in his ass.” He shook his head. “Sorry.”

The minute Luisa nodded to her guys to shut the gate to her home, my pulse quickened. I drove shotgun for six hours through the jungle with my heart up in my throat. Luisa hadn’t lied about arranging passage for us. We were followed the whole way but were never harassed in any way.

As soon as we crossed the Colombian border, Teak puffed out air. My chest hurt so bad I felt as if I’d been holding my breath this entire time. At the airport, he shook hands with a few people before he escorted us to a small jet with barely enough room for four.

“Wesley, this is Aaron. He’s flying us today.”

I shook Aaron’s hands. “Thanks, man. We’re ready when you are.”

“Got it.” He sat in the captain’s chair and fired up the engine.

I plopped myself on the first-row seat and peeked out the window. What were the odds of surviving this twice? If I were being honest, I didn’t think I’d make it this far. After Anabelle fired Teak, I went back to get him back on board, not for me, but for her.

“Thanks for saving my life.” I turned to Teak while he strapped Mack in the seat in front of us. Good thing he was out because I didn’t think that donut cushion was helping much.

“Just doing my job.” He sat next to me, stretching his shoulders to make himself comfortable.

We’d been sitting for hours, and now we had a few more to go.

“When we get to Atlanta, you’re free to go.”

“Thanks. I’m gonna need a long vacation after this. I’ll take Mack home too. He mentioned before he has a sister outside of Atlanta.”

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