Page 30 of Provoking Bryan

As the man walked away, Bryan’s heart hammered in his chest. Something about the encounter felt wrong, and the unease settled deep in his gut.

He spotted Sara near the edge of the compound, her movements quick and precise as she tucked something into her pocket. Their eyes met briefly, and she gave him the smallest of nods.

It was time to leave.

Bryan packed his bag quickly, his hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He made sure the false bottom would be easy to remove if needed. He made his way toward Sara, careful to avoid drawing attention. She was already at the gate, speaking quietly with the guards.

Just as they stepped outside, the sharp crack of a gunshot shattered the night.

“Run!” Sara barked, grabbing Bryan’s arm, darting across the open area and pulling him into the dense jungle behind her.

They sprinted through the undergrowth, the sound of shouts and gunfire close behind. Bryan’s lungs burned, but he didn’t slow, his hand gripping Sara’s as they navigated the uneven terrain.

A burst of gunfire tore through the foliage, the bullets slicing dangerously close. Bryan yanked Sara to the ground, his body covering hers as they hit the dirt.

“Are you okay?” he panted, his voice low.

“Fine,” she hissed, her eyes scanning their surroundings. “Keep moving.”

They pushed forward, each step a calculated risk as the cartel’s men closed in. Bryan’s mind raced, his medical training useless in the face of their pursuers. But he trusted Sara. He had to.

Ahead, a steep ravine loomed, its jagged edges disappearing into darkness. Bryan hesitated, but Sara didn’t.

“This way,” she said, grabbing his hand, sitting down, pulling him down beside her as she scooted off the edge.

They slid down the ravine, dirt and rocks tumbling around them as they descended. At the bottom, they scrambled to their feet, their breath ragged.

The sounds of pursuit faded slightly, but Bryan knew it wouldn’t last.

“We need to keep moving,” Sara said, her voice tight.

Bryan nodded, his hand brushing hers briefly before they continued deeper into the jungle. The importance of what they’d done—and what was still to come—weighed heavily on his shoulders.

But as they disappeared into the darkness, one thought burned bright in Bryan’s mind: They were alive, and they weren’t going down without a fight.

9

BRYAN

Bryan’s boots slid on loose dirt as they tore through the jungle, the sound of shouts and gunfire echoing behind them. The humid air clung to his skin, his breath coming in sharp gasps. He glanced back, checking on Sara. Somehow, she was managing to keep up. Despite the strain on her body, she moved with fluid precision, the weight of her injuries seeming to evaporate under the adrenaline pumping through her veins.

“They’re gaining!” Sara hissed, ducking under a low-hanging branch.

Bryan tightened his grip on the strap of his medical bag, his jaw clenching. “We need to lose them.”

“We’re running out of jungle,” Sara replied, her tone grim.

Ahead, the dense foliage gave way to open air. Bryan’s stomach sank as they emerged onto a rocky outcrop. The jagged edge of a cliff dropped into a river far below, its waters gleaming faintly in the moonlight. The sound of rushing water filled the air, drowning out the distant shouts of their pursuers.

“No way down,” Bryan said, scanning the sheer cliff face.

“Not without a parachute,” Sara muttered, her eyes darting back toward the trees. The cartel men would burst through any second.

Bryan’s mind raced, calculating their options. “We need another plan.”

Sara exhaled sharply, her gaze locked on the dark compound below them. “The boats. Back at the docks.”

Bryan’s eyes narrowed. “Boats?”

---