Page 18 of His To Protect

Jack heard banging in the background.

“Get out of Colombia. There are some very powerful people after you now.”

Jack was ready to run, grabbing his and Alexis’s things with the phone still pressed to his ear, but he needed to know, he wanted to know, why they should trust her. “Why are you warning us?”

“I just wanted the next high—I gave her up because I wanted better for her. Yes, I wanted the money, but when I saw her yesterday, my sweet baby, all grown and beautiful, I realized I wanted more.”

“I doubt you’ll get more after this,” Jack said honestly, and was about to end the call when she spoke again.

“She deserves better than me. Please just tell her that her father never knew. Tell her Justin Litster never knew.”

The call ended with a yelp, shouting and then a scream. He couldn’t understand the language enough to decipher what was said, but the scream spoke volumes. Shoving the phone in his pocket, Jack jogged for the bedroom. He’d have to believe Alexis’s mother could take care of herself, because he only had one goal… keep Alexis safe.

“Lexi.” He shook her gently at first but harder when she didn’t instantly rouse. “No time to sleep in, baby. We gotta go.” He grabbed her purse and yanked her up.

“Daddy.”

His name came out like a whine and though he should scold her for it, he didn’t. He liked the little girl side of her, whining and all. “Little one, we’re in danger. No time to fight me.” That got her moving. Her eyes widened fearfully and she met his urgent pace, grabbing his arm in hers like he was a security blanket.

Jack didn’t check out, hoping if they were still registered it would waylay the brothers in discovering they’d left.

“Stroll out of here like we’re going on an outing,” he whispered to Alexis as they left the room.

Alexis did well even though he could feel her trembling against him. She even managed a smile for the receptionist when she wished them a good day. He was proud of her. She no longer seemed to be the flighty girl without a care he’d fought with yesterday. Maybe that had all been an act to hide the fact that things were more serious than she let on. Or maybe the spanking he gave her had knocked some sense into her. More than likely she’d gotten the scare of her life at that apartment though.

She still had a spanking coming for that stunt and it would be a darn good one, but first he had to get her to safety.

Outside of the hotel, Jack saw the same bellboy from the day before. Carlos, Jack recalled. This time the young man was about to start his shift. Carlos held up one hand and greeted them loudly while gathering his things with the other. Motorcycles seemed a common way to travel in the city, Jack noted.

“¡Buenos Dias, mi amigo!” Jack returned with a smile, despite the churning in his gut as an idea hit. The motorcycle tour his friend once went on. It was a thirteen-day tour that left Bogotá and ended in Popayan. He knew for sure it stopped in Cartagena though. They could book a flight from there. But they wouldn’t be on it. With the manpower these guys would have now, they’d likely check more than just the airport in Bogotá, and they’d definitely check all the taxi services and car rentals, but it was doubtful they’d consider a motorcycle tour, especially one that looped around and ended in a deeper part of Colombia. And they’d only use the tour to get out of Bogotá. They’d hole up in some small town or even the mountains and wait.

Jack looked at Alexis a moment, drinking her in. God dammit, how the hell had he fallen in love?

“Sweetheart, I’d do anything to keep you safe.” She looked at him strangely, his words seemly out of the blue.

They’d wait in the mountains, yes, and there Jack could cash in his chit with Ricci. No matter the cost, this might be the only way he could save Alexis.

As Jack pulled Alexis along the colourful streets, he tried to remember the name of the tour company his friend used. He couldn’t ask around. The brother’s would question people and they’d get information at any cost.

They turned up the road, towards a livelier part of the city. They could grab some motorcycle appropriate clothes for Alexis and some food at the outdoor market he’d seen on his walk the night before and perhaps find a spot with tourist pamphlets.

“Where are we going?” Alexis asked.

“We’re going to get you some food and clothes.” She wasn’t even wearing panties for goodness sake. He ignored the jump in his groin at the thought. “Keep your eyes peeled for any tourist information. I’m looking for a motorcycle tour specifically.”

Alexis stopped in her tracks and he turned back impatiently. “We don’t have time for you to drag your feet, little girl,” he growled wanting her to know the urgency of the situation without actually scaring her with the truth. She didn’t respond though. Instead, she dug through her purse and pulled out some pamphlets. He remembered she’d been fanning herself with them when they checked into their hotel. She’d been worried about the spanking he was going to give her. It felt like it was weeks ago.

Grabbing the papers, he pulled her into an alcove between two buildings.

“Are there any on motorcycle tours?” she asked as he flipped through the papers.

He held one up and beamed at her. “This is the one! GlobeWanderers!” He grabbed her hand and led them out of the alcove.

“I’ve never ridden a bike before, Jack,” she said jogging to catch up to his stride. “Not even a bicycle!”

He turned sideways to look at her. The strain in her voice tugged on the heart strings he never knew he had before her. “Trust me, little one, you just need to hold on and lean when I do. I’ll take care of you. And when this is all over, I’ll teach you.”

“To ride a motorcycle?”

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