Page 18 of My Boyfriend Bites

When the tour ended—with her slightly disappointed since she couldn’t even touch the ruins, just stare longingly from afar—they piled onto the bus for a visit to the nearby cenote—which she decided to abstain from, as too many people splashed around for her comfort—then, after the swim finished, it was time for the ride back to port. The ship would be sailing just before dinner, but their bus would arrive at least an hour before that.

A tired Selene fell asleep on the trip, her head falling to rest on Renard’s shoulder. The jolt of the bus abruptly stopping woke her.

“Where are we?” she asked as a glance through the window showed them still surrounded by jungle.

“Still a half-hour out.” Renard stood, as did some other passengers. “Seems like there’s a tree lying across the road.”

“How odd. It wasn’t there on the trip in. I wondered what knocked it down.” The day had been clear and sunny without even a hint of a breeze.

The driver announced, “We seem to have run into an obstruction. Everyone remain in your seats. I’m going to call for help.”

“We don’t have time,” someone cried out. “The boat leaves in less than ninety minutes.”

A burly fellow stood. “Bah, won’t take but a minute to clear, just need a few strong backs. Any volunteers?”

“I’ll go give them a hand.” Renard, along with a few other passengers, exited the bus to handle the tree.

Selene yawned and stretched in her seat, only to freeze as she heard shouting. A glance out the side window showed men emerging from the jungle. Armed men.

The tree had been planted.

Murmurs of unease swept the bus as those aboard realized a robbery was about to happen. Two armed militants boarded the bus, their faces covered by neck gaiters, each holding a rifle.

“All stuff. Here. Now.” One of the men spoke in a heavy accent and pointed to the floor by his feet.

“I don’t think so. I know your country frowns on the robbing of tourists.” A corpulent fellow rose to argue.

The armed invader didn’t reply to the complaint but rather fired his gun into the roof of the bus. The loud boom had people scrambling to toss their belongings in his direction. Purses, phones, watches, earrings… The pile quickly turned into a mound, which the second guy stuffed into a sack.

Selene hated giving up her phone, but at least she’d only brought a bit of cash and not her actual wallet. She made her way to the front to drop her stuff, but before she could turn around to return to her seat, one of the thieves grabbed her arm.

“You. Stay.”

The command had her blinking in surprise. “I gave you everything I had. See.” She held open her bag to show only a bottle of water and packet of peanuts left inside, along with her dry bathing suit and towel.

The men conversed in Spanish, the rapid-fire banter incomprehensible to her. It ended up with the guy who held her arm saying, “Come.”

“I’d rather not leave the bus,” she stated, digging in her feet to counter his tugging.

He swore at her, or so she assumed since she didn’t understand the language, and gave her a hard yank. She stumbled into motion, trying to control her unease. It should be noted her trepidation had little to do with the threat and more with the fact she could feel the wolf stirring. It didn’t like being manhandled.

Stay calm. Stay cool. Everything will be fine.

A mantra repeated as she ended up outside. She saw Renard with his hands on his head, kneeling on the ground with the others who’d exited to move the tree. So much for Mexican gangs not targeting tourists. Of more concern, why had she been singled out? No other passenger had been removed from the bus, and it should be noted she wasn’t the only young female aboard.

Her head turned as she heard the hum of an engine approaching, which turned out to be a pair of all-terrain vehicles that included a UTV that resembled a golf cart. They came spitting out of the foliage, not to help, though. Those holding the guns loaded the sacks they’d filled, strapping them down.

The guy holding her by the arm pushed her in the direction of the UTV.

“I’m not getting in that,” she stated as she realized they expected her to leave with them.

“Go. Now.” The guy pointed with the barrel of his gun.

She pinched her lips. A basic safety rule she’d been taught? If being threatened with kidnapping, do everything you can to not get in the car. Or, in this case, utility vehicle.

However, if she tried to fight, the wolf would come, and everyone would see. Everyone would know her secret.

Ugh.

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