Page 10 of Depths of Destruction
After they had their fun, we climbed back down the ladder. She couldn't stop crying.
Malin finishes putting a bandage on Vanessa's ankle. He's already tended to her other ankle and both wrists. He scans the tent, walks over to Emilia, and cautiously sits down next to her. "Are you hungry?"
"A little." My sister is a shy person, but she doesn't seem to be afraid of Malin. Most men scare her, and after what Santiago's crew did to her, it floors me even more. I'm surprised by her ability to sit next to him.
He pulls something in a package out of his pocket. "This is better than anything in this camp."
A smile plays on her lips. He rips the package open, breaks off a piece, and hands it to her.
Since she seems to be okay with him, I step outside the tent.
"Ma'am. You should go back in. It could be dangerous out here."
"What's your name?"
He smiles. He has the clearest blue eyes I've ever seen and little wrinkles form in the corner of them when he smiles. Something in his expression reeks he's trustworthy and kind. "Ryker."
"Is Ryker your first or last name?"
"First."
"I haven't heard it before. But I like it. It's nice."
"Thank you, ma'am." He nods but his expression is serious.
I pace in front of the tent.
I need to figure out how to escape with Emilia if needed.
A line forms between his eyebrows. "Ma'am, you really shouldn't be out here."
"You've warned me. I'm at my own risk," I tease him, but his face hardens.
The sound of tires rolling on the dirt rings in the air, and Ryker yanks me behind him.
"Ow!"
"Sorry. Ma'am, please go inside," he sternly says.
"I need to speak with Andre."
"When he's back, I'll let you know."
"Wouldn't that be his vehicle?"
"We don't know for sure. Please go inside," Ryker repeats, pushing me farther back.
"Okay. Please let me know when Andre arrives."
"Yes, ma'am."
I go inside to pace the small tent. My sister is talking with Malin and looks content for the moment, so I don't interrupt.
Vanessa puts her hand on my arm and arches her eyebrows. "What's going on?"
I lead her over to the corner and keep my voice low. "Why would Interpol be involved in rescuing us? You've been missing for months and they never got involved."
"Maybe they didn't know where I was?"
