Page 30 of Depths of Destruction
Her eyelids open, revealing the worry in her glistening eyes.
"Go put on your brave face for your sister and tell her you'll see her soon."
She takes a deep breath, nods, and goes to Emilia.
I pack the other outfit the guys bought for Naomi, along with the bikini, and the few items I had taken out. I double-check my knife, silencer, first aid and survival kits are in it. Several packs of military rations are in the pockets. I look around to see if there is anything else I should take. My canteen is full of water, there isn't anything else we need, so I put my hand on Naomi's shoulder. "Time to go."
She takes Emilia to the corner of the tent and talks to her for several moments. They walk back, she hugs Emilia, then turns to Malin. "Please take care of her."
"I will," he adamantly states.
The sisters embrace again, both wiping their faces when they pull away.
I lead Naomi away from the camp, deeper into the jungle. We still have plenty of daylight, and we walk for several minutes in silence.
"You okay?" I ask.
"Yeah." She sniffles.
"Malin will take good care of Emilia." I try to reassure her and move a tree branch out of the way. "Careful." I let her go through first then duck below it as I cross.
"I'm just kicking myself I got her into this."
"It's not your fault they took her."
Her voice is full of doubt. "Isn't it? I'm the one who had to dig up all the dirt on the politicians. Emilia wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for me."
"You're the oldest, aren't you?"
Naomi smirks. "Is it obvious? Are my wrinkles starting to show?"
I stop, and she turns to me. I tuck her hair behind her ear and study her face. "Wrinkles? I don't see any."
She tilts her head. "Hmm."
I put my hand on her back and lead her forward. "I meant because you're protective of her."
"She's five years younger."
"How old is she?"
She raises her eyebrows. "Is this your way of figuring out how old I am?"
"I'm glad you assume I can do basic math." I wink.
A sexy blush fills her face. "Emilia is thirty-five."
"No way."
"She doesn't look it, does she?"
"No. I meant no way you're forty."
"Now you're sucking up," she scoffs
I shake my head. "Nope. You look at least ten years younger."
"I wish." She rolls her eyes.
