Guilt fused with terror propelled Audrey’s feet back in the direction they’d been heading. She’d been sure Jameson would stay up all night watching her but to her surprise, he’d fallen asleep in relative short order.

Because he trusts you, she thought, the understanding only causing her to move faster. She was almost sick with the shame of leaving him there but in the end, she knew it was the safest thing for both of them.

Only if your theory is correct. If not, you just left him, exposed and alone in a cave.

It would be the first time in three days that one of them had not stayed up in watch for the other but that gave her a twisted comfort.

If Oculus isn’t on our trail by now, they probably aren’t going to be. We’re in more danger of being caught in the village than we are in the jungle. He’s safe. I know he is.

Her heart was racing so badly, she was sure it was going to leap clear out of her throat but she didn’t slow down. It was only a matter of time before Jameson woke and realized she’d left and when he did, there was not a doubt in her mind that he’d be coming after her.

A small, wistful part of her wished he would come sooner than later and she was ashamed of herself for the thought.

You’re not a damsel in distress, she told herself firmly. The reason you’re doing this is so that you’re putting distance between you and Jameson. In more ways than just logistics.

As hot as the sex was with him, as much as he delved into the deepest parts of her, physically and mentally, Audrey knew that there couldn’t be a future with him.

Even if we get out of this alive.

A smaller, more plaintive voice cried out to her as she switched the gallon bottle into her other arm, cringing at the weight of it.

Why can’t you be with him? He knows your secrets. And he’s got secrets too.

Audrey paused to catch her breath, suddenly feeling dizzy as the sun rose high over the trees. She was grateful for the shade but as the temperature soared, it didn’t feel like the leafy vegetation was doing anything to help her cause.

“How did he manage to carry three of these and all the supplies?” she grumbled to the buzzing insects around her head. She swatted on those landing on her and grimaced as she understood exactly how much abuse Jameson had taken in the past three days.

The man was a superhero with all his talents. How could anyone be so smart, down-to-earth and hot? It wasn’t natural.

Her breath caught as she pondered her own question.

What if he has abilities too? If Oculus is responsible for his blackouts, why did they take him?

She knew from working with the CIA, that Oculus had been testing on people for decades, trying to create the perfect killing machine. It wasn’t clear who funded their seemingly bottomless supply of income but their objective was always the same.

Why would they let him go? Did he somehow escape them? Is that why they are looking for him now?

She cursed the endless questions that always surrounded Oculus and anyone who was touched by them.

She laughed suddenly, realizing that maybe sitting in the compound for the rest of her life wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Again the thought intruded how it certainly wouldn’t be the worst thing if Jameson were there with her.

Dad was right. It’s much safer to be at home.

But Audrey didn’t believe that, not for a second. She hadn’t come this far to throw in the towel, especially not when she was personally invested in another one of Oculus’ victims.

I’m getting the hell out of Nicaragua and getting to the bottom of this.

But first, she’d have to get out of the jungle.

It was too hot to travel another step and Audrey reasoned she’d put enough space between her and Jameson for the time being. She needed to rest and regroup her thoughts before meeting the end of the jungle which she could already see was up ahead where the trees were thinning.

She’d taken a big risk moving around in the day. Even without military training, she’d known that.

There were no remote caverns in this part of the jungle. She’d need to find a somewhat secluded area to rest and hopefully find a papaya to eat. She hadn’t touched any of the food and only brought the one jug of water, knowing that Jameson was much bigger and needed more energy. She was cursing herself for not planning better.

He tried to warn you, she told herself angrily. You were too stubborn to listen.

It was far too late for regrets now. It wasn’t as if she could turn around and run back to him.

If he’s smart, he won’t come after me either. He’ll get to Las Puertas and find someone of his own to call and get him out.

She swallowed the sick feeling that was forming in her stomach.

Like who? A voice in her head mocked. Oculus knows who he is. They know who you are. They’ll be watching all his people, waiting for him to reach out. God, they don’t even have to chase us right now, do they? They’re just waiting for one of us to reach out to someone we know.

Logically, Audrey knew she was in no real danger of being found. Living life overtly incognito had taught her well, but Jameson…?

He had no idea what he might be in for – despite his training.

“God dammit!” she swore. “I can’t leave him alone.”

There was a rustle in the trees and her body tensed toward the sound.

Shit. I roused something out there.

No sooner had she thought it when a loud growl resonated through the forest and she spun around to look for whatever creature it was, lurking beyond her view.

“All right,” she muttered to herself. “It’s more afraid of you than you are of it.”

The growl grew louder and suddenly, Audrey was staring into a pair of pale, yellow eyes as a sleek, black beast emerged from the depth.

What the hell is that? A jaguar?

Her knowledge of Nicaraguan wildlife was limited and she wondered how it was possible that they hadn’t encountered a single dangerous beast when she had been with Jameson.

That’s because he knew how to stay off their scent. I’ve walked right into this.

She remembered how Jameson had encountered an ocelot.

Is this an ocelot?

She didn’t have time to wrack her mind for a mental image of what one looked like, not when the animal padded toward her with gleaming, terrifying teeth.

“It’s okay,” she breathed shakily, backing up as her mind raced.

Should I run or remain still? Panic threatened to swallow her whole.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” she whispered. “Please…”

The beast lunged at her then, and Audrey whirled to run but it was too late. She felt the claws of the animal dig into her flesh, a searing pain she’d never known. Shock gripped her body and the cat hissed, throwing its head back to gnash its teeth before lowering its maw to her throat.

The terror swamped through her making her vision tunnel, and time seemed to stand still. She could see the intent in the predator’s gleaming eyes, the certainty that he – or she – had just scored a wonderful meal.

The pinpoint of light began to dim as her mind decided to check out of this situation before the pain began.

Seriously?! How about we fight, instead of taking the coward’s way out, huh?

It was the last semblance of a thought that drifted through her mind.

And then the world went blessedly black.