I slowed to a halt. “What did you say?”

“I said, I’m coming with you.” When I turned around to face her, she had her hands on her hips and this fiery look in her eyes. I had seen that expression before. It would be a cold day in hell if I managed to change her mind.

I sighed. “And I guess there’s no way to convince you not to?”

“I think you already know the answer to that.”

“And you know that I can’t put you in danger like that. The jungle isn’t a place for you.”

“I can take care of myself. I’ve been living here longer than you have. I at least know how to speak the language.”

“Sidney…” I reached for her cheek, running my fingers along her soft skin. “You can’t possibly expect me to agree to this.”

“Look, I’ll make you a deal. You bring me along on your search and rescue, and I’ll let you talk to me about what happened ten years ago.”

“Why do you want to go so badly? You lost hope for Jason years ago.”

“You’re right about that.” She stepped forward, standing so close that I could feel the warmth radiating from her body. The animalistic part of me just wanted to scoop her up into my arms and take her right then and there, to make up for all the lost time, but somehow, I managed to keep my hormones in check. After all, even if I tried to make a move, I’d probably just be rewarded with a slap to the face.

“So, what do you want?”

“I need facts. I’ve been in this town for way too long, reporting about nothing but mundane, day-to-day activities. I need to put myself out there and figure out what’s really going on in this country.”

“So, you’re using me as a tool to do your job?”

“Yep.”

“Why not ask someone else?”

She parted her lips like she was going to say something before she pressed them together again.

“You didn’t feel safe going with anyone else, did you?”

“I didn’t say that.” She instantly crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. Bingo. So she still felt safe in my presence. I never would have guessed. “So, do we have a deal or not?”

“Fine. I’ll bring you along. But we have to leave early. That’s not a problem, is it?”

“If I remember correctly, I used to be the one dragging you out of bed in the morning.”

“Right. Right. I almost forgot you were an early bird. Well, 0600 tomorrow.”

“Aye, aye, captain.”

I shot her a dirty glare before she walked away. I couldn’t be sure, but I swear she was swinging her hips from side to side, almost as if she was teasing me with her body. I ground my teeth together, the blood rushing from my head down to my groin. Before I could get an embarrassing public erection, I marched back to the ship, knowing I’d have to secure some supplies for my mission.

* * *

“Where have you been?” Martin asked the second he saw me come aboard. “I’ve had to cover for you all day, and you know I hate doing that.”

I chuckled, patting him on the back. “I owe you one, buddy.” I guided him toward the prow, taking the stairs below deck.

“Where are we going?” he questioned.

“I need your help.”

“I don’t know if I like where you’re going with this.” Martin gave me a sideways glance. I could tell he was tense just being here. After all, we were supposed to be performing our daily chores, and instead, we were waltzing around the ship like we owned the place. If our commander found us, he would have our heads, or we’d at least be stuck on cleaning duty for a week.

“Kirk.” Martin planted his feet into the ground. “Why are we heading for the storeroom? I swear, if this is another one of your crazy schemes to rescue your brother, I’ll have no part in it.”

“It’s different this time. I have a serious lead on him.”

“That’s what you said last time. We both nearly got court-martialed because of your solo-stunt.”

“It wasn’t solo. You were with me.” I grinned, squeezing his shoulder. “Besides, it was pretty exciting, wasn’t it?”

Martin did not look amused. “Whatever you have planned, count me out.”

“I just need you to keep covering for me,” I said. “Come on. Someone claims to have seen a man that looked just like me with the Gorillas. I have to check it out. What if it is him?”

“And what if it’s not?”

“I rather take my chances that it is.” I pushed past him into the storeroom, grabbing a sidearm and some extra ammo, as well as the provisions I needed to survive in the jungle.

“Why do you need an extra gun? Let alone a tiny hand pistol?” Martin was hovering by the doorframe, looking like a disappointed father. “You aren’t going to take out the Gorillas with that thing. At least take an MP5 or something.”

“This is for Sidney.”

“Who?” He stared at me. “You aren’t seriously going to take some ditzy girl with you? Now I know you’ve completely lost your mind. What if something happens to her?”

I shot him a glare at his comment. “Nothing is going to happen to her. I would never allow that. Plus, she’ll be able to protect herself with the gun.”

“Does she even know how to use it?”

“I taught her how to shoot myself. Hell, I bet she’s even a better shot than you are.” I winked.

“Fat chance.”

I punched his arm playfully. “So, will you cover for me?”

“Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?”

“You probably will.” I shrugged. “But you love me, and you’ll do it anyway.”

He sighed. “I hope this girl is worth it. That she’s as amazing as you make her out to be when you’re asleep.”

I stopped and stared at Martin. “What?”

“Sidney.”

“Yeah…? What about her?”

“You dream about her.”

“I do?”

“All the time.” Martin grinned, something that was a rather rare sight on a soldier as serious as him. “Ooh, Sidney… I love you, Sidney…”

I hit him harder this time to get him to stop. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I needed something I could blackmail you with.”

“You are so dead if anyone hears about this – especially Sidney.”

“Whatever you say. Whatever you say.”

“I’m leaving at 0600. Make sure the captain doesn’t know I’m gone.”

Martin groaned. “If you cost me my pension, I’m going to kill you.”

“Don’t worry about it. Those Gorillas will most likely beat you to it.”