Page 27 of Her Faithful Protector

“I’ve got to. It’s the only way to help you. I’ve seen a lot of injuries on the football team. Your shoulder isn’t broken, it’s dislocated, trust me.”

This was the last kid in the world she would trust. He placed one hand firmly on her sternum; she figured it was to keep her in place, but it fucking hurt. “Please lift your hand. I’ll stay still,” Camilla begged.

Travis looked down at her chest and he must have seen some of the bruising above her tank top because he yanked his hand away.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you more than I have to.”

For the first time, he didn’t seem arrogant; he seemed like an anxious kid who was trying to do something right. Camilla hoped he’d pull it together and be able to help her.

“Relax your arm as much as you can. Take some deep breaths. I know it’s tough, but you’re tough, you can do it.”

Camilla snorted and snot came out her nose. Really? He was doing guided meditation? She thought she heard an engine getting close, but she ignored it and tried to relax.

Travis gently moved her arm so that it was parallel to her body, then he bent it at the elbow and twisted her forearm so that her palm was facing up.

Camilla was sure that her breathing technique was the same as a woman would use if she were in labor.

“Get up!” a man yelled.

Travis gripped her elbow and forearm. His hands were surprisingly gentle and he guided them over her head. Camilla shut her eyes and saw red behind her lids.

“Ahhhhhhhh.”

Her world went black.

She felt something prodding her ribs.

“Get up! You need to start walking!”

“She needs a doctor,” Travis cried out.

“All of you Americans are soft.”

It was a boot. The man was kicking her ribs with the toe of her boot, but the pain was nothing compared with the pain in her shoulder and her breasts.

“He’s right.” El Jefe bellowed in Spanish. The kicking stopped. “Some of the women are slowing us down too much.”

Camilla opened her eyes. Now El Jefe and the kicker were standing over her, with Travis between them.

“You,” El Jefe said in English as he motioned to Travis, “pick her up and put her in the Jeep.”

“She needs medical attention,” Travis pleaded.

“If you care so much, take care of her. Take care of all the whiny women. We have a schedule to meet,” El Jefe waved his hand at Travis, dismissing him.

Camilla groaned as Travis picked her up. Being moved was agony, but at least now she and the other injured were going to get some relief. The girls needed to be able to stop walking, otherwise, they’d drop in their tracks.

“What are you doing?” Camilla heard Maria ask in Spanish. “You’re babying her,” she complained.

Camilla turned her head to watch the byplay between the two of them as Travis walked slowly toward a Jeep.

“Maria, you know we need to meet the trucks and get to the village.”

“Leon, you’re always a soft touch. These women need to toughen up. They’re going to be with us for a while. This is nothing compared to what’s coming next.” Maria shook her head in disgust.

“I know mi corazón, but we need internet access to get to the bank accounts.”

“But—”