Page 17 of Inexplicable

Jenna would also have an advisor to help guide her through the difficult days after her kidnapping.

“I have a million questions,” she said. “But I’m so grateful for the rescue that I’m not going to ask them right now because you’re hauling both of our weights. You’re expending enough energy. I don’t think you need to answer a million questions.”

I smiled, even though our situation sucked at the moment.

Very few people thought as rationally as she did in life-and-death situations.

“You’re a lightweight,” I grumbled.

“I’ve lost some weight,” she answered. “I’m usually kind of curvy.”

Hell, I knew that, too. I’d seen her pictures, and those curves looked good on her.

It bothered me that she’d dropped so much weight so quickly.

“They didn’t feed you?” I asked in an annoyed voice.

“Almost nothing,” she confirmed. “And I got just enough water to keep me coherent but weak.”

There was no self-pity in her tone.

She spoke like she was just stating the facts of her confinement.

“You should have told me that you were thirsty,” I rasped. “I would have given you some water before we left.”

“I’ll live,” she said jokingly. “We’re getting out of here. I’d think I’m more worried about getting away than my thirst right now.”

I was worried about both.

For some damn reason, I didn’t want this woman to suffer for a minute longer than necessary.

She’d been through a lot over the last ten days, yet there was nothing but gratitude from her that she was going to survive.

“It won’t be long before we get to the helicopter. I’ll get you some water as soon as we’re safely on board.”

I could hear the helicopter coming, and I knew it would be landing nearby.

“We’ll be landing in San Diego,” I told Jenna. “They’ll take care of all of your injuries and fix that head injury.” I hesitated, knowing I needed to ask the question, but dreading the answer. “Did they sexually assault you, Jenna?”

My body was tense as I waited for her to reply.

“No,” she said in a tremulous voice. “My captor didn’t want to spoil the goods. That’s why I tried to escape. I knew that was going to change as soon as I got to Ecuador. I preferred the risk of dying while I was trying to escape to getting raped and abused.”

Relief flooded through my body, but I hated the fact that she’d needed to make that choice.

“Somebody is up,” Gage said in an urgent tone. “The light just went on in the house.”

“Fuck!” I cursed out loud.

“What’s wrong?” Jenna asked in a concerned voice.

“Somebody is up at the house,” I said honestly. “They may be hearing the helicopter.”

“Move it,” Marshall ordered. “The copter is going to land in the clearing ahead of you.”

I started to run as the helicopter began its descent.

Angry voices started to shout behind us in Spanish, and I grimaced as the first gunshot rang out.