Laughing Eyes: Bittersweet Familia (3) (7 page)

Anna

Two days passed agonizingly slow. We were all on edge, still fearful that Danny and Aiden wouldn’t make a return. It had affected me more than I ever thought it would. In the short time we had spent together, I had never felt more of a woman. Danny was a gentleman through and through. I could see the intense level of affection in his gorgeous eyes. I could also see the desire he had to touch me. Sometimes he couldn’t help it. When the wind would blow strands of hair across my face, his fingers would brush them aside, the mere touch of his skin on mine inciting an undeniable current between us. I was greedy and wanted more. In any other time and place, there would be no stopping us. Reality was hard to stomach. My rules dictated that no relationships are to be formed in war-stricken environments and Danny knew better than to take his focus off his job. Emotions in a place like this only ended in disaster.

There weren’t many survivors at this particular site, but the ones who needed medical assistance had lined up waiting to be seen, seemingly not bothered by my distant head.

By early afternoon the quiet chatter amongst those at camp amped up. Behind me, as I was finishing wrapping a bandage around the head of a young boy, the excited banter got the better of me.

They were a sight to behold.

Both men were a force to be reckoned with. Strong broad shoulders, powerful physiques that could leave men feeling inadequate and women, wet between the legs. As good looking as Aiden was, my eyes were drawn to Danny. There was a charm about him, a disarming charisma I had noticed from the moment we met. He was a kind spirit with a warrior’s heart. A melting smile mixed with a passion for vengeance.

With a strange flutter of my heart, I knew he would be the one to save us all.

***

I was greeted by a megawatt smile and I’m sure mine was bigger in return. He headed straight for me and this time I simply didn’t care what the others thought. I stood, helping to close the space between us before wrapping my arms around his neck, holding him close. Danny didn’t hesitate, instead he pulled me in closer, his strong arms holding me tight against his body.

“I’m so happy you’re back!” I mouthed against his neck. He had been away for two days, yet he still smelled amazing.

“I might have to take off a lot more if this is my greeting.” I chuckled, loving how his humor made me feel.

Letting him go, a flush of embarrassment took hold knowing that people were watching our interaction with curiosity. Aiden had continued walking to drop their bags, but it was movement behind Danny that startled me.

There they were. Two faces we all dreaded never seeing again.

“You’re ok!” I said, my happiness for their safe return causing Eduardo and Samuel to smile.

“We are, thanks to these guys,” he nodded toward Aiden and Danny and I couldn’t help but feel an element of pride.

“What happened? Where did you go?”

For the next hour, all the aid workers plus our heroes sat in the communal area listening to the whole horrific story. While Eduardo seemed pleased to be back amongst us, Samuel appeared to be quite shaken by the whole event.

“I need to talk you,” Danny whispered in my ear, as individual conversations broke out around us.

I turned to meet his gaze and I immediately knew something was wrong. His hand fell to my lower back, as he guided me back over to the medical station out of ear shot from others.

“What is it?” I asked, feeling apprehensive of the answer.

“I told Eduardo to keep some things to himself.”

“Like what?”

“They were taken from site because they helped the survivors escape. El Leon’s men are still on the hunt revisiting old sites and getting those while they’re vulnerable.”

I didn’t know what to say. Falling into the chair behind me, I absorbed the information.

“Tomas! He escaped?” My gut was churning, the real threat of being sick making it worse.

“I believe they all did. But this alone poses another problem. We need to get out of here, Anna. Stuck in the middle of the jungle like this leaves
us
vulnerable on all sides. They are taking prisoners. Aid workers are no longer safe.”

I knew what he was saying had to be done, but that didn’t solve the biggest issue. “So we just leave these people? How do we stop them from being killed?”

“They need to find somewhere safe to go, abandon all sites that have already been targeted. They will be refugees. I know it’s not ideal, but they can’t wait here to be slaughtered all over again. Perhaps it will just be for a short time, until we find El Leon. For now, we need to not be sitting ducks.”

***

By five o’clock, the aid workers were packing up ready to head back to base. They didn’t need much convincing, the recent abduction already a motivator. As for the survivors, they too were more than happy to go into hiding for a short while having scheduled times to meet us over the next couple of weeks. For the few severe injuries, we left medical supplies and taught the more senior of the group how to disinfect, change bandages and even to stitch up open wounds.

It wasn’t until we were back at the camp that we took a moment to relax. The men packed the equipment away, knowing it would be a good few days before we were to meet the villagers on their first scheduled visit. My mind often wandered to Tomas, hoping and praying that he was ok.

Danny and I took our normal walk down the beach just as the sun was setting. The sky was striped with sultry oranges and pinks, a warm glow covering our surroundings. We moved in companionable silence until we reached the rocks and he held his hand out to mine. Guiding me down, my feet landed on the cool sand, our hands still together. I loved the rush I felt whenever he touched me and now, as he drew small circles over my thumb with his, I felt my heart simultaneously warming and fluttering. Without saying a word, he led me to flattest rock and sat down, guiding me between his legs. We both sat facing the ocean, mesmerised by the rolling waves, Danny’s heart rhythmically beating against my back.

“I missed you.” The words rolled off my tongue so naturally. I trusted him.

His lips pressed against the back of my head in a gentle kiss I wished was for my lips, his protective arms wrapping around my body.

“What are the odds?”

“Odds of what?”

“That is the heart of jungle warfare we found each other.”

***

The next three days passed without incident. Aiden and Danny spent quite some time studying their well-worn map and calculating coordinates. Nothing could deter them and for that we were all grateful.

Luiza started to perk up knowing that our month was closing in and soon we would be flying back home. Home to continue nursing as a career? I was still undecided on that topic, but Luiza was definitely keen for a new start. Her quota for horror stories well and truly overflowing.

The other aid workers took some well-needed relaxation, even sharing a few laughs like old friends. It had been so long that we had all felt any kind of normal. It was a moment so fleeting, teasing us with a taste of what we all craved. None of us could have guessed that the next trip out would only add fuel to the already blazing fire.

Danny

“So everyone is down with the rules? Do you want me to go over them again?” I looked around to ensure the entire group understood. We would be heading back out knowing we were all targets and working together was key to our survival.

Interpreting the blank faces as ‘good to go’ I pulled my pack on. “Alright, let’s go before our window of opportunity closes.”

There was a rustle of things and quiet murmuring as people gathered what they had and made their way to the vehicles.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to come?” Eduardo seemed like a genuine caring person and only just a little put out by my instruction to remain behind.

“They know who you are. There are still men alive who have seen both your faces. It would do us no good if we ran into trouble and they recognized you. We have the girls to protect also.”

He nodded his head while looking at the troupe. “Ok, well if you need anything let me know.”

“Will do.” I replied, heading off.

“And Danny?”

“Yeah?”

“Anna is a good girl, I think of her like a daughter. She has a big heart and really cares for these villagers. Sometimes she invests too much of her devotion in making sure they are ok. I’ve seen you two together and I’ve also seen how protective you are of her. Please make sure she is ok out there.”

There was such sincerity shining in his eyes that I knew he carried genuine concerns for Anna. It seemed like no matter who it was she came in contact with, everyone in some form or another, fell for her. And I could understand that completely. She consumed my every thought, had me seriously contemplating my future that just had to have her in it, and the overwhelming need to protect.

“Eduardo, I’d rather die myself than have anything happen to her.”

***

Aiden led the convoy as we navigated the roads through the thick jungle. Alec and half his team were in the middle while Anna stayed close next to me.

“So,” I began, my eyes flashing her an amused look. “Where to after this?”

“Hmm… good question!” She looked dreamy as she contemplated her endless possibilities. “I want a job that doesn’t involve blood and certainly no death. Without a doubt, I will live by the beach and be as far away from any kind of jungle.” She laughed lightly. It was beautiful. “And I want a dog. What about you?”

Anna looked to me, her green eyes joyous. “Well, wouldn’t you know it! You have just singlehandedly, without even battering those beautiful lashes of yours, stolen my future. Have you no shame?” Her infectious laughter caused me to smile. “I think I need to keep a closer eye on you!”

“I think I might like that punishment.”

I raised my eyebrows in mock admonishment. “And here I had you pegged as some sweet and innocent girl.” I winked as she blushed and giggled at my teasing. She simply was the most stunning women I had ever met!

Moments like this were hard to come by in a war zone, yet I could feel Anna longing for some normalcy. And then, like a flick of a switch, her smile faded, her face suddenly growing deathly serious. I followed her gaze to see the two trucks coming to a standstill. We were still quite a distance from our destination and having traveled this road many times, I knew we were in the thick of the jungle.

“What’s happening?” There was no mistaking the tremor in her voice.

“The rules were no stopping!”

And then I saw it.

Stretching up ahead to Aiden’s truck, two men dressed in black, the lower half of their faces covered in red bandanas, pointed their semi-autos at the cab.

“Oh god!” Anna choked. “Luiza is up there with Aiden!”

I didn’t have time to respond. The green jungle framing us turned a sinister black as a number of men with machine guns slowly emerged from the thick of it. They didn’t look like the amateurish men we had so far encountered and I had the feeling that this lot was part of the army sent through to destroy the villages. There were ten all up, five on each side. Angry shouting erupted as the exposed aid workers on the tray of the truck were ordered off and made to stand facing against the vehicle.

Both doors to our truck were yanked open, but as I reached for Anna she was already being dragged out, her squeals igniting a rage from deep inside. A gun muzzle pressed hard against my temple followed by a demand in Spanish. Stepping out, I was greeted by a man dressed the same as the others, his sinister eyes laughing as he spun me against the hood of the truck. Anna’s terrified face met mine as she mirrored my position on the other side.

“Who are you?” The man yelled, his gun pressing against the base of my head.

“We’re with the aid workers,” I replied, keeping my eyes locked to Anna’s.

“Stand up!” he ordered, gripped my shoulder until I was upright. He was the same height as me, his skin tone slightly darker, eyes as black as the night.

“All aid workers are to leave!”

“We’re just here to help.”

“You help, you die.” There was an unmistakable promise in his voice. To my side I could hear Anna talking to her own captive, their conversation becoming heated.

“We will leave now. No more helping.” I raised my hands feigning surrender.

“Too late! You oppose El Leon…” I didn’t give him the chance to finish the sentence. Simultaneously, I gripped the gun muzzle pulling him towards me as my bent elbow crashed into his jaw. He released his own hold as his head whipped to the side, his footing becoming unstable.

Anna lay flat against the hood, her hands protecting her face as I took aim at her captor. He was late to respond curtesy of her distraction, his chest now littered with bullets as he fell back into the thick of the trees.

Crouching down, I made my way around the back of the truck. “Anna?” I said quietly enough so only she could hear. She spied me with one terrified eye, her small body shaking. “Get under the truck.” She did so without a moment’s hesitation, disappearing from view. Ahead, the sound of more fire erupted, bodies wearing black suddenly falling to the ground. I spotted Aiden who had taken down the two at his end plus another two who had been harassing Alec and the team. They all now huddled together on the left hand side as Aiden was held in a standoff with the four remaining soldiers on the right. He was facing me, his face partially visible through the four bodies. His vengeful eyes caught mine, his fingers flexing on his trigger. Reaching into the truck, I tore open the sewn seam searching for just the right weapon. Sinking to the ground, I pulled the pin and tossed the grenade. It landed just shy of the soldier’s feet, any noise it made easily drowned out by their repetitive incoherent shouting. Raising my gun in the air, I fired two warning shots, our aggressors suddenly caught off guard as they searched desperately around them.

It was too late.

Aiden killed the lone soldier keeping watch before crossing the road, taking the aid workers with him into the jungle. I was half way to Anna when the explosion threw me the rest of the way. I rolled on impact coming to a stop next to the truck, her hand grabbing mine, her sweet eyes shiny with tears. A second explosion, louder than the first erupted as Aiden’s truck blew up in flames, a dark plume of smoke blocking the sun. As debris from the destroyed vehicle fell around us, I moved further under our own truck. Drawing Anna’s face closer to mine, her body trembled against our various points of contact. She looked to me and my heart contracted. Feelings I never expected were arising in a place I knew I had to fear.

But here we were.

Her thick lashes were stuck together with moisture from tears, her lips red from nervous biting. Cupping her cheek, I drew circles with my thumb against her skin. She closed her eyes and I kissed the lids, tasting the saltiness.

As my lips touched her face, she pressed against them.

In that moment I knew.

She was feeling every bit the same as me.