The Treasure (18 page)

“This is the spot.”

Amelia stared anxiously at Brody. They stood beneath a towering tree with dainty white flowers. Unlike anything in the jungle so far. After a couple mistrials, they had ended up here. Amelia’s instincts told her this was the spot on the map marked with a heart. A symbol so uncharacteristic of Aunt Pan. She never figured her aunt to be a romantic. Anticipation made her breath catch. This was her aunt’s legacy. And it was about to be hers.

“Should be,” Brody agreed softly, holding out the tiny shovel he brought along for this reason.

Her hand shook as she took the shovel from him. She had waited her entire life for this moment. What treasure did Aunt Pan leave for her? Her heart pounded in her chest so loud she was certain Brody could hear it.

“Go ahead,” Brody urged.

With a smile, Amelia grabbed it and dropped to her knees. Driving it into the hard ground, she started digging. This was it, the final lap in her adventure. Though things had gotten dicey at times, she didn’t regret one minute of it. And, she would do it again if given the opportunity. It truly had been fun. Inspiring. Empowering.

Excitement rolled down her back as she dug deeper into the dark, moist soil, tossing it with vigor over her shoulder. Her hands slid down the handle, slick with sweat.

Finally, her shovel tinged off something hard. She looked up at Brody, elation zinging down her spine. “We’re there.”

But Brody didn’t smile back. Instead he nodded and for a moment she wondered if he had regrets over sleeping with her. Well, she didn’t have any regrets, and he wasn’t ruining her pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. She’d waited her entire life for this.

Returning her attention to the ground, she tossed the shovel aside and reached inside the small hole she made. Carefully, she extracted what was inside. A gasp escaped her lips when she pulled out a small, bronzed treasure chest. The hinges were rusted and corroded. It wasn’t very big, only a foot long and equally as tall with intricate scrolls and design on it.

“It’s a pirate’s chest,” she breathed.

Unable to wait any longer, Amelia plopped it on the ground and looked excitedly at Brody. “The legend was true. There is a
Paraíso
and it does have a buried treasure. And Aunt Pan left it for me.”

“Open it.”

With shaking hands, she carefully lifted the lid. “Oh my God,” she whispered, sitting back on the ground. She looked up at Brody. “Are you seeing this?”

The look on Brody’s face was inscrutable as he stared at the sparkling gold and jewels in the chest. “There were rumors about pirates in the late 1800s who were shipwrecked on the coast and settled here, only to be forced out by natives. It was said they buried their treasure so the raiders didn’t steal it. They were only rumors. Until now.”

Amelia beamed and picked up a large ruby. It glistened in her hand. “I knew Aunt Pan wasn’t crazy. She wanted me to have this. She knew I would find it.”

Unable to contain her happiness, she threw herself at him, laughter bubbling up from her chest. They fell backwards on the ground and she pressed her lips to Brody’s for a brief kiss. “I did it.
We
did it. I can’t believe she left this for me.”

Brody tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Pan saw it, too.”

“Saw what?”

“The strength buried inside you. It just took the right situation to bring it out.” She looked down into his eyes, resting the ruby on his chest. The deep red sparkled against his dark T-shirt.

“You think I’m strong?”

“You saved my life. You escaped death more than once. You never quit. Not even when the chips were down, when most would have gone home. You braved it out. And that makes you the strongest woman I know.”

Tears filled her eyes. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“It’s all true.”

She pressed a kiss to his lips and laughed when he bit her lip. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Oh, I think you would have found a way.”

That made her smile. She found the treasure buried inside her. She found her courage. “I’m glad it was you who shared my adventure. I’ll never forget it.”

This time she really kissed him. Showing him how she felt about him, leaving nothing out. He kissed her back as if he was starving for her. Or like he was never going to kiss her again.

The thought skittered through her mind, and then quickly disappeared when he rolled her beneath him, all primal and animalistic. She loved it when he did that.

“Break it up, lovebirds. And, step away from the treasure.”

The familiar voice registered slowly for Amelia. But not Brody. He pulled away, shoved her behind him while she tried to shake the sexual haze from her brain.

“Newton,” she heard Brody say and that snapped her back to reality. Cold, hard reality.

“Getting a little action on the side, huh, Kern? Can’t say that I blame you. Redheads are always fun in bed.”

Amelia gasped in outrage. The man was despicable.

“Now, why don’t you be a good boy and toss me your guns.”

When Brody withdrew the gun from the small of his back and the one strapped to his ankle she didn’t even know was there, and tossed them to Mr. Newton, she started to panic. What was he doing? Leaving them unarmed didn’t seem a good idea.

“Now, move slowly away from the chest. No sudden movements, Kern, wouldn’t want to shoot your pretty lover.”

She grabbed Brody’s shirt and moved with him acting as a human shield. When they were standing next to the waterfall, she risked a peek around Brody’s arm. Mr. Newton with two other men holding deadly-looking guns in their direction. No wonder Brody had followed orders. Their guns were bigger than his.

“Took us a day to pick up your trail,” Newton said. “Found it was easier just to follow your trail than to try and steal the map. Looks like it worked out pretty well. You two did all the work and we are going to reap the benefits.” He stepped closer to the treasure chest and whistled. “Damn, the legends were true.”

“That’s mine,” she said, stepping around Brody who immediately pushed her back behind him. She poked her head around his arm. “You can’t have it.” Then she jumped back when Brody glared at her.

“Feisty one, isn’t she?” Newton laughed. “You’ll have your hands full with that one, Kern. Now, if you don’t mind, hands behind your backs.”

Before Amelia knew what was happening, she and Brody were face down on the ground, their hands tied with thick rope behind their backs, and their legs bound, too. Helpless, she watched Mr. Newton and his friends carry her treasure away. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them away to glare at Brody who struggled against his bonds.

“How did they find us?”

He scowled. “Doesn’t matter.”

“They took my treasure. Aunt Pan wanted it for me. And I know why.”

“Amelia … ” A warning.

She couldn’t heed. “No. She wanted me to have it so I could open a pastry shop. Venture out on my own. Take the plunge and do something I always dreamed of. Like I did with the map. Look where it got me.” She was yelling, but she didn’t care. Anger coursed through her. Anger at him. Anger at Mr. Newton for being a horrible man. Anger that she’d come this far and lost the gift her aunt gave her.

“Are you finished?”

She clamped her mouth shut and nodded, her gaze on the ground. Oh, she was done all right. Done with this stupid jungle and all its bad guys who wanted to steal what was hers.

“There’s a knife in my boot. See if you can get it out.”

“My hands and feet are tied too, Brody. How am I supposed to do that?”

“Amelia.”

She huffed out a breath. “I know, I know,” she grumbled. Her temper was getting the best of her. If they wanted to survive, she needed to let it go and think straight. Being angry at something she couldn’t change was a waste of energy. Taking a deep breath, she wiggled down, getting dirt all over the new blouse she bought for the trip.

Aligning herself on her side so that her hands were near Brody’s feet she said, “Okay. Where is it?”

“Left boot.”

Scooting down, she felt for his boot. Finding the laces, she inched her fingers upward until she touched his sock.

“Little lower,” Brody coached.

The ropes cut into her wrists as she felt around for the knife. In the humidity they rubbed against her skin, chafing. Her fingers touched something cold. “Found it.”

“Slide it upward. Carefully.” Caution colored his tone

“Okay.” Drawing in a deep breath, she used her fingertips to inch the knife upward. It slipped out of her sweaty hands and she paused, then started again.
Darn. So close.

“You know,” she said, biting her lip as she readjusted her position and got a better grip on the handle. “It just occurred to me that Mr. Newton left us here to die. Was it really necessary to tie us up?”

“It was necessary for me,” Brody growled.

“I’m going to turn him in to the authorities when we get back to the city,” she said, the hilt of the knife now securely in her fingers.

“Let me take care of Newton.”

“You can’t kill him.”

“I wasn’t going to kill him. Just maim him.”

“Oh. Okay. Wait … I got it!” She pulled the knife out, wincing when the ropes rubbed over raw skin.

“My hands first,” he instructed.

Getting a good grip, she held it as she scooted toward his hands. He rolled onto his side for better access.

“I can’t see what I’m doing,” she said. “I might cut you.”

“Put the knife in my hands. I’ll do it.”

“You can’t free yourself.”

“Yes, I can. Give me the knife.”

Though she didn’t understand, she put the knife in his hand, heard his indrawn breath when she nicked him with the blade.

“Sorry,” she muttered.

“Push it another inch higher. I don’t have it.”

She did, then rolled over when he took the knife from her to watch. With clumsy movements, he sawed at the rope until it finally fell onto the ground in a heap. Awed, she waited for him to cut his bindings before rolling over so he could cut hers. Within minutes, she was free.

“What now?” she asked, coming to her knees and rubbing her wrists.

“Now I go after Newton.”

She stared at him. “What? He’s got two armed men with him. You’ll never get out of there alive.”

His gaze pierced through her. “I’ve gotten out of worse.”

The thought of him flying dangerous missions made her heart ache and soar at the same time. He was a hero. A protector. A warrior. And she trusted him with her heart and soul. If he thought he could get her treasure back, then she believed him.

“Okay,” she said with a nod.

His brow quirked. “That’s it?”

“Yep.”

Expression wary, he rose to his feet and helped her up too. His thumb rubbed lightly over her red, raw wrists, his expression tight with anger before he abruptly pulled away. Withdrawing. From her? Or because he let it happen? Blaming himself again. She didn’t want it to be either, but the truth was there. He was putting distance between them.

Hurt stabbed through her. She thought there were no walls between them now. Not since they’d slept together. Bonded. She was no fool. He had felt it, too.

So why was he running?

“What do you want me to do?” she asked when he started grabbing things out of his pack.

“Stay here.” His expression was hard when he looked at her. “I mean it, Amelia. Stay put.”

Remembering what happened the last time she didn’t follow orders she nodded. “Promise.”

He searched her face for a moment before turning back to his task.

“I won’t move from this spot,” she promised.

“Good.”

His abrupt attitude had chafed at one time. Now it only made her feel protected. It was Brody’s way of keeping her safe. Which meant he cared about what happened to her.

It wasn’t until he turned to leave that she started to panic a little. She grabbed his arm to stop him. “Brody?”

He looked over his shoulder.

“You … you’ll come back, won’t you?” The thought of being stranded here terrified her. It took a map to find
Paraíso
. Getting home without one didn’t sound promising.

Brody dropped his pack, turned, and cupped her cheek with his hand. “Nothing could stop me,” he said quietly.

She smiled at his tender promise. The man never failed to surprise her.

“Good.” She repeated his earlier remark, and saw the corner of his mouth quirk. The deal had been made.

He crushed his mouth to hers, and then was gone. Melting into the jungle. Leaving her alone. Amelia touched her swollen lips, and looked around her. Suddenly
Paraíso
didn’t seem so enchanting. Not without Brody there. A bird screeched overhead. Maybe she would just wait it out in the tent.

Because Brody was coming back. He promised. And she would haunt him if he didn’t.

Zipping the tent behind her, she prayed she didn’t have to haunt the man.

• • •

“Okay, now I’m worried.” Amelia huddled in the sleeping bag and turned the lantern a little brighter. She didn’t want to run the battery down, but she didn’t want to turn it off either. Not in case Brody was out there trying to find his way back to her.

It had been hours since he left. Day turned into night and she fought her panic. He promised to return. Brody would never break a promise. She trusted him with her life.

But he was outnumbered three to one. Those weren’t good odds. Not even for a military man trained for this kind of situation. In the Air Force, he must have faced more dangerous targets than Mr. Newton.

Of course he had.

Something dropped on top of the tent and she screamed, clamping a hand over her mouth. Heart pounding, she lay perfectly still, listened, waited. Outside, the jungle was alive. Animals cried and shrieked in the night. She told herself it was like back home on the lake when the bullfrogs would chatter in the evening hours and loons would call to each other.

“Yeah, right,” she murmured, the sound of her own voice making her even more jumpy. This was definitely not like back home. Those weren’t bullfrogs. And it sure as heck wasn’t loons calling in the trees above her. Whatever birds were making those noises sounded big and scary.