Convincing Derrick by Sara Blackard

Author:Sara Blackard [Blackard, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781954301207
Publisher: Sara Blackard

Fifteen

“We need to take stock of our situation.” Derrick’s throat scratched as he swallowed and squeezed Kiki closer.

Then let her go, numskull.

He couldn’t though. The need to hold her tight, to feel that she was okay, burned almost as hot as the need to figure out how to get out of the hell they were in. Holding her wouldn’t help them, so he kissed her temple and set Eva on the disgusting mattress, trying not to think about what might be crawling on it.

“Okay, Eva-mine, we need to search for a way out and gather our resources, like a good soldier does in every situation.” He silently thanked God for Eva’s adventurous spirit and her love of playing pretend. How many of their “secret missions” they’d had back at the ranch, spying or rescuing the fair maiden, had helped prepare her for this?

“Yes, sir.” Eva’s lips trembled, and her salute didn’t hold its usual fervor.

“Okay, search the room for anything we can use. I’ll check the window.”

Derrick stomped to the opening and tested the bars. Solid. No worries. Loose bars were a pipe dream, anyway.

He pulled himself up to scan what was outside. A wall lined one side of a dirt yard. Embedded in the wall were hooks and loops like where prisoners were tied. On the other side of the yard was a covered sitting area with cushioned chairs, tables, and a bar. An auction house?

He pushed the anger down, not wanting emotion to override what he needed to accomplish. Beyond the small yard, the jungle waited. No fencing that he could see separated them from escape, so when he could figure out how to get them out of this cell—he refused to think of it as anything but that—then they could flee through the rainforest. He could keep them alive for weeks in the lush trees until they made it to safety.

“What’s out there?” Kiki stepped up beside him and touched his arm.

“Not much.”

He put his feet back on the ground and brushed off his hands, afraid to look her in the eye. She’d see the lie. He didn’t want her knowing the depth of evil they’d found themselves in.

She poked her finger into his bicep. “Don’t coddle me. That won’t help.”

She pushed between him and the wall and, before he could react, pulled herself up to look through the window. Her arms shook, so he grabbed her waist to hold her up. She was so small, barely bigger than a child. Could he keep her safe? He took a deep breath and leaned his forehead on her back.

She sucked in and let go of the bars. He didn’t want to let her go, so when her feet touched the ground, he kept his hands on her waist. She turned in his hands and placed her palms on his chest.

“Is that—” Her voice caught, and he nodded.

“What is it? I want to see.” Eva stepped up, grabbing Derrick’s hand.

“The jungle, pumpkin. Here, let me show you.” Kiki slid out from Derrick’s grasp and lifted Eva up to the window.

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