Fated Lies (Lies 3)

“I can walk.”

“I know, but I’m tired of listening to your grumbling, and we’ll get out of here and to safety much faster if you get on my back.”

I jump on his back with a thud.

He grunts but doesn’t say anything else as he starts jogging with me on his back. I’m impressed he has the stamina after last night. I try to keep my thoughts on last night, but all I can think about going home means going to where his wife and kids live.

I’m a horrible, horrible person.

“We’re almost there.”

I hear the buzzing of the helicopter before we reach the clearing, and my heart flutters. I didn’t realize that I was anxious about getting out of here until now. I almost died. Only now am I safe.

Enzo’s helicopter comes into view, and Langston carries me on. We both settle into the back seat. Beckett sits up front next to Enzo.

“You two both okay? Any injuries we need to take care of right away?” Beckett shouts over the whirling blades.

“No, we’re good. Just get us home,” Langston answers.

We both grab a pair of headsets as the helicopter takes off.

“Press this button, and you will talk to me only.” Langston points to a red button on the headset. “Use this button to talk to everyone.” He points to a blue button.

I press the blue button. “Thank you both for saving us.”

“We were worried sick. I’m glad you called; we had no idea where you went,” Enzo says.

“A Mr. Rowan Wells had us. He was after the treasure,” Langston says.

“We have a team out ready to take them out. He won’t be a problem again,” Enzo says.

Langston looks at me and pushes the button that allows only the two of us to speak to each other. “You should sleep.” He holds out his arms, indicating that I can sleep on his lap if I want.

I yawn. I should sleep. But I want to get a few things straightened out first.

“What are we going to do when we get back?”

Langston fidgets with the cord connected to his headset. “I don’t know exactly. What I do know is we need to start working together as far as the treasure goes. We can decide who gets it or how to split it later, but if we are going to be attacked constantly, we are stronger together.”

I nod, agreeing. “So, where do we start?”

Langston stares at me a moment, considering his answer. “Peru.”

“Peru?”

“That’s all my side said. To start the search in Peru.”

“Where exactly in Peru? Peru doesn’t give us a whole lot to go off of.”

“The only other clue was cut off. The letters ‘tayt’ and then the rest was smudged. I assume we start in Machu Pichu and go from there. It’s the most famous place in all of Peru.”

“No, it’s Ollantaytambo. My half had the letters ‘Ollan.’ It’s an Inca town in the Sacred City.”

He nods excitedly. We just worked together to figure out where to start. We now have three of the clues from the paper. The city to start in. That others will be searching. And that to get the treasure, you must be married. Langston is. I’m not.

“I need to find someone to marry. That will double our odds of being able to get the treasure.”

Langston shakes his head viciously. “No, you aren’t getting married.”