Libby looked up, and hoped like hell she was doing the right thing. She spoke softly, and kept her promise to Skye. “She saved Logan, but your father…” Her voice trailed off, and Declan swore as her meaning became clear.
“Did you, is he…” Libby was afraid to ask, and as Declan’s dark gaze swept over her, she knew the answer before he spoke.
“Kill him? That slippery son of a bitch?” Declan took a few steps back, shaking his head as his rage began to boil. “No. But he’s given me a reason to look forward to our next meeting.” He clenched his hands and muttered under his breath, “Because only one of us will leave it alive.”
His ominous announcement was tempered as a rakish smile cut across his handsome face. “And I aim for that to be me, since I plan on living a long and decadent existence, surrounded by beautiful women, good wine, and my favorite Metallica CDs.”
“All clear.” Cracker’s rough voice slid between them, and Libby glanced at the grizzled soldier as Julian joined them as well. “I couldn’t find a trace of him, or anyone else for that matter.” The wrinkles around Cracker’s eyes became more pronounced as he saw Logan for the first time and a wide smile lit up his craggy features. “That is one hell of a handsome kid.”
She felt Jaxon’s arms slide around her shoulders as he kissed the top of her head. “That he is,” he murmured.
Libby inhaled a ragged breath, suddenly desperate to leave. “So what now?” She couldn’t keep the tremble from her words as she continued. “Can we just go home?”
She watched as Declan looked hard at Jaxon, afraid of their answer. But it was Julian who spoke up.
“Jaxon will take you home, where you’ll be safe with your child.”
She felt a rumble from deep within Jaxon’s chest and knew he was torn. Things were very much unfinished. Cormac was still on the loose, the DaCostas were still a part of this whole mess, and Jagger was nowhere to be found. The animal that was his very nature wanted to hunt and destroy.
“Julian, I can’t leave this place with that monster on the loose.” Jaxon’s posture tensed even as his hands remained gentle on her shoulders.
“Jaxon, you have a child to think about. Don’t worry about Cormac. That bastard will get his.” Declan’s voice trembled with suppressed anger.
Cracker spat to the side before chiming in. “We’ll find Jagger and bring him back. You look after your woman and little one.”
Jaxon hesitated, but when he spoke, there was no doubt as to his intent. “I’ll expect to hear daily reports.” He hugged Libby again and turned toward the passage that would lead them out of the Mayan ruin. He looked back at Declan, a devilish grin gracing his features. “You know that Ana is going to be pissed you’re not returning. She’ll kick your ass royally when she finally gets hold of you again.”
Declan laughed loudly. “Tell her I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Then Jaxon bent toward Libby’s cheek and whispered, “Let’s go home.”
They were heading toward the exit when Jaxon realized it was just himself and Libby. He stopped abruptly and whipped around, searching for his brother. “Julian.” His voice echoed along the stone walls. “You coming?”
Julian shook his head. “No. Not this time. I need to be here.” He flashed white teeth as he smiled. “I need to see this thing through.”
The two brothers stared at each other for several long moments, a current of understanding running between them, then Jaxon nodded, before disappearing down the passageway with Libby and his son.
Along the edge of the Mayan ruins, deep within the heart of the Chiquibul forest, a large black jaguar paced back and forth, its long tail twitching, clearly agitated. The beast was confused. But then, it had been confused for a few days now, its thoughts muddled its instincts askew.
It had followed the trio down from the mountain the previous day, and the two women only hours earlier. Something about them had called to his soul. A part of him had wanted to charge into the large structure when they’d all disappeared within its depths.
But he had held back, without knowing why. Back and forth he continued to pace, full of nervous energy. Overhead, a golden eagle soared on the wind, its cry drawing the attention of the great cat.
The jaguar moved toward the edge of the clearing, and watched as the eagle crested against a gust of wind and then slowly circled the large structure before heading south, higher into the mountains. Its curiosity piqued, the animal hesitated and then took off in the same direction, its vibrant green eyes trained on the eagle that was so far out of its reach.
Every step took him farther away from the humans, and eventually the big cat forgot about them entirely. His entire focus had shifted, and the cat picked up speed as it disappeared into the heavily forested stand of pine trees, and in the blink of an eye was gone.