Exodus Read online

  She lay there for a few moments, willing air into her lungs before pushing herself to stand. Jac rubbed her bruised rear, her gaze automatically following the trunk of the tree up to the lower branches, scanning each one, until it locked onto a set of jade green eyes.

  The phantom.

  Jac forgot how to breathe. Heavily muscled, huge, and perched like a predator, her dark fantasy stood amongst the leaves. Silent. Waiting. Watching.

  Except he was no dream.

  Jac didn’t wait for him to come down. She spun on her heels and bolted into the forest. She didn’t stop to think. Ever fiber told her to get as far away from the man as possible. Jac sprinted across the ground, leaping over fallen branches, ducking under limbs, and around giant ferns. Twigs snapped and branches creaked as the warrior pursued her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she pushed herself to run faster.

  Jac heard a rush of wind and turned in time to see the dark hunter swinging from a vine, coming straight toward her. She dipped and rolled, evading his grasp. Jac heard what sounded like laughter tickle over her spine, but she didn’t stop. She whipped around trees, lashed out against the lush plants, rushing as if the devil himself loomed behind.

  Because for all she knew…he was.

  * * * * *

  Jac arrived at the river after a few hours, grateful for her years of conditioning. She was about to run up shore when the black haired man stepped from the jungle, blocking her path, a wicked grin slashed across his fiercely handsome face.

  “Shit!” Jac screamed as she spun and dove into the water. She swam, her muscles straining against the current. She heard a splash and knew without looking he was behind her.

  Chasing, shadowing, hunting.

  Jac stroked harder, using every bit of experience at her disposal. The man pursuing her was strong and would easily overtake her in the water if she didn’t use her intelligence. She let herself be carried with the current, diving under the water every chance she got. Jac took a second to glance back. The man was still behind her, but further away. Her plan was working.

  Jac clamored to solid ground, clawing her way onto the shore through the mud. The afternoon sun faded fast. She didn’t stop to empty her shoes or wring out her clothes, instead she sprinted. The vegetation thickened to the point where Jac was pretty sure she could find a good hiding place. She pushed on until she caught sight of a tiny break in the leaves and then dove for it, pulling her trembling legs beneath her.

  The ground poked hard against her soaked body. Jac took a deep breath and held it. Damp and musky, the air pressed in, swamping her senses. The jungle was silent, as if it waited, listening. Jac let her breath out slowly, silently, and took another. Her ears strained to hear even the slightest noise, anything out of place.

  She had started to relax, when she heard the sound of air swooshing above her.

  The dark hunter was here.

  Jac bit her lip to keep from panicking. She could just make out his muscled form through the thick leaves. Jac watched his arms flex and his thick legs strain as he climbed the vine to rest on a limb above her hideout. It took everything she had to keep from groaning, as she licked her suddenly dry lips.

  He wore a tanned hide loincloth and nothing across his wide bare chest. He hovered above her hiding place for what felt like an eternity, sunlight dappling his features. His blue-black hair hung straight to his trim waist in a blanket of ebony. Eyes the color of rare jade scoured the area meticulously. His expression was fierce, possessive—hungry.

  Something inside of Jac sprang to life. Her nipples beaded painfully against the thin material of her t-shirt. She squeezed her legs together to stop the sudden ache.

  She may not know him, but her body certainly did. Jac fought the urge to spring from the bushes and throw herself, legs spread, onto the ground. This man was dangerous, anyone looking at him could see that. Hell, for all she knew he was one of Rumsinger’s lackeys. She had enough problems dealing with the Professor. Jac certainly didn’t need Tarzan thrown into the mix, no matter how intriguing she found him to be.

  But no matter how much she tried to deny it, there was something about the man that thrilled Jac. She’d never been chased before—she’d always been the pursuer. The thought of this powerful man hunting her…actually turned her on.

  I must be losing my mind.

  Jac knew she wasn’t, but it made her feel better to think it for a moment. She stayed hidden until the man moved on. Jac wasn’t sure how long she’d be able to avoid him, but for Rachel’s sake she’d have to try.

  Ares sensed the woman was still in the area. Her presence coated the branches, scented the plants, but he failed to detect her exact location. He’d kept her safe from predators while she traversed the waters and this was how she chose to repay him. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Never in all his years as a hunter had anyone been able to avoid capture while he pursued. Adrenaline rushed through his veins and his cock bucked beneath his loincloth as he scoured the ground. A smile played at the corners of his mouth. His prey had found a very good hiding place.

  He continued forward, until he was sure that all trace of her had ended. Today she’d gotten away, but tomorrow… Ares started back toward the river, his movements unhindered by the growing darkness. The sun would be setting soon. His muscles grew tired, weary from the chase.

  Ares picked some fruit from the trees, then found a wide branch to spend the night upon. He’d resume his search in the morning. He sent out another burst of energy, to ensure his mate’s safety against the night predators. It would be daylight soon enough.

  * * * * *

  Jac found a hollowed out tree as the last rays of sunlight sunk below the horizon. Luckily mangoes and bananas were plentiful in the rainforest and she wouldn’t have to worry about starving. She settled in and ate her meal. She’d spend the night here and start out before dawn, hopefully avoiding the sexy beast following her.

  Exhausted, Jac fell asleep. The dream kept repeating itself, over and over—she fell from the branch, except this time twigs poked her shoulder and Tarzan didn’t catch her before she hit the ground.

  The sensation continued, until the pain in her body was undeniable. Jac groped blindly at her arm and came into direct contact with a stick. She opened one eye. Donald Rumsinger, along with several armed guides, stood in front of her with twig in hand. The professor poked her again and Jac came fully awake. Her hand immediately went to her pistol. A flashlight followed her movements.

  “Tsk…tsk.” The smile he bestowed upon her was sickening. His thick lips split revealing yellow teeth. His ruddy complexion seemed flushed, almost anxious. But what disturbed Jac the most was the stare coming from his buggy brown eyes. There was no warmth, only hatred, and lust. Jac’s stomach rolled. She rose, stretching to her full height. The professor had to tilt his head up to look her in the face.

  “Ms. Ward, it’s nice to see you again.” His eyes wandered to her nipples, visible through her sweat soaked, blood-stained t-shirt.

  Jac glared at him and he took a step back. “Spare me the pleasantries, Rumsinger. Where’s Rachel?”

  The professor paled, but didn’t answer. Jac’s eyes narrowed, as she fought rising anger. He was hiding something and she intended to find out what.

  “I don’t think you’re in the position to ask a lot of questions.” He pointed to the guns aimed at her.

  Jac’s voice lowered to deadly. “I’m going to ask you again, where is Rachel?”

  “As you’ve seen today, the jungle is a very dangerous place, Ms. Ward. Anything can happen.” His eyes wandered up her legs, pausing at her crotch.

  Jac laughed, bringing his attention back to her face. “I didn’t think I was your type, professor.” She tried to calm her stampeding heart. If Rumsinger touched her…Jac’s skin crawled and she shuddered. She refused to think about the professor’s meaty hands upon her body.

  “When one gets desperate enough, slumming it doesn’t seem like such a bad thing.” He shr
ugged his shoulders and licked his lips.

  Jac blanked her face, as her mind immediately went to thoughts of the Tarzan-like male who had been chasing her earlier. Too bad he hadn’t caught her. Not one to linger upon regrets, Jac shot a sideways glance at the armed men. There were too many to fight at one time. She could probably take a few out, but by then one of them would be able to squeeze off a shot.

  She planted her hands on her hips. “So what happens now, Rumsinger?”

  “For now, you’ll come with us. The men have been yearning for a little female entertainment, although I’m sure you’re not what they had in mind.” He paused. “You’ll have to do.”

  Jac looked from the professor to the men. Desire filled their eyes as they took in her long legs and small breasts. One guide stepped forward and ran the barrel of his rifle over her nipples. They marbled, growing erect. Jac cursed her responsiveness under her breath. Several of the men started talking excitedly and pointing at her breasts. A younger man caught her eye and rubbed his hand over his crotch.

  Jac crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them all. The guide snatched her pistols from the holsters, before unsheathing her knife. He held the silver blade up, admiring the weapon for a few moments before slipping it into his pants. She hoped it sliced his dick off.

  It would be a cold day in hell before she’d allow a bunch of yokels to fuck her. Even if Jac had to kill every last one of them with her bare hands, so be it. Her daddy hadn’t been a SEAL for nothing…and he’d taught her well.

  * * * * *

  They marched through the jungle for the next hour or so. Jac’s muscles screamed at her to stop. In the past two days she’d covered enough ground to qualify for two marathons. When Jac thought she couldn’t go another step, they entered a small clearing, where tents had been set up.

  Thank goodness.

  “Take her over there and tie her up.” The professor pointed to a tree at the far end of the encampment away from the tents. “We’ll decide what to do with her tomorrow.”

  A guide placed the barrel of his rifle between her shoulder blades and shoved. Jac stumbled, kicking up dirt beneath her boots, but she didn’t fall. The man started to do it again and Jac spun around catching the rifle with her hands. His eyes grew wide with surprise.

  “If you do that again,” she grit out. “You will regret it…I promise.”

  The guide pulled the gun from her hands and grinned, but he didn’t touch her again. They reached the tree the professor had indicated. The man pushed her to the ground and proceeded to tie her with a nylon rope against the trunk. By the time he finished, Jac could barely feel her hands, as numbness set in.

  Feeling brave now that Jac was defenseless, the man leaned forward and cupped her breasts, playing with her nipples through her shirt with his rough thumb. Jac’s areolas hardened as he rolled them between his fingers, pinching and pulling them at the same time. The guide’s eyes glazed and he licked his full lips. His dark brown hair was worn in a short crop above his ears. Jac glanced at the front of his trousers. His cock began to stir behind his zipper. Her eyes darted to the rest of the men scattered around the camp. No one seemed to notice them.

  Jac swallowed hard, shoving her fear to the back of her mind.

  She had to put an end to this before things got really ugly. It didn’t help that her body, so attuned to sexual advances, refused to cooperate. Jac felt herself getting wet, despite her revulsion. Damn. She wasn’t even attracted to this guy. The guide rubbed his hand down the front of his pants as he continued to caress her, his breathing growing ragged. His movements increased, he released the clasp on his clothes and his small cock sprung free. He immediately began jacking off in earnest, all the while playing with her aching nipples.

  Jac squirmed, trying to get away from the guide’s rebarbative touch. He didn’t attempt to shove his cock in her mouth, thank goodness. Perhaps he was perceptive enough to realize she’d bite it off and spit it at his feet if he tried.

  The muscles in the man’s face tensed and she watched in fascinated horror as he prepared to come. A groan ripped from the man’s throat and thick semen shot out of his prick. Jac moved her head at the last second, avoiding his spray. His putrid come dripped down the bark beside her. Jac curled her lip in disgust. The guide smiled again, giving her nipples one last pinch, then shoved his cock back into his pants and walked away.

  She watched the man’s retreat until he disappeared into one of the tents, then scanned the compound to ensure no one watched before testing her bonds. The rope bit into her wrists, shooting pain up her arms. She winced, but didn’t cry out.

  She studied the layout of the camp. The tents were arranged in a half circle, opening into a center fire, like at her base camp. Acrid smoke billowed in the air, as the men piled logs on the greedy flames. It looked as if the group had been camping here for a few days. The area was well worn and had enough wood stacked up to last for weeks if need be. For some reason the Professor had established a new base, instead of moving deeper into the jungle. Despite Rumsinger’s earlier warning, it looked as if she’d be here for a while.

  Jac blew out an unsteady breath. Blood pounded in her ears. She wasn’t crazy about what had occurred, but as long as the men didn’t touch her anymore than that, she’d be fine. Jac jerked against the ropes, knowing it was only a matter of time before they got their nerve up to do more. She had to figure out a way to escape and quick. Once she did, every last one of these bastards would pay.

  Chapter Four

  Jac awoke a few hours before dawn. Her back ached from leaning against the rough bark of the tree and her butt was numb from sitting all night on the hard ground. She’d give anything to be able to stand up and stretch her legs.

  Anything? The question entered her mind on a whisper.

  Jac’s head whipped from side to side, looking as far behind her as possible, but no one was there. Her brows furrowed. Was she hearing things that weren’t there? She searched the quiet campsite. A posted guard stood at the far end of the compound, but other than that, nothing stirred. Jac shook her head and closed her eyes. I’m losing it.

  What would you give me, in return for your freedom? The voice spoke again, except this time there was no mistaking the deep rumblings for her imagination.

  Jac’s eyes flew open. She scanned the tents again. The guard faced the opposite direction, so he hadn’t been the one talking. In fact, he didn’t seem to be paying any attention to her at all. And there didn’t seem to be anyone standing behind her.

  I’m losing it.

  The sky had gone from black to gray as the first signs of light appeared on the treetops. Jac looked around, searching for any sign of movement or subtle disturbance. Hell anything to prove she wasn’t going crazy.

  You’re getting warmer. The voice teased.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Why don’t you show yourself and stop playing this childish game of hide and seek?” she murmured.

  A laugh rumbled through her like the heavy bass of a stereo that had been turned up too loud.

  “I don’t like games,” she grit out. Jac felt warmth brush over her nipples, in a light pennaceous caress. She sucked in a breath to keep from moaning.

  I think that depends on who you are playing with. Masculine confidence rang out in his tone as her nipples puckered under the sensual assault.

  The phantom from base camp was here. Jac shivered as she recalled exactly what he’d been able to do from a distance.

  “What’s it going to take for you to get me out of here?” She hated asking, but right now the bodiless voice was her only hope.

  I’m afraid the price I ask is steep.

  Jac struggled against her ties. “Just tell me what it is before the camp starts to wake up.”

  Very well…I want your total surrender.

  Jac stilled, surely she hadn’t heard him correctly. “You’re kidding, right?” She pulled against the ropes again, twisting from side to side, rotating her arms, until her wrists bled
.

  Silence answered her.

  “I’ve never surrendered to a man in my life and I’m not about to start now.” Jac jerked against her confines, until her actions drew the attention of the guard.

  Cautiously he approached her, rifle in hand.

  Very well. I’ll leave you to your fate.

  The arrogance in his voice set her teeth on edge. How dare he leave her here? Who did he think he was?

  The guard drew closer, his eyes taking in her struggles. Sweat beaded on Jac’s skin causing her shirt to cling to her like a glove. It didn’t help that her nipples ached due to the phantom’s teasing. The guard glanced around as if to ensure their privacy and started to unfasten his clothes. Damn it, not again. Jac growled in frustration.

  “Okay you win. I’ll give you anything you want, just get me out of here.” Her gaze darted from side to side, searching for an escape.

  Confused, the guard hesitated, then continued forward, placing his gun against the side of the tree.

  “If you touch me, I’ll kill you,” she threatened, knowing there wasn’t a thing she could do in her present state.

  The man chuckled and then proceeded to unbuckle his pants. He pulled out his cock and inched forward. His eyes locked on her mouth. Jac was about to scream, when a blast of light temporarily blinded her. By the time she blinked away the spots, the guard lay dead at her feet, smoke rising from his body. Jac panicked, her lungs labored for breath, as she inhaled the sickening smell of burnt flesh.

  Once again she scanned the trees, a slight movement catching her attention. It crept like a shadow, silent, deadly, blending with the fading darkness. Not a leaf rustled as the silhouette made its way from tree trunk to tree trunk. And then she saw him, in all his dark glory…the hunter who had been chasing her.