Free The Unseen by Sabrina Devonshire Page B

well, you.”
    Kent turned his hands over and wiggled his fingers as if he was trying to convince himself he was flesh and blood. “That was weird. I didn’t even notice I disappeared at first. And then I looked down and saw only empty space. My skin felt really weird, like there were insects crawling on it or something. The sensation dissipated as soon as I poured the powder back. I never even considered anything this off-the-wall when I briefed the troops. If only I could warn Rich and the others. Let me try him again.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, dialed and waited. “Nothing.”
    “I’m sure Rich and his men will handle learning about the invisibility powder much better than I did. I’ve never been so terrified in my life.”
    Kent placed his hands on her shoulders and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe your story at first. But you have to know how strange it all sounded.” He tipped his head toward her, his blue eyes wide with remorse.
    “I know. I felt like I couldn’t trust my own eyes.”
    Kent kissed her on the cheek, massaging her back with his hands. “After that, I’ll never doubt you ever again. I’m really sorry.”
    She reached for his face, tracing one of his wet dimples with her fingertip. “Don’t be—I understand why it was difficult to believe.”
    Teaming up with the man she loved felt so right. They were much better together than alone. And she knew Kent would do everything in his power to protect her.
    Kent’s hands drifted down beneath her waistband and a roguish grin crossed his face. “Right now my instincts tell me we better get back on their trail before you distract me any more.”
     

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Amanda huddled close to Tom, using his proximity for comfort, as they were gun-butted through the woods. The towering canopy of jungle trees and the heavy gray storm clouds threw them into near-darkness. A monkey shrieked from high up in the trees and falling rain pelted her face. Tremors of terror rippled through Amanda’s body.
    The men had appeared like phantoms. She and Tom had been sitting at the table when the room door had squeaked open. She’d sensed an ominous presence just before rough hands clutched her waist and cold steel poked into her ribs.
    She still didn’t understand how the gemstone smugglers could vanish one minute and appear in full flesh the next. They’d mentioned a powder. But really—a powder that made people disappear? This has to be some kind of nightmare. This can’t be real.
    The elephant grass sliced through her pant legs, chafing and slicing her skin. As she drew in another lungful of heavy humid air, she somehow knew she wasn’t going to wake up .
    If everything had gone as originally planned, she’d be sound asleep in her Tucson apartment now instead of a prisoner in this godforsaken jungle. But still, if she’d left, where would Tom be now? He might have been kidnapped and killed without her even knowing, while she’d imagined him at his mother’s bedside. We’re going to think of a way out .
    Tom kept glancing her way, trying to reassure her. But he wasn’t as adept at appearing calm as he imagined—she knew him well enough to see fear in the depths of his blue eyes, the tight lines that tugged apart the corners of his lips.
    The kidnapping had happened so quickly and they hadn’t been left alone for a second. She wanted so badly to talk to Tom out of earshot of those men so they could plan something. If only I knew what they did to make themselves disappear. Rain pelted the leaves around them until the only sound she heard was falling water. Water soaked her hair, trickling down her face. Thirsty, she swallowed a mouthful before spitting the rest out.
    “It’s going to be okay.” Tom leaned in toward her ear. Water dripped from his mop of blond hair, wide jaw, even his eyelashes.
    Amanda hoped the men couldn’t hear them. “I’m okay.” She placed her hand on his shoulder.