Hard Core (Onyx Group) Read Free

doing?”
    She tucked her other hand into the pocket of her cargo
pants. “I’m fine. Tired, but fine.”
    Her father’s hand covered hers where it rested on his
shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Alana. You’ve done your mother and me proud.”
    Tears filled her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. If
he knew her secrets, he wouldn’t be proud. The burden weighed heavy on her
shoulders, as it had since the day they’d left Boston. She hated the lie, but
truth would only cause her father more grief. She wouldn’t do that to him.
    “You look tired. Go, get some rest.”
    “I’ll help you into bed first.” She moved to help him out of
his chair, but he waved her away.
    “I have some more writing to do. I won’t be long. You go. I
can manage.”
    Leaving her father his pride and his privacy, Alana leaned
over, kissed his cheek and left quietly. With a heavy heart she walked toward
her hut, set slightly apart from the rest. Reserved for the medico .
    Once inside, she stripped out of her clothes and by the
light of a lantern, gave herself a sponge bath using the bowl and pitcher of
water provided by the women of the tribe. They left it every night and she
never failed to use it. A small offering in exchange for the services she
provided them.
    Within minutes she changed into pajamas, a long sleeved
shirt and drawstring pants, let down the mosquito net and climbed into bed,
exhausted, but unable to sleep. Thoughts raced through her head, tormenting her
with things she couldn’t change and the cruel fate Gavin Ross had delivered
her. Another secret she would never reveal to her father. Seeing disappointment
in his eyes and knowing she’d put it there would level her. The best she could
do was make the most of their time together.
    And make it last a lifetime.
    Sleep evaded her, so she got out of bed, put on her boots,
grabbed a lantern and slipped into the night. Only one place would bring her
solace.
    Minutes later, Alana hung her clothes over a fallen tree,
stepped to the edge of the pond and stared into the sparkling pool lit by her
lantern. Natural rock surrounded crystal clear water and dense, green foliage
interspersed with brilliant tropical flowers. Her favorite place. A waterfall
poured softly over a rocky ledge high above, creating a place of beauty no man
could ever duplicate.
    Her refuge when she needed to clear her head. Most often at
night. The jungle was a dangerous place and the men of the tribe forbade her to
go out after dark, though it did no good. She didn’t abide by their rules,
although she participated in many of the rituals, but still went her own way.
The hand-carved knife she carried would protect her.
    She dove into the pool, the cool water driving away her
troubled thoughts. She didn’t surface until she neared the waterfall. Calmer
now, she dragged in deep breaths of air and pushed the hair out of her face.
Gradually, the stream soothed away her troubles.
    The jungle noises didn’t scare her. They had for the first
year, but now they comforted her.
    She rolled onto her back and floated across the pool, eyes
closed, drowning out the sounds. The jungle came alive at night. She’d been
intrigued, and fearful, the first time she heard the monkeys and macaws. Now,
she barely noticed.
    Her mind and body began to relax until soon she felt tired
enough to sleep. She swam languidly toward the shore and let the last of her
unease drift away.
    She stepped out of the water and reached for her clothes. An
unfamiliar noise stopped her. Cautiously, she looked around while reaching into
the pocket of her pants for her knife.
    The sound didn’t come again, but the hairs on the back of
her neck bristled. Jaguars were night hunters and she’d run across a couple in
her time here, but this was different.
    No one from the tribe swam at night. The men hunted
sometimes, but they didn’t come here, and none of them would invade her
privacy. They would consider it a disrespect to watch her swim in the