The Serengeti stretched out like an endless sea of golden grass, with clusters of acacia trees dotting the horizon under a sky painted in shades of blue and gold. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, illuminating the vast plains where zebras and wildebeest roamed freely. Bunny had her head out of the open-air jeep, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the sight of elephants moving in a slow, majestic line across the savannah.
"This is unbelievable," she whispered, her voice filled with awe. "I've seen documentaries, but nothing could prepare me for… this."
Wolfe, seated beside her, wore a small smile as he watched her. "I thought you might enjoy it," he said, his voice calm, though Bunny caught a flicker of distraction in his eyes.
The safari guide, a quiet man with a keen eye named Kamau, steered the jeep carefully over the bumpy terrain, pointing out herds of gazelle and the occasional lion lounging under the shade of a tree. Bunny's excitement was infectious, but Wolfe's gaze remained sharp, scanning the distant hills with a focus that made her wonder what he was looking for.
As they approached a ridge overlooking a wide valley, Kamau stopped the jeep, allowing them to take in the view. Wolfe leaned toward her, his voice low. "I have a small… errand to take care of. It won't take long, but I'll need you to stay here with Kamau."
Bunny's brow furrowed, and she shot him a knowing look. "Another 'errand'? Wolfe, you promised no more secrets. Not after Cairo."
He held her gaze, a hint of reluctance in his expression. "It's safer if you stay here, Bunny. I'll be back before you know it."
She studied him, feeling the familiar frustration rise within her. But his tone was firm, and she knew that pressing him now wouldn't change anything. With a resigned sigh, she nodded, crossing her arms as she sat back in her seat. "Fine. But don't think I'm letting you off the hook."
He gave her a small nod, and after a brief word with Kamau, he climbed out of the jeep, moving quickly over the ridge and disappearing from view. Bunny watched him go, her suspicions swirling as she tried to piece together what he was doing out here in the middle of the Serengeti.
Kamau shifted in his seat, glancing over at her. "Your friend, he has an important matter to handle?"
"Something like that," Bunny replied, though she could tell Kamau was sizing up Wolfe's intentions just as she was.
The minutes ticked by, and Bunny's mind raced as she gazed out over the plains. She thought back to Cairo, to Wolfe's confession and the world of secrets he'd reluctantly revealed. She'd thought she could handle it, that she was prepared for whatever lay ahead. But now, sitting alone in the jeep while Wolfe vanished into the wilderness, she felt the weight of his hidden life in a way she hadn't before.
A distant rumble of thunder broke her thoughts, and Bunny glanced up at the sky. Dark clouds were gathering on the horizon, a storm moving in swiftly over the plains. Kamau shifted, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the clouds.
"We should be getting back soon," he said, his voice carrying a note of concern. "Storms here are not something to take lightly."
Bunny nodded, worry prickling at the edge of her mind. She glanced over her shoulder, hoping to see Wolfe returning, but the ridge remained empty. Her unease grew as the wind picked up, rustling the dry grass and carrying with it the faint scent of rain.
Just as she was about to ask Kamau to turn the jeep around, she saw a figure approaching over the ridge. Wolfe moved quickly, his expression tense, and as he drew closer, Bunny noticed he wasn't alone. Another man trailed behind him, his posture stiff and wary, his eyes darting around as though expecting trouble.
Wolfe climbed into the jeep, his face unreadable as he turned to Kamau. "Let's head back. Quickly."
Kamau didn't need further prompting; he started the engine, guiding the jeep back onto the main path as the storm continued to gather strength. Bunny felt Wolfe's hand settle on her arm, a reassuring gesture that did little to ease her racing thoughts.
"Who was that?" she asked, her voice low as she glanced at the man seated in the back, who was eyeing Wolfe with barely concealed suspicion.
Wolfe met her gaze, his expression calm but firm. "He's someone I needed to meet. Nothing you need to worry about."
Bunny let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm already worried, Wolfe. You keep saying I'm safe, but you're dragging me deeper into this world of yours, and I have no idea what's going on."
The thunder rumbled louder, and a flash of lightning lit up the darkening sky. Kamau urged the jeep forward, his hands steady on the wheel as the first drops of rain began to fall. Wolfe glanced out at the storm, his posture tense, but he turned back to Bunny, a flicker of something like regret in his eyes.
"I know you're frustrated," he murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "But this is a matter of trust. If you trust me, I need you to trust that I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe."
She held his gaze, her mind torn between the thrill of being part of his world and the growing fear that she was in over her head. The rain began to fall harder, the sound a steady drumming against the roof of the jeep as they raced across the savannah.
Just as they crested a small hill, a figure appeared in the middle of the road, blocking their path. Kamau cursed under his breath, slamming on the brakes as the jeep skidded to a halt. The man was tall, with a face half-hidden beneath the brim of his hat, his stance wide and unyielding.
Wolfe's posture shifted, his hand instinctively reaching for his coat, where Bunny knew he kept a concealed weapon. He leaned close to her, his voice a whisper. "Stay down."
Bunny's heart raced, her instincts screaming at her to run, but she kept her eyes on Wolfe, her faith in him outweighing her fear. She crouched down, clutching the edge of the seat as she watched Wolfe step out of the jeep, his every movement calculated and calm.
The man took a step forward, his voice cold as he spoke. "You've been a hard man to find, Wolfe."
Wolfe's expression remained impassive. "And yet here you are. What do you want?"
"Just a little insurance," the man replied, his gaze flickering briefly to Bunny. "Your friend here—she makes quite a bargaining chip."
Wolfe's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with a warning. "She's got nothing to do with this. Leave her out of it."
The man smirked, taking another step closer. "See, that's where you're wrong. You brought her here, didn't you? She's as involved as you are."
Bunny's heart pounded, a cold fear settling over her as she realised the full extent of the danger she was in. She glanced at Wolfe, her mind racing as she tried to process the situation, the reality of his world closing in around her.
Just then, a flash of lightning lit up the sky, illuminating Wolfe's face in a stark, fierce expression. In one swift motion, he lunged forward, catching the man off guard. A scuffle ensued, their movements a blur of tension and force as they struggled in the mud, the rain pelting down in sheets around them.
Bunny's breath caught in her throat as she watched, torn between the urge to intervene and the knowledge that she'd only get in Wolfe's way. Finally, Wolfe managed to knock the man off balance, sending him sprawling to the ground. Without missing a beat, he turned back to the jeep, motioning for Kamau to drive.
"Go!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the storm.
Kamau floored the accelerator, the jeep jolting forward as Wolfe climbed back in, his face etched with a grim determination. Bunny clutched his arm, her voice trembling. "Wolfe… what was that?"
He took a deep breath, his hand settling over hers in a steadying grip. "That was a reminder," he said quietly. "A reminder of why I keep things hidden."
Bunny's mind whirled, her fear mingling with frustration and a fierce sense of loyalty. She'd chosen to be with Wolfe, to stand by him despite the dangers, but now, for the first time, she felt the full weight of that decision.
As the jeep sped through the rain, Wolfe leaned close, his voice barely a murmur. "This life is dangerous, Bunny. But I need you to trust me now more than ever."
She held his gaze, her heart racing with a mixture of love, fear, and determination. "I do trust you, Wolfe. But you need to start trusting me, too."
They rode in silence through the storm, the thunder rumbling above them as they raced across the Serengeti. The thrill of the adventure had faded, replaced by the sobering reality of Wolfe's world—a world she was now a part of, for better or worse.