Tom drove steadily through the jungle, his eyes constantly scanning for any signs of the militia. Tasha remained silent, crouched low in the back seat, doing her best to stay hidden and keep out of sight.
Tom had done this kind of thing a hundred times before, and it was second nature to him. He talked his way past the patrolling guards, convincing them they were just on an errand to scout the coast. They didn't question it—his confidence made it easy.
After a tense drive, they finally reached the coast. Tom slowed the jeep and parked it near a rocky stretch of beach. He turned to Tasha.
"You can get out now," he said. "You're safe for the moment."
Tasha hesitated, looking around nervously. "Where are we?" she asked, her voice shaky but full of curiosity.
Tom grabbed his phone and checked it quickly. "We're in a foreign country," he said simply, his focus already shifting to the next task.
He pulled out a small device and used it to pinpoint the location of the scuba diving gear.
It wasn't easy to find, but Tom knew exactly how to look. After a moment, he spotted two bags half-submerged in the water near some rocks. They were so well hidden that most people would have passed right by them.
He fished out two sets of diving gear and a few cans of energy-rich food. He handed one of the cans to Tasha.
"Eat quickly," he said. "We'll need to swim. There's a ship waiting for us out at sea."
Tasha frowned, looking at the food, her stomach turning from both hunger and the idea of more physical strain. "I'm too weak to swim," she complained.
Tom gave her a plain look. "You're a pro swimmer. The food will give you strength, and after three hours of rest, you'll be fine."
Tasha sighed but didn't argue.
She opened the can and ate quickly, trying to force herself to relax. She hated the situation, but Tom was right. She didn't have a choice.
After a short rest, they both put on the diving suits, and Tom gave her a reassuring nod. "Ready?"
Tasha didn't answer right away. She took a deep breath, then followed him into the water.
The cold sea hit her immediately, but she pushed through.
Tom led the way, his strokes powerful and steady. Tasha swam after him, trying to match his pace, though her muscles were sore and tired. Every stroke felt heavier than the last. She kept her focus, though, knowing they couldn't stop now.
They swam for what felt like forever, five kilometers of endless water beneath them. Tasha's arms were aching, and her breathing was getting harder, but she didn't slow down. She was determined to make it.
Finally, they spotted the ship in the distance. Her heart lifted with a mixture of relief and exhaustion as they drew closer.
When they reached the ship, the crew quickly dispatched small boats to help them onboard. Tasha pulled herself into the boat, nearly collapsing, but Tom's steady grip kept her upright.
"Good," Tom said, his voice calm as ever.
Soon after they arrived on the ship, medical attendants immediately approached Tasha, ready to help.
They checked her over, tending to her wounds and giving her some much-needed care. Tasha was too exhausted to protest, grateful for the attention, but her eyes kept flicking over to Tom.
Tom, however, waved away the medical staff. "I'm fine," he said shortly, his tone firm and dismissive.
As Tom stood to the side, a woman in a business suit walked toward him. She was slightly older than Tasha, with glasses perched on her nose and a nervous smile on her face.
She approached Tom, her voice shaky but polite.
"Thank you for saving Tasha," she said, her hands clasped in front of her. "I'm Eva, her manager. I… I don't know what we would have done without you."
Tom didn't say anything at first. He just nodded, his expression unreadable. He then turned and began walking toward the edge of the ship, asking her to follow.
Eva hesitated, confused but not wanting to offend him. She quickly caught up, walking behind him in silence. When they reached the railing, Tom finally spoke, his voice low but sharp.
"Why did you take loans in Tasha's name?" he asked bluntly, his eyes focused on the horizon.
Eva's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. "I—I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered, her voice wavering. She looked down, avoiding his gaze, as if hoping to avoid the confrontation.
Tom didn't seem bothered by her reaction. He wasn't interested in hearing excuses. "Don't put her in trouble again while I'm assigned to protect her," he said, his tone hard.
Eva's breath caught in her throat. She knew this wasn't just a suggestion. It was a threat, and one she couldn't ignore. She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself.
"I… I won't," she said quietly.
She bowed her head slightly, a nervous smile still on her face, but it was clear she was scared.
Tom didn't respond. He turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, watching him with a mix of fear and relief.