Fonseca's Fury. Эбби Грин

camouflaged to blend with the surroundings.

      Luca brought the Jeep to a halt alongside a few other vehicles. ‘This is our main Amazon operational research base. We have other smaller ones in different locations.’ He looked at her before he got out of the Jeep. ‘You should take this opportunity to use the facilities while we still have them.’

      Serena wanted to scowl at the very definite glint of mockery in his eyes but she refused to let him see the flicker of trepidation she felt once again, when confronted with the reality of their awe-inspiring surroundings.

      She was mesmerised by the dense foliage around them. She had that impression again that the forest was being held back by sheer will alone, as if given the slightest chance it would extend its roots and vines and overtake this place.

      ‘Serena?’

      Frowning impatiently, Luca was holding open the main door.

      She walked in and he pointed down a corridor.

      ‘The bathroom is down there. I’ll meet you back here.’

      When Serena found the bathroom and saw her own reflection in dozens of mirrors, she grimaced. She looked flushed and sweaty, and was willing to bet that if she made it to the end of the day she’d look a lot worse.

      After throwing some water on her face and tying her hair back into a more practical plait she headed back, nerves jumping around in her belly at the prospect of the battle of wills ahead and her determination not to falter at the first hurdle.

      When Serena joined Luca back outside he handed her the backpack. There was a long rubber hose coming from the inside of it to sit over one shoulder. He saw her look at it.

      ‘That’s your water supply. Sip little and often; we’ll replenish it later.’

      She put the pack on and secured it around her waist and over her chest. She was relieved to find that it didn’t feel too heavy at all. And then she saw the size of Luca’s pack, which obviously held all their main supplies and had a tent rolled up at the bottom.

      Her eyes widened when she saw what looked suspiciously like a gun in a holster on his waist. He saw her expression and commented drily, ‘It’s a tranquilliser gun.’ He sent a thorough glance up and down her body and remarked, ‘Tuck your trousers into your socks and make sure your shirtsleeves are down and the cuffs closed.’

      Feeling more and more nervous, Serena did as he said. When she looked at him again, feeling like a child about to be inspected in her school uniform, he was cocking a dark brow over those stunning eyes.

      ‘Are you sure about this? Now would be a really good time to say no, if that’s your intention.’

      Serena put her hands on her hips and hid every one of her nerves behind bravado. ‘I thought you said we don’t have all day?’