A/N: Remember, I will be updating the last 15 chapters almost daily. Keep track of the chapter numbers as this story will be sitting at the top of the page quite a bit over the next couple weeks.

23

The jungle was dense, its excessive heat and humidity overwhelming as Chet and the others pushed forward, following the unseen path Lila had laid out for them. Every step felt heavier, every breath thick with the weight of the trap closing around them. They knew they were being watched—by cameras, by guards, and most of all, by Lila St. Clair.

Yet, they pressed on.

Joe wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes scanning the dense foliage for any sign of an alternative route. "We're walking right into their hands," he muttered under his breath. "I hate this."

Frank, walking just ahead, kept his voice low. "We don't have a choice. Callie's in there, and we're already committed. All we can hope for is dad being not far behind us." He whispered.

Maddie and Jaime stayed close together, their movements quiet but their tension palpable. Maddie still clutched the pistol her father had reluctantly returned to her after the snake encounter. She hadn't fired it since but just having it in her grip made her feel less powerless.

Chet, machete in hand, took the lead with Marcos and Antonio flanking either side. The two Brazilian guides were hyper-aware of their surroundings, their sharp eyes catching subtle disturbances in the jungle—fresh footprints, unnatural cuts in the vegetation, the occasional glint of metal hidden high in the trees.

"They've got cameras up there," Marcos whispered, nodding toward the treetops. "We are already in their sights."

Antonio frowned. "If we keep going straight, we will be funneled directly to wherever they want us. We need to break off."

"Agreed," Frank said. "But we can't be obvious about it. If they see us deviating, Lila will know we're onto her game."

"Then we need to be smart," Joe added. "We make it look like we're struggling with the terrain. Slow down, act disoriented, make it seem like we're still following the path, but in reality, we're shifting our direction."

Maddie nodded. "We could use the jungle to mask our movement. Take a more roundabout way, come in from an unexpected angle."

Chet exhaled. He didn't like that Maddie was so involved in the planning—he hated that she was here at all—but she was proving herself capable, and right now, they needed every sharp mind they had.

"Alright," he said. "Let's move carefully. We make them think we're still following their breadcrumbs while we work our way to an alternative entry point."

Marcos led them toward a more overgrown path, making sure to keep their progress staggered and uneven. They trudged through thick underbrush, making deliberate missteps, pausing frequently as if struggling against the jungle itself.

"Think she's buying it?" Jaime asked quietly.

Joe gave a humorless chuckle. "I don't think she cares. She's probably enjoying this little game."

And he was right.

Lila had been watching from the moment they set foot on the jungle trail. Hidden in the trees, she perched like a panther, her gaze flicking between the surveillance feeds on her phone screen. She could see them, every stumble, every whispered conversation.

She smirked. "Oh, boys," she murmured to herself. "You really think you're fooling me?"

Lila had been tracking them for hours, keeping Reese updated on their progress. She had already reported Maddie's little stunt with the gun, Jaime's close call with the Bushmaster, and even Chet's barely-contained frustration. But the best part, the part she had delivered to Reese with a delighted lilt in her voice, was what she had seen and heard the night before—Maddie and Jaime tangled in each other's arms, indulging in something far sweeter than fear.

Reese had been… pleased.

Lila had almost purred when she relayed that information to him, knowing exactly what thoughts it put in his head. Now, as she watched them try to be clever, she laughed softly to herself.

They thought they were choosing their own path.

How adorable.

From her vantage point, she reached into her pack and pulled out a small device—a simple signal transponder. With a flick of the switch, she activated it.

Deep in the jungle, a series of hidden tripwires quietly came to life.

Jaime was the first to sense something was wrong.

She had been walking just behind Maddie when a strange static-like hum filled the air. It wasn't loud, but it was… off. Like an unnatural vibration running beneath the rainforest's usual sounds.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered.

Maddie frowned. "What?"

A sharp metallic click echoed from somewhere ahead.

"DOWN!" Marcos barked.

Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them erupted.

A series of small, concussive blasts shook the jungle floor, not powerful enough to kill but strong enough to disorient. Bright flashes of light flared through the trees, momentarily blinding them.

Maddie hit the dirt, her ears ringing. Jaime was beside her, coughing as smoke from the charges drifted through the air.

Frank gritted his teeth as he rolled to his feet. "They knew. They knew we'd try to go another way!"

Joe wiped soot from his face, his expression dark. "Lila played us. We walked right into it."

Chet cursed, gripping Maddie's arm as he hauled her up. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she managed, though her heartbeat was racing. "But they're onto us."

"With all the cameras they apparently have, that much is certain." Jaime said woefully.

Antonio, who had barely regained his footing, turned sharply toward Marcos. "We need to keep moving!"

"No," Marcos said, his voice edged with frustration. "They don't want us dead yet. This was a warning. They're making sure we go where they want us to."

Jaime wiped at her face, trying to rid herself of the grime and sweat. "So, what do we do now?"

A soft rustling in the trees made them freeze.

Then, that voice—so smooth, so teasing.

"Oh, my dears," Lila cooed from the darkness. "Did you really think you had a choice?"

Maddie's stomach twisted.

Lila's laughter was light, almost playful. "You're making this so much fun for me. But I think it's time we stopped pretending, don't you?"

A bright spotlight suddenly snapped on from somewhere up ahead, cutting through the trees like a beacon.

Chet squinted against the light, his jaw tightening. "They're corralling us."

Lila sighed dramatically. "Bingo. And you know what, my little adventurers? You're so close now. Just a little farther, and you'll be right where Reese wants you."

Jaime's grip tightened around Maddie's arm.

Lila's voice softened, like a secret shared between old friends. "And he can't wait to see you again, Jaime."

Jaime inhaled sharply.

Lila chuckled. "Oh, don't be shy, sweetheart. Reese told me how good you used to be at helping him…before Maddie distracted you."

Jaime's fingers dug into Maddie's skin.

Maddie glared into the trees. "Shut up."

Lila let out an exaggerated sigh. "Touchy, touchy. Fine. Be that way. But just keep walking, my darlings. You don't want to keep Reese waiting."

Another floodlight flared to life in the distance.

And with it, the outline of something unmistakable—

The edge of a massive, fortified compound.

The trap had been set.

And they had no choice but to walk into it.

The floodlights cast stark, artificial shadows against the dense jungle, cutting through the natural darkness with an eerie, calculated precision. The compound loomed ahead, partially obscured by thick foliage, its perimeter a fortress of steel and concrete. It was vast, sprawling—a testament to Reese's power.

Chet exhaled sharply, his hands curling into fists. "We don't have a choice, do we?"

Frank's jaw was set, his expression unreadable. "No. We're exactly where they want us."

Lila's voice purred through the trees again, invisible but ever-present. "That's the spirit, boys. Just accept it. You played your little game, and I let you have your fun. But now? It's time to come home."

Maddie felt Jaime tense beside her, her breathing shallow. The words weren't just meant for all of them. They were meant for her.

"Before Maddie distracted you."

Jaime swallowed hard, forcing herself to push away the memories—the way she used to help Reese's operation, the way she had recruited other girls before she met Maddie and saw the truth of what she was doing. But Lila wasn't going to let her forget.

Not now.

Not when they were standing at Reese's doorstep.

Joe shifted uneasily. "This is a bad idea. Walking straight into their hands? We won't get out once we go in."

"We won't have another chance to get Callie out if we don't," Frank countered. "And honestly, we don't have much choice here."

Maddie's stomach turned. Somewhere inside that compound, her mother was waiting. Reese was waiting.

Jaime's grip on her arm tightened.

"Jaime," Maddie whispered. "Are you—"

"I'm fine," Jaime cut her off. But her voice lacked conviction.

A rustling in the undergrowth made them all whip around, weapons drawn, hearts hammering.

Marcos narrowed his eyes. "That's not her."

Antonio gave a slight nod. "No, that is someone else."

Seconds later, a dark figure stepped into the floodlight's glow.

A guard.

Dressed in dark combat fatigues, rifle slung over his chest, he was built like a soldier—broad shoulders, sharp features, every inch of him no doubt a trained killer.

And he wasn't alone.

More emerged from the jungle, at least six of them, stepping in from either side, their weapons relaxed but present. It wasn't an ambush. It was a welcome.

Maddie's heart pounded.

The lead guard stopped a few feet away, his expression cold, detached. "Hands where we can see them."

Chet scowled but slowly raised his hands, as did Frank and Joe. Maddie and Jaime followed suit. Antonio and Marcos exchanged glances but complied.

The guard studied them for a moment before pressing a finger to his earpiece. "They're here."

A brief crackle of static. Then—

"Bring them in."

Reese's voice.

A chill ran through Maddie.

The guards moved in, confiscating their weapons, their packs, phones, everything except the clothes on their backs. Maddie barely had time to register the pistol being ripped from her grasp before a rough shove urged them forward.

"Move," the guard ordered.

With nowhere else to go, they did.

From the outside, Reese's compound was a fortress—a stark, impenetrable structure that loomed in the midst of the jungle, its walls tall and foreboding. The perimeter was lined with reinforced concrete barriers topped with razor wire. Guard towers stood at each corner, manned by men with rifles and night-vision optics. The floodlights illuminated the area with an artificial glare, sweeping back and forth in cold, calculated precision. Cameras tracked their every movement.

It looked less like a home and more like a prison.

Maddie's stomach churned as they were led toward the entrance. She stole a glance at Jaime, whose face had gone pale. The last time they had been locked behind walls like these, they had barely escaped with their lives.

But as they passed through the final set of security gates and into the heart of the compound, the transformation was staggering.

Inside the high walls, Reese's hideaway was nothing short of a palace.

A vast stone estate sprawled before them, its architecture reminiscent of an opulent European villa, yet infused with the wild beauty of the Amazon. The estate was built from dark, weathered stone, softened by lush tropical gardens that seemed almost too perfect to be real. The path leading up to the main house was lined with towering palms, their fronds rustling in the warm night air.

Terraces and patios stretched across multiple levels, adorned with luxurious lounge areas, daybeds draped in fine linen, and sleek, modern furniture that looked as if it had been imported from the finest designers. Soft golden lighting glowed from lanterns and sconces set into the stone, casting an inviting—but deceptive—warmth.

And then there were the pools.

Several of them, scattered throughout the courtyard and beyond, their water shimmering under the night sky. One was a massive infinity pool that stretched along the edge of the estate, appearing to spill out into the jungle beyond. Another was a smaller, more intimate setting, nestled beneath a sprawling veranda where sheer white curtains billowed in the humid breeze.

Music drifted softly through the air—something classical, played low over hidden speakers. The scent of fresh jasmine mingled with the faint aroma of cigar smoke and expensive liquor.

It was a paradise.

A paradise built on horror.

Maddie saw them then—the young women.

Some were draped across lounge chairs, barely dressed, their faces blank. Others lingered in the shadows, moving with quiet efficiency, dressed in silk slip dresses or nothing at all, going about domestic tasks. Their eyes were empty.

Prisoners.

Just like before.

Jaime's breathing spiked, and Maddie instinctively tightened her grip on her hand.

Chet's face was a mask of rage. His fists were clenched tightly.

Joe muttered a curse under his breath.

Frank's expression remained neutral, but his eyes—his sharp, assessing gaze—were taking in everything.

The guards led them past the pools, past the verandas, through the sprawling courtyard and into the main estate.

If the exterior had been decadent, the interior was beyond obscene.

Polished marble floors stretched across vast, open rooms. Grand chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings. The walls were adorned with priceless art, some of it likely stolen, depicting scenes of power and indulgence. Plush leather chairs and velvet chaises were arranged in perfectly curated spaces, and along the far end of the main hall, a long bar gleamed with crystal decanters filled with the richest amber-colored liquors.

A kingdom and prison all in one.

And in the center of it all—

Reese.

Reese sat in a grand, high-backed chair at the far end of the marble-floored great hall, lounging with the confidence of a man who believed himself untouchable. He was dressed in a silk robe, dark as the night around them, his fingers idly swirling the contents of a crystal tumbler filled with aged whiskey. His face bore its usual smugness, but beneath it, there was something sharper—something hungry.

He'd been expecting them.

Lila St. Clair leaned against the stone wall nearby, arms crossed, watching the group with her signature smirk. She had led them right into the lion's den, and she was enjoying every second of it.

Chet, Frank, Joe, Maddie, and Jaime stood just inside the lavish hall, their expressions grim as they took in the disturbing reality of Reese's estate. From the outside, it had been a fortress—a heavily secured prison built of stone and steel. But inside, it was something grotesquely different.

Beyond the marble floors, the high-arched ceiling, and the massive chandeliers that illuminated the space with a golden glow, the estate was dripping with opulence. Expansive patios and balconies overlooked glittering pools. The scent of exotic flowers mingled with cigar smoke, whiskey, and something less identifiable but no less unsettling.

It was the females who made the scene truly vile.

Girls—some as young as twelve—moved about in barely-there silk garments, their gazes lowered, their movements mechanical as they silently performed their assigned duties. A few carried trays of drinks, others arranged silk cushions on the lavish furniture. One was kneeling at the base of Reese's chair, her delicate fingers refilling his whiskey glass with practiced obedience.

Maddie's stomach turned.

These weren't servants. They were prisoners. Just like Callie. Just like she and Jaime now were.

Reese sighed dramatically, lifting his drink in a lazy toast. "Well, well. Here you all are. I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it." His eyes flickered toward Lila, amusement glinting in them. "She does good work, doesn't she? Always so reliable."

Lila smirked. "I do my best."

Chet stepped forward, his jaw tight, his voice a low growl. "Where is she?"

Reese tilted his head. "Oh, Chester. No pleasantries? No small talk? And here I thought you'd enjoy my hospitality."

Chet took another step, but Frank placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, subtly reminding him to keep control. They had walked into the viper's nest—they couldn't afford reckless moves now.

Frank, ever the tactician, spoke next. "We're not here for games, Reese. You know why we came."

Reese smirked. "Of course, of course. You want Callie. Sweet, devoted Callie." He exhaled in a way that was almost nostalgic. "She really is something special, isn't she? It's touching, really, the lengths you've all gone to for her."

Then his gaze flickered toward Maddie and Jaime.

"Especially you two."

Maddie stiffened. Jaime's grip on her hand tightened.

Reese chuckled. "It's almost poetic, isn't it? After everything, here we are again." He swirled his drink lazily. "Back then, Jaime was such a good little assistant. Finding me the prettiest little things to bring home. And quite the little missile twister in her own right." He said with an approving wink at her. "Until you came along, Madeleine." He lifted his glass in a mock toast. "Ah, young love. Such a dangerous thing."

Jaime flinched, and Maddie could feel the tension vibrating beneath her skin.

"You're disgusting," Jaime spat, her voice raw with anger.

Reese merely smiled. "That's not what you used to say, dear. But I suppose love does change people. You, for example—you stopped being useful." His smile turned cold. "That was… disappointing."

Jaime's breathing increased in intensity. Maddie took a step closer to her, silently grounding her.

Chet, barely holding himself back, cut in. "Enough. You have us here. What do you want?"

Reese took another long sip of whiskey before setting the glass down. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "What do I want?" he mused, as if the question amused him. Then his gaze sharpened, locking onto them with something dark and predatory. "I want to see just how much you're all willing to sacrifice."

His smirk deepened. "Lila has been keeping me well-informed. She's been watching you stumble through my jungle, keeping you on the right path." His gaze flickered to Maddie and Jaime, and he let out a quiet chuckle. "And, oh, what a show you two put on last night. Lila tells me it was quite… spirited. At least from what she said she heard."

Maddie felt her stomach twist violently.

Joe and Frank exchanged a sharp glance. Chet's expression darkened to something murderous.

"Oh, don't look so horrified," Reese continued smoothly. "Lila is very observant. And I must say, it's good to know that you two haven't lost your… passion." He tilted his head slightly. "I do hope you didn't wear yourselves out. That would be such a shame, given the plans I have for you."

Jaime sucked in a sharp breath. Maddie clenched her fists.

Reese sighed dramatically. "You see, I believe in tradition. And it's only fair, given that your mother and I shared such… intimate moments before, Maddie, that you should also be afforded the same experience."

Maddie felt like ice had replaced the blood in her veins.

Callie.

Her mother.

Reese's eyes gleamed as he studied her reaction. "She tried to be so brave, you know. Just like last time, when she crawled through broken glass to save you." He tsked. "And to think, that night in the asylum could have been so much more enjoyable. You, her, Jaime… together, like a perfect little family." He smiled. "We had such a beautiful moment ruined, didn't we?" He glanced over at Chet. "Until Mr. Morton here fumbled with the lights and put a temporary end to the fun."

Maddie's entire body went rigid. She did not like the use of the term temporary.

Joe took a step forward, his hands tightening into fists. "Reese—"

Reese held up a hand. "Ah, ah. No need for violence. Not yet, at least." His gaze flickered toward Lila. "Take them to their rooms. Make sure they're comfortable."

Chet snarled. "Where is Callie?"

Reese stood, stretching lazily, as if he had all the time in the world. "Oh, you'll see her soon enough." He grinned. "After all, it wouldn't be a proper reunion without the whole family present."

With a flick of his wrist, Lila stepped forward.

"Move," she ordered, her voice sharp and full of amusement.

The group hesitated only a moment before allowing themselves to be led deeper into the estate.