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Chapter_169
Jeremiah’s gaze remained locked on Yvette, his eyes softening when he saw her yawn. Without a word, he swiftly removed his black jacket and draped it over her shoulders, his touch warm and reassuring.
Seeing this, Emmett and the others immediately stood up, sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere. They moved to the other side of the cave, giving the pair some space.
Jeremiah adjusted his position slightly to block the chill wind coming in from the entrance. After ensuring Yvette was comfortable, he lowered his head, his expression a mixture of concern and admiration.
Yvette lifted her head, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips as her eyes sparkled. She let out a soft, almost melodic chuckle. “I’m not that fragile. A little gust won’t hurt me.”
Jeremiah’s fingers grazed her slightly cool hand before gently tucking both of her hands into the pockets of his coat.
Yvette, now mostly enveloped in his embrace, felt an unfamiliar warmth. Yet, for some reason, she didn’t resist. She let herself sink deeper into the comfort of his presence.
As her delicate neck caught his attention, Jeremiah’s gaze grew more intense. His fingers, though gentle, tightened slightly as he tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. His breath brushed against her skin, warm and close.
In a low, almost inaudible voice, he said, “Get some rest. You must be exhausted. Keeping up with those guys must’ve taken a lot out of you.”
Yvette’s heart stirred slightly, her thoughts fleeting. He seems to know everything. Am I tired? She closed her eyes, unconsciously leaning closer into his embrace, allowing herself to relax for the first time in days.
As dawn broke, the others remained asleep, but a faint sound reached Yvette’s ears—a soft, almost imperceptible step outside the cave. Her eyes snapped open, immediately filled with a fierce, cold glare. Her body went rigid, and the air around her thickened with a deadly aura, exuding an intense chill and ruthless energy.
At the same time, Jeremiah’s eyes opened, sharp and focused, his body instantly alert. There was no trace of drowsiness in either of their gazes. They exchanged a brief glance, their silent communication clear: Someone is coming.
Both of them rose in unison, moving toward the cave entrance. Their actions alerted the others.
Emmett, Chris, and Bruce opened their eyes, sensing the change in atmosphere. The soldiers Jeremiah had brought along began to stir as well—after all, in an environment like this, no one could truly sleep soundly.
Emmett’s brow furrowed. Noticing the tense expressions of his men, he approached Jeremiah and Yvette, lowering his body slightly. “Mr. Chavez, Yve, what’s going on outside? The footsteps sound chaotic. Is someone coming?”
Outside the cave, faint shadows of large figures moved in the bushes, darting back and forth, barely visible. Chris, Bruce, and the other soldiers drew their guns, cocking them with practiced ease, ready for any threat.
Visitors at this hour? It couldn’t mean anything good.
Jeremiah’s frown deepened. His voice was low but steady as he spoke to Yvette. “When we entered the rainforest with the Tiger Head members, about a dozen people mysteriously disappeared while passing through a thicket. I suspect someone in the rainforest is aiding them.”
Yvette’s eyes turned cold, her deadly aura swirling around her. She tilted her head, her delicate features exuding an air of danger as she spoke with chilling calm. “Your suspicions are correct. There’s a primitive tribe living in the rainforest.”
Jeremiah paused, momentarily thrown off. How does she know about the tribe here? He glanced at Emmett and the others, but their reactions were telling—they weren’t surprised in the least.
Frankie, ever the skeptic, shrugged his shoulders, and the tension in the air seemed to ease. “A primitive tribe? Well, that’s a relief.”
Hearing that, the soldiers relaxed, their fingers loosening around their weapons. It was just a tribe, after all—how dangerous could they be?
But Emmett still felt uneasy. Why would a primitive tribe help the Tiger Head gang produce drugs? That doesn’t make sense.
Yvette’s face remained expressionless, her eyes half-closed as she observed the group. Her gaze flickered with something darker, a flicker of bloodlust lurking beneath the surface. “I forgot to mention… they’re cannibals.”
The revelation hit the group like a thunderclap. Among the dozen or so people present, only Jeremiah didn’t visibly react. He frowned, his mind processing the new information. Cannibals? The most savage type of primitive tribe, without a doubt.
The others were still reeling from the shock. Emmett, Bruce, Frankie, and Chris instantly believed Yvette, but the soldiers Jeremiah had brought along were more skeptical. One of them, Jacob, raised an eyebrow, his expression filled with doubt.
“Ms. Zeller, I apologize, but as a soldier, we can’t blindly believe you. What you’re saying sounds too far-fetched. Even if there were cannibals, how would they have contacted the Tiger Head gang to help them produce drugs? This sounds like fantasy.”
Jeremiah’s expression darkened, his gaze sharpening. He knew Yvette wouldn’t speak without reason, and his trust in her was absolute.
Just as Jeremiah was about to respond, Yvette reached out and gently tickled his palm. Jeremiah froze for a moment before looking down at her, his voice soft as he asked, “What is it?”
Yvette’s chin tilted upward, her beauty still radiating with an air of arrogance. Her eyes were cold, her tone calm but firm. “Your soldiers have every reason to be skeptical. Only fools believe everything they hear without question.”
Jeremiah’s hand turned, gently grasping hers in return. He admired her unshaken confidence. Only she can be so unfazed by the doubts of others, he thought.
Emmett, Bruce, Chris, and Frankie couldn’t stay silent, not when Yvette was being questioned. Emmett’s voice rang out firmly. “If Yve says they exist, then they do. Why waste time doubting her? We should be focused on how to handle these cannibals.”
“I can vouch for that,” Emmett continued, his tone resolute. “If it weren’t for Yve, we’d probably be dead by now. Trust her. We’ve seen what she can do.”
The group tactfully avoided mentioning that Yvette had survived alone in the rainforest for three months at the age of twelve. They knew no one would believe such a story, and revealing it could make Yvette a target.
Yvette watched the arguing group with detached indifference, her eyes distant. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice unwavering. “Don’t you want to find out whether there are cannibals here or not?”
Jacob, the soldier who had questioned her, glanced at Yvette, then at Jeremiah. His earlier bravado faltered. He hadn’t meant to challenge her, but as she wasn’t his commanding officer, trust wasn’t automatic.
Jacob finally spoke, his tone sincere. “Ms. Zeller, if we really do encounter cannibals, I’m at your disposal. You could even skin me alive, and I wouldn’t protest. But if we don’t encounter them, let’s just pretend this never happened.”
Jacob’s words, though somewhat stiff, earned him a measure of respect from Yvette. Emmett couldn’t do much about Jacob’s stubbornness—after all, Jacob was one of the top-ranked soldiers. His rigid mindset, however, could be frustrating.
Yvette casually slid one hand into her pocket, then smiled slightly, her voice light but firm. “No need. Whatever happens to you will happen to me.”
At her words, Jacob and the other soldiers gained a newfound respect for Yvette. Her leadership and responsibility as the future wife of Major General Chavez spoke volumes.
Yvette and Jeremiah began walking ahead, their voices soft and occasional, just beyond hearing range of the others. The soldiers followed quietly behind, their eyes now more attuned to the tenderness Jeremiah couldn’t quite hide.
Jacob hurriedly caught up with Emmett and the others, his mind still trying to process the situation. “Emmett, if we don’t run into these cannibals later and Ms. Zeller…” His voice trailed off, but the unease was still there, lingering.
