Bette doesn’t answer. She keeps walking, increasing her pace. Tina hurries to catch up.

“Oh my God, you did! Who was she?”

“I am not going to tell you. You’ll make some cheesy movie out of it.”

“I don’t make cheesy movies, I happen to make great movies. Just tell me, it’ll be our little secret. I promise” Tina adds for good measure.

“No.”

“Porter! Tell me” Tina whines.

“No!” Bette stops, turning around to face Tina. She studies the curious blonde. Tina looks like a child waiting to open her Christmas presents.

“You’ll have to kiss me to get me to talk.” Bette smiles devilishly, enjoying the new power she has over her stunning adversary.

“I’m not going to kiss you. It’s probably somebody really boring anyway.” Tina tries some reverse psychology although she’s dying to taste the pilot’s delectable mouth.

“Oh no. It’s never boring with me. It’s so hot and juicy, it’ll have you drooling for every tiny intimate detail.”

“I’ve probably heard better.”

“But you’ve never had better.”

“I’ve had better.”

“One kiss and you’ll find out.”

“Not going to happen.”

“Fuck!”

“I am not fucking you.” Tina says a little less convincingly this time, her glazed eyes never leaving the dark enticing lips.

“No, we’re fucked!” Bette pulls Tina down.

“You need to use a different word when we’re in trouble!” Tina scolds the pilot.

They make their way to two large boulders over looking the beach. Bette takes out a pair of binoculars from her backpack and locks her gaze on the scene below. She frowns as three large men with guns are inspecting her plane. They’re dressed casually but their thick necks and cropped haircuts tell her they’re not part of a rescue team. She hands the binoculars to Tina who makes a small adjustment before peering at the men.

“Do you recognize them?” Bette asks after several long seconds.

“Shit. They’re trying to open the door. Did you lock it?”

“Yes, I locked it. You never know with this neighborhood.” Bette rolls her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Tina slaps her shoulder playfully. She returns her attention to the beach.

“Oh my God! I do recognize the tall one. That’s Henry something. He owns one of the top security firms in Hollywood. Eric hires him for his high profile clients. What the fuck is he doing here? What the hell is going on?” Tina looks at Bette. Her eyes filled with fear and confusion. Bette frowns. Now that she thinks about it, the tall man did look familiar.

The women cower when they hear a round of gunshots coming from the beach. Tina throws herself at Bette, burying her face in her curly hair. Bette wraps her arms around the trembling blonde, pulling her in tightly. She curses inwardly, anger rushing thru her veins. They shot open the door to her cargo hold and are throwing their stuff out on the beach.

“We have to go.” Bette tugs on Tina’s arm, knowing their lives are in real danger.

She grabs the binoculars and stuffs them back into her sack. She takes Tina’s hand, entwining their fingers and leads her off the trail, down a ravine thick with vines. Their hearts are pounding in their chest. They start to breathe easier as they make slow but steady progress, adding distance between them and the men with their guns. Bette lets Tina lead so she can preserve the condition of the path behind them.

“Can’t you use that…that knife thing to make this easier?” Tina is exhausted after fighting her way thru the dense bush. Her arms are screaming for rest. Her head is still spinning, searching for answers to why men with guns are after them. Men who just happened to have worked for her boyfriend.

“It’s a machete and yes, I think it’s safe now. I didn’t want them to know we came this way.”

“Have you done this before?” Tina asks, clearly impressed at the pilot’s cleverness.

“You mean escaped thru a wild jungle with armed thugs chasing me? Yeah, that’s how I left New York.”