Traitorous Attraction by C. J. Miller

American. You could find yourself and your lady lost and hunted in the jungle. You forget that today, you’re outnumbered. When you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. We have unfinished business.”
    It wasn’t wise to threaten a man like Connor. Not only was his physical appearance a deterrent, but he was also quick and trained. Kate had seen glimpses into what he could do, and she wouldn’t test him, even if the odds were stacked against him.
    Connor said nothing. The men were irritable and on edge. Watching them closely, Kate recognized the signs of drug use. Bloodshot eyes, twitchy movements and a slight tremor in their voices. Her fear increased. They couldn’t walk away. They didn’t have any place to go trapped on the bus. People around them were looking away and at the ground, trying not to make eye contact. No one wanted to engage in an altercation with these men.
    “We’re not looking for trouble. Just passage to our destination,” Connor said.
    The man gave Kate a long look as if undressing her with his eyes. She shivered with disgust.
    “It’s a long ride to Mangrove. I was hoping to use the time to settle the score.” The man laughed as if he’d made an outrageously funny statement. Connor had no reaction. None. The man pulled out a knife and held it to Connor. “You think you’re too good to talk to me? How about you learn the rules here? On our turf, we’re in charge. When I speak to you, you say, ‘Yes, master Snake Slayer.’”
    Connor’s expression remained calm. No way would he speak those words.
    Kate’s heart was racing, and panic caused a cold sweat to break out across her body. “We just want to get to our destination,” Kate said, reiterating what Connor had said earlier.
    “You’ll get there, but there’s a higher fee involved for Americans with an attitude. Start by giving me your wallets,” the man said.
    Kate’s muscles seized. What would Connor do? In close spaces with a knife drawn, someone would get hurt. The other three men stood and crowded around, escalating the situation.
    How could she defuse it? She’d taken training on dealing with aggressive people and de-escalating problems. What could she say to him that would make him and his gang sit down and keep to themselves for the remainder of the trip?
    “Why don’t you put that away?” Connor said. “This won’t end well for anyone. We’re stuck on this bus for another few hours.”
    The man blinked at Connor, confusion crossing his face. He hadn’t thought through his demand. He was looking to prove something to his friends. He wouldn’t back down, unless he could somehow save face.
    The man lowered the knife to his side. Relief washed over her, but after a few beats, anger flashed across his face. He swung the knife abruptly and a gasp escaped her. Connor caught his swinging arm and squeezed, forcing the man to drop the knife. It fell to the seat of the bus, and Connor grabbed the handle of the blade before one of the man’s friends got the idea to jump into the fight.
    “Take a seat. I don’t want trouble,” Connor said.
    The man was bleating like a sheep.
    The bus slammed to a stop. Kate surged forward, catching herself on the seat in front of her. Brakes squealed and the engine idled loudly. The bus driver walked down the aisle, gun in his hand, waving it at them. He looked at the Tumaran men and then at Connor and Kate. He pointed his gun at Connor and Kate.
    “You two, get off my bus. I don’t want trouble. Off. Now,” the driver said, pointing his gun between them and the back door.
    Kate opened her mouth to protest. They hadn’t started the fight, although with the knife clasped in Connor’s hand, he looked like the aggressor. That, in addition to the Snake Slayers having some control of Rosario, put her and Connor in the losing position.
    Connor stood. “We’re going,” he said to the driver.
    Kate waited a moment for someone to speak in their defense and explain what had