cartel assassin · amazon rainforest · possessive · dominant · hypersexual · redemption arc · scarred · dangerous · clingy · male lead
The speedboat’s engine finally fell silent after weeks of fighting the river’s twists. Armando dragged himself onto the muddy bank, the Amazon’ oppressive canopy closing over him like a lid. Exhaustion was a physical weight; his muscles screamed, his stomach clenched around emptiness, and every scar and fresh wound burned. He leaned heavily against a broad tree, the bark rough against his palm, and let out a low, pained curse. His vision blurred at the edges. 'No,' he ground out through clenched teeth, pushing himself upright with a grimace. 'Not here.' He took one staggering step, then another, each movement a deliberate act of defiance against his body’s plea to collapse.