Chilled (Bone Secrets, #2)(68)

“She said she knows how to use it.”

“She does. I taught her. I wouldn’t let her on any of my hasty teams without knowing how to shoot first, but she refuses to carry one.”

“What now?” Alex calmly asked the question even though his nerves were spiking like he’d been shocked.

Jim and Thomas looked at each other. “Someone needs to hike out,” Jim said. “Tell people where we are. I just tried calling Collins. There’s no coverage at the moment. I don’t know how long this storm is going to last. Whoever hikes out can’t go alone though. And obviously Ryan shouldn’t be left alone.”

“Something tells me he’ll see that differently,” Thomas muttered.

“Brynn won’t leave him. I know her. She’s in full nurse mode and won’t let him move.” Jim gnawed on his lip. “I think the three of us should head out. We can move fast.”

Alex pictured himself trying to keep up with the two mountain men.

Jim frowned. “Unless you’re not feeling up to it. You had quite a shock yesterday. And I’ve seen you favoring your knee. Did that happen in the avalanche?”

“No, but it didn’t help it. Old injury.”

“Can you hike out?”

Alex paused, and Jim didn’t let him answer.

“You wouldn’t have to stop to think about it if you could. You’re staying here.”

“I’m good with that. I think one of us should stay.”

“Good. It’s settled.” Jim made a definitive motion with his hand.

He hadn’t wanted to leave Brynn. That’s what had made Alex pause. He couldn’t leave her alone with a serial killer wandering the woods. Especially now that Besand had seen her. She might as well have a big target on her back.

“I’ll feel better knowing you’re here with her and Ryan anyway. Thomas and I should be able to hike out in under twentyfour hours if we push it. We’ll get more supplies and come back on foot or by copter if the weather breaks,” Jim stated.

Alex nodded.

Thomas scowled.

“What?” Jim asked.

“Don’t like breaking up the team,” he said evenly.

Jim exhaled and nodded. “Neither do I. But I don’t see any other choice. We could all stay, but what’s the point? We’ll get help faster if we move out.” He glanced at his watch. “As soon as possible.” He shifted his attention to Alex. “Can you hold down the fort?”

He nodded. Jim held his gaze for a second longer than was necessary.

“Let’s get going.”

Silently, eyes scanning, guns at the ready, the three men headed back to the plane. Kiana kept pace next to Alex.

“What happened to your leg?” Thomas asked.

Alex jumped at the sound of Thomas’s voice. The man spoke so rarely. “Uh, gunshot wound.”

“How long ago?” Apparently, Thomas was feeling chatty.

Alex counted in his head. “Four years or so.”

“Judge Braeden?”

Alex nearly tripped. Jim turned from his position at point and raised an eyebrow at Thomas. “You talking about that murdered judge? I remember that.” He frowned at Alex. “Were you there?”

Alex could only nod. How had Thomas put it together? He’d added one and one and come up with four. Accurately.

Jim stopped their trek and faced Alex. “Two marshals died in that courtroom. You were shot too?”

Alex met his gaze and nodded again.

Jim’s brows came together. “The judge and the shooter died too. Wasn’t the shooter the wife of some illegal drug importer on trial? She shot the judge and three marshals, but one of them managed to take her down with a shot.” He eyed Alex. “You got her, didn’t you?”

Alex looked straight ahead, avoiding Jim’s penetrating eyes. “Never shot a woman before.” And he hoped he never would again. He’d had horrific dreams and weekly counseling for months. Along with physical therapy for his leg. “Don’t we need to get back to the plane?” Alex asked in an end-of-topic tone.

Jim was silent for a second and Alex watched the emotions war on his face. Jim was curious about the incident, but obviously didn’t want to leave Brynn alone any longer than they had.

He mashed his lips together and spun around, setting a fast pace back to the plane.

Alex silently exhaled. He didn’t need the Braeden case rehashed at this minute. His forehead throbbed, and he wished for an evening alone with some Vicodin.

The wind picked that moment to blast up the valley, and he burrowed his nose into the collar of his coat. Kiana bumped against his bad leg, nearly throwing him off balance. Thomas cursed as his hat blew off. He lunged and stomped on it, barely catching it by the brim.

The hike out of the Cascades was going to suck. Alex was glad he wasn’t going anywhere for at least the next two days. It was going to be cold and cramped and there wouldn’t be much to eat, but he’d have all the time in the world to get to know Brynn better.

And be watching for Besand over his shoulder.

Maybe the hike out would be better.





Liam Gentry huddled over his brother, warming him with his body heat. Since he’d piled enough snow up over the broken window to create an icy wall, the temperature inside the helicopter wasn’t too bad. Didn’t people pay big money to sleep in hotels made of ice? He’d seen that in a magazine somewhere.