Page 82 of Second Chance Savior

I thought of Silver Mountain within view of River’s cabin.My parents’ home on its far slope. Jud and I had only visited there once. He’d spent the whole time buttering up my mom and dad. Even hanging out in my mom’s little art studio and buying up a bunch of her pieces. Which of course had?—

Wait.

That’s it.

I threw open the door and ran outside. “River!”

He was mid sit-up, arms bent and hands beneath his head. He jumped to standing, looking alarmed. “You okay?”

“I’ve got it. I think I know where he would go. My parents’ place.”

“Your parents would let him stay there?”

I shook my head. “They’re in Grand Junction with Megan for a while. She has a newborn. Jud still keeps in touch with my family. Follows them on social media.”

“That’s not creepy at all.”

I waved that away. We’d established my ex was a creep. “He probably knew my parents would be out of town.”

River smoothed a hand over his face, wiping his sweat. “Slow down. Let’s think this through. If your parents are gone for months, they’ll have friends checking on the house. And I guarantee the FBI and any number of state troopers have looked for us there, too. If Jud was at the house, he’d have run at the first sign of the authorities. As far as hideouts go, your parents’ place is a terrible one at the moment.”

“But not my mom’s art studio. My dad built it for her about fifteen years ago, after his business had a really great year. The studio is small, but it’s cushy. It’s also in a clearing out of sight of the main house. My mom’s personal luxury getaway. And a perfect spot for Jud to hide. He would probably remember where my parents hide their spare keys.”

River sighed. “I see your point. Okay. We have a working theory. Now to find out for sure. The other Protectors arestuck in Hartley right now, but I could ask Hodge to make the trip and see if Jud is there. Once we’ve confirmed?—”

“No, not Hodge.” I pointed at the mountain peak in the distance. “Silver Mountain isright there. Practically in your backyard.”

“Twenty-five miles away isn’t in my backyard.”

“Don’t be pedantic with me. It’s a reasonable drive to the base, then just a matter of backpacking up and around the mountain. Make camp overnight, then hike in the rest of the way. Boom, you’re there.”

River swaggered closer and put his hands on my hips, his trademark smirk playing on his lips. “Charlie-baby, that mountain might as well be two hundred miles away. I’m not leaving you here alone. Period.”

“Don’t call me Charlie-baby. Also, who said anything about you leaving me? I’m coming with you.”

“You think I’m allowing you into an unpredictable situation like that?”

I tapped my chin. “What was it I used to say back when we were kids? Oh, yeah. You’re not the boss of me.”

“You were more than happy for me to give you orders last night.” He leaned in, brushing his lips across my cheek. He’d almost gotten his sweat on me, not that I minded so much. His heady masculine scent made desire pump through my veins.

But that would have to wait until later.AfterI’d gotten my way.

“I’m not kidding. If Jud truly worked for a company that serves drug dealers and child traffickers? If he knew about Stillwater’s attack on me before it happened? Iwillbe a part of taking him down.”

River’s smirk wiped away, and he regarded me seriously. “If anyone spots us, it’s big trouble.”

“I know that. The police think you’re public enemynumber one. I don’t want to make you take unnecessary risks, but?—”

“Hey,” he interrupted. “I’m not worried about myself. I’m concerned about what’ll happen if we’re separated.” He smirked. “I’ll be extremely pissed if anyone tries to take you away from me.”

“Then we won’t let that happen.”

“I thoughtIwas the overconfident one.”

“We’ve come this far. Jud knows what’s really going on. He could be the key to fighting back against Stillwater, and that’s the only way we can clear your name and end this.”

“All right, Lieutenant Governor. I guess we’re going backpacking.”

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