Page 67 of Mountain Summons

He stood abruptly, pacing two steps before whipping around to face her, eyes wild.

“Didyoutake it?” he snarled. “Did you and that boyfriend of yours take it?”

Lena took a step back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tristan. We didn’t take anything.”

He nodded. “Okay. I believe you, Lena. You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”

“You’re going to … let me go?” she asked. Despite herself, hope rose inside her.

The sound of his soft sigh was scarier even than his early rantings. “I wish I could, Lena. But if you didn’t take it, then it’sstill up there.” He gave a determined nod. “So that’s where we have to go. To the cave.”

No. No way. She hadn’t been back to the mountains since the day she’d been rescued. She knew she’d have to go back out there soon. She couldn’t let her fear fester. But the thought of going up there with André ...No.

“There’s nothing up there, André. The forensic scientists took the body away.”

“It’s still up there. I would have heard if they’d found it. It’s still up there. Waiting for me to find it.” He waved the weapon around—the moves haphazard. Dangerous.

Lena swallowed hard, forcing herself not to recoil. “André… you need to calm down.”

It was exactly the wrong thing to say. His face twisted. Her heart pounded so hard she thought it might break through her chest. She eyed the exit, wondering if she could make it. Thinking now, it had to be worth the risk.

She’d barely taken one step by the time he grabbed her. He pulled on her arm—roughly, painfully. The metal of the gun brushed her ribs as he guided her toward the exit.

She didn’t want to go. Because if she did, she’d be walking straight toward Tristan.

She tried to pivot, angle herself away, but it was too late.

Tristan was there. Standing next to the car. His eyes locked on hers, instantly reading the situation. She saw it in the flicker of his expression—the shift from surprise to controlled focus.

André stopped. “Get in the car. Or I will shoot her right here.”

His voice had dropped low—no more ranting, no more spiraling. Just a cold, shaking resolve that was even worse. Even more frightening.

Tristan didn’t move at first, his hands loose at his sides, jaw tight. His bright blue gaze flicked over André’s grip on Lena, theangle of the gun, the pressure in her pale fingers where they clutched her bag. Calculating.

“Okay,” Tristan said calmly, voice measured. “I’m getting in. You’re the reporter, aren’t you? André.”

Lena’s breath hitched.

No.Don’t get in the car.

She felt André’s grip tighten painfully on her arm as Tristan eased toward the driver’s door. His eyes met hers briefly—just long enough for her to read the silent message there:I’ve got you. Hold on.

She’d thought she’d been scared a few minutes earlier, inside the cool gallery, but this … this was much worse. She had brought danger to Tristan. André was crazy. If he got them in a car, who knew what?—

André yanked Lena toward the passenger door, shoving her in roughly before sliding in behind her. The gun stayed out, stayed steady, the barrel now pressed against her neck between the seat and the head-rest as he barked at Tristan, “Shut up and drive. No games. Remember, she doesn’t have her seatbelt on.”

“Where would you like to go?” Tristan asked, his tone cool.

“The cave. Where you found her. But first, give me your phone.”

Lena’s stomach lurched. For an instant, she thought she might lose her lunch. André had already taken her phone. If he took Tristan’s phone as well, there would be no chance of calling for help. No chance at all. A soft whimper escaped her throat. Tristan handed his phone backwards, into André’s greedy hands. Then his gaze flicked sideways, catching her wide, panicked eyes. He gave the smallest shake of his head—barely there.

Stay calm. Stay here.

But he didn’t know André. He didn’t know how crazy the man was.

André jabbed the gun harder against her, but his words were for Tristan. “Move.”

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