Page 25 of Trapped

“Really?”How did I not know that?

I’d assumed living in the twenty-first century meant you didn’t need a phone signal to access help, but evidently, not yet.My line of work had meant I’d always had a satellite phone for emergencies.It was the first time I’d found myself in such a desperate situation.

“We can use WhatsApp to call another mobile.”It was the best spontaneous suggestion I had.“Perhaps someone out there can make the call for us.”

“Chelle!”She straightened at the thought, unlocking her phone excitedly.“If you’re right and she’s okay, she can call the emergency services for us.”

“Good plan.”Moving to the window, I glanced outside.The woodland landscape was still framed in frozen luminosity, but even if the temperatures out there had elevated enough to thaw the snow, it would be wet and cold for days to come.Without adequate waterproofs, Erin was still going to struggle with our descent, and I wouldn’t risk her falling into hypothermic shock.“You should try her, little girl.”

Peering around at her, I realized I needn’t have bothered with the instruction.Covered in the blanket she’d abandoned by the pot earlier, Erin was already on the phone, the device pressed to her ear as she wandered in circles by the side of the bed.

“It’s ringing,” she mouthed as she caught my eye.“But there’s no answer.”

“Give it time,” I urged, willing her not to unravel at the first hurdle.

I’d put her through a lot in the last twenty-four hours, and coupled with the meteorological adversities we’d faced and not a great deal of sleep, I sensed she could slide into a meltdown at any given moment, especially where Chelle was concerned.

Her friend had become something of a bane since her irritating boyfriend had got in touch, triggering the unexpected chain of events that had unwound since our meeting, but I guessed, without their input, I would never have got to meet the wonderful brunette hyperventilating in front of me.In a twisted way, I had Chelle and James to thank for the blossoming connection Erin and I shared.

“Something’s wrong!”Her voice was louder that time.“She’s not answering, and Chelle always picks up when I call.”

“Maybe she’s sleeping,” I offered.“She would have been through a lot yesterday.”My explanation was plausible, at least.

“Or maybe she never made it.”Erin choked on the thought.“Maybe she found James’ broken body and decided to end her own life.”

“Hey.”Wandering closer, I tugged her into my arms.She went unwillingly, apparently keener to keep the phone close than to fight me off.“We don’t know anything yet.Try not to catastrophize.”

“She’s not answering.”Her voice trembled as she ended the call.“I need to save what power I’ve got.”

“Good thinking.”Kissing the top of her hair, I held her against me.“I know this is stressful.I’m sorry.”

I might have actually meant the apology, too.No one, save Erin, would have been happier than me if Chelle had answered the phone and reassured her everything was all right, but we had no such guarantee.Trapped in the cabin, we were low on food and wood, and despite our blooming passion, we both knew we were running out of time.Whatever had happened to Chelle, we wouldn’t last much longer without the basic provisions to keep us alive.

“It’s not your fault.”She heaved in a breath and buried her face against my chest.“I just don’t know what to think, sir.”

“Listen.”I drew away a few inches, hooking one finger under her chin to garner her attention.She blinked away tears but didn’t try and turn away.“We should use the mobile data while we have it.”

There was no assurance that the privilege would last.

“Is there anyone else you can message to ask for help?”Stroking her smooth skin, I waited as she considered the question.I knew there must be.A woman as wonderful as Erin would have a litany of friends who cared about her.

“I guess I can ask my mum.”She shrugged.“We haven’t had the greatest relationship, but I hope she’d respond in an emergency.”

“Then, go for it,” I whispered, leaning to graze my lips over her temple.“I have someone in mind, too.Let’s reach out and see if they can help.”

“You’re worried.”She swallowed, her watery green eyes searching my face for an answer.I tensed at her quivering tone, irked that I hadn’t done a better job of concealing my concern.“Not about Chelle, but for us.”

“Notworried,” I corrected.“But I think it’s a good idea to act while we can.Let’s use the mobile data now and then save the power.”

“Okay.”Her breath was warm against me, reminding me of how cold the cabin had become whilst we’d devoured each other.With no active fire for at least an hour, the drop in temperature was hardly surprising, and I’d need to rectify the situation sooner rather than later.“I’ll do it now, sir.”

“Thank you.”Despite the escalating dread, I was thrilled that she was still choosing to refer to me the way I’d asked.It reminded me that whatever happened outside of the four walls of the cabin, we had something real growing between us.It hadn’t all been a figment of my sordid imagination.“I’ll do the same.”

We both took a step back, our focus falling to the devices in our hands as we created our messages.Opening a new missive, I typed my urgent plea.

Baron, it’s been a while.

That was one way of putting it.I hadn’t spoken to my former boss’s boss for more than a year.

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