Page 124 of Beautiful Exile

“Yay!” Keely cheered before wiggling free and running back to Luca.

“I guess she didn’t miss methatmuch,” Trace muttered.

Sutton patted him on the shoulder before moving to gather the kids’ things. “Get used to it. It happens more and more these days.”

I looked at Trace, trying to read behind the easy mask he always wore. “Anything?”

There was a quick flash in those green eyes. “Let’s talk about it in a minute.”

My stomach twisted as Linc reached for my hand. They had something. Something Trace didn’t want to talk about with the kidspresent. My gaze moved to Anson, who’d come in behind Trace and gone straight to Rhodes.

Rhodes had wrapped herself around him in a tight hug, knowing he needed her. Because it wasn’t easy for Anson to slip back into those profiler shoes. Even though he did it for the people he cared about, there was always a cost.

“That’s our cue,” Nora said, gesturing for the crew to leave. And she was the only one who could’ve gotten them to do it.

Kye pinned Trace with a hard stare. “We want an update, too.”

“I know. And I’ll give you one tomorrow,” Trace promised.

Kye didn’t look like he was going to move, but Fallon tugged on his sleeve. “Come on. I’ll treat you to a shake if you’re a good boy and do as you’re asked.”

Kye’s gaze cut to her. “Double chocolate with Oreos?”

“As if there’s any other kind,” Fallon huffed.

“Okay,” he grumbled but then pinned Trace with a stare. “Tomorrow.”

Trace nodded. The rest of the crew said their goodbyes, and it wasn’t long before it was only Linc, Trace, Anson, and me. Even Rhodes had told Anson she’d wait in the car.

My small house suddenly seemed too quiet. It had felt too crowded all afternoon, and now it was far too empty.

“Gonna talk you through everything we know,” Trace said, scrubbing a hand over his face. He looked exhausted.

Linc’s fingers tightened around mine, assuring me he was right there.

“We found tire treads that fit an ATV on the trails just north of your campsite,” Trace began. “And we found a sniper’s nest. Where they lay in wait for their shot.”

Linc’s hand tightened more around mine, but I didn’t think he was aware of it this time. “Did you get DNA? Prints?” he asked.

Trace shook his head. “Nothing yet. We found some fibers. Colors match hunting fatigues.”

“Nest, camo, specialty vehicle. That takes planning,” Linc surmised.

“It does.” Trace turned to me. “Who knew you were going camping?”

My eyes flared as I put the pieces together. “Just you and Cope. I mean, I’m sure he told Sutton, but?—”

“I already asked them. They didn’t tell anyone. I know I didn’t, which means one thing.”

“Someone’s watching,” I whispered.

Linc didn’t settle for simply holding my hand anymore; he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his uninjured side. But it didn’t matter how warm he was, I was still freezing. Ice slid through my veins as I pictured someone with binoculars watching me through the lenses.

“Even if they were watching you from some vantage point here, they wouldn’t have been able to keep up on foot. They would’ve had to know where you were going,” Anson said, his voice devoid of all emotion. “Is this camping spot one you go to often?”

I nodded numbly. “It’s my favorite one.”

“Who knows that?” Trace pressed.

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