Page 117 of Shadow Sabotage
My heart nearly stopped.
But Vance held on, grasping for leverage, then hauled himself up and over the ledge.
And I kept running.
Vance stayed low this time, tackling Trey’s knees. The men fell to the ground, locked in combat.
One final push. I hauled myself to the top and ran straight for them.
The men grappled, both stretching for the rifle that lay a few feet away from their outstretched arms. Vance punched Trey in the chin, then rolled and reached for the weapon.
But Trey yanked a hunting knife from his belt.
No.
I threw myself onto him, pinning his bicep with my knees. I grabbed his wrist with both hands and slammed it onto the rocks, knocking the knife from his hand. Trey wrenched his hand from mine and grabbed my neck, squeezing so hard I couldn’t breathe.
Then Vance delivered a blow that knocked Trey unconscious.
“Are you crazy?” Vance yelled as he grabbed me, pulled me to him. “You could have been killed!”
I gasped for breath, clinging to him as tightly as he clung to me. “We’re partners,” I croaked. “We get out of here together.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Vance
Claire went backfor her packs and found my radio a few feet away. She used it to call in an update while I restrained Trey with the zip ties she carried in her kit. Then I called one of my DCI contacts in Casper and asked for someone to meet Robin at the hospital, both for security and to get an official statement. After a moment to catch our breaths, we started the long haul back to the trailhead, dragging our sullen prisoner with us.
When we emerged at base camp, the entire SAR team was waiting for us—along with a red-eyed Sheriff McGrath, who wordlessly took custody of Collins and hauled him to the back of an official vehicle
“Great work,” Hank said, shaking my hand and throwing his arm around Claire. “You guys had a tough assignment this time—and that’sbeforeyou had to deal with that one.” He shot a disgusted look toward Collins. But he turned back to us with a smile. “You persevered and got another rescue on the books. ”
“Claire deserves all the credit,” I said, grinning. “She was amazing. I was just along for the ride.”
Claire’s eyes met mine. She gave me a cocky smirk, but her eyes shone with something deeper.
It made me want to tell her how incredible she was every single day of her life.
Cheyenne pushed past Hank and grabbed Claire in a tight embrace. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Her voice broke.
“Me too.” Claire gripped her friend, closing her eyes tightly.
“When we heard the shots, Rhett and I started saddling the horses to go after you.” Cheyenne pulled back, her eyes teary. “I was so scared. I love you so much. I don’t know what I would have done if…”
“We’re okay,” Claire said, though her own eyes were teary as well. “Thanks to Vance. He put himself in the line of fire to give me a chance to get away.”
Rhett came over and shook my hand. “Thanks for taking care of my sister,” he said, his voice rough.
“I tried to,” I said, giving Claire a wink. “But instead of getting away, she threw herself down in front of a dagger and saved me instead.”
He grinned. “That’s our Claire. She’s a hell of a woman.”
Claire blushed under his praise.
“Yes, she is,” I murmured, catching her eye.
The rest of the team had held back, giving Claire a few moments with Rhett and Cheyenne. But with their patience gone, they swarmed us, thrusting hot sandwiches and thermoses of fresh coffee into our hands. The energy was contagious and gave us a much-needed boost—as did the calories. The hot ham and cheese sandwich tasted like the best thing I’d ever had in my life.
