Page 24 of High Seduction
Tim eased his burden a little before lifting them both over a bench blocking the way. “Anders, look around for Erin. Do you see her anywhere?”
“Nothing visible, but I’ll keep checking.”
Devon continued to drone directions in the background. Tim’s burden was heavy enough that his legs were shaking slightly by the time he made it to the wall below where Alisha waited.
“I’m lowering you,” he warned Anders.
A second after settling the man on the ground, Tim had the belay rope wrapped around himself, a backup loop around his leg. “Alisha, you ready to come down?”
She adjusted her stance and securely grabbed the rope. “Lower.”
Hallelujah, he didn’t have to talk her down. “Lowering. Walk slowly, you’ve got a clear path.”
He kept one eye on her, glancing momentarily to the side to see how Devon was coming along with “rescuing” Tripp from the maze. The two of them were nearly together.
“Once I’ve got Alisha down, we’re going to head over to Devon,” he informed Anders.
“Still no sign of Erin,” Anders warned, glancing at his watch.
How long had it been? At least five minutes, maybe more. “You’re touching down in three, two, one... now.”
Alisha bent her knees to absorb the landing as Tim slowed her to a stop. “Nice ride,” she complimented him.
He was already working her rope loop free from her climbing belt. “You’ll be walking in front of me toward our target. Listen to my vocal cues, and I’ll guide you over the debris.”
“Got it.”
His heart was pounding, but he took a deep breath and did it again. Picked up Anders, put Alisha in front of him, and stepped slowly toward his penultimate target.
Ahead of them one more challenge was nearly accomplished. “Nice going, Devon.”
Tripp stepped through the final tangle and into the clear. “Am I there?”
Devon laughed. “Almost. Three paces, toward eleven o’clock, and you’ll hit my station.”
They met at the same time. Tim lowered Anders to the floor again. Tripp waited expectantly, Alisha as well, both of them with their eyes still covered. “Give me a second, and I’ll fill you guys in,” Tim offered.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Tripp muttered.
Tim eyed the platform Devon sat on in disgust. “Your rope is too short for you to come and help us lift the anchor rope free.”
“Sorry.” Devon shrugged. “Two-minute warning.”
Shit. “Alisha, I assume your balance is good?”
She snorted. “Umm, yeah.”
Good. Tim got Tripp and Anders into position before doing anything else. “When I say, I want you to lift straight up,” he instructed them.
Alisha waved a hand. “I don’t have anything to lift.”
Tim chuckled. “Don’t be so sure of that. Devon, lean back.”
The man’s eyes widened in alarm, but he obeyed.
Tim caught him before he fell, easing him safely off one side. “Alisha, you’re giving Devon a lift for a couple minutes. Brace your hands on the wood in front of you to help.”
Time ticked away as he arranged Devon over Alisha’s shoulders, her added height allowing the man’s trapped wrists to remain at a safe level.
