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“Did someone see you and say that they would tell him you were there?”
“No, no one saw me. No one is going to expose me!” she huffed at him. He might be good-looking, but he was frustrating as hell.
“Send those photos to a news agency, the DEA, Homeland, and the FBI. Then, if you’re really lucky, there will be no reason you need protection.”
“Yes, there is,” she insisted.
“And why is that, sunshine,” smirked Bryce. Ivy stood, collecting her photographs and folders, placing her camera back in its bag.
“Because I’m going back down there, and I’m going to bring those children home.” Ghost looked at Bryce as he stood in front of her, stopping her from leaving.
“Like fuck you are!”
“You go, Ivy!” yelled Faith.
“Don’t encourage her,” frowned Bryce. “The fucking Angel of Death, and she was willing to go down there by herself. Crazy.”
“Maybe crazy,” said Trak. “But also incredibly brave and admirable. I would have helped you.” Bryce frowned at Trak, who only gave a friendly smirk.
“Thank you, Trak. Fortunately, Bryce and Ghost agreed to help me and you all sent Doug with the helicopter. And the big outcome was that Ivan and Sophia adopted five beautiful children. My camera is like an extension of my hand. I’ve taken some amazing photos over the years, and each one is unique.”
“Have you photographed all of us?” asked Gaspar with a frown.
“Yes, but I only print the ones you want, then I delete the rest. If anyone compared those I took the first year to now, it would raise a lot of questions.”
“Well, feel free to take photos on the hike tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll encounter some stunning images,” said Ian. “This is a beautiful part of the country.”
“I’ve taken photos at Yosemite before,” smiled Ivy. “It’s unlike anything in the world and seems to change every time I’m here.”
“You’re lucky to have found a career that you love so much,” said Aislinn. “I’m always happy to help the legal team. I just can’t get too close to our clients.”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Kat. “You help us in a million different ways. We’re part of an amazing team.”
“Agreed,” smiled Ian, nodding at the group. “Well, I’m going to turn in. We’ll see you all in the morning.” Ian and Faith walked toward their tent, several other couples following. When only Nine and Trak were left, they stared at one another.
“Was there anything near the cliff face?” asked Nine.
“Footprints. But no bodies.”
“Fuck.”
CHAPTER SIX
The crisp, cool air was a welcome surprise to the group at breakfast. Having endured insufferable heat in Louisiana this summer, the feeling of cooler temperatures, the hint of fall in the air, was a morning shock they needed.
Sara, Camille, Mary, and Grace were working on breakfast, while the others gathered firewood, talked about plans for the day, the direction of their hike, and which snacks they would pack.
“I say lots of nuts and dried fruit,” said Antoine. Alec and Tailor curled their noses at him as he laughed at their expressions.
“Nuts and fruit? Do I look like a damn squirrel?” asked Tailor. “Take biscuits, sandwiches, and a few chocolate bars.”
“No,” said Angel, approaching them. “We’re not going to haul fifty pounds of food on a hike. Take light-weight snacks that you can carry and plenty of water. You guys know how this works. Besides, we can’t have you getting a sugar high and then crashing on the trail.”
“I don’t crash,” said Alec.
“You do, and your big ass is too much to carry back. Listen to your older brother for once,” said Adam. “At least listen to me. I am a doctor after all.”
“Doctor, smoctor,” laughed Tailor. “I know what my body needs.”
