Page 71 of Raven's Curse
The rock groaned, an eerie screech echoing across the ridge as Chase braced his feet, released the root, then dragged Hodges onto the ledge. The other man collapsed on the surface, eyes unfocused, mouth open as if he’d lost his will to fight.
Chase motioned for Zain to stay back. “On your feet.”
Hodges chuckled, stumbling to his feet, eyeing Zain. “So predictable. Ironic, you’re so eager to save me, now. Five years too late.”
“I…”
A low rumble shook through the stone, mud and gravel raining down from above, tilting the rock toward the ocean. Chase lunged at Hodges, snagged his arm before the ledge dropped out beneath them, the line catching their weight.
They snapped to a halt, Hodges dangling beneath them, the line spinning from the increased downwash as the chopper slowly rose. Chase locked his other hand around the man’s arm, fighting to hold on when Hodges looked him in the eyes.
Hodges reached up — pulled himself a bit closer. “You’ll never be free Remington, because in the end, you won’t be able to save her.”
A glint, then a flash of pain along Chase’s side — hot and bright. Blood bloomed against his shirt, bleeding through the fabric, dripping onto the rocks below.
He kicked at the knife, dropping it into the next surging breaker before Hodges released his hold, nothing but Chase’s flimsy grip keeping him steady.
Chase grunted. “Damn it, I can’t…”
Another laugh, then he fell, body disappearing into the surf. Nothing surfacing as the waves crashed against the shore, his voice still ringing across the cliff.
Zain grabbed him, holding Chase steady as they crested the chopper, got dumped inside. Bodie snagged some bandages, pressing them against Chase’s ribs as Chase stared out the open door, watching the ocean curl in on itself. A light bounced along the water, slowing as it reached the impact site.
Zain claimed the seat beside him. “Saylor’s backing us up. Took one of Bodie’s buddies with her. If there’s anything to retrieve…”
Chase let his head fall back against the seat, cursing the hot line against his ribs. “I can’t imagine what it took to turn him into…”
Zain clapped him on the shoulder. “You gave him a chance. That’s more than I might have done.”
“Didn’t change anything.”
He’d failed. Again.
A habit he needed to break.
He took a breath, inhaled. “Shit, Greer. Atticus. They’re with Buck at that old tower?—”
“Mac and Kash already picked them up. They’re halfway to Providence. Seems there was a lightning strike. A trip down that river…”
“Of course, there was. I swear, she invents trouble just to give me a damn heart attack.”
“She’s not the only one. Rest, Foster’s itching to have a come-to-Jesus moment with you, so… You’ll need your strength.”
“I don’t need any pain meds. Just give me some clothes and tell me where the hell Greer is.”
Greer sighed as Chase’s bellow reached her from outside the exam room, the weight of his words lingering in the air. She stopped at the doorway, peeked around the corner. Foster stood with his arms crossed, mouth pinched tight as he stared at the silhouette beyond the curtain.
He glanced over at her, waving her in as he shook his head. “You talk to him. He might listen to you.”
She dodged around the curtain, smiling at Chase as he sat on the gurney, boxers slung low over his hips, all that muscled flesh gleaming in the harsh fluorescent light. The man was stunning.
He caught her gaze, the furrow along his brow lifting. As if seeing her quieted the voices. Slotted everything into place. “God, I thought you were in the ICU or something. All they said was there’d been a concussion, broken ribs with some minor lacerations to a lung.” He curled his fingers. “Are you okay? Should you be walking?”
She laughed, placed her hand over his as she stepped up to the bed. “You might want to let me answer one question before you ask five more. First, I’m fine.”
“I can see the bruises peeking out from your scrubs.”
“Turns out, rocks aren’t that forgiving.” She shushed him when he grunted. “I have a small bump on my head and some cuts and scrapes. Nothing life threatening. Unlike you… Knife wound? Really?”
