Page 42 of Holiday Hostage
I needed her to see that my brothers-in-arms were capable of taking care of themselves.
Was I worried about them? Of course. But a promise was a promise.
“Mav would never forgive me if I let something happen to you because I came back to help them.” I reeled her toward me one slow step at a time. “The best thing we can do is get to the rendezvous point. That’s our mission.”
She chewed on her bottom lip, causing blood to well up on the split when she worried it. “Promise me you’re telling the truth.”
She’d heard Maverick, but I understood her need for reassurance.
I led her a step deeper into the woods, then another. “Maverick and Reed are two of the best Rangers in the world. They know what they’re up against, and we came prepared. There’s nothing we can do to help them from out here. If anything, we’d be in the way.”
If it was me alone, I’d have never left, but that was not the case.
Payton’s gloved hand tightened around mine, and I almost expected another protest. Instead, she nodded once, the move firm and decisive. “Fine. We’ll keep going. I don’t like it, though.”
Neither did I.
Mav and Reed could take care of themselves.
I’d seen them handle worse odds than this, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.
What if I’d spoken too soon?
The question hounded me with every step.
Payton jumped at every footfall and strange sound that met us during our long trek through the woods.
I kept my attention focused on the route ahead, making sure we didn’t tumble into a snowdrift or venture too far off course.
The Alaskan night kept me busy, forcing me to rely on years of training to distinguish the sounds of wildlife from the chaos we’d left behind.
Snow dropped from tree limbs, landing with loud splats that resembled footfalls.
I stopped with each one and double-checked that no one was attempting to sneak up behind us.
We’d made a clean getaway, and as long as Mav and Reed kept the mercenaries focused on the front of the house, they’d never notice the trail Payton and I had made after we jumped off the roof.
There’d been no choice, no way to sneak off without leaving some kind of trail behind.
My chest squeezed tighter and tighter.
I wouldn’t be able to breathe properly until they caught up.
Until then, I had no choice but to follow Maverick’s orders and ensure Payton’s safety.
12
PAYTON
I’d come to Alaska to put my body to the ultimate test.
I’d never expected that test to include kidnapping, the best sex of my life, and a long, arduous trek through hip-deep snow that tried to kill me with every step.
I locked my jaw to keep from complaining.
Even the beautiful distraction of Tarron at my side couldn’t take away my fear for Reed and Maverick.
I took another step, hating every stride that carried us further away from the others.
