Page 68 of Twin Threats In Austin
“Let me help,” Kage said.
“No,” Rochelle stated. “I need you to keep watch for your brother while I do it.”
He shot her a look.
“A man who looks just like you kidnapped these ladies,” she said to Kage. “I have no idea how they’ll react to seeing your face.”
His lips formed a thin, angry line but he nodded. It must be hell to be in his position. The man deserved sympathy.
Right now, though, she needed to focus on saving the ladies.
The minute her face came into view, both ladies relaxed a little bit.
“I’m going to have to jump in with you in order to hoist you up to my partner, okay?” Benny asked.
Two pairs of frightened eyes shifted to Rochelle.
“It’s okay,” Rochelle reassured. “He’ll help you.”
When they gave the okay, Benny jumped down and quickly removed their mouth coverings. He then freed them from the tape binding their arms and legs before hoisting them up, one by one.
Justina came out first, rolling onto her side. Her gaze landed hard on Kage.
“It’s a twin,” Rochelle immediately said. But Justina scooted as far away from Kage as possible, much like a wounded animal escaping a predator.
In her condition, she couldn’t get far. Plus, there was one more lady to bring out. Once the second was free, she had the same reaction.
Benny came out next. “We have to figure a way to get everyone out of here beforehefinds us.”
Traveling with two seriously wounded women was going to be a challenge. Not to mention Rochelle wasn’t up to her usual strength. It had taken everything just to lift them to safety.
But they weren’t out of the woods yet.
Deputy Lee lostmore blood than he wanted to let on. A puddle had formed on the ground next to him before he successfully stopped the bleeding. His face paled and his lips tinted blue. Not good signs.
Camden was caught between a rock and a hard place. He had to be vigilant against the shooter in case he returned,andLee needed medical attention. Considering Camden had no idea where they were, he could end up walking around for hours and still not make it out of the woods. Then, there was the fact he refused to leave here without finding Rochelle first.
The buzz of a drone overhead gave him the first sign of hope.
Wary of the shooter being nearby, biding his time for another opportunity to shoot, Camden had to risk it to get the drone operator’s attention. With a sharp sigh, he quickly maneuvered toward the noise.
Every step meant exposing himself to Asher.
The drone neared. Camden bolted toward it faster than a deer in a hunter’s sights seeking safety.
Finding a small clearing, he made himself visible from the canopy and then waved his arms wildly.
The device stopped overhead. Camden turned his face toward it as he heard sounds coming from his right. He scrambled away from the area before he ended up shot. He needed to get back to Lee in case Asher returned and got to the deputy first. Since Camden had lost visual of Lee, he had no idea what might be going on.
The second break came when he found Lee right where he left him. Lee had enough energy to sit up against a tree trunk. That was another good sign. He hoped to keep them rolling as he realized help might be too late.
The drone didn’t follow. Instead, it resumed activity in the area not far away. Could it find Asher?
And then what?
“He’s still here,” Camden said to Lee. “Can you keep pressure on the wound with your left hand?”
A twig snapped nearby. Camden turned to the noise, leading with his weapon. He waited, finger hovering over the trigger mechanism.
