Trisha lifted her other hand and gave him the finger. “Can you see this?”

“Maybe later, Doc. I’ll take that as an offer. I’m turning around for you to climb on my back and here’s the bag. If I have to carry you, you need to carry it.”

He carefully put the bag over her head and arm so it rested on her back. He moved until she knew he waited in front of her. He crouched and she climbed onto his back.

He lifted her as she gripped his shoulders and started walking.

Finally, dawn broke and Trisha could see. “Put me down.”

He stopped and released her knees for Trisha to slide down his back to her feet.

They were in a sharp ravine that twisted out of sight. She stared upward on both sides.

“That’s going to be a climb if this thing doesn’t end somewhere soon.”

Dark blue eyes met hers. “I waited for you to be able to see but we need to climb now. I want out of this. It was good for carrying you but we’re better off on higher ground.”

I had to open my mouth, she thought but she nodded. “After you.”

He shook his head. “After you. I want to be able to catch you if you fall.”

61

Laurann Dohner

That made sense to her. She took a deep breath. Slade pointed and Trisha nodded, turned, and saw a lot of brush on both sides. She grabbed hold of a root and started to climb. The ground became rocky in some places but she kept finding handholds with the vegetation. Slade stayed right behind her. Her foot slipped once and Slade grabbed the heel of her shoe, stopping her from sliding. She turned her head.

“Thanks.”

“Keep moving, sweet thing.”

“You got it, lollypop.”

“Knock that off.”

“Right back at you.”

She gave her attention to where she climbed and kept moving. Her hands hurt but she tried to ignore it, knowing their lives were at stake. The light got stronger as the sun rose and the chilly air turned into a warm, sunny morning, causing Trisha to sweat.

Trisha knew her relief showed clearly when they reached the top and she groaned.

She felt as though they’d been climbing forever. A hand suddenly grabbed the back of her slacks and yanked her down. Trisha gasped as she collapsed to her knees. Slade crouched at her side.

“Stay down,” he ordered, flashing her an irritated look. “We’re higher, easier to spot, and your blonde hair is too visible.”

“Sorry. This stuff isn’t my forte.”

“Unfortunately, it is mine. Take a break, stay down, and be quiet. I’m going to scout the area.”

“Sure. You do that.” She was exhausted as she just spread out on the ground, not caring how much dirt she sprawled over. She put her arm under her head. “I won’t move.”

Slade snorted. “Women.”

“Men.”

“Smartass.”

“Dumbass.”

“Doc, knock it off.”

“While you’re scouting, I don’t suppose you could find a local coffee shop and bring me back an iced mocha coffee, could you? Maybe a muffin? Or a donut?”

Teeth flashed at her when he suddenly grinned. “I’ll do my best.”

Trisha watched him leave. He stayed low. She studied the sky, deciding it would be really hot when the sun rose completely. She could just feel it. She sat up a few minutes later and carefully looked around, spotting ridges below. They were at a high point all right. She lay back down, hoping Justice North had sent out the National Guard to rescue them. She wanted a hot shower, clean clothes, and food. She yawned.

62

Slade

She hadn’t gotten enough sleep. She was a pro at taking cat naps. She’d done it since med school. Being an intern could be a sleepless existence. She had learned to sleep under extreme conditions. She just hoped that training helped her survive on so little sleep and the grueling pace they needed to keep to stay ahead of the men hunting them.

* * * * *

“Don’t make a fucking sound.” Something jabbed hard into Trisha’s stomach.

Her eyes flew open and she stared in fear at the hairy man wearing fatigues who stood over her. His shotgun shoved tighter against her waist, digging into her stomach, and his feet were planted wide apart above her. She stared right up between his spread legs and couldn’t miss the fact that he had a tear in the seam of his pants to

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