Page 38 of Impossible Thrills

Twelve

Nick spent a really long night searching his soul and analyzing everything Darcy had told him. His mind spun back to their incredible kissing session every other minute.

She had to be innocent. She had to be. The way she’d said ‘oh’ when he said he needed to leave to keep his self-control intact. That couldn’t be an act. She was genuine and perfect.

They hadn’t gotten into her marriage, which he was glad about as he didn’t want her to ever think he’d been prying details out of her about Johnny for his job, but he could tell she’d been neglected and hurt. To have to drive herself to the hospital when she lost her baby … His fist clenched, and he could hardly wait to have Johnny Trattori arrested. Actually, he’d like to tenderize the man’s face before he turned him over to the authorities.

He had even more motivation to take the man down, but he had to be careful what he said to Darcy. That really stunk. He prayed she wouldn’t be upset that he had to hide all he knew about Johnny and about her. She’d acted like it was no big deal that he couldn’t tell her things because of his job. She’d feel different when she knew what he was hiding. This was such a muddled mess.

The next morning, he skipped lifting with Jagger and Hays. Breakfast was fun, teasing with Darcy, Jagger, and Hays and feasting his gaze on her deep-blue eyes and her sweet face. What would Aiden think when Nick told him he’d fallen in love in a week and the woman was Johnny Trattori’s mysterious ex? She wasn’t traitorous like she’d been labeled. No way. But the question was still unanswered. How could she live with that man for four years and not know what he did? Aiden would want Nick’s happiness above all else, but he’d be understandably leery of Nick forming an attachment to Darcy.

During breakfast, the yacht slowed and stopped. Captain Hendry came in as they finished. “Ready for the next adventure?”

The three men looked at Darcy.

“No, but let’s go beat Jagger again.” Darcy lifted both hands in the air in celebration.

“You are going down.” Jagger pointed at her.

Nick and Hays both laughed. Nick was one hundred percent committed to winning the money for Darcy and her children, but he was glad they could all laugh and tease. He’d imagined this week with Jagger and Hays very differently. He looked at Darcy, smiling and sweet. He’d imagined this week with her very, very differently as well.

They loaded up in the helicopter, strapped in, and put on the waiting headsets. Captain Hendry talked about the beautiful landscape and their day as they flew.

They left the ocean behind and flew over stretches of beaches and lush greenery until they approached a massive black mountain.

The captain explained it was Cerro Negro, an active volcano in Nicaragua that had last erupted in 1999. He assured them that the activity was closely monitored and they were safe. Nick didn’t see any visible lava. They landed at the base of the mountain, which looked to be thousands of feet tall, made up of tiny black rocks.

They all exited the chopper and Jagger gestured around at the mountain. The towering black monstrosity contrasted with the verdant green around it. “Mercedes rented out the volcano for the day. It’s all ours.”

There was no one around but them, and there was a stack of wooden sleds close by.

Captain Hendry shut down the chopper and exited. He reached back in for head cams, goggles, and bandanas for each of them. “For the ride down, you wouldn’t want the volcanic dust in your eyes or mouth,” he explained.

They all thanked him. Nick put the bandana in a pocket, the goggles around his neck, and strapped on the head cam, turning it on. He’d be happy to be done with the cameras.

“Let’s do this,” Jagger said, walking toward the pile of sleds.

“Everybody grab one.” Hays picked a sled up first and gestured for them to follow.

Nick picked up two. Darcy tilted her head to the side. “I can carry mine.”

“I know, but I don’t mind.”

“Thanks.” She gave him a grateful smile.

“It’s going to be a hot, dusty hike, almost twenty-four hundred feet up,” Jagger said. “Let’s go.”

He started up the incline. Nick, Hays, and Darcy fell into step next to him. It was a decent hike, and the sun was already hot, even though it couldn’t have been much past ten a.m.

They hiked quietly, the sound of the volcanic rock sliding under their shoes their only accompaniment. Nick’s throat was dry, but the hike was easy with the shape he was in. The sun reflected off the black rock, making it warmer and almost blinding.

The incline continued on and on. Sliding back an inch with each step slowed progress a bit. The hike didn’t bother him, but the longer they walked without anyone speaking gave him time to stew about him and Darcy and reminded him that Jagger was bent on beating him again. He had to focus and win for Darcy. Maybe after tomorrow’s fist fight, they could talk about how to see each other and date after this week was done, but he knew deep down … he couldn’t date her until Johnny was put away.

When they finally reached the top, they were all dripping sweat. Nick glanced around at the rim they stood on. It was flat around the top of the cylinder but then sloped down behind them, forming a crater in the middle of the volcano. Focusing forward, he looked down the long, shifting, and not-gentle outside slope. Sledding down would be fun, if he wasn’t worried about beating Jagger again. It was a beautiful view up here; green mountains surrounded the black volcanic rock in all directions.

“Today won’t be nearly as bad as the other days,” Jagger said to Darcy. “You won’t feel like you’re drowning or reach terminal velocity.”

Hays smiled. “You’ll do great. You and I will start first, and I’ll hold on to your sled to steady you. Jagger and Nick will count down from twenty, then they’ll pursue us. I’ll let go of your sled as soon as they start down the mountain. Just don’t make any sudden movements and the sled will keep heading down the mountain. Do you have any questions?”

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