Page 21 of Craving Chaos

“If it hasn’t already, I’d say probably not.”

I nod, praying he’s right.

Wordlessly, we both resume our descent. Once we’re both safely on the ground, we walk an arcing circle around the plane.

“We could use it as shelter if we could get inside,” I suggest, though I can’t see a way in, and I’m still worried the thing could burst into flames at any moment.

“I’m not sure there is an inside left,” Renzo adds.

A weary sigh slips past my lips. “Okay, the plane isn’t an option. We need to find someplace to escape the cold for the night.”

“I suggest we go south toward the border and warmer temps. There’s bound to be more towns that way, too.” He points to his left.

“How do you know that’s south?” The sun sets in the west, but we’re far enough north that the sun is behind the horizon and makes shadows hard to read.

“Trees tend to grow thicker and longer branches where they get the most light. That’s south up here.”

I look around at the trees above me, and I’ll be damned if there isn’t a subtle pattern of more growth on one side. “How the hell did you know that?”

“My grandmother.” His answer surprises me enough to draw my gaze back to him. “She loved plants. Had a greenhouse in the backyard that I loved to play in as a kid.”

“She teach you any arctic survival techniques?” I ask with a touch of humor, needing to lighten the mood.

He shakes his head somberly.

“Pity.” I shove my hands in my pockets and start our trek through the knee-deep snow.

CHAPTER 11

RENZO

This fucked-up situation isn’t Shae’s fault. I know that. She’s not the one who kidnapped us at gunpoint. But Jesus Christ have things been insane since the second I met her. I mean, what more could possibly go wrong?

We’re probably going to freeze to death in the middle of the goddamn Canadian wilderness, assuming that’s where we are. We don’t even know that for sure.

I can’t think about that crap.

I have to focus on how we’re going to survive the night. I consider the options. As far as I can figure, if we walk a little ways and there are no outcroppings or other natural formations that would serve as a shelter, then I suppose we cover ourselves with as many pine branches as possible. A fire would be amazing, but fuck if I know how to start a fire out here. I feel totally helpless, and I fucking hate it.

For the past twenty years of my life, I shadowed my father and absorbed everything I could about what it took to survive in the world—in our world. How to detect betrayal and lead a family organization. What business pitfalls to avoid. Who makes the best allies and how to negotiate deals without getting killed. My father exposed me to a wealth of information over the years, but everything I ever learned means jack shit here. This isn’t just another world; it’s a whole other universe.

Then there’s Shae. She may not feel like I’m responsible for keeping her alive, but I do. That’s who I am. I feel an enormous pressure to get us out of this, and I have no goddamn idea how. The weight of it keeps me from pushing to catch up with Shae when she starts her march south. I need a few minutes to wrap my head around everything that’s happened. I’m so damn preoccupied that I almost miss the fact that Shae is limping.

“You hurt?” I call ahead to her.

“I’m fine,” she snaps over her shoulder.

I sigh out a cloud of foggy breath and increase my pace. When I’m close enough, I grab her wrist to stop her. She turns and levels me with a look of indifference so icy it makes the wind out here feel balmy.

“You’re limping.”

“And? It’s fine. Just tweaked my ankle at some point.” She tries to turn back around, but I stop her.

“Let’s check it out. You can sit on that fallen tree over there.” I point at the log on the ground not far from us.

“Seriously? We don’t need to waste time on this.”

“We’ll waste time on what I say we waste time on.” And you are not a waste of time. “Now, you going to walk over there, or do I have to carry you?”

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