Marshall tried to put Carter down, but the child clung to his father as he sobbed. Lena felt like doing the same, which was stupid. Crying wouldn’t solve any of their problems. Marshall adjusted Carter and sat on a boulder, his chest heaving.
“Did … we … lose them?” Marshall spoke between gulps of air.
“I think so.” Lena scanned behind them, searching for movement as she caught her breath.
“Born?” Carter’s watery gaze darted between her and Marshall.
“Didn’t you see him race into the woods?” Lena faked a fun attitude she didn’t feel.
Carter shook his head, wiping his nose across his sleeve.
“Well, he tricked those bad guys and got away.” Lena wiped the tears from Carter’s cheeks. “Bjørn is too smart for them.”
Carter nodded and leaned against Marshall’s chest. Oh, to believe so easily. Lena lifted her eyes to meet Marshall’s. Why was this organization so insistent on getting him? How was she supposed to keep them safe when the organization had somehow followed them to the cabin no one knew of?
“You okay?” Her voice faltered with her doubts.
“Yeah.” Marshall placed his hand on her shoulder like he could see her uncertainties piling up. “You’ll get us through this.”
She nodded and turned her face back the way they’d come. She couldn’t let him see any more of her insecurity. He had enough to worry about and needed to trust her.
Needed to believe she could get Carter out of this and away from harm.
If it was just the Alaskan wilderness they had to contend with, she could get them to safety without hesitation. Sure, it might be hard, but she had spent as much of her time growing up exploring the Alaskan outdoors as she had staying safe at home. Throwing in homicidal maniacs who’d blow up a helicopter without pause took the adventure to a level of danger she wasn’t sure she could handle alone.
She sucked in a shuddering breath. Why hadn’t she allowed Zeke to send in reinforcements? Would her stubbornness get them all killed?