Page 58 of A Rebel's Shot

“When will they come to get us?”

“The storm should blow out by morning.”

“Okay.” That didn’t sound so bad. “What do you need me to do?”

“Grab anything up front that you need. I’ll get the survival packs from the back.” Tiikâan climbed out the door.

She crawled back to the front. Relief rushed the air from her lungs when she found her satchel wedged under the pedals.

If she’d lost her computer, all the research she’d done into her father’s death and the inconsistency of the mine reports would be lost. The bag ripped at the seam as she yanked it from the cramped space, leaving a collection of pens and receipts behind.

Tiikâan set a pack beside her, then one next to Nolan. “Here are your go-bags. They have a change of clothes, food, and some survival gear.”

“You packed one for each of us?” She fingered the strap of hers.

“Of course.” He swung his off his shoulder and set it on the snow.

“Of course,” she whispered, once again impressed by the unassuming man.

Tiikâan waved her toward him. “Why don’t you climb on out? I’ll make sure the emergency beacon is firing, get that call in that we need to be picked up once the storm passes, then we’ll head to the cave.”

His warm hand enveloped hers as he helped her out.She leaned into his side. She wanted to hold on tightly, but they had more important things to do.

Like surviving.

As he climbed into the plane, she quickly opened the pack and shoved her torn satchel in before pulling the pack on. She didn’t want to take any chance of something important falling out and getting lost. Nolan grunted as he climbed out and stood next to her.

“Quite the prepared man you’ve got yourself.” Nolan’s eyebrows bunched together. “Though he shouldn’t have put us in this position to begin with.”

“No. Stop.” She slashed her hand through the air and leaned in so only Nolan could hear her. “You are not placing this on him, not with how bullish you were about getting to Barrow.”

Nolan narrowed his eyes at her. She raised one warning eyebrow at him. With a humph, he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Here. Hold this.” Tiikâan shoved something toward her, drawing her attention away from her uncle.

She took the harness swinging toward her. When she realized a pistol hung in it, her eyes widened. Was he worried they’d run into bears?

Bears liked caves, didn’t they?

Panic galloped in her chest, and her hands trembled.

“Let me take that, pumpkin.” Nolan eased the harness from her fingers, patted her on the back, then put the shoulder harness on.

Did he even know how to use the gun? Of course, he did. He’d been in the CIA, and he and her dad went shooting at the range every week.

She pushed the heel of her hand against her forehead to try and slow the feeling like she might faint. Spiraling into a panic attack now would not only be ridiculous but would be dangerous.

“There aren’t bears in the cave, are there?” She hated how weak her voice sounded.

“No. The opening is too large. Bears like dark, hidden holes.” Tiikâan pushed a small case into her hand and crawled from the plane. “Besides, with it being summer, it’ll be cold and damp from the glacier melting. Nothing would want to be there on purpose.”

“Sounds cozy.” She mumbled into his chest as he pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.

“Five stars, all the way.” He forced a smile, then dug into his pack.

He pulled out a headlamp and put it on. Next, he grabbed a coil of rope from the cockpit and draped it over his shoulder so it rested across his body. Every movement was sure and strong.

She bit her bottom lip, her cheeks heating despite the cold wind. Alaskan tough was sexy as all get out.

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