Page 6 of My Savior Valentine

I listen intently as Evelyn provides the details, my mind racing.

Viggo continues his calm questioning, gathering as much information as he can. "We'll send a team up to search the area immediately, Mrs. Jones. I'll have one of my men call you back as soon as we have any updates. Try not to worry; we’ll find your daughter."

As Viggo ends the call, he turns to me, his expression serious. My heart pounds in my chest as I realize the gravity of the situation.

"Viggo, I know Willow," I blurt out, unable to contain my growing concern. "I gave her a lift to the slopes earlier today."

A brief flashback plays in my mind—the tense silence in the van and her attitude before that. Willow stared out the window, her eyes distant, before muttering, "I just need to get away from everything for a while." At the time, I had simply grunted in acknowledgment, but now those words take on a new weight.

"Reid, this could be serious," Viggo says, his brow furrowed with worry. "The snow has been heavy since midday, and she’s been alone for hours. I need you on this."

I nod, already moving towards the gear lockers as Viggo hurries after me.

"Did she say anything to you, Reid? When you gave her a lift?"

I nod, the memory of our tense interaction fresh in my mind. "Yeah. She seemed pretty determined to get away from it all."

Viggo sighs heavily. "That's what worries me." He gestures to the large map on the wall. "Based on the information her mother provided, she should have been on the runs at Snowy Summit, but no one has seen her there since you dropped her off."

I study the map, tracing the trails with my finger. "If she's gone off-piste, that's a challenging area, even for an experienced skier. With this heavy snowfall, visibility is going to be terrible."

Viggo nods, his expression grave. "I'm sorry, Reid, but I can't spare any more men. The storm is wreaking havoc, and other rescues are coming in." He places a hand on my shoulder, but he doesn't need to. I work best alone. "I need you to be careful out there, man. This storm isn't going to break until tomorrow. We can't even send a helicopter up until the wind dies down."

I clench my jaw, feeling the familiar adrenaline coursing through my veins. "I know these mountains better than anyone, Viggo. If Willow's out there, I'll find her."

Turning on my heel, I grab a heavy-duty backpack and start methodically packing it—an emergency medical kit, extra food and water, thermal blankets, ropes, and carabiners. I have no idea what I'm going to need on a rescue like this, but each item gives us an extra chance of survival.

As I move with practiced efficiency, my stomach churns with worry. I know Willow is much more capable than most in this environment, but nature can be deadly when you get on the wrong side of it. And she wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind when I dropped her off.

I pause for a moment, double-checking my pack to ensure I haven't forgotten anything essential. The sound of Viggo's footsteps behind me draws my attention, and I turn.

"I've got her phone pinging a location, but the signal is weak and sporadic," Viggo says. "It looks like she went off-piste towards the northern slopes. I'll radio you the coordinates, butReid..." He places a hand on my shoulder, his eyes meeting mine with a silent understanding.

I nod, the weight of the responsibility settling on my shoulders. "I'll find her, Viggo. No matter what."

Viggo gives my shoulder a firm squeeze. "I know you will. Be careful out there; the storm's only getting worse."

With that, I sling the backpack over my shoulder and head for the exit, bracing myself for the onslaught of the elements. As I step outside, the wind howls, whipping the thick snowflakes into a frenzy. I pause for a moment, taking in the bleak, whiteout conditions, and a chill that has nothing to do with the temperature runs down my spine.

Gritting my teeth, I hurry to my truck, the crunch of the fresh snow underfoot a familiar and comforting sound.

With a deep breath, I shift the truck into gear and head out into the storm.

5

WILLOW

Iforce myself to stop crying, biting my lip hard to stifle the sobs doing their damnedest to escape. Crying won't help me now. I need to assess the situation and figure out what to do next.

The pain in my leg is excruciating. It throbs with each heartbeat, sending waves of agony through my entire body. The cold seeps into my bones, the snow beneath me slowly melting and soaking through my clothes. I must have lost my gloves in the fall, too. Fucks sake, can anything else go wrong?

I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the sharp pain in my chest. I look around, squinting through the falling snow. The wind screams in my ears, and I can barely see a few feet in front of me.

How the fuck did I end up in another situation like this? And this time, without any chance of rescue.

I pat my pockets, searching for my phone. My heart sinks as I realize the pocket I usually keep it in is open, the zipper undone. It must have fallen out during my tumble. Fuck.

Panic rises in my throat, threatening to choke me. I'm alone, injured, and now without any means of communication. Thesnow is falling heavier by the minute, and the light is fading fast. How will anyone find me out here?

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