Page 26 of Rescued Duty

“Thanks.” Naya swallowed and offered a small smile.

“You ready to hoist?” Zack wrapped the harness around Naya’s abdomen, then secured his arm around her waist and turned to Ridge.

“I’m going to be sick.” Ridge turned and heaved over the side of the landing. He let out a cough, then suddenly, his body went limp, the rope holding his weight.

“Firefighter down,” Zack yelled into his radio and rushed over to his friend. “He’s got a gash to the head, and he’s unconscious.”

“We can pull him up with Naya,” Eddie said.

There was no way Zack could hold Ridge’s weight and make sure they didn’t crash into the side of the mountain on the way up.

“I’m going to need to take two trips.” Zack couldn’t risk anyone’s safety.

“Bring the patient up, stat. This fire is growing, and I don’t like it,” Bryce said. “There’s no way we can lower down a basket.”

“Here.” Zack handed Naya another clip that would connect her to his rope.

She shook her head and folded the clip back in his hand. Naya’s hand trembled and her eyes darted between the two men. “Take him up first. He needs help. Just don’t leave me behind again.” Naya’s eyes widened, shining with unshed tears. “Please.”

For a split second, Zack witnessed the terror in Naya’s gaze. It hit like a knife to his heart and served as a reminder of the trouble he’d caused that forced him to leave her behind once before. But he wouldn’t let it happen again.

“I won’t leave you.” After the words left his mouth, Zack bit his tongue. He didn’t like the choices in front of him, but there was no time to delay. He hoisted his hands under Ridge’s legs and yanked on the rope. The pulley tugged them back up, and Zack used his feet to guide them so they wouldn’t sway into anything.

“Take him.” Zack hefted Ridge up to Bryce, who pulled him over the edge. Smoke wafted through the air, and Zack let out a cough. A quick glance revealed the flames skirting the edge of the path not far from the truck.

More sirens pierced the air from what Zack hoped was the other truck en route.

“I’m going back for Naya,” Zack yelled.

Eddie held the rope and nodded.

Zack rappelled down the side of the mountain.

His feet touched the ground.

“I came back.” Zack stepped over to Naya and handed her the clip once more.

Naya closed her eyes for a brief second, and more tears peaked at the corners. She blinked quickly. “Thank you.”

He pulled her against him and held on for a second. “Anytime.” He wiped a mix of dirt and blood from her forehead.

She stared up at him, her brown eyes a well of relief.

In this moment, the past didn’t stand between them. She’d leaned into his embrace and let him hold her. He was there for her. Her friend. Her protector.

What was he thinking? She was the patient, and he was supposed to be saving her right now.

Zack cleared his throat and helped her hook onto his harness. Then he pulled on the rope once more to signal they were ready to climb.

“We can’t pull you guys up.” Bryce’s confession in his ear sent Zack’s heart into a faster rhythm.

“What do you mean?” Zack gritted his teeth to refrain from shouting.

“The fire is too close. If the wind picks up and catches on the rope, you’re toast.” Bryce paused. “We can’t risk it.”

Zack turned to face the edge of the landing and studied the area to place where they were in comparison to the rest of the trails.

If they couldn’t go up, Zack needed to find another escape route pronto.

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