Page 68 of Everest

I round the corner as Wick bashes the lock off a red container near the river’s edge.

The doors groan when he pulls them open.

And there she is.

London.

Huddled with a few other women.

She is hooded, her wrists bound behind her back, and blood splatters on her clothes.

“London,” I say her name to help me breathe as I rush inside.

“Kallum?” she calls out in a tone of relief that damn near causes my knees to buckle out from under me.

I rip the hood off. London’s lip is swollen, with a cut to her cheek and dried blood all over her. Her eyes snap to mine, and her body falls into my arms, where she belongs. “I got you, baby,” I whisper, my voice raw.

She pulls back just enough to look at me. “About damn time.”

I let out a heavy breath. “Never lettin’ you outta my sight again.”

Her brows lift. “That mean I’m moving in?”

This woman.

“It means you already did.”

I let go of her long enough to get my knife and slice through the zip ties bound tight around her wrists. Then, I drag my eyes over her, looking for other injuries.

“It’s not my blood, Kallum.” Her voice is softer, and she turns, looking up at me. “Is he…” Her lip quivers, leaving her question hanging, but I know what she’s asking.

“Last we heard, he was heading to surgery. We don’t know yet, baby.”

“He was protecting me.”

“I know.” I pull her into my chest, and she clings to me.

Riggs, Wick, and Fender help the other women by cutting restraints and leading them out of the steel container with London at my side.

Riggs walks up, his eyes on London. “You good, sweetheart?”

London nods. "I am now."

Riggs then turns to me. “Take your woman home. We got it from here.”

I clasp my hand on his shoulder. “Let me know when you receive news on Catcher?”

“I’ll keep you updated. Now get outta here,” Riggs orders, and I don’t argue.

I sweep London off her feet.

“I can walk,” she protests.

I ignore her. “Just shut up and let me take care of you, woman.” I start walking.

London sighs, and I’m half-ass expecting her to say something else with that sassy mouth. Instead, she wraps her arms around my neck and buries her face into my throat.

I press on, not once looking back, knowing my brothers will take care of the aftermath and get the women to safety.

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