Page 13 of Hunted By the Mountain Man
The operation unfolds with textbook precision. Costa's men, caught between superior firepower and impossible terrain, surrender without significant resistance. Within twenty minutes, it's over.
"Emergency beacon source, this is RCMP tactical," the pilot reports. "All hostiles secured. Requesting extraction for civilians."
I look at Anna, seeing my own conflicted emotions reflected in her dark eyes. This is it—the moment where she leaves my mountain sanctuary and returns to the real world.
"Tell them we're ready for extraction," she says quietly.
I key the radio with a heavy heart. "RCMP tactical, civilians are secure and ready for pickup."
Twenty minutes later, we stand on the ridge watching the last helicopter disappear over the horizon, taking Costa's captured men with them. The silence that follows feels deafening.
"So," Anna says, not looking at me. "I guess it's over."
"Yeah."
"The RCMP officer said they'll have a debriefing team here tomorrow. Then witness protection will arrange my relocation."
I nod, not trusting my voice.
"Cole." She turns to face me fully. "Look at me."
I meet her eyes, knowing she can see everything I'm feeling—the love, the fear, the certainty that I'm about to lose the best thing that's ever happened to me.
"I meant what I said before. You don't get to decide this for me." Her voice is steady, determined. "I get to choose my own life. And I choose you."
"Anna—"
"No." She steps closer, her hands framing my face. "I choose you, Cole Manning. I choose this mountain, this life, this futurewe could build together. I choose love over safety, connection over isolation."
"You don't understand what you're giving up—"
"I understand perfectly." Her thumbs trace my cheekbones. "I'm giving up a life of running and hiding for a life of belonging somewhere. With someone."
Before I can argue further, she's kissing me—fierce, desperate, claiming. When we break apart, there are tears on her cheeks.
"Don't you dare try to noble sacrifice me," she whispers. "I've been alone for two years, Cole. I won't be alone anymore. Not when I've found you."
Something breaks open in my chest—hope, terror, love so intense it's physically painful.
"If you stay," I say roughly, "there's no going back. This life, these mountains—it's all I have to offer."
"It's all I want." Her smile is radiant despite her tears. "Just you. Just this. Just us."
I kiss her again, pouring every emotion I can't voice into the contact. When I finally pull back, my decision is made.
"Then stay," I whisper against her lips. "Stay and be mine forever."
"Forever," she agrees, and in that single word, I hear the promise of a future I never thought I'd have.
The mountains stretch endlessly around us, silent and eternal. But they're not empty anymore.
They're home.
seven
Anna
TheRCMPdebriefingteamarrives at dawn in a convoy of black SUVs that look obscenely official against the pristine mountain landscape. I watch them through Cole's cabin windows, my stomach tight with apprehension.
