Page 60 of Raven's Nest
“Fine. Bucky, too, other than the bullet wound. He actually got thrown clear. Is out on a ledge bitching to Greer about how we owe him a new RV. Guy won’t shut up.”
She nodded, inhaling when the chassis shifted again, dropping them another foot. “I’m awake, so feel free to get me out of here.”
Zain’s lips pursed, his left eye twitching a bit. “I just need to make sure you’re not hurt before I get us both out, okay?”
She frowned. There’d been a rasp in his voice she hadn’t heard since he’d told her to run the other night when that squad had shown up. “Zain. What aren’t you telling me?”
“Everything’s fine.”
“Zain…” She reached over and cupped his jaw. “Tell me the truth.”
“Your seat’s wedged in too tightly for me to slip you out.”
She nodded. “Then, move it. I’m fine. I mean, I’m sure I’ll have a bruise where the seatbelt was, but nothing hurts.”
“That’s good. Really, that’s great.”
“But…”
“Remember Bucky’s trunk of weapons? Turns out he had a couple incendiary grenades in there, after all. They all scattered during the crash, and one’s wedged under your seat.” He paused, looking like he wanted to scream. “Pin’s missing.”
The words rattled around her brain for a momentbefore sinking in. “So, if you move the seat to get me out…”
“The whole thing’s gonna blow.” He leaned in, getting his face lover-close. “It’s okay. I just need to find another pin and replace it. So, hang in there.”
She nodded, again, faster than before, her racing heart making it hard to breathe. To stare out at the ocean without imagining all the ways this could end, crashing onto the rocks the least of her worries.
Zain gave her a quick kiss, then shifted over, slowly inching his way toward the back. He’d gotten just out of her peripheral vision when the RV pitched forward, slamming him against the dash as the vehicle slipped, bumping down over a log — teetering toward the shoreline. It rocked back and forth, sloughing off more mud before it finally settled, the rear end much higher than before.
“Zain.” She reached for him, squeezing his hand until he opened his eyes. Gave her a nod. “This is crazy. Get out before it’s too late.”
He shook his head, peeling himself off the dash. A bloody gash marred his temple, a fine line dripping down his face. “No.”
“Zain. Please. I can’t be the reason you’re killed. I can’t, I…”
He placed a warm, strong finger over her mouth. “We either both make it out, or we both go down. It’s that simple.”
She closed her eyes. Was this how she’d felt in the Zodiac? Wondering if the next wave would kill her? If she’d survive the storm only to die from blood loss orhypothermia? She’d always imagined she’d faced it with fierce determination. Sitting there now, Zain’s face a mask of unyielding resolve, she wasn’t quite sure.
A few tears slipped free before she drew herself up — held her chin high. “Then, what are you waiting for, soldier? Get that pin.”
“Hooyah.”
“What does that even mean?”
He smiled. “It means, I’m getting your ass out of this damn RV.”
He made a tentative shift to the left, stopping when it rocked the vehicle, tilting it up before it tipped back down. “Damn.”
“I think we’re past damn, but… Could we use something else?”
“Unfortunately, I left all my paperclips in my other pants.”
“What about a bobby pin? I’m still growing out a bad hair decision when I thought bangs would make my life easier.”
His gaze flew to her head. “Well, shit.” He ran his fingers through the front part of her hair, removing a small one from behind her ear. “Remind me to show you how impressed I am later.”
“Deal.”
