Page 40 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
He nods, accepting my word. "Hunters?"
"Could be. It could be one of us as well. Or something more deadly." I wince as the words leave my mouth. "Let's keep going but be more aware."
We move deeper into the forest where areas of shade and sunlight become scarce. The smell of pine and foliage is familiar. Piercing thorns dig into my skin as I push through the dense underbrush, which tangles and grabs at me. My heart races with fear of what we might find if we locate Olly. I try to push thoughts of danger out of my mind and focus on the task at hand. It's easier knowing that Sofie is safe with Judean and Colton. I wince, knowing Judean might not be impressed by my texting an SOS to my brother.
The sound of Kalluk's heavy breathing has me looking over at the man. "It's been a long time since I've trekked through a forest," he says after a moment.
Keeping my eyes on our surroundings, I ask, "How long have you and Sheridan worked together?"
"Two years." He huffs out a laugh. "She finished her probation and was assigned to me when the cross-state murders hit the bureau." He chuckles. "When she gets stuck into something, she won't let it go until it's finished to her satisfaction. I'm glad she has my back. I don't think I've ever trusted anyone as much as I trust her." He smiles wryly. "She reminds me of my sister, Jonny's mom. A firecracker."
I smirk. "Should I be worried about my brother?"
The agent has a twinkle in his eye. "There are going to be a lot of fireworks there."
"That's my take. Ready to go on?"
He nods.
"Ahead, the trail passes between sheer rock faces. It's narrow, but only around ten feet long."
Kalluk pats me on the back. "I got it."
The agent keeps up and appears less winded after resting for a few minutes. The overgrown section comes into view and the trail seems to disappear, but it doesn't. I found that out on my first hike in this area. My clothes are sticky with sweat as I lead Kalluk through the dense foliage and out into the open space between the two rock faces.
"I see what you mean about it being narrow," Kalluk comments.
"We should call in our location because we might lose all signal for an hour or so on the other side."
"I'll do it."
After taking a drink of water, I wait until Kalluk has finished talking on the radio before heading along the narrow path. I hear noise and glance up just in time to see rocks start to tumble down the rock face. "Move!" I shout, dashing through the passage. "Fuck!" The exit is blocked by a huge boulder. "We need to go back."
I quickly remove my backpack and hold it above my head as my eyes trail upwards. Kalluk does the same, turns around, and heads back the way we came. More stones tumble down and hit hard. "Stay close to the wall!" I yell over the noise, trying to shield myself from the falling rocks.
We break free of the passageway, and I quickly grab Kalluk by the arm and drag him away. Seconds later, with a loud roar, another large boulder falls from the sky and lands where Kalluk had been standing. Dust and debris fill the air as we catch ourbreath, grateful to have narrowly escaped a potentially deadly situation. The sound of falling rocks slowly fades.
I yank my radio free of the vest and manage to reach Branson. After I explain the situation, he and Sheridan head our way. "We need to get up top," I tell Kalluk. "That wasn't an accident."
"No shit!"
I huff out a laugh. "Ready?"
I snapa breadstick in half and point one end toward Colton, who is behind the reception desk now that we are back at the lodge. "You know, he's a really attractive man. I've always been a sucker for a guy in black pants and a white button-down."
“Will you stop pointing out his hotness? I want to know his weakness," Judean says, munching on her own breadstick.
"We both know his weakness is you," I point out, but she avoids my gaze. I snort in amusement. "I think he's cute."
"You think all the Hawke men are cute!"
"That is true." I smirk. "Maddox is the hottest by far."
She snorts. "Well, I'm staying away from Hawke men." She eyes Colton. "Especially the one sleeping his way through the town and lodge.”
I frown. "I don't think that's as accurate as you've been led to believe.”
"I know you like him, and you think it's hot to have him chase me, but he's too hot and delicious to really want me.”
