“Can you do it? Follow the tracks, I mean?” Panther asks.
I look up at him and nod. “In my sleep.”
Darkness flashes behind his eyes. “Then let’s do it.”
Standing, I take a deep breath. “Everyone, stay fucking quiet and only step in my footprints. We can’t let them know we aren’t far behind them.”
The guys nod in understanding.
I remove my gun from my holster and press forward. For the first time in a while, I lean into my training and do everything I was ever taught. I listen for the forest creatures. Are they singing, or are they quiet because they know danger is lurking? Ifollow the prints in the ground, thankful that the ground is still damp enough to leave impressions.
I pause when I see them lead up to a tree. Dread settles into my stomach.
Did he…
Before my fears can take over, I push them into a box in the corner of my mind.
I’ll deal with them later.
Aspen needs me, and I can’t afford to spiral now.
We keep pressing further. We pass by spots where someone slipped, disturbing the moss. Only when the trees start to thin do I pause.
With my free hand, I turn to face the guys and press my finger to my lips. I grab my phone from my pocket and type out quick instructions.
There is a clearing ahead. I say we split up now into three groups. Have two go to the sides and one circle all the way to the back. Once everyone is in place, we step into the clearing.
I hand the phone to Panther, and he reads it before typing another message below mine.
You think they are in the clearing?
I nod.
He takes the phone back and types out a quick message before he passes it to the guys. Without being told, they separate into their chosen groups.
Yak gives me my phone and slaps me on the shoulder before walking away.
I look down at the screen and see that Panther told them to text him or me when they are in position and to avoid the club chat at all costs.
I frown when I read it.
Do you think a brother is helping them?
I hand Panther my phone.
I don’t know, but I’m not willing to risk it.
I slip my phone back into my pocket and think it over.
While it makes sense, I don’t believe it. I haven’t met any active members who have raised any red flags, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a possibility. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t had the best interactions with some of the brothers, and there is one I don’t like, but I don’t want to believe they are behind this. They could be, though.
Twenty minutes later, we get the final text from Yak.
Yak
GPS says we are directly across from you.
I show Panther my phone, and he nods.
