“If the…” He supported himself on one hand and made it to standing. “…gear’s necessary for survival, then it’s notoverprepared, is it?” He reached for his coat, found it wet, and spread it out onto the stones. “Just prepared.”
She snuffled. “Guess you’re right.”
“I am.” He grimaced at the sun peeking over the mountains. “Getting to be that time.”
Her eyes flicked up his body before making their way down again—as if seeing him for the very first time. Which, in a way, was the case, now that daylight had chased the shadows away. “To move, you mean?”
At his nod, she cocked her head. “Where are we headed exactly?”
“Where do you want to go?”
“Like I said, I want to talk to Campbell Turner.”
Thatwould be a problem. Rather than focus on it, he deflected. “How’s your head?”
“Fine.”
He didn’t believe that for a second. “Figured we’d get you some medical care first.”
“I need to see Turner. I need to get to that virus before the Chronos people—” She stopped, mouth still open. “Hear that?”
He shook his head and listened. The most obvious sound was the grind and pop and crash of ice breaking up, running water its undercurrent. He frowned, concentrating hard and then… “Shit.”
Something thumped in the distance.
“That’s a helo,” said Leo, looking truly frightened for the first time since he’d met her. “They’re here.”
He’d hoped for more time. His eyes flew to Leo. “Go,” he said.
The look she gave him was confused. “No.”
“Go, Leo. I got this.” He bent from his waist but couldn’t quite reach his rifle.
“Forget it.” She gathered the pack and started stuffing their remaining things into it, haphazardly mixing wet with dry. “I’m not—”
“Come on, Leo. They’re close.” Another try, and though his side felt like it was tearing open, he managed to grab the weapon, pull back the slide, and focus on the sky. “I’ll hold ’em off. You leave. Now.”
***
“What are you doing?” Leo took another wild look around. Their boots. Shit, his coat.
“I’m staying. You run.” The Ruger Guide Gun he held was a bear shooter, best for taking down large beasts at fairly close range. It wouldn’t make a dent on their aircraft. They, however, could easily pick him off from the air.
“Like hell.” She shook her head, heaving the heavy pack onto her back. “Not leaving you.”
“They only want me.” He lifted his chin to indicate more items strewn around them on the rocks. “Damn breakup covered up the sound of their approach. Can’t…” He grimaced, as if his side hurt. “Go! Now! Take Bo. Get some distance. There’s a chance you’ll make it out alive.”
“And what? You just…go with them? Let them kill you? Torture you till you give them Turner’s location?” His lips lifted in the strangest little half smile. “What am I missing, Elias?”
“Get out of here.”
“Make me.” She moved toward him, snapped up the blanket and bags, and shoved them at him.
The thump of rotors thundered around them, echoing off the peaks across the lake.
He opened his mouth and shut it, staring at her like he didn’t get her at all. In the next split second, something vulnerable softened his eyes.
Taking advantage of the hesitation, she shoved the stuff into his open arms. “You don’t come now, we’re both toast.” Her “Come on!” was drowned out by the helicopter, whose shadow now stretched at the edge of her vision.
