Logan
When I awake, the first thing I become aware of is Sierra’s face buried into my chest, her little puffs of air fluttering the fabric of my shirt. I have no idea what time it is—it feels like we’re nestled together in a timeless, dark world.
Nearby, a few stubby candles flicker weakly in a pool of hardened wax. Several times throughout the night, I got up to light a few so we wouldn’t be completely plunged into darkness. I remember her weak, sleepy protests every time I extracted myself, and how she snuggled against me with a happy sigh every time I returned.
Her body is warm and yielding in my arms. It feels better than anything I can remember, more right than anything else has in a long time.
And let myself acknowledge the reason. She is finally where she is supposed to be. This fearless, incredible girl belongswith me, always has.
Sierra’s eyes blink open. “Logan?”
“Good morning, baby,” I say softly.
Her eyes are warm and drowsy with sleep and affection. She lifts her head toward me, and I dip mine to meet her.
Our lips are less than a breath apart when the electric lights flicker on. Footsteps and the low rumble of Seth’s tour spiel echo through the cavern.
Sierra freezes, her mouth opening in horror. She jerks upright so fast she almost topples the cot. I reach out to steady her, but she stumbles off it clumsily, landing awkwardly on her feet like a startled cat.
“Logan?” Seth says, appearing at the entrance of the Blackstone chamber. A family trails behind him, their eyes wide under their hard hats as they take in the sight of us hiding in the cave.
I step in front of Sierra to block their view. Her dress has ridden up high on her thighs, her makeup is smeared from tears, and her hair is tousled from sleep. She looks rumpled from another activity entirely—one I wish we’d had a little more time to partake in.
“Seth! Good to see you, man,” I say. “Hello, everyone. Welcome.”
“Hey, everyone, this is my brother, Logan LaSalle, who found the treasure. Believe it or not, this is not part of the tour,” Seth says. “Do you mind going back into the main cave and giving us a minute?”
When he turns back to us, his face is bewildered, eyes darting between Sierra and me. I take another protective step forward.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“We got locked in here overnight,” I say.
I explain where I parked and how whoever locked up—according to Seth, it was Emily—must not have seen my truck and assumed we already left.
Seth looks horrified by our trial. He takes in the whole scene with wild eyes. “Do you need a hospital or anything? I can cancel the tour and take you guys.”
“We’re not hurt,” I say. “Could you take the tour group on a minor detour through the Crescent Moon route so we can slip out?”
“Sure thing!” Seth rubs the back of his head, still assessing Sierra and me in a way that makes me uncomfortable. “Man, we need to come up with some sort of safety system. I would be scared shitless to be locked in here overnight.”
“It wasn’t so bad,” I say with a smile at Sierra, but she won’t meet my eyes. My heart sinks, but I push the feeling of dread away. “Ready to go?” I hold out my hand to her, but with a glance at Seth, she slips past me instead.
We sneak past the tour group and back toward the entrance. I try to retake her hand, but she is either oblivious or an artful dodger, because I can’t seem to catch it. She surges ahead of me.
“Race you to the entrance?” she asks.
“Sierra, wait,” I say, irritated.
“Come on! You can beat me easily. I’m wearing heels!”
I sigh and jog after her. We stumble out into the sunlight. I try another smile at her, but she won’t look at me.
“Hey,” I say gently. “We’re okay. We made it out.”
“People lost at sea cry ‘land’ and kiss the ground whentheymake it out alive,” Sierra says, still turned away from me. “What do people trapped in a cave say? ‘Sky’ and kiss theair?”
“Works for me.” I wait until she finally glances my way, then I blow her an exaggerated kiss.
