My heart is beating a frantic rhythm in my chest, pleading with him to get the truth out, to acknowledge his fear.
His eyes are wild with agony as they widen my way. “But I sure as hell can’t survive losing someone again. How do I live knowing something could happen to someone I care about?”
There it is.
The silence grows as my heart rate pounds in my chest and the canyon holds its breath. This is the moment he chooses fear or courage.
“You do it by being grateful for what you havenow,” I tell him, making my tone gentle again.
I step over Brandon’s body, grimacing with an “Excuse me,” before shaking my head and bringing my gaze back to the storm brewing in Jack’s eyes. I’d rather focus on him than the corpse at my feet.
“You get through it with gratitude.” My hand tentatively reaches for his. “You live each day, grateful forthismoment, thankful for each day you have with the people you love.” My shoulder lifts with a shrug and a prayer that some of what I’msaying gets through to his beautiful heart. Yes, this conversation is unfortunately happening over a dead body, but all that matters is that it’s happening.
Panic swirls in his eyes, and I have no idea what he’s going to say next. I brace myself when his jaw unhinges, but another voice booms out beside us.
“You killed him?”
We both spin, bodies tense, Jack with his gun raised.
Chad’s bulging eyes lead him closer with slow steps that drag along the pebbles at his feet.
“What? No! No. This isnotwhat it looks like,” I say again.
“It looks like you’re standing over a body with a weapon!” Chad’s voice echoes off the rocky walls as his hands form fists. I roll my eyes as he steps closer. Jack is in front of me within a second, blocking Chad.
“She had nothing to do with this, Wickman. We just found him,” Jack declares gruffly.
Chad’s eyes are glazed, and he doesn’t seem to register the use of his last name. Apparently, Jack has been using those phone calls and texts to do some investigating. A crow swoops low, shrieking, and Chad flinches before his gaze turns to Jack. “Your girl flirts with another man, and youkillhim?”
“I wasn’t flirting!I was very clear about not being interested. I can’t help it if you and Brandon both consistently misread the vibe.” I throw the hand of my uninjured arm on my hip. Of all the things.
Jack clears his throat and glares at me expectantly.
“I mean, of course Jack didn’t kill him, either,” I correct myself, glancing at Brandon as a shiver runs down my arms.
“Neither of us murdered your friend, but I do intend to find out who did.” Jack pulls the badge out that he keeps on a chain under his shirt and flashes it at Chad. “Tell me what you’redoing off the trail.”
“You’re a cop?” Chad blanches, his face turning pale as he lets out a curse.
“Law Enforcement Park Ranger,” Jack replies, straightening.
“Crap…” Chad exhales a sharp breath, his eyes darting around frantically. “I should probably tell you some stuff then.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“I didn’t think it was a big deal.” Chad says, casting a horrified look at the body.
“Right,” I say, rolling my eyes. “You just agreed to carry an unknown object ‘cause a buddy told you to. You know that’s how people wind up dead in Mexico with things up their butts, don’t you?”
“Brandon said this would be fun! He’s always looking for the nextthrill.I never know exactly what he’s got planned.” He leans forward, pulling at the strands of dirty hair hanging over his ears.
“What about the part where you’ve both been following Willow?” Jack grills, standing over Chad with his arms folded, looking fierce.
“Brandon’sinformanttold us to shadow Willow. He dared me to try to get a date out of it, made it all seem like another part of the game. But then…” Chad whimpers, pushing his palms into his eyes.
“Then, what?” Jack prompts.
“I dunno man—then Brandon started acting weird,disappearing, trying to get in contact with someone. He had a SAT phone he kept pulling out…”
