The merc tripped a step, the sudden flash burning the entire video into a wash of white before it cleared and he picked up speed, stopping at the edge of the clearing. He panned the site, zeroed in on the center just in time to see Buck tackle Tierney behind the log, the glow from the fire winking out as Buck kicked dirt over the flames.
A voice told them to run, then a suppressed thud, as the guy fired, dropping the man in a billow of dirt and pine needles.
Everything paused, the lingering echo of the shots still ringing in the air when a crackle sounded over the audio, another voice interrupting the scene.
“Containment breached. Eliminate the witnesses.”
The video kept playing, shots chewing up the dirt, Buck and Tierney returning fire, but Buck barely registered it, his attention focused on Tierney. Eyes overly wide, breath held, she looked ready to drop.
“Stop.” She lunged forward, already breathless as she pointed to the screen. “Play that again. The part where the guy talks.”
Sloane stopped the video, rewound, then played the section again.
Male. British, with a voice devoid of any hint of humanity.
Tierney shook her head. “Again.”
Sloane looked at them, her hand hovering of the keys before she played it again.
“No, no, no, no, no…” Tierney shook her head. “Again.”
Sloane hesitated. “Tierney, I?—”
“Again.” She visibly pulled herself back. “Please, Sloane. Play it again.”
Sloane hit the key, increasing the volume until the man’s voice bounced off the walls, the words still resonating after she’d stopped it.
Tierney palmed her thigh, squeezing it as if someone had stabbed her, as her breathing increased, shallow, clipped. She placed her other hand over her mouth, as retching noises seemed to claw up her throat before turning, sprinting from the room.
Buck darted after her, motioning for his buddies to wait there, as he raced down the hallway toward the rear exit. The door slammed shut just as he reached the end of the corridor, the rush of cool air prickling the hairs on the back of his neck. He grabbed the handle, tossed it open before stepping into the night.
Fog curled through the lot, the exterior lights casting it in a yellow glow. Tierney had her ass braced against the wall off to his left, hands on her knees, breathing way too fast to be effective.
He moved over to her, getting close without touching her. “Tierney. Sweetheart, I need you to slow your breathing.”
She shook her head, chest heaving, a few strangled sobs breaking free. “I can’t. I can’t go back… he…”
Buck inched closer. “I know you hear voices. I know it all feels real, but it’s not. You’re here, in Raven’s Cliff, with me.”
He held out his hand. “I’m right here.”
She closed her eyes, nearly tanked onto the pavement, until he steadied her, keeping his touch as light as possible. She shied away, body shaking like a junkie needing a hit, effectively closing in on herself.
He shifted in behind her, gently easing her against his chest as he placed his palm over her heart, slowly lifting her until her head fell against his shoulder, her body encircled in his arms. “Easy, I’m right here. Now, follow me. In, hold, out.”
He exaggerated his breathing, shaking his head when she barely changed hers. “Try, again. In, hold it, now out. Again.”
He kept going, her heart hammering against his hand, hot tears falling on his knuckles. He didn’t rush, just patiently emphasized his own breathing, repeating the directions until she finally picked up his rhythm, slowing her breathing to match his.
He smiled against her hair, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “That’s it. Keep breathing, in, hold, out.” He squeezed her slightly when she sobbed. “Not going anywhere, so, just let it go. Whatever you need to do to come back to me.”
The minutes ticked by before the rear door opened and closed as Dalton stepped out, staying off to the right. He scanned the surroundings, occasionally glancing back without staring.
Buck held her close, recognizing the moment she finally came out of the episode. She half-collapsed against him, her muscles lax, a few hushed whimpers just reaching him. “Shhh, it’s okay. Still right here.”
She didn’t talk, just rested against him, eventually turning and tucking her head into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, rocking back and forth until she pushed out a slow breath, gradually lifting her gaze to his. Tears streaked her cheeks, her chin quivering.
He smiled, brushed his thumb along her face. “Hey.”
