Page 63 of Mountain Struggle

Not again.

Please, not again.

Damien knew he needed to hold it together, that Jamie’s very life depended on them making the right decisions now.

“Dad, put Jens on the phone.”

“He’s … still unconscious,” his father said, his voice heavy. “He has a pulse, but he was closer to the window. I need to get him outside …”

“I’ll get help, Dad. Leave the line open.”

Damien looked back at Tess. Her face was chalky, the freckles on the bridge of her nose standing out like beacons on her face. She’d clearly heard enough of the conversation.

“Oh God,” she squeaked. “Jamie’s been taken?”

Damien nodded grimly.

Tess’s hand went to her mouth. She looked exactly like he felt, like she might need to throw up.

“He’s gone because we weren’t there,” she whispered.

Jamie’s gone because I wasn’t there to protect him.

Intellectually, Damien knew neither statement was true. If Jens hadn’t been able to do anything, neither he nor Tess could have done anything either. He knew that. And yet, the sense of having failed his son was strong and bitter in his mouth. The guilt lay entirely with him, not with Tess.

Damien slammed his hand onto the handrail. The sharp pain helped to clear his head.

Start thinking, Damien. Start thinking.

“We don’t know how long my father was unconscious. We need to call Drake.”

Tess nodded. In her eyes Damien could see the unshed tears she was working so hard to keep inside, but he couldn’t comfort her now. If he did, he’d break—and then Jamie would be lost to him forever. He turned towards the glacier, bringing out his phone again.

#

Tess

Tess bit her lip to keep from crying out loud. Damien didn’t need her distracting him—but dammit, it hurt when he turned away.

This is my fault.

Damien came up here today because of me, and now Jamie’s gone.

It’s my fault.

Another voice inside her tried to shush the first voice, telling her this wasn’t on her head, that the kidnapper was to blame.

Jamie must be so scared.

At least last time I was there with him.

Tess put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from sobbing.

Damien’s free hand was white where it clenched the handrail.

She heard him speak with Drake for a second, but the roaring in her ears made it hard to listen to his words. He was sending someone to check on Jens and his father, she understood that.

Jamie’s gone.