Page 91 of Mountain Void

Lorenz leaned in, lowering his voice so Pelletier couldn’t hear. Not that he’d be able to, beyond the sound of the roaring wind.

“If something goes wrong, I need you behind me, Charlie.”

Fear filled her. Because there was no scenario where Lorenz didn’t get hurt. And she couldn’t let that happen. Not now, when they had only just found each other again.

But they couldn’t leave Théo here alone. They had to see that he was okay. They had to get him away from his father.

How long ago did Ry leave?

How far away is help?

“Stay close behind me,” Lorenz said. “Do exactly what I say.”

Charlie nodded reluctantly. This wasn’t her area of expertise. She had to trust Lorenz knew what to do.

Lorenz took a step forward, hands still raised in the air, his movements slow and deliberate, as if they had all the time in the world.

Pelletier shifted back toward the door, and she noticed how careful the big man was to keep as much space as possible between him and Lorenz.

Pelletier stepped inside. “Quickly. I’m not a patient host.”

Lorenz stepped over the threshold, and Charlie followed.

“Close the door behind you,” Pelletier ordered.

Charlie did so, not wanting to anger him. The wind died down, replaced by the warmth of the fireplace. The fire, which was going strong—Pelletier must have lit it as soon as they arrived here.

The air inside the hut smelled old and musty, as if something left behind by the previous occupants hadn’t dried properly. Charlie let her eyes roam the single room. Past the old couch, the rough table … and there, sitting on the floor, his back against the wall, was Théo.

His shoulders were hunched inside his jacket, his face pale, eyes wide and fixed on her.

“Ms. Charlie?” he whispered.

“Théo,” Charlie said gently. “Are you alright?”

The boy nodded. “I think so. Yes.”

Charlie took a step toward the boy.

“Stay where you are,” Pelletier barked. “You’ve done enough damage already.”

Beside her, Lorenz stiffened.

“Damage?” Charlie croaked.

“Teaching him to hate me.”

“I did no—“ She stopped as she caught sight of Lorenz’s eyes.

“You two stand right where you are. You’ve seen Théo. Are you happy now?”

Outside, the wind rattled the hut. The storm was still rising.

“This hut is no place for a boy in this weather,” Lorenz said. “Let’s get him home. Let’s get you both home.”

Charlie kept her eyes fixed on the wooden floor. There was no way Pelletier was going anywhere but to jail. She knew that, and surely Pelletier had to know that as well. She reminded herself Lorenz’s job was to get Théo out of here safely.

Pelletier shifted the revolver to his other hand. “I’ll tell you what. You came all the way here. You want my son so badly, take him. I’m tired of his sniveling, anyway.”