Page 82 of Keeping Collette

“Right, this is what Cass has got for us.” Fox pointed to the screen, and Deal saw three neon green dots, one moving in a westerly direction and two moving east. The two moving east appeared to be going deeper into the woodland, but weren’t together even though it looked like it.

“Fuck, does this mean she’s got away from them?” Deal whispered, because that was the only thing that explained what he was seeing.

“I don’t know,” Irish muttered. “Which dot is Collette?”

That was the million-dollar question. Deal would love to be the one who found her, but he trusted that every man standing around him would do whatever was necessary to get Collette to safety. Was she the one that was by herself, or was Collette one of the other two which meant she was still in danger?

“Okay, we’re going to split up into four groups of two. That way we can hit the house, because even though there’s no heat signature there, it still needs to be cased out. Hound and Jag, you follow this heat signature. Irish and Deal, this one. Growler and Ox, this one. Angel and I will take the house. Everyone happy?” Fox laid it out, and Deal was happy to see his team leader back to being his usual self.

Everyone nodded, and then split up. Deal looked at the screen again and saw that the dot they were going to follow had stopped, but another one was closing in. The one Hound and Jag had been assigned to follow.

They would be working close together, and Deal was fine with that.

“You ready?” Irish asked, adjusting his night vision goggles.

“Yep. Let’s do this. Hang on Collette, we’re coming.”

Chapter Forty

Her feet ached, and she had more scratches on her face and arms than she ever thought possible. She didn’t know how many times she’d stumbled over branches. She hadn’t heard Mal or Jim call out for a while, and she had to wonder if that was deliberate on their part. By always shouting at her, they were basically giving her an idea of where they were. Not that she really could pinpoint their exact proximity, but now that they’d stopped, she wished they’d start up again.

She came upon another large fallen tree. Would it be safe to stop again? Or should she keep moving?

Tiredness was gripping her hard, but she couldn’t give in. Although five minutes wouldn’t hurt.

As if her body glommed onto that thought, her knees buckled and she collapsed to the ground with a thud.

“Five minutes,” she mumbled. “That’s all I’m giving myself, and then I’m moving.” Her eyelids drifted down, and the exhaustion that the adrenaline had kept at bay, sunk into her bones, making them too heavy to lift, as if she was covered with a blanket of rocks.

Her mind didn’t shut down, though. The thought that she needed to keep moving was on constant repeat. Somehow she found the energy to peal her eyes open. Everything was blurry, but also seemed a little lighter.

The first fingers of dawn were upon her. There had been a sense of safety under the cover of darkness, but that would be lost.

Was help on the way? Or had Cass not been able to work her magic and find where Jim had taken her, and she was on her own?

With a groan, she got to her feet, swaying a little due to tiredness, along with the lack of water and food.

She went to move, but froze, sure she’d heard whispers. Collette held her breath straining to hear if she’d imagined the sound or if it had been real. Nothing but the wind wafting through the trees could be heard. Even the night bugs had quietened, as if they knew dawn was approaching and it was time for them to retreat to safety.

Collette stumbled forward, her steps slow now, as she couldn’t seem to shake her exhaustion, but if she was to survive, she would have to find some energy.

In her mind’s eye, she pictured Deal in her kitchen, laughing at one of her stupid jokes. She wanted to be able to have more of those moments. To create even better memories. She wanted to have his children. Love him until her last breath, but today wasn’t going to be that day.

The extra energy she’d been seeking surged through her, as if conjuring up Deal in her imagination had been the key to unlock the hidden reserve.

With a burst, she picked up her pace, pushing branches out of the way. She had no idea where she was going. With her hurried movements, she was likely leaving a clear trail of the direction she was heading, which would make it easy for Jim or Mal to find her, but also, if by some miracle the guys were looking for her, then they would see the way she’d traveled and hopefully find her.

The snap of a twig and heavy footsteps reached her, and she glanced over her shoulder, panic flaring when she saw a shadowy figure getting closer.

No, they’re not going to get me!

In her haste to move, and because she was looking behind her and not ahead, she stumbled on a rock, wrenching her ankle. Pain shot up her leg, and she cried out. She stood and tried to put some weight on it, but it hurt too much.

“I knew I’d find you. You honestly didn’t think you’d get away from me, did you, Cupcake?” Jim’s hot breath blew against her neck as he yanked her against him. “I have to admit though. You’ve got fire. It’s going to make this so much more fun. I love it when they fight back.”

Fear mixed with the pain from her ankle, and she yanked her arm, but Jim tightened his hold. “You’re a sick fuck! You know that?” she yelled at him, not caring about antagonizing him.

“There it is. I told you I love the anger. Keep it up. Give it all to me.” He leaned forward and licked from the base of her neck up her cheek. “Mmm, I knew you’d taste good. Just like your sister. I usually like them young because they’re so fucking fresh, but you are making a case for me to chase someone older.”