Chapter 23
Weve been compromised,” Diana s voice sliced through the phone. “Palmer plans to force the contract tonight, then hand you over to Rachel, Security’s behind the cabin. Get out. Now
ly heart hammered against my ribs. “Why are you helping us? I thought you wanted this deal”
My
“Because Palmer just tried to blackmail me,” Diana hissed. “Using old case files I thought were buried. I dont take kindly to threats, and I protect the firms interests. Right now, that means protecting you two as witnesses.”
“Blake leaked everything to holde,” Diana continued, her urgency burning through my veins. “Evidence secured. Every corrupt deal, including how Palmer bankrolled Rachel after Robert’s arrest.”
I shoved the phone in my pocket, hands trembling
g with rage and fear.
Six years running from the Miller family’s shadow, finally seeing Robert behind bars, only to and up trapped by his equally dangerous daughter in a remote
cabin with no witnesses,
The nightmare just wouldn’t end.
When I returned, Palmer’s cold eyes assessed me
i me like
ubled.
a predator. “Everything okay, Ms. Winters? You look… troubled.”
“Just work details,” I lied, meeting Caspian’s gaze across the room. His body tensed imperceptibly, quarterback instincts reading my panic instantly.
Thunder cracked overhead. The lights flickered.
Now, I mouthed.
Caspian moved with the precision that made him legendary on the field.
He casually knocked over his water glass, creating instant chaos as Victoria j
jumped up to avoid the spill.
In that moment of distraction, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the back door.
Palmer
is shout of rage followed us into the storm as we sprinted through rain–soaked darin
Behind us, Rachel’s voice cut through the thunder: This isn’t over, little sister!”
toward Diana’s waiting car
Twelve hours later, I sat in first class beside the very man I’d spent six years avoiding, flying to Diana’s remote Colorado property
Our narrow escape still played on repeat in my mind. I checked my phone compulsively, the adrenaline crash leaving me jittery and exhausted.
*More champagne?” The flight attendant barely glanced at me before turning to Caspian, her professional mask shattering. “Oh my God! Warriors quarterback Caspian Drake
Caspian offered his practiced media smile. “Always happy for the fans.”
I turned away, rolling my eyes.
As we deplaned, she slipped her number into his pocket. To my surprise, he immediately tossed it in the nearest trash bin without a second glance.
“Your suites are prepared, Mr. Drake and Ms. Winters, the resort manager said.
“Suites? | frowned. “Diana mentioned rooms.
Ma. Wright specifically “quested adjacent but separate accommodations.”
Caspian smirked. “Diana wants us to relax.”
De hade us where Palmer can’t find us,” I muttered.
Later, over dinner, the manager spread hiking maps before us. Caspian traced the
steepest route
ute with his fine
finger
“Wack diamond trail Great views His ch
challenge was unmistakable. “Unless you’re not up for it?”
My jaw clenched. “Compared to Palmer and Rachel, how hard can climbing a mountain be?”
Chapter 23
Dawn found us at the trailhead. “Elevation gain of 1,500 feet. E
Extremely challenging. Six to eight hours.” I read.
Caspian adjusted my shoulder straps. I jerked away from his touch.
“I don’t need babysitting,” I snapped, the heat of his fingers lingering on my skin.
Two hours in, I collapsed onto a boulder, lungs burning from the altitude while Caspian looked frustratingly unaffected.
“You need to refuel. He handed me water and an energy b
bar.
We sat in uncomfortable silence until | asked, “Why don’t you drive that
it flashy sports car anymore?”
His smile vanished, “I sold it. After graduation. After that fucking het.”
The word “bet hit me like a slap… –
“That car represented the worst choice I ever made,” he continued, voice raw. “Every time | looked at it, I remembered how I destroyed everything between us for five hundred dollars and some bullshit ego boost.”
Six years of anger suddenly churned through me. “Selling a car doesn’t erase what happened, Caspian.”
I know. But I couldn’t find you… you just vanished,”
The air between us crackled with unspoken words. I stood abruptly. “We should keep moving.”
When my foot slipped on loose gravel, Caspian reached for me. I jerked away, grabbing a branch instead.
“You’d rather grab a potentially breakable branch then let me help? The hurt in his voice was unmistakable.
“I can manage alone. I don’t need your pity”
“This isnt pity, Sage 1
It’s called helping each other.”
By midday, we’d reached a mountain stream,
When Caspian wrung out his sweat–soaked shirt, exposing his muscled torso, heat rushed to my cheeks that had nothing to do with exertion.
“Altitude sickness?” he asked. “We should rest longer.
“You go ahead,” I insisted, fighting rising nausea. “Tll catch up.”
I wait for you at the fork ahead. Stay on the red markers.”
After he left, I collapsed, fighting dizziness. When I finally continued, the sudden rainstorm made the trail treacherously slick.
I found only unmarked trails at what I thought was the fork. “Caspian?” My voice sounded pathetically small.
I chose the more worn path. My foot caught in a hidden crevice, my ankle twisting. White–hot pain shot up my leg.
“Fuck!” I screamed, as much from frustration as pain.
As darkness fell and temperature dropped, Robert’s cold smile flashed through my mind. I hugged my knees, shivering, the possibility of spending the night alone on the mountain becoming terrifyingly real.
Then a distant shout cut through my haze.
Sage!” Caspian dripped to his knees beside me. “What happened?”
“Sprained ankle.” I managed, voice raspy from thirst.
I had to bail on the trail too,” he admitted. Must challenging route I’ve ever attempted.”
I stared in surprise. “You didnt finish it?
“No. Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t. Would’ve taken me longer to find you.”
다
Chapter 23
My bottle was empty. Without hesitation, Caspian offered his, holding it to my lips. His arms slipped beneath me, lifting me effortlessly.
“C–Caspian!” I gasped, pushing against his chest, feeling his heartbeat hammering against my palm
“Your ankle needs rest. We’ll take the beginner trail back.”
As he carried me through the darkness, his chest radiated warmth, his heartbeat steady under my ear. Thunder rumbled overhead, and his arms tightened protectively
“Almost there,” he murmured.
A flash of lightning illuminated fresh mountain lion tracks crossing our trail.
Caspian froze, his entire body tensing. “Dont, Move”
From somewhere in the darkness came a low, unmistakable growl.
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