The figure abruptly swung around, and suddenly, the camera lens was pointed directly at me.
Fuck.Fuck, fuck, fuck!
I threw my body down, pressing my belly against the rough bark of the branch in the hope that it would be enough to disguise me among the thick foliage. My heart was hammering against my rib cage, and I couldn’t even look to see if Gray was okay, because it could risk giving away both our positions.
We were trapped. What the fuck was I going to do?
There was a loud crunch from somewhere toward the direction of the figure, and I raised my head, gripping the goggles in my shaking hand. The figure was gone, and I couldhear more rustling in the undergrowth, moving farther away from the tree I was hiding in.
It was my chance. I scrambled off the branch, climbing down to the ground as quickly as I could, ignoring the scrape of rough bark against my skin as I moved. The only thing that mattered was getting out of the tree and finding Grayson.
When I was safely on the ground, I pressed my body against the trunk and peered around the corner. Through the goggles, I saw something that made my blood run cold.
A dark figure that was unmistakably Grayson, ducking through the trees, with the other figure right on his heels.
I didn’t even hesitate. Keeping my gaze fixed on the figure chasing Gray, I ran. I did my best to keep as quiet as I could, not wanting to alert them to my presence yet, but if I were discovered, then so be it. As long as Grayson was safe.
He had to play the fucking hero, didn’t he? Knowing him, he’d purposely led the guy away from me, not even thinking about his own safety. When we made it through this night, I was going to give him a piece of my fucking mind.
But first, I had to catch up with them both.
I pumped my legs harder.
Hold on, Gray. I’m coming for you.
31
GRAYSON
Icould hear the figure moving through the undergrowth behind me.Good. As long as they were focused on me, Micah was safe. I couldn’t let anything happen to him.
My plan was to lead them away from the apartment building, into the woods, and then…who knew? I hoped luck would be on my side. We needed some fucking luck after this nightmare of a year.
Through my goggles, I noticed another path and a glint of water. I spun to the left, the undergrowth tearing at my clothes as I ducked under a low-hanging tree branch. Up ahead was an open space, and I moved faster. I needed to reach it before my stalker caught up with me, and then I could use it to my advantage.
I sped up, sprinting through the trees, and the second I hit the open space, I wheeled around to face the dark, shadowy figure.
We lunged for each other. Before we connected, there was a cry from behind them, and the figure went down, their body slamming into the dirt. I stumbled, ducking out of the way, and came to a skidding halt.
Another figure appeared, looming out of the darkness, and my heart stopped for a second. I took a step backward.
“It’s me,” they hissed.
Micah? Breathing hard, I stared at him. He’d taken down my would-be assailant like it wasnothing.
My gaze caught on a glint of metal out of the corner of my eye, and my body twisted on instinct as the figure on the ground rolled, their hand sweeping out. There was a loud crack that echoed around us, reverberating off the trees, and then a hot, searing pain in my thigh.
“I know what to do.”
“Take his pants off.”
“Gray. Are you okay?”
At the last voice, my eyes flickered open. “Hi,” I croaked, meeting Micah’s concerned gaze. “What the fuck— Oh.”
Everything came flooding back to me all at once. The pain. Micah tackling the assailant, wrestling the gun from their grip while I lay there uselessly, clutching my leg. By the time I’d staggered to my feet, Micah had possession of the gun, but the assailant had broken out of his hold, swerving around me when I lunged for them.
I groaned, burying my head in my hands. “Shit. I ruined everything.”
