But Nimue’s grip on her arm was firm, guiding her forward, around the corner of the building.
The moment they were out of sight, Nimue pulled her into the supply building’s entrance, already digging for her phone.
“What just happened?”Eden demanded, voice low.“Something’s wrong.We need to?—”
“I know.”Nimue was dialing, her face set in grim determination.All the playfulness gone.“I spent too long on the run not to recognize the signs.She’s in trouble.”
“Then why did we just leave her there?”The question came out harsh.
“Because with the way she was acting, the person must have had a gun pointed at her…or us.But there’s a tracker in my wallet.”
Understanding dawned.“That’s why you slipped it in her pocket.”
“I’m just hoping whoever was watching didn’t see.”Nimue held up a finger as the call connected.“Liam?We have a problem.”
Nimue rapidly explained the situation—Meg’s behavior, the nervous glances, the forced goodbye.The way Meg had looked like she was barely holding it together.The presence she’d sensed but couldn’t see.
Nimue listened for a moment, then said, “Okay.Yeah.We’ll stay here.”She ended the call and looked at Eden.
“They’re almost here.Liam and Noah.They’ll pick us up and we’ll follow the tracker.”
“Noah just got out of the hospital,” Eden protested.“He should stay out of it.He’s recovering.He’s wounded.”
“The woman he loves is in danger.You tell him that.I can’t wait to see how that goes.”Nimue leaned against the wall, her jaw tight.“Someone was watching her, Eden.Watching us.I could feel it.Like eyes on the back of my neck.That feeling you get when you’re prey.”
The words sent ice through Eden’s veins.Because she knew that feeling too.Had felt it on mountains when rockfall started.When weather turned.When everything went wrong.
“We should call the police.”
“Already on it.Noah’s making the call now.”Nimue closed her eyes briefly.“Maybe I should have?—”
“You did exactly right.”Eden put her hand on her friend’s shoulder.“You got her a way for us to follow her.You didn’t escalate the situation.If you’d confronted whoever was out there?—”
“Things could have gone bad fast.”Nimue opened her eyes.“I know.Doesn’t make it feel any better.Doesn’t change the fact that we left her alone with a threat.”
Liam’s truck roared into the parking lot, and Nimue grabbed Eden’s hand.“Let’s go get our girl back.”
They ran for the truck as Teague sprinted from the main lodge.Noah must have called him too.
As mad as she was at him—at his recklessness, his risk-taking, his complete disregard for his own safety—she was glad he was coming.Glad he’d be there.
Because two things were crystal clear—Meg was in danger, and they were running out of time to save her.
Every second counted.
And Eden knew enough about rescue operations to know that timing was everything.
They had to move.Now.
Fifteen
Noah stared at the tracker on Nimue’s phone, watching the blinking dot move farther from the main canyon roads, deeper into the backcountry.
His hands clenched into fists on his lap, his side screaming with every bump in the road.
There was a good chance he’d reopen his stitches.Probably already had.Could feel wetness seeping through the bandage.
It didn’t matter.
