Page 84 of Two Favors Repaid

“Is it—”

“Yes. They’re here. They’re not going to wait till morning.”

“Ford, we know you’re in there,” a loud, metallic voice said. Although distorted by the speaker, Rob recognized Natalie’s voice.

Emma shuddered. She recognized her friend as well.

What the hell, Hunter.

And then he thought a bit harder. Hearing Natalie’s voice would destabilize Ford. That could bring them the advantage they needed.

Ford came in, looking crazed. He held Rob’s phone in his hand. He’d switched in on and it was now asking for a passcode.

“Call her,” he ordered.

“Call who?” Rob asked innocently.

“That’s Natalie outside. Call her. I want to speak with her.”

Rob put in the passcode and called Natalie’s cell. It rang once, twice. He was thankful he couldn’t actually hear her device ringing; it meant she wasn’t that close to the cabin, at least.

Finally, she picked up. Her voice was neutral as she said his name.

“Boss,” he said. “We’re here with Ford. He wants to talk to you.”

“Are you both ok—”

Rob didn’t hear the rest as Ford grabbed the phone from him and took a couple steps back.

“It’s lovely to talk to you again, Natalie.”

Ford listened for a moment. Then his face went red in anger. “You don’t tell me what to do, you fucking bitch. You just listen.” He lowered his tone. “Let me tell you what you’re going to do. That chopper you’ve got flying overhead, the one with the searchlight … I want it to land in the clearing. Fully fueled. Just the one pilot inside.”

He listened intently for a moment.

“I don’t care who the helicopter belongs to, Sheriff. You have three hours to get it here for me. We’ll leave and you’ll never hear from me again.”

Natalie said something back to him. Ford ended the call.

“Looks like I found a way out of here,” he said. “Unfortunately our game’s going to have to wait. I have things to prepare.”

Thank God.

As soon as they were alone again, Rob looked towards Emma. Still naked from the waist up, she was shivering hard. Rob leaned over awkwardly and grabbed the fabric bunching at her wrist, pulling it up her body.

“Let me help you,” he said quietly.

Emma wriggled. A moment later the top was on again. She didn’t bother with the bra.

“I don’t like this color,” she said. A small blush covered her cheeks.

“I like all colors on you,” he replied, smoothing the top to cover her belly button.

“So … what do we do now?”

“We wait. But we need to be ready.”

“How do you rate our chances?” she asked.