Chapter 17 #2
“Tierney.” Buck jogged the few steps over to her, gently hooking her elbow before she cleared the door. “I know this is a huge ask but… They’re holding her father.”
Tierney spun. “You think I don’t know what it’s like to be the one praying for someone to rescue you? To stare at the door and wonder if it’s ever gonna open? To have to make peace with the fact you simply weren’t worth saving?”
Nick bolted forward. “That’s not true. We looked. For weeks, but…” His voice faded, the reality of the situation hitting hard. Weighing down the air. That regardless of his intentions, she’d been left behind.
Rowan glanced at Dalton. Body rigid, jaw clenched, he looked as if he’d crack if anyone tried to move him — exerted a counting force.
While she didn’t know the parameters of his mission, she knew he’d been left behind, too.
Had been presumed dead until that serial killer case with Greer and Chase had uncovered the truth.
That Nick had been the one to rescue him.
Five years later.
That a lesser man would have given up hope. Become one with the shadows.
Rowan stepped toward Tierney. “We can’t force you to go — wouldn’t. But if there’s a chance my father’s still alive, we have to try. It sounds as if our chances would be exponentially better if you’d take us there.”
Tier drew herself up. “It’s not that I don’t want to help you, it’s just… I lost my team once. I can’t do that again.”
Buck maintained his grip. “You’re not going to lose us.”
Tier tugged at his hold, pressing her arm against her chest when he let go. “You can’t promise that.”
“Yeah, I can because you know me. You know what I’m capable of, and I’m personally vouching for everyone else.
” Buck eased forward. “This isn’t just about helping us, it’s also about reclaiming a piece of your soul.
That’s why you’ve been risking the trail, scouting the perimeter, looking for some kind of weakness.
You knew there was something evil inside, and I think you need to rescue them, too.
To save them the way you’d needed to be saved.
” He leaned down until his face was level with hers.
“We’re giving you the chance to be the one who opens the door. ”
Tier’s chin quivered as she gazed around the room before focusing on Buck. “And if you’re wrong?”
“I’m not, but if something does happen, it’s on us. We know the risks, Tier. We still need to try.” He brushed his fingers along her jaw. “But we won’t make it without you.”
Tierney closed her eyes, pressed against Buck’s palm before backing up through the door. She took a couple deep breaths, then lifted her head high as she stepped backwards onto the porch. “What are you waiting for?”
Bodie moved in beside Rowan. “So, you’ll take us?”
Tier snorted. “You should probably look over my maps. See what you’re getting yourselves into before you fully commit, but if you’re determined to go…”
Bodie frowned, glanced at Rowan. “Aren’t we gonna do that here?”
“Do you see any maps? This is my home. We need to go to the war room.”
Nick coughed. “You have a war room?”
Tierney merely rolled her eyes, then struck off. Disappeared off to the left.
Buck stopped them as they rushed the door. “Remember to stay on the path.”
Nick shook his head, mumbling under his breath, as he rounded the corner, followed the stone pathway as it snaked through the forest. Another structure appeared amidst the trees, the metal walls barely discernible between the massive spruce.
An old wooden door hung open, light from inside spilling out.
Rowan stepped across the threshold, stopped.
The room smelled like cedar and gun oil, with a hint of vanilla layered on top.
Charts covered the walls — coastal cliff contours, prevailing wind patterns, along with handwritten notes in oddly legible block print.
A few photos had been pinned along a red route outlined on one of the maps, men and weaponry practically jumping off the prints.
Tier glanced at them over her shoulder, then pointed to the route. “Have a look.”
Rowan moved in with the rest of her team, traced the route with her finger before focusing on Tierney. “Is this even a trail?”
“More like a suggestion of one.”
“And the part where it obviously goes vertical for fifty feet?”
Tier merely smiled. “There’s a reason they don’t patrol most of this section. Aside from the insanity of attempting the trek, the entire area’s been wired for sight and sound. We’ll avoid where we can. Hope this incoming storm masks the rest.”
“There’re other trails on here that look larger, safer. Why not take one of them?”
“Because they’re just bait.” She cut off Rowan with a wave of her hand. “You’ll see. But if you’re still determined to try, gear up.”
“Already got everything we need in the trucks. And Foster’s on standby for the extraction. All we need is to get there in one piece.”
Tierney’s eye twitched. “That’s always the catch.” She waved them toward the door.
“That’s it?” Bodie glanced at all of them. “Nothing else?”
“I do have three rules.” Tier held up a single finger. “One, you follow my directions. Don’t get creative and don’t venture off the route.” She raised another. “Two, no chatter unless necessary. If one of us sounds the alarm, we all pay the price.”
Bodie arched a brow when she stopped. “And three?”
She sighed, lips pressed tight, a lifetime’s worth of tension in her muscles. “Don’t die. Same reasoning as number two. We leave in five.”