Chapter 74
Sharyn rode in the rear cabin of the medivac.
As the helicopter made a wide sweep over the face of Monte Antelao, she was relieved to leave the chaos behind her.
Only an hour had passed since the Confrérie’s stranglehold on the mountain had been broken, but already an ever-growing presence of military personnel and police forces descended on the peak to secure the treasure at its heart.
She had done her best to warn those incoming of the toxins that protected the gold, but her words fell on deaf ears.
Orders were barked. Commands made. Mostly in Italian.
Archie had tried to act as a translator, but even his efforts had little impact.
Still, his father helped expedite their transfer to a local hospital, where Tag awaited them—and where undoubtedly weeks of questioning would follow.
For now, she simply pushed deeper under Duncan’s arm, which draped over her shoulders. His other wrist bore a thick cotton wrap, a temporary splint until something more could be done.
Across from them, Archie bowed his head next to his dad, likely relating events in greater detail. But the roaring engine drowned them out. Still, she smiled as Archie’s father pulled his son into a warm embrace, kissing the top of his head.
A twinge of envy at such clear affection rang through her. She tried not to think about what Julian Wright had said regarding why she had been selected to bear this burden, a detail that only reinforced how the shadow of her father’s abuse still hung over her and continued to have repercussions.
Still, she also recognized that she lived only because of her father’s training and lessons, and, yes, a love that still carried through all the hardship.
She knew it would take time to balance all of this.
For now, she pushed such thoughts away.
Naomi sat on Archie’s other side. She looked exhausted with dark circles under her eyes. She had offered a thumbnail version of all that had transpired in San Vito. A fuller recounting would come later.
Past her friend, Laurent sat up front. His face bore a heavy wrap over his broken cheek, a temporary patch, like Duncan’s soft splint.
All of their injuries would need far more attention and time to heal, as would the wounds not visible.
Sharyn even suspected Laurent had taken the seat next to the pilot because he did not fully trust the man not to betray them.
Don’t blame him.
Not after all that had happened.
Still, Sharyn knew one person who had earned her full trust. She turned her head to stare into Duncan’s eyes. He breathed heavily, both from pain and from the soporifics given to him.
Still, he smiled at her. “What is it?”
She lifted up, bringing her face close to his. He leaned down, expecting a kiss. That would come in a moment, but first she shared a secret.
One meant for him, for her friends, and no others.
She whispered it to his waiting lips.
“I know where the third treasure is hidden.”