Chapter 16
ALLEGRA
Iscramble over the rocks, sliding on a surface slick with ice. But I can’t keep the grin off my face. It’s done. I have the proof. I have the final sample. I have the research that’s going to prove my theory and ensure I get taken seriously in the scientific world.
But when I glance at Marcus, he’s not smiling.
His gaze sweeps the skyline, his head moving back and forth in a precise rhythm. His unease tethers my excitement.
Marcus stops to check the map. He glances at the tree line on one side and the ridge on the other.
“If we take the ridge, we’ll be out by tomorrow morning.” Marcus rubs the back of his neck. “The forest trail adds two more days.”
My legs are aching from the grueling pace of the last few days, and I lean against a boulder. There might be an opportunity for more samples in the forest where a stream cuts through it, but with the prize sample in my bag and someone sabotaging us, I’m not going to argue.
“Whatever you think is best.”
He studies me with a critical gaze, and for the first time I wish I had a hairbrush. Lip gloss wouldn’t go astray either.
“The ridge will be hard hiking. There might be more climbing, and it’s exposed. But it gets us out of here quicker.”
I stand up taller, ignoring the fatigue in my legs. “I don’t mind hard hiking.”
He smiles thinly. “I’m aware. I bet you’ve never taken the easy option a day in your life.”
The smile reaches his eyes, and he squeezes my shoulder.
It’s a small gesture, but strangely intimate.
Marcus is the first person who really sees me.
Most people assume I’ve had an easy life, and yes, it’s true, I’m more privileged than most. But I’ve worked damn hard in my studies.
I’ve never shied away from a difficult research project or long hours.
He’s the only person who’s ever acknowledged that.
“Come on.” He glances at the sky. “I want to make good progress before nightfall.”
I fall into step behind him, happy for him to take the lead. It feels good not to have to make all the decisions myself. To trust someone enough to follow them.
The ridge is slow going. At times we scramble over boulders and squeeze through crevices where the earth has carved out small spaces.
But with every footstep we get closer, we get to the path home, and I feel lighter.
The path widens, and Marcus falls into step beside me.
“What will you do with all this research? What’s next for Allegra Simpson?”
“After I’ve given the middle finger to the grants board, you mean?”
Marcus chuckles. “I’d love to see that meeting.”
“I’ll apply again. I need a PhD to be taken seriously in my research.”
He remains alert as we speak, his gaze scanning our surroundings. “And what’s the long game?”
I ponder his question. Getting the grant was my sole focus for so long, I’ve almost forgotten my long-term dream.
“I’d like to have my own research facility.”
It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud, and I glance at Marcus, waiting for some quip about how easily I can do that with Daddy’s money.
It’s why I’ve never told anyone about it.
I want to open a facility on my own merit.
Because I’m a renowned research scientist who has important things to study, not because Daddy paid for it.
But Marcus doesn’t mention my obvious privilege. He’s silent, waiting for me to go on.
“There’s nothing like that in the mountain’s here and it’s such an important area.
I want to support the mining community. There are ways to get what we need from the earth without damaging it.
It just takes money and time. I’d love to have my own lab where I can facilitate greener mining practices. ”
I let out a long huff. I’ve never spoken about my reasons either. Again, it’s easy to get labeled as a privileged environmentalist who knows nothing about the mining industry and the thousands of jobs at stake. I don’t want to shut down any mining; I just want to help find ways to do less damage.
“I’ve no doubt you’ll get there.”
“You think so?” For some reason, Marcus’s opinion matters to me.
He gives a lopsided smile. “You’re stubborn as fuck. You’ll make it.”
I punch him playfully on the arm, and he clutches his bicep and staggers like I’ve wounded him. Then I remember it’s where he got injured.
“Oh shit, I’m sorry.”
He releases his arm and straightens up. “The cut’s on the other arm.”
My mouth drops open. “You shit.”
He chuckles. “You’re stubborn, but you punch like a wet fish. Do I have to teach you to punch as well as shoot?”
“If I was really punching you, you’d know about it.”
His mouth quirks up, but the smile doesn’t last long. He’s back to scanning our surroundings, always alert and never fully relaxed.
It feels like hours that we’re scrambling over boulders until we come out at a sharp ridge. Above us is a sheer cliff face with a rope hanging down it.
The cliff curves around on two sides. Below is a drop to more rocks, and behind us is the trail we’ve been following.
I stare up at the cliff face in dismay. My heart rate jolts up a beat, remembering the last time we climbed and I slipped.
Marcus turns to me and rests a hand on my shoulder. “You going to be okay?”
I swallow. “I have to be.”
“Good girl.”
He retrieves his harness from his pack and slips into it before tying my makeshift one. He crouches before me, and I’m aware of how close he is. His movements are precise and efficient, nothing like the intimate caresses of last night.
Marcus clips himself in and peers up at the rope.
“It goes up and then across.” He tugs hard on the rope, testing its weight. “It’s higher than the last time, but the rope is sturdy. There’s no fraying.”
He’s trying to reassure me, but I can tell by the way he rubs the back of his next that he’s tense.
He glances across the ravine to the tree line on the other side of the dried-up riverbed.
“We’ll move fast. Give it all your strength, and we’ll rest at the top.”
I nod, and he clips me onto the rope behind him and gives my harness a final tug.
Marcus springs up the cliff face, finding places to put his feet that look like flat rock from where I am. I find a handhold, grit my teeth together, and heave myself up.
There’s a crevice that’s just big enough to wedge my boot into, and I tuck my foot in, then push through my thighs, using the strength in my legs to push myself upwards.
Marcus is already at the first anchor point. He slides his rope up and clips into it, then turns around to check on me. I give him a thin smile, trying to show more confidence than I feel.
My legs ache from the relentless pace of the last few days, and it stings where I scraped my hand. But I’m not about to let him see my discomfort.
Marcus scans the ravine behind us with a frown on his face. He turns back to the cliff and effortlessly pushes up to the next hold.
I strain forward, following his movements but at a slower and less graceful pace.
I pass the first anchor point, and this is where the route goes sideways. I stop to catch my breath as the wind whips against my pack.
My palms are sweaty, and I carefully let go of my hold to wipe one and then the other on my top. I can’t afford to lose anything this time, not when my pack contains my precious samples.
Marcus moves with calm precision ahead of me, and I push forward, trying to follow his path.
“You’re doing great.” His calm voice settles my racing heart. “Keep it nice and steady. We’re halfway there.”
My muscles scream out at me, and my thigh wobbles at the next push upward. But I keep my eyes on the cliff ahead of me and refuse to look down to the rocks below.
I reach for a hold, and my fingers find a deep crevice. My foot struggles to find a hold as I try to remember the exact route Marcus took.
I’m dragging my foot up the cliff when there’s a loud crack.
It echoes across the ravine, and fragments of rock splinter near my foot. My foot jerks wide, and I slip, my thighs scraping the rock face. I give out a yelp and look down. Big mistake. Chips of rock cascade down to the rocks below.
I glance up at Marcus, and he’s glaring across the ravine. I turn my head to follow his gaze, and my blood turns as cold as the stone I’m climbing.
A man stands on the other side of the ravine. He’s dressed in black and pointing a gun straight at me.
Another shot rings out, and more chips fly near my feet.
“Allegra, move!” Marcus barks, his voice taking on a clipped, commanding tone I haven’t heard before. “Fast!”
Adrenaline bursts through my veins, and I scramble upwards.
My fingers claw at the cliff face, reaching for holds in the rock that aren’t there.
A sob bubbles out of my throat, and I push it down.
This is not the time to fall apart. I make myself focus on the cliff and search for a handhold that will take my weight.
I pull myself up and drag my feet with me. It’s not good climbing technique, but it’s the fastest way I can get up this damned cliff.
Marcus is almost at the top when another shot rings out. He swings wide as stone flies from the place where he was a moment ago. But there’s something wrong with his grip. His shoulder smashes against the cliff face, and he grunts in pain.
The rope slides out of his hand, and we both fall.
My heart stops for a beat until the safety line goes taut and jerks us both. I smash against the rocks, letting out an oomph as the breath rushes out of me.
Marcus braces against the fall, but when I look up he’s hanging by one arm. The other hangs limp at his side.
“Marcus!” My heart jumps into my throat.
I dare a glance across the ravine. The man lines his gun up, this time aiming straight at Marcus.