CHAPTER 23
ZEPHYR
Now
“‘I KNOW OF PEOPLE WHO’VE DISAPPEARED IN THIS MOUNTAIN, Lachlan.’” There is no mistaking the bite in Davina’s tone whenever she impersonates me, and it’s no different as she narrates our exchange in that mountainside.
“‘It might not look like much because of the surroundings, but it can get dangerous, and without a guide we’re severely unprepared.’”
Davina is straight, her back tense as a rod, not leaning into the backrest of the sofa around her. Her eyes flash with reproach.
It’s been much of the same for the past few hours. Little of what she’s shared so far surprises me, even though at times I find myself looking toward Abenza to confirm her claims. She hasn’t outright lied so far. I wish I had a way to know when she’s not saying the whole truth, though. If only.
Nyak, Abenza and I are back in our positions after the breaks I instructed we take. Breaks that were much, much shorter than what we’d need.
Fiery curls fall over a slender shoulder before Davina continues.
“‘I know danger,’ I told him. ‘And it’s easily counteracted with precaution.’ I finished shoving the rest of my belongings into my bag, and then I stood, throwing the bag over my shoulder and glancing back at him.
‘Feel free to go back to the reservoir if you want. I’m going to continue with or without you’.
I hadn’t gone back for Armand, I sure as Hell wasn’t going to back down because we’d woken up to a bit of wind.
Short of grabbing me and throwing me over his shoulder, there wasn’t much the captain could do about it, so I turned and started walking. ”
“I considered it,” I admit before she has the chance to continue. “Grabbing you and carrying you down myself.”
It’s the truth. Gods help me, I did consider it.
“I wish you’d dared,” she snaps, violence written across her features.
And just like that, heat surges through me as the image takes shape in my mind. Her hip against my neck, legs flailing, hands pounding on my back, ass tilted at the perfect angle for a slap—
By the Old Gods.
She really has no have no idea what that rage does to me. I shift in my seat, widening my stance and leaning forwards under the guise of settling in
“I respected you enough not to.”
Sexy or not, what I’d seen of her in those first weeks was sheer determination and competence, which I value too much to disregard even if faced with the possibility of watching my plans fail.
I wish I’d realized how she was slowly but surely carving a way into me. I wish I’d done something to stop it.
Liar.
Surprise flickers in her eyes at the implied compliment in my words. There and gone in an instant when she continues. “As I was saying, I started walking, and it couldn’t have been more than thirty seconds by the time I heard the crunching of his boots behind me.
“‘If I die, it’s on you, Lachlan,’ Zephyr said in a low rumble.
“I didn’t even pause to consider my answer. ‘Deal.’”