Page 19 of Raven's Hunt
She pursed her lips, still looking as if she might puke. “Hey.”
He tucked some hair behind her ears. “Better?”
She shrugged but didn’t pull away.
He sighed. “There’s no rush. We can stay out here as long as you need. Though, you look like you’re freezing.” He shrugged out of his hoodie, helped her into it.
She scoffed. “Now I have two, and you’re in a damn tee.”
“I’m fine. Got everything I need, right here.”
That earned him a glimpse of a smile.
He drew her back into his arms. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
She shook her head. “I’m glad one of us believes that.” She shivered, and his damn heart froze.
He eased back as Dalton moved closer, holding out a cup.
Dalton sighed. “It’s hot chocolate. You need to drink something before the aftershock hits you, and you pass out.”
Tierney cringed, as if just now realizing Dalton was there before accepting the mug — taking a cautious sip. She closed her eyes, taking another before looking up at him. “Thanks.”
He nodded. “Been there a time or two myself. It’s one of the only things that helps.”
She froze, cup touching her lip as she stared at him, eyes blinking, her breath stalled before she exhaled, cocked her head to the side. “How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Walk out of a cage and never crack?”
He looked away, scanning the tree line and bordering road before meeting her gaze. “Who says I never crack?” He kicked at the gravel. “The truth is, I’m just one bad memory away from going nuclear.”
Tierney swept her gaze the length of him. “You never show it.”
“I’ve just had more time to put a mask on it. But I’ve come to realize, you never stop breaking. You just get really good at aiming the blast radius at the people who deserve it.” He inched closer. “So, whatever spooked you in there, whatever voices are in your head… Let’s point the bomb at them.”
She nodded, though Buck wasn’t sure if she agreed or was simply too tired to argue. “I’ll remember that.” She stared at her boots for a few moments before drawing in a deep breath, finally lifting her gaze to Buck’s.
He smiled, because even tormented, she took his breath away. “Whatever it is, you’re not alone.”
“I know, it’s just… There’s something I need to tell you, but I’m not sure I know how.”
“There’s nothing you can tell me that will change the way I feel about you. You know that, right?” He smiled. “I’ll still think you’re the bravest, craziest person I know.”
She snorted. “Takes one, I suppose.”
“Damn straight. So, whatever you need to say, I’m not gonna run.”
She glanced at Dalton, then back to him. “That voice, on the video. I’ve heard it before.”
Buck perked up, leaning a bit closer. “The guy who sounded in charge?”
Her face paled, her breathing kicking up again. “He was in Colombia.”
Dread punched him low in the gut, and he knew, everything was about to change. “On your last mission.”
Another pause, her hands nearly shaking the liquid out of the cup. “He was at the compound. He’s one of the men who held me captive.”
