Page 147 of Nothing But Air

“Speaking of which—” Liam shot him a look. “Xander told me about that gap you jumped when you were trying to get to me.” He let out a disbelieving laugh. “You’re insane.”

Teague groaned. “Don’t bring that up around Eden.”

“Seven feet with no room for error. Impressive.” Noah divided the gold into three piles, each bar heavy and solid in his hands. “Stupid, but impressive.”

“High praise coming from Mr. I-Got-Stabbed-And-Kept-Fighting.”

“That was different.”

“How?”

“I was motivated to protect the woman I love.”

“I was motivated by not letting Liam die.”

“See? Different.”

Liam snorted. “I’m touched, really.”

“You should be.” Teague grinned. “I don’t jump crevasses for just anyone.”

They worked in comfortable silence for a moment, dividing the gold, securing it in their packs. A raven called from somewhere overhead, its cry echoing off the canyon walls.

“Brotherhood forged in fire.” Noah’s voice was light, but something deeper ran beneath it. “Or in this case, forged in canyon heat, cave collapses, and crazy madmen.”

“And the grace of God.” Liam’s voice was quiet but certain. “Every impossible moment. Every time we thought we wouldn’t make it. He was there.”

“Yeah.” Teague looked out at the canyon, his expression softening. “He was.”

The sat phone in Noah’s pack buzzed. He pulled it out and checked the screen. “It’s Meg.”

“Answer it.” Liam grinned. “Speaker.”

Noah hit the button. “Hey, beautiful. We found the last cache.”

“That’s great!” Meg’s voice came through clear and bright. “We’re celebrating here too. Hold on?—”

Rustling sounds. Then Eden’s voice. “Did you say you found it? All of it?”

“Twenty bars, still here where Teague left it.” Liam moved closer to the phone. “How’s your day going?”

“Well—”

Meg cut in. “Eden convinced us to try rock climbing. The tourist wall at the rec center.”

Teague’s expression was priceless. “Oh no.”

“Oh yes.” That was Nimue now, her voice threaded with amusement. “Eden is showing off. Meg keeps giving safety lectures. And I’m taking pictures of everything.”

“Safety lectures?” Noah laughed. “That’s my girl.”

“Someone has to make sure these two don’t break anything.” Meg’s tone was dry. “Eden’s already tried to free solo the intermediate wall.”

“It’s six feet off the ground!” Eden’s voice was softer now, as though she’d moved away from the phone.

“Six feet is still enough to sprain an ankle, which you would know if you’d listened to my safety lecture.”

“Send the pictures.” Teague was grinning. “I need to see this.”