Page 37 of Tormented Hearts

“I’m always in the lead. That’s how having a bodyguard works.”

She compressed her lips. “I’ve already checked this place out and it’s fine. Besides, I’ve got my bear spray on me.”

Though it went against his instincts and probably broke a few Black Heart Security rules too, he let her guide him through a cluster of bushes. After a few more steps, she pointed at a patch of dirt.

“There. See how the ground’s darker? It looks damp. I think there could be water down there. A stream or a pool of rainwater.”

He had to admit she was right. They needed to replenish their water stores, and the thought of a quick bath sounded good despite the prospect of icy mountain water. “Let’s pack up camp and we’ll take a small detour.”

They broke the tent down together, and while he rolled it and strapped it to his pack frame, she tore apart the small tripod over the fire which had burned to ash while they were otherwise occupied.

In a few minutes they had the camp reduced to their two packs and a stamped-out fire pit.

She brushed her hair over her shoulders. “I think we got it all.”

He threw out his senses before they took off, listening for the movement of any animal larger than a rabbit, or any sign that they weren’t alone. Confident it was safe, he led the way toward the spot of damp soil.

The dark patch of earth disappeared from sight now and then, but as they descended the mountain, he saw Sinead was right. A small mountain stream wound around the side of the face.

She let out a small gasp behind him. “Water!”

He threw her a grin over his shoulder and quickened his pace, leading the way to a spring bubbling from a shelf of rock.

She surged ahead of him, eager, and her boot caught hard in a snarl of exposed roots crossing the trail. She pitched forward with a startled yelp and Hawk lunged, catching her by the arm a half second before her face met rock.

She hung there a moment, breathing hard, boot still wedged tight. “Okay. That could’ve been bad.”

“You all right?” He crouched, working the root to loosen it, but her foot was wedged tight.

He looked up into her eyes. “Do you trust me?”

She gave him a wary glance. “Depends on what you’re about to do.”

He swung his pack off one shoulder, enough to reach into a pocket. He wrapped his fingers around the handle of his ax and pulled it free.

“Oh no.” Sinead pushed backward, as if she could crawl out from under the root.

“Sinead. This is the only way. Look away and don’t move.”

The root was so close to her ankle that it left no room for error. Hawk had no intention of missing the mark.

“Hawk—”

“On three.”

She nodded wildly, latching on to the modicum of control he offered.

“One. Two.”

He brought the blade down on the root and it snapped just as Sinead let out a low hiss.

She blinked at finding her foot still attached to her ankle and wiggled it free. “You tricked me.”

“You’re free, aren’t you?” With careful hands, he checked her ankle before helping her up and letting her put weight on it.

She gingerly set her foot down and took three steps. “Nothing twisted. Just my pride.” She threw him a shy look. “Now I know how you felt after the snake bite.”

He grunted.