Page 113 of Nothing But Air

“So you want to keep climbing with whoever sabotaged those radios.” He stared at her, voice barely a whisper. “That’s your professional assessment.”

There it was again. Professional.

“We have nothing but suspicion. Face it—it was both radios, so whoever we’re in danger from could be at the station. Or worse, stalking us down here.” She kept her voice steady even as her heart hammered. “Besides, didn’t you jump a seven-foot gap over a two-hundred-foot drop just last night to save a little time? Not sure why protecting me matters so much now.”

The words came out sharp. A low blow. But everything still sat too raw.

Teague’s face went blank. A mask sliding into place. “So that’s what you think of me? Reckless? Uncaring?”

“I think you take risks when you think they’re necessary.” Her voice softened despite herself. “I’m just applying the same logic.”

He looked into the distance. The canyon stretched out before them, painted in gold and rose by the sun that was now fully above the rim. Beautiful. Indifferent.

A beat.

When he looked back, any remaining warmth had vanished from his eyes.

“You want to climb. You want to trust them?” His voice came out flat. Empty. “Your call.”

The words should have sounded like respect. Like partnership.

They didn’t.

Teague turned away and pulled out his own map, double-checking Kyle’s route. His jaw stayed tight. His shoulders rigid. Morning light caught his auburn curls—and she remembered running her fingers through them just yesterday.

Now it felt like a lifetime ago.

She nodded and he released a deep sigh. “Fine. Let’s do this.” Teague’s words came out rough. “But we do this my way. Eden leads. I climb second. Marcus and Kyle bring up the rear.” He looked at Kyle, his green eyes hard. “Nonnegotiable.”

“Worried about me, Hamilton?” Kyle spread his hands, all innocence. “I’m touched.”

“Don’t be.” Teague’s voice stayed flat.

Something twisted in Eden’s chest. Not relief. Not vindication. Just the hollow sense that she’d won the argument but lost something more important.

“Works for me.” Kyle was already folding his map, movements quick and satisfied.

Marcus just nodded.

Teague studied his map without looking at Eden. His presence still felt protective, still watchful—but distant in a way that made her want to take back her words. The whole conversation.

Eden moved to pack her gear. Kyle’s eyes tracked her again. When she glanced up, he was smiling.

“Thanks for taking my side.” His voice was warm. The familiarity of their old friendship. “I knew you’d understand the importance of finishing the mission.”

Something about the words made her skin crawl.

“This isn’t about sides, Kyle.” Eden kept her tone neutral. “It’s about doing the job right.”

“Of course.”

But his expression made her pause. A satisfaction that went beyond getting his way. A gleam that reminded her of a cat watching a mouse.

Her gaze shot to Teague.

He was watching her. His green eyes met hers for just a moment—long enough for her to see the hurt. The walls. The resignation.

Long enough to see that he’d noticed Kyle’s expression too.