Page 132 of Nothing But Air

“Kyle’s choices aren’t your responsibility.”

“I’m the one who read his obsession as kindness. Who turned politeness into proof of friendship. He said he killed Landon for me.” She cradled her wrist. “I can’t forgive myself for this.”

Teague was quiet for a long moment. Rain drummed against the stone outside their shelter.

“We need to get him out.” Eden pressed gauze against Marcus’s wound with her good hand. “Get him to a hospital.”

“In this?” Teague gestured at the storm. “We’d never make it.”

“The radio.” Eden’s eyes went to where Kyle’s belongings lay on the slope. “It might be in his bag.”

Teague followed her gaze. The pack sat on stone that was now a waterfall, dangerously close to where Kyle had fallen.

“Too dangerous. We wait out the storm. The rescue team will find us.”

“That might be too late.”

“I’m not losing anyone else trying to get that pack.”

Marcus stirred. “Gold. We found it.”

“We did.” Teague’s voice gentled. “And your grandfather left something else. A key. I think your dad was right about the safety deposit box.”

Marcus’s face transformed despite the pain, a smile breaking through. “Before he died. He said he wanted me…to find it. Not my father. Me.”

“That’s right.” Teague pressed fresh gauze against the wound. “You were the one he trusted in the end.”

The storm showed no signs of letting up. Lightning struck somewhere close—the thunder instantaneous, shaking the stone beneath them. Marcus drifted in and out of consciousness.

Finally—after what seemed like hours—the rain began to ease. Not stopping but lightening to a drizzle.

“I’m going for the pack.” Teague was already moving.

“Wait—”

But he was already out. Moving carefully across the wet stone.

He’d covered maybe half the distance when the gunshot cracked through the canyon.

Rock exploded near Teague’s feet.

He dove back toward the overhang as another shot rang out—ricocheting off the canyon walls, echoing until it sounded like an army was firing.

Kyle.

Kyle was alive.

Eden’s blood ran cold. The fall should have killed him. Should have at least knocked him unconscious.

The man who’d murdered her fiancé was still alive. Still armed. Still between them and any hope of escape.

“He’s down there.” Teague pressed against the wall beside her. “About thirty feet below. Can’t see him clearly, but he’s got the gun and a clear shot at anyone who tries to leave.”

Another shot ricocheted off the rock above their heads. Fragments of limestone rained down.

They were trapped.

No radio. No way out. And Kyle between them and escape.