Page 91 of Nothing But Air

“Get out!” Teague rushed toward Eden as another chunk of ceiling crashed onto the cave floor. Dust filled the air. The fracture began to spread across the stone like lightning.

He grabbed Eden’s hand, tugged her toward daylight, a sizable rock glancing off his shoulder.

Xander was already dragging Marcus out, the man still reaching toward that empty crack as if it might give up secrets.

They burst onto the ledge as the right side of the cave collapsed behind them.

For a moment, no one moved.

They stood pressed against the cliff face, breathing hard, staring at rubble where a cave had been. Dust coated everything.

Eden grabbed Teague’s arm. “Are you okay?”

He eyed the torn shoulder of his shirt. The skin was raw, but the injury was surface-level. “Define okay.”

“Alive. Unbroken. Not currently being crushed by several tons of limestone.”

“Then yes. Barely.” He met her eyes. “You?”

“Alive. Furious.” She wiped dust from her face. “I told you that if you got yourself killed?—”

He stepped closer, placing a hand on each side of her face. “Hey, I’m not dead.”

“But you ran to me instead of running out. You could have…”

“I made sure you were safe. I won’t apologize for that. Ever.” His thumb trailed across her cheek.

“Sorry.” Marcus’s voice shattered the moment, and they both turned to face him.

He stood with his back against the wall, still clutching the hammer. Face white. Eyes glassy. His whole body trembled.

“You nearly killed us all.” Teague’s voice came out sharp.

He didn’t care.

“I just—there was something—I saw—” Marcus’s words tumbled over each other.

“You weren’t thinking.” Eden’s voice cut through. “You were reckless and you put everyone in danger.”

“The whole structure was unstable.” Xander assessed the damage. “Last month’s earthquake must have weakened it.”

“We need to get down. Now.” Teague was already organizing the descent. “Before anything else decides to fall.”

They rappelled in tense silence. Marcus first, under Xander’s watchful eye. Then Teague, ribs screaming. Then Eden. Xander brought up the rear.

By the time they reached the canyon floor, the sun was well above the rim. Sweat cut tracks through the dust on Teague’s face. He unclipped from his harness and turned to face Marcus.

The man stood apart from the group. His expensive gear was coated in dust. His hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

“We need to talk.” Teague kept his voice level. “About what just happened. And about why you’re really out here.”

Because whatever was driving Marcus—whatever secret he was hiding—had just nearly gotten them all killed.

And Teague was done pretending he didn’t see it.

Two days into a treasure hunt with Teague Hamilton, and Eden still couldn’t decide if she wanted to kiss him again or push him off a cliff. She’d survived watching him nearly fall to his death, then nearly die in a cave collapse trying to save her. He was both the embodiment of everything she feared and everything she wanted most. She should do the smart thing and keep her guard up, and yet she couldn’t convince herself to regret the kiss they’d shared.

He’d put himself in harm’s way once again. But how could she be mad when he’d done it for her?