Page 42 of Hard Rain

He blew out a breath and reached for his flashlight.

“Wait, you’re seriously not going out in that,” Axel growled, grabbing his arm.

“I’m not getting washed away or buried in mud in this SUV,” he said softly.

Their gazes met.

“Damn it,” Axel muttered.

He held on a second longer than needed before letting go.

Grabbing the handheld, Axel checked the battery and shoved it into his jacket pocket.

Whip climbed out into the storm and immediately regretted every life choice that had led him to this exact moment.

Rain slapped him across the face hard enough to sting. Cold water found its way down the back of his neck before he made it around the SUV.

The wind had picked up again. Pines swayed overhead, black silhouettes against a sky that flashed white every few seconds. Somewhere deeper in the timber, a tree groaned beneath the storm.

The sound lingered, long and uncomfortable. He’d heard trees make that sound before.

It never meant anything good.

Whip yanked open the cargo area and grabbed his duffel.

“One smart decision tonight,” he said.

Axel slammed the hatch beside him.

“Are there any?”

“Throwing our bags in the SUV.”

Axel snorted.

“Your standards are dropping.”

“They have to. I work with you.” Whip grinned.

Axel’s gaze lingered on him for just a second, but Whip felt it like a fucking stroke of a hand.

Their gazes locked. Axel froze for half a second, then looked away before starting toward the trail.

Whip followed close behind.

The flashlight beam jittered across gravel and standing water as they left the SUV behind. Twenty yards later, the storm swallowed the view of the road completely.

The trail climbed gradually through dense timber before bending north toward the hunting cabin.

At least that had been the plan when the trail wasn’t trying to drown itself.

Ahead of him, Axel lifted the handheld.

“Radio check.”

Static crackled through the darkness.

Nothing else.