Page 95 of Betrayal of a Billionaire

“No, Julia,” Luke said with a shake of his head.

Grant fluttered his eyelashes as he tried to make sense of the argument before wiping at the rain on his skin. “I don’t understand what’s going on here.”

“What’s going on is I’m going to go over this cliff and getting your daughter,” Luke said.

Julia shook her head. “Luke, if you do that, you’re both going to be in trouble.”

“What? Why?” Grant asked.

“The ground is wet and soft. We need to put the least amount of weight onto that rope as we can. He’s easily fifty pounds heavier than me.”

“Youdidhave a lot of Marina Mists the last time we were together,” Luke said as he drove the anchor into the ground.

“This isn’t a joke, Luke. Stop being stubborn.”

“What will happen if there’s too much weight?” Grant asked.

“They’ll pull the pick right out of the ground,” she answered.

“Can’t we hold it?”

Luke let out a harsh laugh as he prepared the rope. “This isn’t the movies. You can’t hold two people dangling from a cliff.” Heflicked his gaze to Julia. “You’re lighter, yes, but you’re not going over that cliff.”

“I don’t understand why,” Grant said.

“Those rocks are like ice. The wind is whipping. Sheisfifty pounds lighter than me which means she could get pretty battered in the wind. I don’t know how you feel about it, but I’dneversend my wife over that cliff face in this weather.”

Grant’s features twisted with concern as he glanced at Julia. “No, I wouldn’t endanger Julia–”

“That’s not fair. Stop misleading him into supporting your argument.”

“Julia, if this is dangerous, I don’t want you doing it,” Grant said.

“See, even Grant agrees.”

Julia shook her head. “What he’s not telling you is that he’s putting Sierra’s life at risk by insisting on protecting me.”

Grant flicked an angry glance at Luke. “What?”

“That’s not true.”

“It is true. The anchor’s not going to hold the weight. The ground is too soaked, and the wind is too strong. By insisting on going, he’s putting both their lives at risk. They are at a much higher risk of not making it back up onto the ridge than if I go. You guys need to stop arguing about this and let me go.”

Luke clenched his jaw as he stared at her. “Julia, this is way too dangerous.”

“And what? It’s better if you fall off a cliff than me?”

Grant shook his head, waving a hand in the air. “Wait a minute, maybe we should be calling someone instead of anyone risking their life.”

“Search and rescue will never get here in time,” Julia said. “I don’t mean to scare you, but time is of the essence.”

Luke blew out a sigh as he finished tying off a knot. “She’s right. We can’t wait for search and rescue. That’s putting your daughter in more danger than if either of us goes for her.”

“I’m also right about who should go. It’s dangerous no matter what. But I’m as experienced a climber as you, and I’m way lighter. It’s our best shot.”

Luke slid his eyes closed. “Maybe you’re too light. Is she heavier than you?”

“I can handle her. We’ll be fine.” She snatched the harness from his hands and stepped into it. “I’m going.”