Page 17 of Brave Horizons (Barrington Billionaires #19)

ALEX

The first rays of dawn pierced through the thin curtains, casting a dim light across the small, dingy room.

Alex sat by the window, his eyes scanning the parking lot for any signs of movement.

It had been an uneventful night, much to his relief.

The others were still asleep, sprawled across the uncomfortable beds and makeshift sleeping arrangements.

The rhythmic sounds of their breathing were the only noise in the quiet room.

Alex's mind wandered back to the campsite.

The time he had spent with Topeka there felt like a distant memory already.

He remembered the way she had looked at him, the way her smile had made him feel.

For a brief moment, they had found solace in each other's company, a fleeting sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.

He wished he had lied and kept them there longer, letting them stay hidden in that remote, peaceful place. But now, everything was a mess .

He glanced at Topeka, her face relaxed in sleep.

She looked so vulnerable, so different from the strong, determined woman he had come to know.

He wanted nothing more than to go back to that moment at the campsite, to hold her close and tell her everything would be alright.

But that was a luxury they could no longer afford.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Alex knew it was only a matter of time before he’d have to wake everyone up.

They would look to him for answers, for a plan.

He wasn’t sure what he would say. The satellite phone had been silent, and their next move was still a mystery.

They were running out of options, and he felt the pressure mounting with each passing minute.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to gather his thoughts.

The reality of their situation was sinking in; he knew they couldn’t stay there much longer.

They needed to find a way to contact Kenan, to get back on track.

But how? The uncertainty gnawed at him, and he felt a pang of guilt for not having all the answers.

A burner phone might buy them some time.

He could pick one up at a gas station and call the number he had for someone at Kinross and then toss it right after.

It was a risk. There was no real way to know what kind of technology and tracking they were dealing with.

Worst case they had intercepted the security team that had been heading for the house.

If that was the case they could have extracted all kinds of information on phone numbers, locations, and even tactics used.

If they still had hold of the security personnel it could be brutal .

The room began to stir as the others slowly woke up, blinking against the harsh light of the morning. Alex steeled himself for the inevitable questions, the looks of uncertainty and fear. He had to stay strong for them, to be the anchor they needed in this storm.

Topeka was the first to sit up, rubbing her eyes and looking around the room. She met Alex's gaze, and he saw the unspoken question in her eyes. He took a deep breath and forced a reassuring smile.

“Good morning,” he said softly. “We need to get moving soon.”

“What’s the plan?” Russ asked, his voice groggy as he sat up and stretched.

Alex hesitated for a moment, then answered. “We’ll head east, stick to the back roads. I’ll keep trying to reach Kenan on the satellite phone. We need to stay off the radar and keep moving.”

Hillary nodded, though she didn’t look entirely convinced. “Do you think they’ll catch up to us?”

“I don’t know,” Alex admitted. “But we can’t stay here. It’s too risky. We’ll find a safer place to regroup and figure out our next move. I know there’s a lot in play right now?—”

Topeka got up and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You’re doing what’s right. We’re going to follow your lead.”

He put his hand over hers in gratitude and felt the eyes of the others on them.

A part of him was self-conscious. Not because he cared about Russ’s ego or Hillary’s judgement.

But he was meant to be doing a job. One that required fierce focus.

Nothing should be clouding his view, not even affection for Topeka.

Releasing her hand, he stood and began packing everything.

“This isn’t going to be an accommodating road trip unfortunately. I’m going to stop for gas and someone needs to go in for food. Try to grab some high protein stuff and water. Maybe a burner phone.”

“You think that’s a good idea?” Hillary asked, clearly looking at it through the same lens he had.

“I don’t know. I’m not going to activate it or turn it on, but I think we should have it with us. Let me make sure the parking lot is clear; when I give the signal, you all come out.”

Alex got everyone in and on the road, his mind working overtime as he considered their next move. He had a place in mind, a safe haven that wasn’t easy to find. It would be a little awkward, but it was the best option he could come up with at this point.

“I have an option where we can stay for a few days,” he said, breaking the silence in the truck. “It’s about six hours away, but I’m sure it’s safe.”

“Is it another campsite?” Topeka asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. “Should we stop for more gear, another tent?”

“No, it’s a farm,” Alex replied. “A friend of mine owns it. She’s got plenty of space, and I’m sure she won’t turn us away.” He wasn’t actually all that sure but he had to hope that, with the situation they were in, there was a chance .

He noticed a flash of something on Topeka’s face when she heard it was a woman who would be taking them in. It was subtle, but it was there. She didn’t ask any more questions, and he didn’t offer any more details.

Russ, sitting in the back seat, shifted uncomfortably. “Can we at least listen to some music? I’m going crazy having to listen to the news the whole trip. It’s all bad news.”

Hillary immediately shook her head. “It’s important we listen to the news. We need to hear if there’s anything out of the ordinary that’s happened in the area. It might be tied to something we need to avoid.”

Russ sighed, clearly frustrated but resigned. “Fine. But if I hear one more story about rising tensions or another crime spree, I might lose it.”

“You’re a journalist,” Hillary said with a laugh. “Isn’t that what you do all the time. Chase these terrible stories?”

“Yes,” Russ replied with a shake of his head. “And I’m burned out on it. Whatever zest and naive optimism I used to have for the importance of sharing the news with people is gone. I’m tired of the misery and the never-ending cycle of shit that comes with it.”

Topeka turned in her seat to look at him.

“I get it, Russ. We’re all on edge. But what you do matters.

Think of all the stories you’ve broken before this one.

You’ve driven real change in the world. We’re going to get on the other side of this and you’re going to be the hero of this story. You’ll be saving so many lives. ”

Russ nodded but looked out the window. Alex made the executive decision and turned the radio to an oldies station that brought some music to life. Topeka turned back and offered Alex a gentle smile of gratitude. A little music wouldn’t hurt anyone.

The truck rumbled along the back roads, the music bumping low in the background. Alex kept his eyes on the road, his mind on the plan. The farm belonged to an old friend from his military days. They hadn’t been in touch in a long time but this would work. It would have to.

There was an urge in his gut to reassure Topeka, to tell her that everything would be alright. But he knew better than to make promises he couldn’t keep. All he could do was keep moving forward, one mile at a time, and hope they could find some semblance of safety at the farm.

As the hours ticked by, Russ and Topeka shared stories of their time together and Alex shared funny moments about camping mishaps in years past. Hillary was the only one who remained mostly quiet when it came to stories about herself.

She was still a mystery. Alex wasn’t sure how long she’d been working for Kinross or in what capacity.

If she’d seen a lot in her time there or was still finding her footing.

Finally, Alex spotted the familiar landmarks that signaled they were getting close. They were almost there, but he knew the real challenge was just beginning.

“We’re close,” he said, trying to reassure them all. “The farm is up ahead.”

Topeka nodded, her face showing a hint of relief. “You’re sure we can stay here? ”

The truck turned down a long, winding driveway, and Alex could see the farmhouse in the distance. It was a modest place, but it was sturdy and well-kept. He knew they would be safe here, at least for a little while. As long as Miranda didn’t get one look at him and throw him out.