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SEVEN

Grizz’s growl reverberated through the bathroom. Dani finished washing her face and cracked the door open to peek out, afraid of what she’d find.

She’d heard Kane and Sanchez whispering. Dani had pretended to sleep while they’d opened the garage door and rolled Grizz’s motorcycle out.

Should she have stopped them? Part of her had wanted to jump into action with them, but she knew Grizz wouldn’t approve. And Grizz’s approval meant something to her.

Not to mention that she wanted to personally hand the SIM card to Rio. Her job was to protect the evidence.

Dani watched Grizz pace the room, flexing his hands into fists at his side. Saxon returned from his patrol.

“She left.” Grizz mumbled something she couldn’t hear.

“We knew Sanchez was a flight risk. I wasn’t close enough to stop her. But Kane should have intervened. She must have worn him down.”

“Not Sanchez. Dani.”

“Dani’s gone too? I didn’t see her leave.”

Grizz huffed. “That girl is going to be the death of me. She’d trade her safety for a story any day.”

Was that what Grizz thought of her? Some career-driven, heartless woman?

“I knew I couldn’t trust her.” Those words cut through her like a knife. Grizz actually thought she’d run off to chase a story, exploiting Sanchez’s need to rescue her father.

Heat raced through her. Before she could second-guess her actions, she flung the bathroom door open. It clattered against the metal wall, echoing through the outhouse.

She marched toward Grizz, hands on hips. Saxon took ten steps backward and disappeared up the stairs toward the loft.

Dani pointed her finger right into Grizz’s chest. “You really think I’d sell you out for a story? That I don’t care about finding Sanchez’s father? I can’t believe you think I’m some kind of heartless monster that cares more about work than people.”

She bit back the tears. Because there was some truth to his accusation. Her ambitions had dragged Josh across the country. Her persistence had gotten him killed.

“No—I—grrr.” He threw up his arms in frustration and paced.

She waited for him to simmer down.

“Dani, when I saw the motorcycle gone, along with Sanchez and Kane, I assumed the worst. For that, I’m sorry. I misjudged you. Again.”

Thunder rattled through the outhouse, and rain pelted the structure. Dani sank into one of the camping chairs. “I get why you’d think that of me. I refuse to get complacent or lower my guard. Those men killed Josh. The world needs to hear his story. It’s my fault?—”

“Just stop, Dani.” He sank into the chair next to her and placed his hand on hers. Electricity sparked through her. “What happened to Josh wasn’t your fault. Sometimes things are out of your control.”

There was that word again. Control . What had that Bible verse said? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. She sighed. “Second place is still losing.”

Grizz squeezed her hand, and she relished the warmth of his touch. “Tell me why you think this.” His husky voice was soft, laced with compassion—the words urging her to bare her soul to this man that had crashed into her world and turned it upside down.

“I can’t lose. My father drilled that into my head as a child. I was on my way to becoming an Olympic gymnast until I fell. I hurt myself and lost my ranking. My dad moved on to coach my sister. All because I lost. It’s his voice that pushes me to win at all costs.”

Grizz sighed. “Isn’t that tiring, having to push so hard all the time?”

“It’s lonely.” Just having him in such close proximity reminded her of how alone she’d been.

When was the last time she’d made time for a date?

“I just thought that’s the way it was supposed to be.

Work as hard as you can. Make it to the top.

Do it all on your own so no one can take credit for your success. ”

“But what happens if you…I don’t know…find yourself stuck in a tree and your friends have to come rescue you?”

She laughed at his grimace.

“I guess I’d have to find a way down on my own.

I don’t have a lot of friends that would come rushing in the way your hotshot crew does.

Most of my friendships are superficial or people I’m competing against. Most reporters are just waiting in the wings for me to fail so they can swoop in and take my spot. ”

Grizz shook his head. “You could have the same kind of relationships too, if you let people help you.”

What would that be like to have friends that stepped in when she needed help? A few of her supposed friends had dropped her once she had the stigma of that bad report.

He rubbed circles on the back of her hand with his thumb, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.

Lightning lit up the room through the one window by the loft, and the distraction shattered her illusion of safety.

This couldn’t happen. No way was she getting cozy with this mountain man.

Despite the cool temperatures that had settled in the outhouse, her face flushed. She hoped Grizz couldn’t see.

“Hot chocolate.” She stood, severing their connection. “I found some packets in the kitchen. I need a warm drink.” She moved to the kitchen area and found a pot to boil some water.

Grizz watched in silence until the radio crackled.

“Grizz. Come in.”

He jumped up from the chair and snatched the radio from the counter. “It’s Rio. Finally.” He punched the button on the radio. “What’s the plan, Rio?”

“We can’t get to your place. Road is washed out. Can you make your way to your cousin’s cabin? That road is passable. In the meantime, I’m calling all agencies to send backup. We’ll stop these guys and get you and Dani off the mountain. Do you think you can make it?”

“We’ll do our best.”

The kettle whistle made Dani jump. Her nerves were fried, but at least now help was near.

But another hissing sound gave her pause. It wasn’t from the boiling water. Grizz stood alert, eyes wide.

Saxon rushed into the outhouse. “We’ve got company. And looks like they brought fire power. Two men just used longbows to light up the forest around your cabin. They’re trying to smoke us out.”

* * *

How long could Grizz keep Dani safe? She had the power to take down this secret militia group and a senator.

“Dani, stay inside.” Grizz and Saxon scrambled up the stairs to the loft, then stepped out onto the wooden deck. Sunlight peeked through the clouds, but it was the light from the fire that sparked his anger.

These men were about to burn his grandfather’s legacy to the ground.

A fire on the east side of his property churned and ate up the trees and shrubs in its path. If left unchecked, it would head straight for Grizz’s cabin. At least the rain had dampened the ground to slow down the spread of destruction.

Grizz turned to Saxon. “Apparently these men want us alive, or they would have just taken out the cabin.”

“They want that evidence. And Dani. They’re tying up all loose ends. But for some reason, they want the journalist alive.”

“We need to put out that fire, Saxon.”

Saxon pointed toward the left of the property, and Grizz grabbed his binoculars for a closer look. Two men, perched on a rock overlooking the west side of Grizz’s yard, watched his cabin through their rifle scopes.

“The two men are back.” Saxon used the scope of his rifle to view the area. “I heard Rio on the radio. I think you and Dani need to run. I’ll work on putting out the fire before it gets to your cabin. I found your equipment and hose. I’m going in.”

“By yourself? It’s a trap, Saxon. We need backup.” Grizz scanned the area again with binoculars. Flames licked the second perimeter around his land. All of his grandfather’s work—and Grizz’s own work—would be decimated if the fire spread.

Grizz flexed his fists. No way was he running, but he had to get that SIM card to Rio.

If only Sanchez and Kane hadn’t run off. Yes, he understood why Sanchez had run off in hopes of finding her father. But she’d gone rogue and left Grizz, Saxon, and Dani trapped. He’d give Sanchez and Kane a piece of his mind when they resurfaced?—

A shot from a high-powered rifle hissed through the air. Grizz trained his binoculars on the two men. “Someone fired a shot, but it wasn’t our trespassers.”

Saxon and Grizz watched as another bullet hit the tree right behind the men, sending shards of bark flying. The men packed up their gear and bolted, sinking farther into the forest, away from the property.

Grizz scanned the area. Who had been shooting?

The garage door opened, and Grizz and Saxon raced from the loft just in time to see Kane and Sanchez drive up on Grizz’s motorcycle.

Kane hadn’t parked the bike before he began shouting orders.

“Sanchez and I can fight the blaze with your hose and equipment. Saxon, you watch from above and take out those men if they return. Grizz, doesn’t your cousin have a cabin around here?

I remember reading an article about it, and it’s not too far from here.

You could take Dani and head for Mike’s place.

We’ll meet you there once we deal with the fire and these intruders. ”

And just like that, his team kicked into action like a well-rehearsed dance troupe, everyone knowing their parts.

Dani hopped on the back of the four-wheeler. “I’ve already packed supplies ready to go.”

Saxon headed to the loft with his rifle slung over his shoulder. Kane headed out the outhouse door toward the cabin, where Grizz had a hose.

Grizz caught Sanchez before she headed to help Kane. “Did you find anything? I’m assuming you headed to the compound.”

“We never made it. We stopped for some surveillance and discovered the men’s hiding spot. I’m sorry we couldn’t stop them before they shot that fiery arrow. At least it’s not your cabin.”

The sadness in Sanchez’s eyes squeezed Grizz’s heart. “We’re going to find your father.”

“And we’ll defend your property,” Sanchez said, then rushed outside after Kane.