Page 21 of Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage 3)

She’d been on the straight and narrow for years. Why was this happening?

Alex returned to the small alcove and once again turned to face the falls, stepping back enough that the wall afforded him protection but pinned her between him and the wall. Warmth again. But at the same time, she felt ... trapped this time.

Claustrophobic.

She wanted to escape. To be free.

He lifted his arms and aimed his gun directly at the cascade.

She held her breath.

Fear tried to take up residence in her chest, but with Alex’s strong and sturdy form filling her vision, she shouldn’t be afraid. Still, more than mere curiosity drove her need to know what was happening. Had they been discovered, after all?

Not wanting to give away their presence, she stood on her toes to get close to his ear. He dropped back so she could get even closer. So near to his glistening, lithe physique, his woodsy and utterly masculine scent wrapped around her.

“What did you see?” She said the words loud enough for him, but she doubted anyone near the falls could have heard them.

He didn’t respond.

Dropping back to her heels, she pressed her back against the stone. How long would they have to stay here?

“Alex!” someone shouted, the sound muffled through the falls but discernible.

Lowering his gun, Alex eased away from her, opening up the space. She could breathe. Oh, she could breathe.

And think.

“In here!” Alex twisted to thrust his hand out to her. His eyes crinkled at the corners and his dimples emerged. “Help has arrived. I told you that you could trust me.”

And she returned his smile. “I knew that already.”

Mackenzie took his hand and allowed him to lead her forward and then out and around the waterfall, carefully stepping around the edges of the steep drop into the river. A man waited for them—the same man who had been at the memorial with Alex. Tall and fit. Sun-bleached hair and green eyes.

“Mackenzie, meet Detective Tanner,” Alex shouted over his shoulder.

The frown along the detective’s forehead eased as a smile formed, and he gave a quick nod, then gestured toward where they would need to climb out of the cataract. Detective Tanner climbed out first and glanced over his shoulder, giving a look that said he was satisfied with their progress. Then Mackenzie followed him, placing her hands and feet on the same stones. Alex came up behind her.

At the top of the rise, she stood tall and drew in a long inhale and breathed in the smell of rushing river water, mountain air, cedar, ponderosa pine, and Douglas fir. Water from snowmelt, rain, and maybe a few springs along the way carved down the mountain and brought a fresh scent of its own. She let that waft over and calm her.

Alex led her away from the falls to the trail where they had initially been targeted, and where the bikes had been abandoned.

He approached a dark-haired man and shook his hand. “Detective Campbell. Thanks for the help.” Alex gestured to her. “This is Mackenzie Hanson.”

Alex acted like he and the detectives were almost best buddies.

“And you already met Detective Tanner.”

“Please just call me Jack.” To Alex, he said, “No sign of the shooter, but that doesn’t mean he’s not hanging around. Let’s get you out of here, and we can take your statement at a safe location.”

“You’ll need my gun for ballistics.” Alex handed it over. “I gave cover as we ran to the cave.”

Jack bagged it. “You have another firearm?”

“Yes. That’s the main gun I use when I’m off duty. I’d like it back as soon as possible.”

Mackenzie looked up at the treetops. No sign of the drone either. When she let her gaze drop, she caught Alex studying her. His gray eyes struck fear in her soul—what did he see in her? What was he thinking? And suddenly the law enforcement surrounding her, including Alex, sent her mind racing right back to the moment she was surrounded by federal agents who wanted her confession.

God, why can’t I escape the memories?

“You’ll get it back. In the meantime, deputies will search the woods,” Detective Campbell said. “I suspect the shooter is long gone if he knows what’s good for him.”

“Her,” Alex said. “The shooter was a woman.”