Page 23 of Gone (Gray Wolf Security #23)

There were probably no bigger adrenaline junkies than the men of Gray Wolf and Voodoo Guardians. But even junkies have their limits, and a river flowing dangerously from torrential rains, rapids hitting hard, and unseen rocks were not something they wanted to face daily.

There were no words said. Nothing between the three men as they focused on what was ahead, keeping themselves safe, and hopefully getting to the woman and the children in time.

Rafting down a tumultuous river is a thrilling and intense experience, a mix of adrenaline and teamwork as you navigate a watery roller coaster. It demands focus and energy to battle the chaos of powerful, churning water and dodge obstacles while surrounded by stunning, untouched nature.

The tumultuous rush of water filled their ears, becoming a deafening roar as they entered a rapid. The splash of the water and the synchronized commands, like "forward!" or "right side back," cut through the noise.

An adrenaline rush hit all three men as they plunged into frothy, fast-moving, freezing water.

The seemingly indestructible boat lurched and bucked with a visceral churning motion that threw them around inside the boat.

The cold, powerful spray of the river repeatedly splashed their faces and bodies.

Their view was filled with the frothy, chaotic "whitewater" that forms as the river rushes over and around rocks. There was no time to witness the natural, rugged beauty of the river corridor, from towering canyon walls to forested banks.

The occasional mouthful of river water tastes like pure, mineral-rich nature. Kane pointed above them, seeing the bopping ponytails of two little girls, their aunt in front of them.

Their approach was filled with anticipation and an intense focus. Dex barked out instructions as they prepared for the impact of a massive wave, attempting to get to the rocky ledge.

The raft slammed into a wall of water and became submerged for a moment.

The three men paddled intensely, their entire bodies engaged, to keep the boat moving forward and upright.

Above them, they heard two little girls crying out.

Spook looked up to see them pointing at them, the woman holding tight to the girls, terror in her eyes.

The raft's bow rose up, and their stomachs dropped as it rushed over a waterfall, the sharp descent dropping them below.

Their raft spun and twisted in powerful eddies and crosscurrents.

The team's strength was tested as they fought the relentless force of the river.

The entire journey was nothing but constant rushes, then flat calm water allowing them to take a breath, then another crazy rush.

“Above!” yelled Spook. Kane and Dex nodded, seeing the three girls running the bank as they fought to get to the side of the river, finding a safe place to get out.

Filled with a sense of immense accomplishment and empowerment, the men grinned at one another, happy to be on solid ground, at least for the moment.

“Are you guys crazy?” yelled the woman walking toward them. “This isn’t the time to go rafting.”

“It’s also not the time to get lost,” said Dex. The woman stared at them, holding the girls behind her. “We’re not here to hurt you. We’re here to help you. You didn’t report to the ranger station, and they reported you missing.”

“Oh, wow,” said the woman. “I had no idea. I think we’re not far from where we need to be now.”

“No, ma’am,” said Spook. “You are very far from where you need to be.”

“Ma’am, you stopped in a cave last night and burned some things, is that right?” asked Dex. She nodded at him, frowning. “Did you notice anything strange about them?”

“They burned pink,” smiled one of the little girls. “I’m Abigail.”

“Well, you are beautiful, Abigail. But what’s going on here?” smirked Dex. “She looks like Abigail.”

“I’m Adelaide,” smiled the little girl. “We’re identical twins. The fire burned pink.”

“It did,” nodded Kane with a smile. “What you burned were bags of money from an armored car robbery.”

“Oh, God,” whispered the woman. “I had no idea. I mean, I didn’t know. It was dark, I couldn’t see a thing and honestly wouldn’t have cared. We were tired, hungry, and cold. Am I in trouble?”

“Not with the armored car company,” said Spook. She tilted her head in a questioning manner. “The men who robbed that armored car broke out of prison, and we believe, right about now, they’re chasing you, thinking that you took some of that money.”

“Sweet,” grinned Abigail.

“It’s not sweet!” said her aunt. “They think we have their money.”

“We didn’t take their money,” said Adelaide.

“We know, honey, but right now, we need to get the three of you out of here, and the river won’t do it. It’s too dangerous for the three of you,” said Kane.

“The girls are tired,” said Barb.

“We can walk, Aunt Barb. We’re okay,” said Adelaide.

“I tell you what,” said Dex. “My friend Kane and I are going to give you two piggyback rides. We’ll be back at the ranger station in no time. Can you hold on tight?”

The faces of the little girls lit up with the excitement of riding on the big men’s shoulders. The girls were small for their age, so Dex and Kane weren’t worried about carrying them.

“We have to get to the other side of the river,” said Spook. “I’m going to shoot a rope to the other side, secure it as a tether, and send the raft back tied to it. You guys load up with the girls, and I’ll pull you over.”

The little girls thought it was the best thing in the whole world. Barb, not so much. But when they were all safe on the other side of the river, she couldn’t have been more grateful.

“Code? Sly? We’ve got the aunt and two little girls. We’re on the opposite side of the river now. Let the others know we’re headed to the ranger station.”

“Roger that.”