Page 62 of Into the Storm

“Oh, god, no. Not like that. No. I would trust Xavier with my life.”

Undine snorted at that. Jae had a history with the man, but Undine didn’t know him, and he’d screwed over Audrey in the worst way. There was no way she’d believe he wasn’t the villain in this scenario.

“Yeah, well, I don’t believe Audrey would be so foolish as to confront him during a training exercise.”

“I don’t believe that either. I checked with the office. The issue with the cameras is real. But also, all communication—all the security cameras in that part of the park—are now down. I assume that’s part of the exercise. Can’t have anyone watching a secret training. And maybe Audrey’s camera fail was part of that too. It could be nothing. But I’m worried because as far as I know, the last anyone heard from Audrey was yesterday around four p.m., before she entered the park—if she was able to get past the gate. At first, I was worried she’d be fired for interrupting the training, but now…” His voice trailed off as he gazed at the front of Audrey’s small house. “If she’s not here, I think she’s missing.”

“Surely there’s some way to get in touch with Rivera?”

“I’ve tried every number I have. Email. Texts. Nothing.”

Undine pulled out her phone. “My husband still has contacts in the SEALs and Navy spec war.” She punched the button for Luke. “Maybe he can find out how to get a message to Xavier.”

When Luke answered, she said, “Sweetheart, I’m handing the phone to Ranger Jae Son. There’s something going on with Audrey, and I’m hoping you can help us.”

Exhaustion won and Audrey had fallen into a deep sleep almost instantly. The hard part was staying asleep after that first blissful hour of rest. It remained dark in the tent when she surfaced, but she knew it was daylight outside. Their tent was well and truly buried. With Xavier pressed to her back, she was enveloped in a warm, dark cocoon.

His breathing was deep and even, and she forced her body to remain calm and still. She didn’t want to disturb his slumber. If they were going to survive this, he was the one who needed sleep.

His skills, his team—those two things were her only hope of walking out of this forest alive. He’d never said a word about his shoulder, but she knew he was in a great deal of pain. He’d been injured again after he left her, when he’d fought whoever he’d gotten the NVGs and rifle from, but after she told him about the baby, they hadn’t spoken more about what had happened in the woods last night.

It was probably a mistake, but part of her was glad they’d gotten to share that moment without the nightmare intruding.

He wanted and would love their child. She would hold on to those thoughts in the coming desperate hours. And she had zero doubt this day would be as desperate as the last. But the father of her child had her back—he was literally pressed against that part now as he slept—and would protect them. She would do her part to help. No one knew this part of the park better than her. Well, except George.

She’d spent months in these woods over multiple years, but George had spent years over multiple decades.

George.

He’d been in Jeb’s shop last night, making bombs. Which meant he knew what happened to Jeb. Knew there were enemies in the forest.

He’d prepared to engage them, resurrecting the guerilla fighting skills he’d learned fifty years ago.

George was an ally, but if the SEALs found him before she and Xavier did, would they know he was friend, not foe?