Page 86 of Mountain Refuge

“That’s a dumb question.”

“I mean right now. This instant.”

“Second-guessing my decision to take Tracy in.”

“You did great, Taya.” Tracy put a hand on her shoulder. “You saved my life.”

Tears burned. “I might not be able to a second time.”

“Yes, you will.” After a clap on her shoulder, Tracy sat back. “You always tell me to believe in myself. Take your own advice.”

A laugh escaped Ryan. “I guess she told you.”

“I guess she did.” Taya smiled, feeling better. She could do this. No,theycould do this. She wouldn’t accomplish anything by going solo.

The surplus store in Langley had everything she needed. She bought an extra vest for Ryan and a lantern for Tracy to take into the cellar with her if she had to go down there.

Ryan eyed the purchases. “You think I’ll need that? A shooter can go for the head and totally bypass the vest.”

“A vest is still handy.” She tossed the bag into the back of the Jeep. “Humor me.”

“I’m not special ops, Taya.” He dropped another bag next to hers.

“Pretend it’s research.” She closed the back and slid into the front passenger seat, then glanced at her watch. They’d make it with ten minutes to spare barring heavy traffic on the interstate.

When Ryan pulled into the lot of the diner, Taya scoured the area. “There.” She grinned, recognizing both Lance and Nora from her former group. “You two stay in the vehicle. It’s safer for them if people don’t see them.”

As she exited the Jeep, her friends moved to the side of the diner out of sight of the street. Taya rushed to catch up with them. “Thank you.” She made a move to hug Nora, only to have her take a step back. The icy look on the woman’s face froze Taya. “What?”

Lance dropped a duffel bag at her feet. “Tell me you aren’t going to use these against law enforcement.”

She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

He searched her face for a minute. “You really don’t know?”

“Know what?” She glanced from one to the other. “I don’t have time for games, Lance.”

“Mason is alive.”

“What?” She took a step back. “No. I saw him fall.”

“A ruse. The two who pulled him from sight were in on it. Mason is the leader of the ring. How could you not know that?” He narrowed his eyes. “The two of you were close. Very close if rumors are true.”

“The rumors are wrong. We were never more than friends.” Although Mason had tried many times to convince her to be more. Mason was alive? The leader of the ring? She shook her head. “But…we saved those girls. He helped us.”

“All a ploy to keep us from catching him sooner.” Nora crossed her arms.

“How do you know this?”

“No record of his death. No record of his injuries. Nothing. It’s as if Mason ceased to exist. Only someone who didn’t want to be found would erase themself.”

Taya picked up the bag, happy for the weight. Anger roiled through her like billowing waves. “I will bring him down.”

“Wish we could help,” Lance said, “but we’re on a different assignment. Be careful, Taya. He’s going to be a cornered panther.”

And she would be an African lion protecting her pride.

~