Chapter 24

24

The muscles in Jason’s forearms corded as he gripped the steering wheel, his eyes locked on the Mustang’s taillights snaking up the mountain ahead. Alex’s erratic driving only fueled his suspicions. Was she running to the enemy? Or from them?

He pressed the accelerator. The sudden surge pushed him back into his seat, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Alex’s smaller car weaved dangerously close to the edge, tires kicking up dust and pebbles that pinged against his windshield.

“Alex, slow down,” he growled, forced to recalculate his approach. He couldn’t risk sending her over a cliff in his attempt to stop her, no matter how furious he was.

The mountain air whipped through his open window, carrying the scent of sunbaked earth and pine. His training screamed that this was a trap, but his gut twisted with the hope that there was an explanation, any explanation, for her sudden flight.

Seizing the upcoming straightaway, he gunned the engine and angled into the oncoming lane, pulling alongside her. The vehicles were so close he could hear the whine of her straining engine over the rush of wind. He gestured emphatically, shouting himself hoarse. “Pull over! Now, Alex!”

For a split second, their eyes met. Jason caught a glimpse of fear and determination in Alex’s wide-eyed glance before she shook her head, her car lurching forward as she accelerated.

Jason bit off a curse. He edged closer, using the SUV’s bulk to force her toward the shoulder. It was a risky move, one that sent his heart racing, but he was out of options.

Gravel crunched and pinged against both vehicles as they skidded to a stop on the narrow shoulder. He killed the engine and threw open the door, exiting in one fluid motion. The sudden silence was oppressive, broken only by the low rumble of engines and the distant cry of a hawk.

Alex mirrored his movements, her stance wary as she emerged from her car, inching between the two vehicles. The mountain wind whipped her hair around her face, but couldn’t disguise the mix of defiance and apprehension in her eyes.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Jason snarled, taking a step forward. “Are you trying to get us both killed?”

Her chin jutted out stubbornly. “You’re the one playing demolition derby on a mountain road!”

“Why are you running? What’s going on, Mendoza? What aren’t you telling me?”

“I don’t owe you any explanations,” she insisted, but beneath the bravado, he caught a flicker of something else. Fear? Uncertainty?

She stared up at him. “How did you find me?”

“The car’s bugged. I added a tracker before we left the car lot.”

“You what?” Fury blazed in her eyes, followed by a cold fear.

“If I planned to kill you,” he cut in, careful to keep his tone even, “you’d already be dead.”

He watched the words sink in, saw the moment her anger deflated, replaced by confusion.

“Fine,” she said. “Then why are you here?”

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “I could ask you the same thing. Running to the enemy? Or from them?”

“Me? You’re the one who?—”

He stepped closer, using his height to his advantage. He could pin her down, force the answers out of her in seconds. But the thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. “Who what? Followed you? Because from where I’m standing, you’re the one with some explaining to do. You’re the one who ran.”

Alex hugged herself. “You bugged the car.”

“And you’ve been acting suspicious all morning. Plus, I did that before. Good thing.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then make me.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

She shook her head hard enough to make her dark hair swirl around her face. “Not until I know who to trust.”

“Are you saying you don’t trust me?”

The way she clamped her lips together was answer enough.

An odd silence fell. They stood there, chests heaving, eyes locked in a battle of wills.

And then, almost imperceptibly, something shifted. The air between them changed, charged with a different kind of tension. Jason found himself acutely aware of Alex’s proximity, the fire in her eyes.

In that moment, he realized that getting answers might be the least of his problems.

The tension between them shattered as the whir of helicopter blades cut through the air. His training kicked in, his body moving before his mind fully processed the threat.

“Down!” He tackled her, shielding her body with his own as bullets peppered the ground around them.

Gravel bit into his palms as he army-crawled toward the meager cover of his SUV, dragging Alex with him.

“Friends of yours?” Alex shouted over the deafening roar.

Jason’s response was drowned out by another burst of gunfire. He risked a glance upward, assessing their options. The helicopter hovered menacingly, its occupants taking aim again.

He reached for his sidearm. “We need a diversion.”

Alex’s eyes lit up with a dangerous glint. “I’ve got an idea. Cover me!”

Before he could protest, she sprinted toward the Mustang. His heart leapt into his throat as he provided covering fire, forcing the helicopter to veer away momentarily.

She emerged clutching what looked like a flare. “Ready?”

Jason nodded, understanding dawning. She’d never be able to throw it high enough to do any damage, but as a distraction, she’d hit gold.

As the helicopter turned sharply, readying for another attack run, Alex struck the fuse and heaved the flare skyward. The bright red flare arced through the air, momentarily distracting the helo’s crew.

In that split second of confusion, Jason took his shot. The crack of his gun was lost in the chaos, but the effect was immediate. Dark liquid poured from the helicopter’s underbelly.

The damaged helicopter lurched drunkenly, trailing oil as it retreated over the mountain ridge.

Alex’s quick thinking had saved them both. She met his gaze, a mix of relief and lingering wariness in her eyes.

“Nice shot,” she offered, a tentative olive branch.

“Nice distraction,” he countered, holstering his weapon.

Questions still hung between them, but something fundamental had shifted. They’d just saved each other’s lives, forming a bond that transcended their earlier mistrust.

Someone had clearly set her up to reach out and then run. Which meant the poisonous info he’d received was equally tainted. No reason to even bother confirming it.

“So,” Alex broke the loaded silence, “I guess we should talk.”

He scanned the horizon, muscles still taut with lingering adrenaline, the wound in his side pulsing dully. The distant whine of the retreating helicopter had faded, leaving behind an eerie silence broken only by their ragged breathing.

He toed the dirt, turning to face Alex. “I’m guessing you received some scary info about me this morning. I got texts about you, too,” he said, seeing her puzzled look.

He could almost see the gears turning in Alex’s head as she pieced things together.

“Seven-Five,” she said suddenly. “This is exactly what they’d want. Us, divided. Easier to pick off.” She smacked her forehead. “I’m such an idiot.”

“You and me both.” He shook his head. “I could have told you about my text at coffee, but I didn’t.”

“Divide and conquer. And we nearly fell for it,” Alex shook her head, disgust evident in her voice.

“Speaking of which, who knew you were heading up the mountain?” he asked as he shifted closer.

Her face was a storm of emotions. “Liv. But it wasn’t her. No way. I texted her, asked her to find me a safe place to hide while I?—”

“Hold on,” he interrupted, his mind racing. “How do you know you were communicating with Liv?”

Alex froze, her eyes widening. “Wait … she did text something odd. She added, ‘I love you’ at the end. She’s never done that before. Maybe our comms were compromised. I didn’t even consider ... Wow. I’m slipping.”

“Hey,” Jason’s voice softened. He leaned against his SUV, choosing his words carefully. “You’re not slipping. You’re human. In our line of work, nothing’s certain. We can’t afford to jump to conclusions. Especially when it comes to people we care about. Sometimes we need an outside perspective. And listen, whether they’ve compromised RAVEN’s comms, or just yours, at least now we know it’s not safe to contact anyone through your phone.”

The tension in Alex’s shoulders eased slightly. “You’re right.” A ghost of a smile touched her lips. “Is that your way of saying you’re useful to have around?”

“Maybe,” Jason chuckled, feeling some of the earlier hostility dissipate. “Just like having someone who can pull a flare out of thin air is pretty handy in a pinch.”

Their eyes met, a new understanding passing between them.

“We could’ve fully turned on each other.”

“But we didn’t,” Jason countered. He took a deep breath, knowing his next words could change everything. “So, what do you say? Partners?”

The moment stretched, taut as a wire. His heart hammered in his chest as he waited for her response. He was getting her off this mountain now, whether she agreed or not.

But he’d much rather have a partner than a prisoner.

Finally, Alex extended her hand. “Okay, Army, partners. No more secrets, no more doubts.”

As Jason clasped her hand, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Whatever came next, they’d face it together.

“Now,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye, “how about we figure out how to give these jerks a taste of their own medicine?”

Alex’s answering grin was all the response he needed. The tide had finally turned in their favor.