Chapter 15

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

Panic raced through Heidi.

How would they have been found? Had the fact she had her phone on her led these guys straight to their location?

She prayed that wasn't the case. That one decision wouldn't be a death sentence for them all. She should have been thinking things through more, but it hadn't occurred to her at the time.

Stephen grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the back of the house. He'd paused only long enough to scoop up his backpack and shove his laptop in it.

Gage waited for them at the back of the house, peering out the window.

"Do you see anyone?" Stephen asked as they reached the back door.

"They're not back here yet, but they will be. We've got to go. Lie low so they don't know we're onto them."

Stephen turned toward Heidi. "I need you to do everything I say. Your life depends on it. Understand?"

Fear pulsed through her, but she nodded. "I understand."

"Let's go." Gage opened the door and stepped out first.

He held his gun as he scanned everything around them. Then he gave them a nod.

Stephen followed Gage across the yard, gripping Heidi's arm.

They darted toward the woods. The mid-October trees filling the space appeared surprisingly threadbare. Leaves had only started falling a few days ago. She prayed the remaining foliage would conceal their presence.

Stephen moved fast, pulling her into the woods. Dodging trees. Motioning for her to watch her steps.

More than anything, she wanted to glance back. To see if those men noticed them yet.

But she didn't dare.

They ran at full speed for what felt like hours. In truth, it was probably ten or fifteen minutes.

She'd lost her breath about five minutes into their escape. Yet it seemed as if Gage and Stephen still weren't even winded.

Were they safe yet?

Heidi needed a breather. But before she could ask Stephen to slow down, a yell sounded in the distance.

She sucked in a breath.

She knew this was far from being over, especially when Stephen tightened his grip on her and picked up speed.

Stephen was grateful they'd gotten as far as they had. He'd known it was iffy they'd even be able to get this far away.

After another few minutes, they paused.

"Let's split up," Gage said. "I'll go to the left and try to distract them. Meanwhile, you get her somewhere safe."

"Split up?" The question sounded breathless as Heidi gulped in air. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Stephen didn't have time to comfort her or reassure her now. "That will work. I have a satellite phone on me. We should be able to stay in contact. We'll meet up again once we know it's safe."

"Copy that." Gage nodded to his right. "Go."

Stephen released her arm then grasped her hand. Then he pulled her through the rocky wilderness while Gage took off in the opposite direction.

This time, they moved even faster—as fast as possible given the uneven terrain.

They dodged trees and branches and rocks. Crossed a small stream. Scaled a small rock wall.

He kept his ears attuned to everything happening around him.

Stephen thought their plan had worked. Thought the guys had followed Gage instead of them.

He prayed Gage wouldn't be caught, wouldn't be hurt. Gage was an excellent operative. If anyone could do this, he could.

Stephen glanced beside him at Heidi as they ran. Saw how her cheeks were flushed. How her breathing came shallow and fast.

This was all a lot, and he wasn't sure how much farther Heidi would be able to run.

Maybe they could pause a moment.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a stick cracked in the distance.

His muscles tensed.

Had one of the operatives come this way after all?

He couldn't take that chance.

"We need to take cover," he whispered to Heidi. He spotted a rocky overhang. "Over here."

Running was too risky right now. The guy was too close. He'd see them, hear them. Hiding was the only choice.

Stephen stashed Heidi in the small space, climbed beneath the rock, and squeezed in beside her.

Then he gripped his gun and waited.