5. Grier

Chapter 5

Grier

G rier's lungs burned as she struggled to keep pace with Alec, each step a battle against the unforgiving terrain of rural Russia. Once outside the city, Alec had found a safe place for her to rest while he scrounged for supplies. He found protein bars and bottles of water as well as a pack in which to carry them. Then he found an old, beat-up truck outside the city and had hot-wired it to add distance between them and whoever it was that was chasing them. The truck's full tank had taken them far away from the Russian capital and towards the closest body of water that could provide an escape. That made sense, he was a SEAL—no doubt he'd feel more comfortable stealing a boat than an airplane.

When the truck had run out of fuel, Alec had pulled it into the undergrowth and hidden it as best he could. They were now on foot and alone. The ground was treacherous, a mix of mud, rocks, and tangled roots that threatened to trip her with every hurried step. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the only sounds were the rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds.

Alec moved with effortless grace, his long strides devouring the ground. He didn't look back, didn't check if she was keeping up—he simply expected her to follow. And Grier was determined to do so, no matter how much her body protested—and it did. She wasn't in shape for some kind of commando marathon.

She had never felt so out of her element. The safe, familiar environment of her office, with its rows of cubicles filled with computer monitors and stacks of classified files, felt like a distant memory. There, she was in control, her mind sharp and focused, able to unravel the most complex puzzles with ease. But here, in the wilderness, where survival depended on physical endurance and instinct, Grier was painfully aware of her limitations. Every stumble, every labored breath was a reminder that she wasn't built for this.

But she refused to be a liability. Alec's earlier frustration was palpable, and she could sense his doubts about her ability to handle herself in the field. Grier wasn't about to give him any more reason to question her. She pushed herself harder, forcing her legs to move faster, ignoring the burning in her muscles and the sharp pain in her side.

As the night closed in around them, swallowing them up in the countryside, Grier focused solely on keeping up. She was so absorbed in the effort that she almost ran into Alec when he suddenly stopped. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she looked up at him, her heart pounding with exertion and tension.

Alec held up a hand, signaling her to stay quiet. Grier followed his gaze and saw what had made him stop. Just ahead, partially hidden by the thick underbrush, was a small group of men dressed in worn camouflage gear, their weapons slung casually over their shoulders. Local militia, by the look of them—potentially dangerous, but not well-organized. The kind of men who could usually be swayed with the right words or the right amount of money.

Grier's pulse quickened, her mind racing as she assessed the situation. They were outnumbered, and Alec's gun wouldn't be enough if things turned ugly. Her first instinct was to retreat, to avoid confrontation, but the militia had already spotted them.

Alec's body tensed beside her, and Grier knew he was preparing for a fight. But she also knew that violence would only make things worse. They couldn't afford to make any more enemies, not when they were still being hunted.

Without thinking, Grier stashed her laptop in Alec's pack. Stepping forward, she slid out from behind him. His hand shot out to stop her, but she shook him off, her heart hammering as she approached the militia.

"Hello!" she called out in Russian, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "Our vehicle has broken down, and we're lost. Can you help us?"

The men stopped, their eyes narrowing as they took her in. Grier could see the suspicion in their faces, the way their hands hovered near their weapons. But she also saw the curiosity, the way they exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of her. She had their attention, and she knew she had to act fast before they decided she was a threat.

One of the men, taller and older than the others, stepped forward, his eyes flicking to Alec before returning to her. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Grier's mind raced, piecing together a plausible story. "We're tourists, traveling in the area. My brother and I," she lied smoothly, gesturing to Alec. "…we got lost. We don't want any trouble."

The man studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Grier could feel Alec's eyes on her, the tension radiating from him as he waited for the militia's response. She knew he was ready to take control if things went south, but she also knew that would only escalate the situation.

"You speak Russian," the man said finally, his tone more curious than hostile.

"Yes," Grier replied, offering a small, hesitant smile. "I studied it in school."

The man's posture relaxed slightly, and Grier felt a flicker of hope. She could work with this, play up the image of a couple of lost, ill-prepared and harmless tourists. She just needed to keep them talking, to distract them long enough for Alec to figure out their next move.

"We don't mean any harm," she continued in Russian. "We're just trying to find our way back to the main road. Can you help us?"

The man looked back at his comrades, and Grier could see them relax as well, the tension easing from their stances. The danger wasn't gone, but it had lessened.

"The main road is far from here," the man said, his tone almost conversational now. "But we can help you. Follow us."

Grier forced herself to smile again, even as her mind raced. If they followed the militia, they most likely would be led into their camp, surrounded by even more armed men. It was a trap, and she knew it. But refusing their offer would raise suspicions, maybe even provoke a violent response.

"Thank you," she said, her voice steady. "That's very kind of you."

The man nodded, gesturing for them to follow. Grier turned to Alec, who was watching her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. His blue eyes were sharp, calculating, and she could see the wheels turning in his mind.

Grier met his gaze, silently willing him to trust her judgment. She knew he was used to being in control, used to making the decisions in the field, but this time, she had the advantage. She could speak their language fluently, understand their culture in ways he couldn't. And she knew how to handle men like these.

After a moment, Alec gave a barely perceptible nod, a signal that he would follow her lead. Relief washed over Grier, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she turned back to the militia, her expression calm and composed as she fell into step beside them.

They walked in silence, the men exchanging occasional glances, their weapons still within easy reach and Alec's tucked out of sight. Grier kept her breathing steady, her mind focused on the task at hand. They had to find a way out before they reached the militia's camp, but that was easier said than done.

As they neared a bend in the trail, Grier caught a glimpse of a narrow path leading off into the forest. It was overgrown and barely visible, but it might be their best chance to escape. She had to act quickly.

"Wait," she said suddenly, stopping in her tracks. "I think I dropped something from my pocket."

The men stopped, turning to look at her with confusion. Grier pretended to fumble with her jacket, searching for something that wasn't there. She could feel Alec tense beside her, ready to act at a moment's notice.

"I'm just going to check what it was," she said, taking a step back toward the overgrown path. "I'll be quick."

The men exchanged uncertain glances, but before they could react, Alec moved. In one fluid motion, he grabbed Grier's arm and pulled her toward the narrow path, his movements quick and decisive. The militia shouted in alarm, but Alec was already dragging her into the underbrush, the dense foliage swallowing them up as they fled.

They ran, the sound of the militia's pursuit growing fainter with each step. The forest closed in around them, the branches clawing at Grier's clothes as she struggled to keep up with Alec's relentless pace. Her heart hammered in her chest, the adrenaline surging through her veins as they plunged deeper into the wilderness.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Alec slowed to a stop, his breath coming in harsh gasps. Grier collapsed against a tree, her legs trembling with exhaustion, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

Alec was already scanning the area, his eyes sharp and alert, his body tense and ready for action. Grier watched him, a strange mix of admiration and frustration bubbling up inside her. He was so damn capable, so unflinchingly confident in the face of danger, so incredibly sexy, and it all combined to make her feel small, frumpy, and inadequate in comparison.

But then Alec turned to her, and the look in his eyes wasn't one of frustration or disappointment. It was something else, something she couldn't quite place. Respect, perhaps? Gratitude?

"Nice work back there," he said, his voice rough from exertion. "You handled yourself well."

Grier blinked, surprised by the unexpected praise. She had been so focused on surviving, on not being a burden, that she hadn't even considered that Alec might acknowledge her efforts. A small, tentative smile tugged at her lips.

"Thanks," she said, her voice still shaky from the adrenaline. "I wasn't sure it would work, but…"

"But it did," Alec finished for her, his expression softening for the briefest of moments. "You got us out of there without anyone getting hurt. That's what matters."

Grier nodded, feeling a strange warmth spread through her chest. For the first time since they'd fled Moscow, she felt like she was more than just a burden, more than just an analyst in over her head. She had contributed, had made a difference, and Alec recognized that.

As the tension between them began to ease, Alec motioned for her to follow him. "We need to find a place to camp for the night. We'd be safer if we kept moving, but we both need to rest."

She doubted he needed to rest but appreciated that he recognized she did. Samantha had once told her that a true Dom, not some wannabe, took care of his sub—saw it as his responsibility. Maybe having left him that night in Chicago had been a mistake.

Grier nodded in agreement, pushing herself away from the tree and falling into step beside Alec. They walked in silence, the only sounds the crunch of leaves beneath their boots and the distant call of an owl. The forest had grown darker, the moon having taken to hiding behind the clouds, leaving them to navigate by its faint light whenever it appeared, and yet that meager amount seemed to be enough for Alec.

After what felt like hours, they came upon a small clearing, sheltered by a thick canopy of trees. It wasn't much, but it would provide some cover and a place to rest for the night. Alec set to work quickly, gathering branches and leaves to create a makeshift bed, while Grier searched for firewood.

As they settled in for the night, Grier found herself watching Alec, her thoughts drifting back to everything that had happened. He was a force of nature, a man who thrived in situations that would break most people. But there was more to him than just strength and skill. There was a depth to him, a dedication to his mission that went beyond duty. And Grier couldn't help but feel drawn to that, even as she reminded herself of the dangers of getting too close.

Emotional attachments were a liability in their line of work. She knew that. She had seen it time and time again, how feelings could cloud judgment, how they could lead to mistakes that cost lives. But as she sat there, watching Alec's strong, capable hands as he tended to the fire, she couldn't shake the pull she felt toward him.

The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across Alec's face. His blue eyes glinted in the firelight, and Grier's breath caught in her throat as he turned to look at her, his gaze intense and unreadable. She felt a flush of heat rise in her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, cursing herself for the sudden rush of attraction.

But Alec didn't look away. He shifted closer, his movements slow and deliberate, and Grier's heart skipped a beat as she felt the warmth of his body beside her. She forced herself to remain still, to keep her breathing steady, even as her pulse quickened.

"So, the G stood for Grier," Alec said, his voice low and rough, sending a shiver down her spine. He did remember her.

"Yes."

She decided she might as well take the bull by the horns. Turning to face him, her green eyes met his, and the air between them seemed to crackle with tension. Grier's mind screamed at her to pull back, to maintain her distance, but her body refused to listen. She was drawn to him, to the strength and intensity that radiated from him, and she couldn't fight it. It had only been one night, one scene with no real sex involved, but it had haunted her.

Alec reached out, his hand brushing against her cheek, the touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. Grier sucked in a sharp breath, her pulse pounding in her ears as he leaned in closer, his lips hovering just inches from hers.

And then he kissed her.

The kiss was fierce, demanding, and Grier found herself responding with an intensity that surprised even her. She had never been one to lose control, to let herself be swept away by passion, but with Alec, it was different. He ignited something inside her, something primal and undeniable, and she couldn't resist it.

Alec's hands were everywhere, his touch possessive as he pulled her closer, his lips never leaving hers. Grier's mind spun, her thoughts a whirlwind of desire and confusion, but she couldn't bring herself to stop. She didn't want to stop.

Alec shifted, pushing her down onto the makeshift bed of leaves and branches, his body pressing against hers with a force that left her breathless. He was dominant, commanding, and Grier found herself responding to his control in ways she had never imagined. She arched against him, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she lost herself in the heat of the moment.

Every touch, every kiss, was a reminder of the power Alec held over her, and Grier was both thrilled and terrified by it. She had always prided herself on being in control, on keeping her emotions in check, but with Alec, all of that went out the window. He made her feel alive in a way she had only felt once before—that night at Club Southside—and it was far more intoxicating than any liquor or illicit drug could have been.

As the passion between them reached its peak, a small voice in the back of Grier's mind warned her of the dangers of letting herself get too close, of allowing herself to be vulnerable in a world where trust was a luxury she couldn't afford. And yet, as Alec's hands roamed over her body, she couldn't bring herself to care.

So, for now, in the quiet darkness of the Russian wilderness, Grier allowed herself to forget all of that, if only for a little while.