Chapter 10
Layla
Slogging through another hike with little rest had been wearing on both of them. Alex’s already taciturn behavior turned into dead silence with the occasional order to be careful or shift this way. Still, they continued to hike, climb, and in general, make excellent progress toward the town where she would become live bait. She ignored thoughts of her head being taken off by a long-range weapon, or other Hollywood-style death, which continued to visit her through the painful hike. Even as she ignored them to go over plans and concerns, the worry kept gnawing through her body. Her people, friends, and family would panic at her loss and death, something she worked hard to make sure they didn’t have to worry about. She might have an odd job, but it suited her without too many risks, and now she was in the middle of risks she attempted to avoid.
Pushing through the dark thoughts, she had a view of a mountain and a handsome man to keep her distracted. They might not have been looking for one another, but they seemed to have found something between them. She wanted to search, see if it was something that might be more than a fling. Still, he seemed to have dropped into soldier mode, continuing forward, exploring the areas around them to leave a small clue for someone to follow if they were looking. This all depends on the hunter still searching and not just waiting them out for her to be pulled back into her life.
She forced a pause for food, water, and preparing for the climb to shave the time off the hike. She would need to adjust the chalk for the free rise given the stakes' time wasn’t in the schedule. Layla sat, gazing at the short climb. It wasn’t outside of her skill set, and she was taking someone who hadn’t been on a slope for a while, so the inherent danger remained. Being in the open, not hiding from anyone who came upon them, also factored in. If Thomas Clark arrived while they were on the climb, it would be just like shooting fish in a barrel simple to take them out.
“Do you really think if he doesn’t show, the military will finally come to get us?” Layla asked over the water bottle.
“Probably. If he drops off the map, he will reappear later. This is the best chance they have to handle him,” he replied, not fully meeting her gaze through the sunglasses they both used as shields from the sunlight and discomfort.
“But you think he will show.”
“I do. I will keep you safe if that is what you are worried about.”
“I can protect myself, as well. I am no damsel in distress.”
“Didn’t cross my mind that you are, only he is an expert, like myself, and focused. I need to continue to be as focused on him. Once it begins, you will keep down, so I won’t need to worry if you are out there getting shot.”
“I have no urge to be shot. There will be plenty of places to duck and run,” she replied, holding back several things she wanted to say, work through, and explain. She could handle herself better than he could possibly know, but she couldn’t and shouldn’t know what she wanted to. Too many secrets were flowing around in this hunt, and she didn’t want to add to the pile. Alex’s concerns were valid, given what he knew.
“Good. Living is the best option. Once done, the military will get us, debrief, and sign away the secrets before you can return to your normal life. San Francisco, right?” he asked, starting to pack back up to prepare for the climb.
“Briefly. That is where the main office is, but I currently live in Vegas for school. I should still have samples to turn in, footage, if any remains after the debrief. I have probably given everyone a good scare. I have a thesis to defend in October, so I can graduate with an official doctorate,” she spoke, packing up before pulling on her climbing gloves and wrist supports. “You?”
“Debrief Quantico to explain and see where I am going to be assigned. I think I am done with vacation.”
“This is your vacation?”
“It was. I was called in from Tahoe.”
“Bummer. This isn’t a great vacation.”
“It has had its moments. The running from a psycho killer is not my idea of fun. I am ready to be done with vacation and debt payments. Next, I will be moving to somewhere.”
“Do you have any say?”
“I can request. I will see where I end up. And you are nearly out of school, which might change places to look into.”
“That sounds like planning, Alex.”
“Maybe a little. It gives me something to look forward to. Besides, it seems like you are based in this part of the country instead of back east.”
“True. Large change for you?”
“I have been all over the world, living wherever they send me. I haven’t lived out in this part of America, but I’ve been here.”
“They do say change is good.” She had to ponder what it would mean. He wanted to plan, like her, but there were things he needed to know about her, things she needed to know about him for a relationship to begin. She felt that is where they were going. Approval might be a challenge from her people, but she knew how to work around them when needed. Until then, survival and seeing what else they might have in common other than explosive sexual chemistry that refused to stop. The new sensations were unusual for both, as they attempted to ignore them before the climb started. “Ready for this?”
“I am.” He leaned closer. Tilting her head to the side, she met his lips midway. It lasted for a moment, sparking between them before they pulled away.
“Distracting, Alex. Very distracting,” Layla muttered.
“Only somewhat on purpose but wanted to before we started another long trek. I might enjoy something before we continue.”
They began the free climb up the mountainside and over to save time, camping on the opposite side. Alex and Layla finished the dull climb, avoiding the pitfalls, to find a place tucked between several rocks and hidden from most onlookers to make camp.