“I’m so sorry.” Will’s voice choked.
Her body shook as she buried her head into his wet shirt. Their rain soaked clothes clung to their bodies. “Nooo….” She clutched his shirt, hanging on with clenched fists.
Movement up the hill caught his attention. He his head jerked up. The SUV was back and three men emerged from the back doors, carrying guns. They headed to the edge of the drop-off, one shouting orders to the other two.
Will grabbed her arms and pulled her away from his chest. “Emma, we have to go.”
She shook her head violently. “No, no, no…” Her hands gripped his shirt, eyes clamped shut. Her tear and rain drop covered face, smudged with dirt, was so ghostly white it startled him. He reminded himself she had just fallen down a cliff about ten minutes earlier and she probably had a concussion.
“No...” she moaned as she tried to pull away. “Jake...”
“Emma he’s gone,” he said gruffly. “We have to go. They’re coming.”
The men descended down the hill. They were out of time. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into the woods. Emma dug her feet into the ground. “I can’t leave Jake. I can’t leave Jake. I can’t leave Jake,” she repeated over and over.
Will would have gladly welcomed a bullet through his head at that moment, but he had to protect Emma. He continued pulling her into the woods even though she resisted with every step. The men were almost down the hill and it wouldn’t take long for them to catch up. Emma fell to the ground sobbing.
“Emma, we have to go!”
She ignored him and refused to get up.
He reached down to pull her up. Her body was slick from the rain, making it hard for him to hold onto her, and while she didn’t fight him anymore, she didn’t help him either. Her body convulsed with her tears and Will wished there was time to comfort her.
One of the men entered the opening to the forest and Will shot him, hitting the man in the chest. That one was pure luck. He and Emma were too close to the clearing. They needed to get deeper into the forest.
“Emma, get up. We have to run.”
She lay on the ground, refusing to get up.
There were at least two other men, maybe more on the way and Emma obviously wasn’t going to cooperate. Will picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. He noticed several trees clumped close together about ten feet back. If he could get her hidden behind those trees, then she might be safe and he could focus on the bastards in front of him.
Will lay her on the ground and waited for a clear shot. His heartbeat coursed through his ears, every sense alert. Next to him, he heard Emma’s muffled cries. The hard raindrops pattered on the forest floor with the roar of the fire in the background. Birds flew out of trees overhead, startled by the sudden movements deeper in the forest. The musty smell of pine, mold and smoke filled his nostrils. He was thankful he had years of military training on which to rely.
Will sensed the man who crept through the trees before he saw him. The man heard Emma’s cries and when he turned in Will’s direction, Will took the easy shot. There should only be one more gunman, but other voices filled the forest. His heart sunk. Emma’s crying was going to give away their cover, not that he could do anything about it. His only hope was to outrun them.
He threw her over his shoulder, checking to make sure the men weren’t close behind them, and took her further into the woods.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Will decided he was out of shape. He doubted Emma weighed that much, but he didn’t make it very far before she got heavy. Although the men following them hadn’t caught up, they couldn’t be far behind and had to be moving faster. He had to come up with a plan.
The woods were dense, but the terrain was fairly flat here, considering they were in the Rocky Mountains. But he knew the flat land couldn’t last long, and he couldn’t climb and carry her weight. Water gurgled ahead of him and he decided to head that direction. Will approached the top of a short bluff, about six feet tall. If he could get Emma down to the bottom, she’d be protected until the gunmen passed. The creek was deeper and wider than he expected considering it was in the mountains. He laid Emma down at the top of the bluff, assessing the best way to get her down. She appeared unconscious, which concerned him because of her head wound. Once he had her on the narrow creek bank he checked her pulse and breathing. Thankfully, both seemed good.
“Emma?” He rubbed her cheek, trying to wipe off some of the dirt that covered her face. She didn’t respond.
They were far enough away from the fire that it was a dim roar. The crunch of leaves and twigs above let him know they weren’t alone. The rain still fell and although the dense canopy overhead protected them from the torrential downfall, they were still soaked. Will climbed back up the side of the bluff, trying to get a solid foothold. A small bush hid his head from the four men approaching, who were spread out over a good thirty feet. Between the tree growth and the clouds above, this section of the forest was dark. Dark enough to make him unsure if there were more men.
He waited, hoping they would pass, but he knew that would be too easy. The men continued to approach the creek bank, slowing now, more cautious. Will still had the element of surprise and he didn’t want to blow it. He had to make sure they were close enough to get a clean shot, yet not close enough they could rush the bluff.
They were caught off guard when he fired his first shot, but spread out and quickly recovered. He took out the two to the left before the two on his far right took cover. His mind quickly went to other possible options and escape routes, if it came to that. Without Emma, he could easily get away and if she were mobile, it would still be possible. But his options were limited with her current condition, and even if she were conscious, she wouldn’t be lucid.
While he waited for the gunmen to make another appearance, he took in his surroundings. Behind him, on the other side of the creek, the mountains began to climb. The gunmen hiding in front of him made that route impossible unless he could dispose of them. He cast a glance to the creek behind him, realizing it might be his only option. It wasn’t deep but it was swift. If he had something to float on, they could float down creek faster than the men on the ledge could chase them. The creek flowed straight for about thirty feet, then curved away from the bluff, blocked by a dense growth of trees. The decision to use the creek solidified when he saw movement in the distance. More men had shown up and they were spreading out. The only ammunition he had was what was in his rifle. Irritation nagged him as he realized he had no idea how many shots were left. He was getting lax. He probably didn’t have enough bullets to take them all out, even with the gun strapped to his ankle.
Shit.
He really didn’t want to jump in an icy creek and he wasn’t sure how he was going to keep Emma from drowning. A thick log on the creek shore, about ten feet downstream caught his attention. If he could get Emma to the log, maybe they could get away, but he needed a distraction to give them a head start.
He looked around, not coming up with anything when his time ran out. There was movement in the trees. The gunmen were advancing. He shot one man, wasting another two bullets. Beginning to get nervous, Will knew it was time to figure out his diversion. If he got off a round of shots, they might fall back, giving him time to get Emma in the river and down the stream. He decided it was his best option. He removed the handgun that was still strapped to his ankle. He waited until he saw the men try to advance again then shot with his rifle until the clip was empty. He wasn’t as careful with his aim and he wasn’t sure how many found their mark.
He threw his rifle down, hopped off the side of the bluff, and dragged Emma to the log. He pushed it out into the edge of water, and pulled her on top of it. He was taking too long and couldn’t afford to be so gentle with her. With Emma on the log, he pushed off, trying to hold her on with one arm and his revolver with the other, and waded into the icy water. Shock from the cold crashed through him. He suppressed a gasp as he continued to
push into the middle of the creek, watching the bluff. He knew it would be too easy to get away without a skirmish and he was right. Two men appeared on the ledge pointing their guns in Will’s direction. Emma lay on top of the log, but the shock of the cold hitting her limbs began to wake her. Will knew he had to get her out of their gun sights.
“Sorry, Princess,” he said more to himself than her. He hated what he had to do. The creek was deeper than he expected and he used it to his advantage. He dove to the other side of the log keeping his gun above the water. In one quick jerk, he pulled her off and under water, along with most of his own body, only keeping his head behind the log and his hand with this gun on the side. Seconds later, bullets hit the water and the log. The shock of the cold and being held under water revived Emma and she fought him. The current was swift and the curve was up ahead a short distance. If they could make it around the curve, they would be out of reach of the gunmen. More bullets hit the thick tree trunk and whizzed over Will’s head. Emma continued to thrash. He had to let her up soon, but they weren’t around the curve yet.
One of the men suddenly appeared on the bank, closer to Will. He knew the man had a clear shot at them. Will couldn’t get a good shot while continuing to hold Emma down. The gunmen raised his gun and Will reacted. He released Emma and aimed. The current moved the log, making the gunman’s aim off. But Will’s wasn’t. The gunman fell just as they hit the bend in the river.
Emma. He scanned the water for her. Where is she? He hoisted himself up on the log to get a better view of the water and saw nothing. Had she gotten shot? Was she still under water? He began to panic as he rounded the curve. The current picked up and he still hadn’t found her. He dove under the water, looking, and found nothing. His heart raced. The stream became wider and shallower ahead. He worried she would get beaten up by the rocks in the creek bed.
He looked over the log and spotted her, face down in the water a few feet away. He dove and swam to her, somewhere in the process dropping the gun. He turned her over and pulled her to the log, pushing her up so her upper body leaned across. Her lips were blue and she wasn’t breathing.
Even though a clump of trees jutted out, blocking their view, Will wished they were further away from the gunmen. He had no choice but to take her to the creek bank. As soon as he could touch the creek bed, he dragged Emma to the shore and began CPR. After only a few compressions and a blow of air in her mouth, she sputtered and coughed. Will turned her head to the side as she vomited water.
“There you go.” Relief flooded him as he swept her hair from her forehead, careful to miss the lump with its gash. It really should be stitched. But he knew that was the least of their worries. He pulled her shivering body up and held her in his arms as she regained consciousness.
***
Emma woke cold, wet and confused. She felt arms pulling her to a cold body. “What happened…” her voice trailed off. She buried her face into the chest and gripped a t-shirt in her fists trying to steady herself. She had no idea where she was.
“Emma, we have to go back in the water,” Will said, regret in his voice. Will. Reality slowly eased back in. Will, the Bad Men. Something about Jake.
“Jake…” Her voice was soft with confusion. She shook her head trying to clear it, instead setting off sharp pains and a wave of dizziness. Her body shook from the cold.
Will pulled her to her feet and started walking, her hands still clinging to his shirt. A creek roared in front of them. How did we get here?
“Where’s Jake?” She heard her voice in the distance, everything was foggy.
He ignored her question and dragged her into the creek. The icy water shocked her as it lapped her feet. She jerked back in defense. Will pulled her more forcefully.
“We’ve spent too much time here already. I’m sorry, Emma, we have to go back in.”
She gasped as he pried her fingers off his shirt and put her arm over a log.
“Hold on. Hopefully we can get out of the water soon.” He pushed off and the log floated downstream.
She looked at Will’s grim face. “Where’s Jake?” She began to cry, not knowing why. Everything was all jumbled up. Why were they in icy water? Where was her baby?
Will hung onto the log with one arm and put his other around her back, holding her on. The pain in her head was almost unbearable and the blackness crept in the edges of her mind. “Emma, don’t go to sleep on me now. You’ll ruin my reputation.” His voice in her ear was soft and warm, but not quite right. Nothing was right. Will stroked her cheek.
“I’m so tired…” She struggled to get the words out. They felt heavy on her tongue.
“Talk to me.” She heard his voice, far away. “Where did you grow up?”
His question confused her. Where did she grow up? She couldn’t remember. “I don’t know...” she finally slurred out through the fog. She was so cold. She couldn’t feel anything. She felt herself slipping down into the water.
“No, you don’t.” Will pulled her back up. “You’ve spent enough time under water.”
Although she tried to hold on, her arm wouldn’t cooperate. She felt Will holding her up.
“Emma.” His voice was stern this time. “Look at me.”
She wanted to obey him, yet her eyelids were so heavy.
***
Will worried that Emma had a concussion and cold water wasn’t helping things. The temperature had dramatically dropped with the storm. There was no denying her body was cold, her skin tone a dusky gray. They had to get out soon. But then what? She'd be freezing in the rain and he was cold himself. He couldn’t even warm her up.
Earthen walls etched out from years of rushing water enclosed the creek ahead, causing it to narrow. Ahead of that, the creek turned to rapids, with multiple boulders jutting above the surface. It would be difficult to get through by himself, let alone with Emma balanced precariously atop the log. He decided to wait until they got through the narrow part and then move to the bank, but it proved trickier than he expected. He kicked through the swift current until his feet got a foothold, then pushed Emma and the log to the bank. Her legs dragged along the rock-lined creek bed.
“Son of a bitch,” he cursed under his breath. He was sluggish with cold, but he managed to pick her up and stumble up the muddy bank, slipping in the rain-soaked sand and rocks.
“Emma.” He lay her down and rubbed her already battered arms, worried he would hurt her yet more anxious she wouldn’t wake up. She moaned when he accidently rubbed the gash on her arm. He hated that he hurt her, but was grateful for the response.
“Emma, can you get up and walk? We need to get moving and try to find someplace dry.”
Her eyes moved behind her lids.
“Emma, you’ll warm up if you move around.” He pulled her limp body into a sitting position. He sat on the bank and pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her and rubbing her arms and legs. “Wake up, Princess.”
She moaned again. “I’m so tired.” Her words were thick and slow.
“I know, but if you get moving you’ll warm up. Let’s try, okay?” She didn’t answer, but he decided to try anyway. “We’re getting up now.” He stood up, hauling her limp body with him. She was dead weight against him and the pebbles that covered her back and arms made it difficult to hold onto. “Come on, Emma. Stand up.”
She moaned against him.
He had to make her move and being nice wasn’t working. He sucked in his breath, hating himself for what he was about to do.
“Goddamn it Emma, don’t be such a drama queen.” He shook her, matching the rough tone of his voice.
She moaned again, but put more weight on her legs.
“You expect me to carry you? I don’t think so. Get your lazy ass moving. I don’t have all day.”
Emma began to cry as she clutched his shirt for support.
He felt like a bastard, but it was working.
“I can’t.” Her eyes were still closed and her entire body shook with cold.<
br />
“Yes, you can. Now start walking.”
Her feet shuffled, but her legs wouldn’t support her weight. As she began to fall, he pulled her back against him. “I can’t,” she choked through sobs.
“Yes, you can. Don’t make me leave you behind.” But he kept his arm around her, holding her up as she clung to him.
“Don’t leave me,” she whimpered and opened her eyes, looking up at him.
His throat tightened at the sight of her. She looked like a ghost with her pasty gray face and blue-tinged lips. Her sunken dark eyes pleaded with him. He had never seen someone look so broken.
“Then get moving.” A white-hot fire burned in his gut. He couldn’t believe he was doing this to her, but she moved, one foot at a time. Will wanted to encourage her yet he didn’t want her to stop moving. “Come on, you’ve got to do better than that.” He would surely rot in hell for this.
Emma cried, but moved, maintaining her death grip on his shirt while Will kept his arm around her waist. The slope of the embankment proved difficult to climb. Once at the top, he looked around and realized he had no idea where they were. Mountain slopes encased them in a small valley. He had no clue which way to go, so they went forward.
He walked and half-dragged Emma deeper into the woods. The winding course of the river made him lose track of what direction was north, not that it would help with finding a road. Besides, given the circumstances, he wasn’t sure finding a road was such a good idea anyway. Their last encounter on a road didn’t go so well. The understatement made him think of Jake. He swallowed the bile that rose in his throat along with the thought. Thinking about Jake would not be helpful. At the moment, he needed to focus on finding someplace warm and dry.
Emma continued to cry, leaning against him but shuffling along. At least she was walking, albeit slowly. He took consolation in knowing that her blood was moving and hopefully warming.
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