Wilde Side

by Jannine Gallant

  She gave him a sideways glance. “I’m hurt. I thought you liked me because I’m smart and funny, not because I have killer legs.”

  He stepped carefully over a tree root as he headed down the path. “I love your sense of humor, but Jon’s smart and funny, too, and you don’t see me sleeping with him.” He grinned. “So, I guess the legs have something to do with it.”

  “Good one.” She clutched him a little tighter around the neck. “We can joke, but I’m scared. “If someone tried to hurt Walton, will they make another attempt?”

  A chill shivered through him as a vision of his godfather stretched out unresponsive by the river, face pale as death, surfaced. “You know, I think they already have.”

  She reared back. “What do you mean?”

  Glancing down at her legs crisscrossed with bloody scratches, seeing the exhaustion dimming her eyes, he held her a little closer and shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about this right now. I’m just so damn thankful you’re alive.”

  “I am, too, but—”

  “No buts.” He pressed his face to her hair. The steady rhythm of her breathing eased some of the tension still gripping him. “Anyway, the last thing you need is something more to worry about.”

  “Sawyer.”

  Pulling back, he glanced down and met her narrowed blue gaze. “What?”

  She let go of his shoulder to hold up one bloodstained hand. “I’m plenty tough. I don’t need you to decide what I can and can’t handle. If you think my boss is in danger, I want to hear why.”

  Unease slithered down his backbone. “It’s all speculation.”

  “I don’t care. Spill it.”

  “You don’t have to convince me you’re as strong as they come.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head then let out a sigh. “All right, there was the food poisoning incident the first night. Then Walton got caught in the rocks underwater after the raft flipped. Two odd accidents I could maybe buy, but if you add knocking you and Walton off the cliff to the mix…”

  “You get a consistent pattern.” She sucked in a breath then let it out in a rush. “When I talked to Syd last night, his immediate assumption was that the near drowning wasn’t an accident. Since he’s slightly paranoid when it comes to our boss, I dismissed his concerns. Still, if someone is trying to kill Walton, they’re sure taking a roundabout approach. Which, I might add, hasn’t been very successful.”

  “Either this person is too chicken to be more direct—or he’s afraid of getting caught.” Sawyer huffed a little as he rounded an outcropping.

  “Am I getting heavy? You can put me down.”

  “I think I can manage. It isn’t that far, and you don’t weigh much. Anyway, we’re almost back to the river now.”

  “Who do you think is behind this?”

  “Roman, Charles and Kennedy were in the raft with Walton when it capsized.”

  “The same three were with us at the cave again today.” She touched the side of his face with a blood-stained hand. “Charles is his brother-in-law. They get along pretty well from what I’ve seen. He visits Walton and Cathy fairly often in Washington, and while they have the occasional argument, I don’t see why Charles would want to hurt him.”

  “Roman is my employee. I can’t imagine he’d have an ax to grind with the congressman after spending a couple of days with him. Hell, maybe he’s a rabid supporter of one of the other men running for president, but it sure doesn’t seem likely.”

  “More believable that Liam has an agenda. Maybe he had an ulterior motive in getting assigned to do this piece.” She shook her head. “No, he wouldn’t have the balls to try to take out Walton. The guy’s a wimp.”

  Sawyer frowned. “I tend to agree, but if the other two are innocent, Kennedy must be guilty. Unless someone has been following us this whole time without our knowledge. To my way of thinking, that stretches plausibility to the limit.”

  “What did Sherlock Holmes say, ‘Eliminate the impossible, and whatever remains must be the truth.’”

  “You butchered the quote, but that’s the gist of it. I’ll keep a close eye on Walton and Kennedy both until we get to the takeout point tomorrow.” He held her a little closer. “Let’s keep quiet about this, make Liam think I’ve decided the incident on the cliff was an accident, after all. I don’t want to goad him into making another attempt on my godfather.”

  “Shouldn’t we just get off the river as soon as possible and not take any chances?”

  “We’d have to go through some nasty rapids in the dark. That would put everyone in danger, and I won’t risk flipping a raft at night.”

  “Right. Then we’ll just make sure Liam doesn’t get anywhere near Walton.”

  “No, I’ll make sure he doesn’t. Unfortunately, that means I’ll be bunking with my godfather tonight.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “That bites.”

  “I hear he snores.”

  “Not exactly what I was thinking about, but that sucks, too.”

  He sighed. “It’s our last night on the river, but you’re in no shape for company, anyway. You must hurt all over.”

  “I do. Still, I wouldn’t have minded having you just hold me.”

  “Nothing would make me happier, but I won’t risk another attempt on Walton.”

  She nodded. “I agree.”

  As they reached the river, he carefully set her on her feet on the rocky beach. “Do you want to get out of those clothes before you wash the dirt off?”

  “I’ll strip down to my bathing suit.” Favoring her bad ankle, she stood at an awkward angle to pull her shirt over her head and drop it on a rock. “Soap would be good. Shampoo would be even better.”

  “I’m on it.” He headed over to the rafts to collect what she needed then paused when Jon approached.

  “How’s Devin?”

  “Not complaining much, but she has to be in serious pain. Where’s Walton?”

  Jon pointed. “Over behind those bushes. He took a swim to clean off, and now he’s sitting in the last patch of sun to warm up. I’d planned to go clean his lacerations and bandage them.”

  “Keep an eye on him for me, will you?”

  “Sure.” His bushy brows lowered. “What’re you thinking?”

  Sawyer clenched the shampoo bottle a little tighter. “I’m thinking someone doesn’t want him to be our next president.”

  “That was the conclusion I came to, as well. Any idea who the weasel might be?”

  “My money’s on Kennedy since he’s one of only three people with opportunity.”

  Jon fisted his hands on his hips. “What’re you going to do about it?”

  Sawyer scowled. “Nothing I can do. We’ve no proof, so I’m going to keep my mouth shut and a close eye on Walton until we reach the takeout spot.”

  “You aren’t going to call for an emergency evacuation?”

  “What would be the point? It’ll be dark in an hour, so they couldn’t get to us until tomorrow, anyway. By then we’ll be off the river.”

  “In that case, you watch Walton, and I’ll keep tabs on Kennedy.” Jon glanced toward the rest of the group, sitting on rocks, passing around a bag of chips. “Between us, we can keep the two of them separated.”

  “I appreciate the support.” He held up the shampoo. “I need to get this to Devin then take care of her cuts.”

  “That’s one fine woman. Are you going to let her walk away after tomorrow?”

  Sawyer glanced toward the river where Devin was floating in the shallows, head tilted back, eyes closed with her face turned toward the dying rays of the sun. “Not if I can help it.”

  Chapter 10

  The second they stepped onto dry land after the final leg on the river, the congressman morphed into his professional persona. Granted, he wasn’t wearing a suit, but he might as well have been. Devin rolled her eyes as he barked instructions into his cell phone like an overzealous drill sergeant while craning his neck in
search of the limo.

  Careful of her bandaged hand, she stuck her own cell back into her pocket, regretting they had perfect reception. “The car won’t be here for another hour. We’re early getting off the river since we didn’t stop for lunch.”

  “Damn.” Walton ran a hand through his hair. “I just spoke to Syd, and he needs me back in DC pronto. We’ll head straight to Boise from here and fly out this evening instead of spending the night in Salmon the way we’d planned.”

  Devin stilled. “We aren’t staying?”

  “Can’t be helped. Syd is in a panic. We’ve had a poll drop in the younger demographic we were depending on come Election Day, but I got the feeling there was more to his agitation than that.” When his phone trilled again, Walton spoke in a rush. “He has me scheduled to talk at several college campuses starting tomorrow morning in an attempt to prop up those numbers.” He turned away and raised his cell to his ear. “What now?”

  Her shoulders slumped. She’d been counting on having one more night with Sawyer before heading home.

  When she glanced his way, he broke off his conversation with Jon and hurried to her side, a smile curving his lips. “The vans are on the way here to take us to Salmon. Pulling out early screwed up the schedule a bit.”

  “I’m afraid we aren’t staying in Salmon.”

  He frowned. “What?”

  “Walton’s campaign manager is freaking out over some drop in polling numbers. We’re flying out of Boise tonight instead of tomorrow.”

  His big hands closed over her arms, and the light in his eyes faded. “Do you have to go with him? Can’t you stay here an extra night or two?”

  “Walton has his own private jet, but I suppose I could catch a commercial flight home if he doesn’t need me immediately.” She leaned against his side. The thought of driving away from Sawyer in an hour made her chest ache. “I was supposed to get a few days off after this trip. I’d planned to go see my parents and my dog. It’s been quite a while since I visited them in Vermont.”

  “Then ask Walton. Better yet, simply tell him you’re taking time for yourself. You shouldn’t be at his beck and call twenty-four seven. Especially after what you went through on that cliff. Give yourself a break.”

  She glanced up. “What about the attempts on his life? Shouldn’t we talk to the authorities before we go anywhere?”

  “We’ve no proof they were anything but accidents, so I don’t know that going to the local cops would have any effect, especially since the congressman is leaving the area. Still, after what happened, I’d feel a lot more comfortable if he got himself a Secret Service detail.”

  “If I let Syd know his suspicions may have some substance, he’ll be all fired up to bring in the cavalry. He’ll contact the proper authorities.”

  Sawyer gave a quick nod. “He’s the campaign manager, right?”

  “Yes, and his career is riding on Walton’s success. Syd will insist on protection if he believes there’s the slightest bit of danger.”

  “Good.” He gently squeezed her arms, mindful of the grazes. “Call him right after you tell Walton you’re staying put.”

  She straightened and lifted her chin. “I should. He owes me about a month of vacation time, as it is.”

  “A month would be even better than a few days.”

  A grin slipped out. “I can’t take a month off, not now, but an extra day or two…” She sighed. “My parents will be disappointed if I cancel my visit to see them.”

  “I have five free days before my next scheduled rafting trip on the Rogue River over in Oregon. My crew could handle getting the gear there without me.”

  Her brow creased. “I’m not following you.”

  “I’ve never been to Vermont. I hear it’s pretty in the fall.”

  “You want to come home with me?”

  “Why not?”

  She could think of plenty of reasons beginning with the fact that they weren’t really a couple, that only the day before they’d fought about where—if anywhere—their relationship was headed. Introducing him to her parents made the bond they shared a whole lot more real.

  Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The complications involved in continuing their relationship be damned. Excitement sizzled along her nerve endings at the prospect of taking him home with her. Funny, after a month of dating, she’d still been hesitant to take Porter to meet her parents, afraid he’d judge her rural upbringing. Sawyer would fit right in. Probably better in Vermont than at her DC apartment.

  Her anticipation fizzled. “One big reason. If Walton really is in danger, I should stay put in DC. Under the circumstances, I don’t like the idea of bailing on him.”

  “You’re reporting the situation to this Syd guy, right? He’ll put someone far more qualified to protect Walton than you are on the job. Hanging around the city, biting your nails, isn’t going to help.”

  “I guess.”

  Sawyer rested a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I care a lot about the man, but personally setting up watch over him in DC isn’t practical.”

  “You’re right. I’ll talk to Walton.”

  “And I’ll go discuss logistics with my crew.”

  She backed away as the melancholy that had settled over her with Walton’s announcement about leaving lifted. Finally breaking eye contact with Sawyer, she limped off to face down her boss.

  Devin expected a battle—and got one.

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  She shifted the weight off her bad ankle and crossed her arms over her chest. “Not in the least.”

  Walton’s brows nearly met across his forehead. “I’ve got these college speaking engagements Syd set up. I need you around to keep me organized.”

  “Take Cathy with you. After a week apart, she’ll be happy to spend time with her husband, and she’s almost as efficient with schedules as I am.”

  He eyed her up and down, but the ferocious scowl faded. “Why do I get the feeling I have my godson to thank for your desertion?”

  A grin slipped out. “Because you’re good at reading people.”

  He sighed then ran a hand across the back of his neck. “Well, damn, I guess I can spare you for a few days. Be nice to Sawyer. Don’t break his heart.”

  “Would I do that?”

  “Not intentionally.”

  “We’ll see how it goes. Thanks, Walton.”

  “I should be thanking you for putting up with this crazy job. I can’t remember the last time you had a few days off.”

  “Me neither. This’ll be good for both of us. You’ll see that you can actually survive without me.”

  He snorted then fished his phone out of his pocket as it rang again. “What?”

  Devin found a convenient stump to sit on and called the pilot of Walton’s private plane to make arrangements for his departure late that evening then went online to check commercial flights from Boise to Burlington. The air fares would cost her a fortune with no advance notice. Couldn’t be helped. She hoped her credit card could take the abuse.

  Glancing up, she searched for Sawyer. He was down by the rafts with Roman and Jon, separating personal gear from Wilde Water equipment to make two neat stacks. Gregor had slapped together sandwiches from the last of the food supply and was passing them out with Yancy’s help. Everyone else was glued to their phones. Except Liam, who was talking to Walton with waves and gestures.

  What the hell is that about?

  Devin scrambled to her feet and hurried over as fast as she could go, wincing a little as pain shot from her ankle downward with each step. She narrowed her eyes on Kennedy before turning to face her boss. “I called the pilot and asked him to schedule your flight to DC for ten this evening. It’s a seven-hour drive from here to Boise, so that should give you plenty of time to get there.”

  “Thanks.” Walton gave her an absent smile. “Hopefully I can get a little sleep on the plane.”

  Liam scratched a mo
squito bite on his elbow. “That’ll work perfectly for me, too. I need to have the video edited and the preliminary version submitted by noon tomorrow.”

  Devin turned slowly and frowned. “What’re you talking about?”

  He shoved his glasses up his nose. “Walton kindly agreed to fly me back on his private jet. I’m in a time crunch to turn in our footage to make the deadline for the next show.”

  “Is Yancy going with you, too?”

  “No, he’s flying straight to Chicago for his next assignment. I’m in charge of completing this project.”

  “Oh.” She shot a glance toward Sawyer, certain panic registered in her eyes.

  He met her gaze, dropped the tent he was holding on the pile, then spoke to Jon.

  Walton stopped texting and stuffed his phone back in his pocket. “Something wrong, Devin?”

  “Umm, no. So, it’ll just be you and Liam and Dwight on the plane?”

  “Looks like it. Not that Dwight will be much company. When he’s flying, it takes a nuclear detonation to wake up that boy.”

  How hard would it be for Liam to slip something toxic into the congressman’s drink? The journalist looked the picture of innocence, brown eyes blinking at her from behind his glasses. If she didn’t know better…

  “I can tell something’s on your mind.”

  Her attention jerked back to Walton. “Uh, actually, would you mind if Sawyer and I flew to DC with you. Plane fares from Boise to Vermont are going to wreck my budget. If we went back with you, we could take a commuter flight to Boston then drive from there for a whole lot cheaper.”

  Sawyer joined them as she finished speaking. One brow shot up. “I could pay—”

  “No!” She lowered her voice with an effort. “I can’t ask you to do that, not when we can catch a ride with Walton and Liam.”

  Understanding flashed in his eyes. He turned to face Kennedy. “You’re flying to DC with my godfather?”

  “Yep. Maybe I’d better go get my stuff together since the limo will be here shortly.” Head down, he hurried away.

  Sawyer’s gaze followed his retreating back. “Interesting.”