Grizz shook his head. “These men are relentless and well-armed. I’ve only identified two of them. Plus, we know that a senator is involved with this group. Let’s face it, we don’t know what we’re up against. I agree with Kane. We wait for backup.”
Tension blanketed the room. Dani cleared her throat. This woman was as unpredictable as the Alaskan weather. What would she say to a bunch of hotshots ready to take matters into their own hands—especially Sanchez?
“I have a question.” All eyes zipped to Dani. “Does anyone actually know our friend Grizz’s first name?”
Grizz groaned. “That’s your burning question?”
“I—I actually have no idea.” Sanchez shrugged. “He’s always just been Grizz.”
“Someone has to know.” Kane shook his head. “But I don’t.”
Saxon squinted. “I want to say Phil. Or Peter. Or it starts with a P or an R maybe?—”
“Wait, how do any of us not know?” Sanchez relaxed her shoulders, and Grizz was impressed with Dani’s ability to change the subject.
Dani sat back in her camping chair. “Seems like he’s concealed his identity well. Good thing I’m an award-winning investigative reporter up for the challenge.”
Kane smirked. “Looks like Grizz has met his match.”
Grizz felt the heat rising up his neck. He hated being the center of attention more than he hated his first name. But if it gave Sanchez and Saxon pause before rushing headfirst into danger, he’d take the brunt of their teasing.
Dani kept egging on his crew. She was good at getting people to talk. “At least give me some ammunition. Who’s got a good Grizz story? I pay cash for the best story. Once I return to civilization and find an ATM.”
Sanchez showed a hint of a smile and sat next to Dani.
Grizz shook his head and sat in the chair across from the women. “They wouldn’t dare.”
“Well…” Saxon helped himself to another bowl of stew and then plopped into a camping chair next to Grizz that wasn’t meant to hold the muscular man’s weight. “Let’s see. There’s the time we had to rescue Grizz from a tree. He thought he’d cut down the tree from the top down, but it doesn’t work out so well when you forget to gas up your chain saw.”
“No way. Stuck?” Dani was enjoying this a little too much, but he savored her smile. This was the first time she’d let loose and had fun around him.
Saxon guffawed. “Stuck in the tree like the proverbial cat. We had to get a ladder truck to get him down.”
“Or what about the time Grizz met his match against that moose?” Sanchez nodded to Grizz. “He was a quarter mile behind us, and the next thing I see is this blur run past me. I’ve never seen anyone run that fast.”
“That was one ticked-off moose.” Grizz soaked in the camaraderie and light-hearted banter, letting it erase a bit of the tension from the past twenty-four hours. But he couldn’t completely let his guard down.
Dani leaned close to Sanchez. “Tell us about your father. How is he caught up in all this?”
The others fell silent. Sanchez wasn’t known for being talkative, especially when it came to her story. At least, Grizz didn’t know much of it.
Sanchez sighed. “He was kidnapped fifteen years ago. I’ve been searching for him for years, but…”
No one spoke or moved. Sanchez’s grief was palatable, engulfing the room. Grizz kept his voice low. “Is anyone looking into this?”
Sanchez shook her head. “To my knowledge, they’ve written him off, but I refuse to lose another parent. And now we have proof he’s out there. We have to find him.” Her throat bobbed as she sucked down her emotions, a move she’d obviously perfected.
Dani gave Grizz a small nod to indicate she wouldn’t press Sanchez for additional information. The dazed look in Sanchez’s eyes told him it was time to switch gears.
Grizz stood. “I recommend we get some rest for a few hours. I’ve got plenty of places for us to crash for the night. Even have some sleeping bags and pillows if anyone wants to rest. I’ve got my lookout and will take the first night watch.”
Saxon snorted. “Do you think any of us will sleep? I’m going to patrol the area, see what I can find.”
Grizz nodded. “Be careful. I’ve got some trip wires set up to alert me to intruders.”
“Of course you do.”
After receiving a quick rundown of the perimeter system, Saxon gave him a mock salute before heading out.
