How did she even get this number?
“I’m alive,” she croaks.
“That’s a start. I can’t begin to explain how good the sound of your voice is.”
Her barely restrained sob tests my mental restraint.Goddammit.I’ve never heard her make that sound before.Not even when they lowered her only parent into the cold, hard ground.
“Y-Yours too.”
“We never stopped searching for you.” I push past the brick that’s landed in my throat. “Not once. Just took us a long time to trace you this far.”
“This far?”
“We’re in Mexico.”
“Wait, what?” she splutters.
“Farther north than your location, but in the country. We’re tracing a ring of trafficking gangs bankrolling illegal clubs, searching for any signs of you.”
“Shit.” Ember laughs though it sounds more broken than amused. “You were here all along.”
“Trying to track your crazy backside down to bring you back home.” I smile despite my searing eyes.
“Glad to hear it.”
“Listen, can you take cover? We’re a few hours away.”
“I’m in the middle of nowhere,” she replies.
“Then walk a bit. Look for a hiding spot.”
Ember sucks in a stuttered breath, riddled with agony. “Walking is tough right now.”
“Why?”
“I’m a bit roughed up. Long story.”
Cursing colourfully, Hyland fists his long waves. I give him the side-eye, indicating for him to take a breather. The grump isn’t as thick-skinned as he’d have us believe. Especially not after recent years.
“What’s around you?” I ask urgently.
“Sand. Mountains. A cactus or two.”
“Keep looking. Were you followed?”
“Not here,” she rasps. “They bought me some time.”
Suspicion fills my mind. “Who did?”
“Oh, shit! I think I can see a farm in the distance.”
“Nowhere near people!” Hyland reappears, clamping a hand around my bicep. “We don’t know who you can trust or who’s bought and paid for.”
“Thanks, whoever the fuck you are,” Ember snarks. “That thought didn’t cross my mind.”
“Pretty sure you’ve met Hyland before.” I laugh from the acute relief of hearing her sass. “He’s a permanent member of the team now.”
“Erm… the huge, grumpy asshole with the stupid hairdo?” She puffs between the sound of crunching footsteps. “Yeah, I remember.”
