Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Dana Mentink (e books free to read TXT) 📖

raft toward land. They were almost to her hiding place. Once the men had the drugs, they’d be out of time.

“Carl’s dead,” Henry said, fighting to stall.

“Figured as much. And if you would like to join him, just keep opening your mouth.” Frank’s sneer took on a new edge, as if the darkness brought out the monster within.

“We had a deal.” Nora jumped out of the raft and pulled it farther onto shore with Frank and the gunman already standing.

“No more sudden moves like that, Nora, sweetie.” Frank’s saccharine voice snapped the last shred of Henry’s patience.

“Let’s cut the false pretenses, Frank.” Henry turned to Nora. “Don’t give him what he wants. We all know he has no intention of letting us go.”

“Sure I do. I always keep my promises.” Frank winked, as if on the campaign trail. “You drop us off at the final take-out and you can go on your merry way.”

“The take-out?” Nora crossed her arms over her chest. “We go our separate ways there?”

“You drop us off and continue on the river.”

“That’s Garnet Rapids, you know—”

“Yes, you get past that, and you’re free to go. So, do you want to take your chances on us shooting you both or with the rapids?”

Garnet Rapids would mean certain death, especially at night in high water. Even with someone as skilled as Nora, she wouldn’t be able to manage the deluge.

“I thought we were using the tunnels,” Lou said in a hushed tone.

“Until I talk to Maya, the tunnels are off-limits. She’s a little too skilled at booby traps, thanks to your training.” Frank flashed a clenched smile at Lou, his bleached teeth the most visible feature in the dimming light. He turned back to Nora. “Unless you’re ready to renegotiate and let me know where you’re hiding her?” Frank asked. “Everyone could be happy.”

“We’ll take our chances with the rapids,” Nora said quickly. Henry paused for a second, confused at the interchange. Had Maya already showed up at the lodge and Nora had hidden her?

“Then enough chitchat. The drugs…?”

Nora walked ahead, leading them right to the tight space in between the cliffs and shrubs where Carl had been chasing them earlier. A dark figure stepped out of the boulders. “Freeze!” a male voice yelled.

A gunshot went off, but Henry couldn’t see where it came from. Frank and Lou launched themselves at the other man. Henry ducked low. Now was the time to attack. He poised his back leg to launch him into the chaotic jumble of men to attack. Hands free or not, he would tell Nora to run.

She jumped in front of him, blocking his path. “No, don’t. Please.”

The newcomer to their group bellowed behind them. Henry knew that voice. Perry was involved? He struggled against his gut instinct to fight. He forced himself to still at Nora’s quiet request. “Can I hope you have a better idea?” he whispered.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Nora had never been so glad she carried a pocketknife at all times. It was a necessary tool in guide work. The moonlight reflected off the blade as she slipped the knife handle between his hands. “Let’s get you free, then wait for my signal.”

“I think that man who yelled is Perry. He needs our help.”

Sawing against the rope was proving harder than she thought. “You’re no help to anyone tied up. Listen. Remember what Perry said about the snowmelt that first day? The—”

“Enough!” Frank yelled, spinning with his phone’s flashlight beam shining into Nora’s and Henry’s faces before she could finish telling him her new idea. “I want the package, and I want it now, Nora.”

She spun around, leaving the knife in between Henry’s palms. “I want to see that Perry is okay.” She had no idea why the man was there, but she finally believed he was innocent.

The beam of light hit Perry and his bloody shoulder. Lou held the extra gun that he no doubt had wrestled from Perry after shooting him. “He goes with us,” she said.

“Fine. If you all make it through the Garnet Rapids, I wish you a happy life.” Frank chuckled, with the knowledge that survival at that point would be impossible. She knew the only reason he wanted them to die in the rapids would be that their deaths would look like an accident of extreme thrill seekers rather than murder. The rapids would be at a Class VI or VII even by now. Impossible to navigate even in the best circumstances, especially in the dark. “The drugs, ” Frank said as an order.

Nora’s insides practically vibrated. They had one shot and it all relied on the fact she knew something her ex-uncle didn’t. She got down on all fours, hoping Henry would have his hands free by now. If Frank went back on his word, she knew Henry would attack, gun or not. Whether he felt the same way or not, she couldn’t deny she still loved the man. Her mouth went dry at the thought, but there was nothing she could do about it. She lifted up a silent prayer for survival as she reached into the darkness of the log and her fingers gripped the nylon bag full of drugs.

The moment she stood, Lou grabbed the bag and peeked inside with his own light. “It’s all there.”

“Good. Let’s go.” Frank waved the gun at them all, including Perry. She didn’t need the light to confirm Perry wasn’t well. She stepped to his side and acted as if she wanted to help him walk, while Henry trudged in front of them, his hands in front, pretending to still be tied up. At least, she hoped he was pretending. Her plan wouldn’t work if his hands were still bound.

“Do you know if Bobby is okay?” she whispered out of the side of her mouth.

“No,” Perry replied. “When I didn’t hear from any of you, I went out looking. Had just found a mine entrance when—”

“He can walk by himself or die here,” Frank muttered, grabbing Nora’s elbow