Chapter 651:
His beam of light swept across half-melted snow, bouncing back in sharp glimmers. Something off in the ground beneath him pulled at his instincts. He eased to the side, crouched low, and rapped his knife handle against the surface. The hollow sound told him the earth had given way.
A pit yawned just ahead.
Skirting the rim, he caught sight of a gaping hole. Beyond it, his breath caught—Rylie was there, half-drowned in rising water, her body clinging to consciousness.
She had fought for every second of survival, and when the sound of boots cutting through the storm reached her ears, she thought the cold was inventing it. But the steps grew clearer, closer.
Her eyes lifted. Rain streaked down her face, blurring her sight, but through the haze a figure took shape.
In the gray wash of the storm, his outline felt like something pulled from a dream.
Without saying a word, Brad scanned the area and spotted a thick, weathered tree standing tall nearby. He secured the rope with practiced hands, looped the end around his waist, and swung himself over the rain-slicked cliff.
Cold water greeted him as he dropped to the bottom, splashing up around his boots. Across the dark stone, Rylie watched him approach, her shoulders shaking as she hugged herself.
Rylie braced for sharp words, expecting him to blame her for secretly entering the mineral vein alone or carelessly falling into this pit, but Brad didn’t. He wrapped an arm firmly around her and held her close against his side. With a grunt, he took hold of the rope and started the slow climb upward, hauling them both back to safety.
Hail hammered his helmet, each hit dull and heavy, but he kept his body between Rylie and the worst of the storm.
Covered by him, warmth bloomed in Rylie’s chest—a feeling she had nearly forgotten existed. She had grown used to facing the world alone, and yet now she could not deny the comfort his presence brought.
Fresh content live on gαℓησv𝒆ls․cøm
Trust had always been hard for her, but with Brad, it came as easily as breathing. Somehow, she knew he would always come for her, no matter what danger waited.
When they reached the cave’s entrance, Brad released the rope, shrugged off his pack, and fished out a thermal blanket. He draped it gently around Rylie’s shoulders. Then he crouched, motioning for her to climb on. Once she was settled, he rose and carried her back toward the exit.
Rylie pressed her chin to his shoulder, her breath fogging in the cold air. “Why did you come after me? Was I really worth all this trouble?”
Brad didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. You are.”
“So what now?” she asked quietly, hope and nerves tangled in her voice. “Should I say ‘let’s date’ or something to show my gratitude?”
He paused, glancing back as her warmth seeped through his jacket and settled against his skin.
He responded, “I made this choice of my own will. You don’t have to feel indebted.”
He had always kept his emotions locked away, convinced that anyone close to him would get swept up in his chaos.
Rescuing her never came with strings attached. He didn’t need gratitude or grand declarations—her safety was enough.
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