Panic button—she should have known Marcus would have one working, even with the team on training. The props started the slow buildup to full liftoff, the sound of the blades cutting through the air still light as she prepared for the worst.
Becki raced to help Tripp stuff ropes as Alisha and Devon gathered the lines scattered on the hillside. “Emergency call?”
Tripp never stopped. “Guess they didn’t get the memo we were on training this week. You coming with us?”
Her heart pounded harder than it should, and it wasn’t just the thought of being in the chopper. Dealing with a rescue—not possible. Not yet.
“I’d only be in the way.”
“Five-kilometer hike back to the highway. It’s fairly level, though.” He pulled out a cell phone and handed it to her. “If you hit number three when you’re near the highway, my roommate will come and give you a ride to your place.”
“Got it.” She slipped the phone into a pocket and zipped it up. “I know the route back—done it a million times or so.”
He grinned at her, and they both grabbed handfuls of gear and headed to the chopper at a dead run.
Marcus had the team already moving into position. “We’re headed north. First—roll call. Anyone want to bow out? Too fatigued from training? No penalty, no foul, but assess your abilities and let’s get rolling. Erin can drop anyone who says no on the highway. Anders?”
“In.”
“Alisha?”
“In.” She twirled and clambered into position, full harness already in place. She and Anders set up to be able to winch her down as soon as they hit the rescue site.
Marcus continued rapidly through the list, but his gaze was on her. Becki scrambled past him to the cockpit and grabbed two of the water bottles from the cooler. She slipped them into her pack and checked that she had the rest of her gear and clothing.
If he argued with her, he was going to be flying the rescue with sore balls.
“Becki—crawl in the back and batten down.”
“Negative. You don’t want a civilian along. I’ve got an exit plan, water and a ride. If Tripp has a couple granola bars for me, you can be off.”
“Becki . . .” Marcus’s jaw was so firmly set she was afraid he’d hurt himself. Still, she didn’t waver.
And how he responded to her right now was going to set the direction for what happened next between them. Because while she might enjoy having him dominate her during sex, ordering her around in life decisions was the next wrong progression up from that macho you will move in with me bullshit he’d just tried to pull.
Maybe he knew that. His gaze stayed sharp, but he nodded briskly, glancing at his watch. “Sunset. I’m calling David. If you’re not at the highway by sunset he’ll come find you. You got numbers? Phone fully charged?”
Tripp leaned across him and tossed Becki a couple of granola bars. “Fully charged and all the numbers labeled. She’s a go. We’re ready to roll, boss.”
Marcus took a deep breath. “If you’re sure. Throwing up during a flight isn’t the worst thing ever, Becki.”
“Go. I’m a hundred percent to stay.”
He shook his head but moved, climbing in and getting into a seat. The chopper was already lifting into the air as Becki tucked and ran from the revolving props.
Watched it rise and leave her behind.
Marcus ran on autopilot. His team worked efficiently, completing the rescue without a hitch as they pulled victims from the crevasse. He’d made sure his focus stayed on directing as needed, observing the talented group as they worked together. He really did have the finest team around.
The entire time, though, there was a part of his brain wondering where Becki was and how she was doing. His focus stayed sharp enough, so it wasn’t a danger, but until his cell phone hummed and the text came through that she was home, something inside stayed tight with worry.
He’d fucked up big-time back during training.
Then again, so had she.
Having her twitch away from him had made him angrier than he expected. Although her explanation about being exhausted made sense—bad decisions were made while sleep deprived—he still wouldn’t allow her to brush them off like that.
Only she was right as well. Ordering her around wasn’t his brightest move ever. Her fire and determination were part of why he admired the hell out of her. Why would he want her to cave in?
Convince? Cajole? One of those would be far better, considering their personalities.
By the time they were headed home, he had his plan of attack figured out. Debrief first—a formality since the team had worked like a well-oiled cog this time. Next up would be a non-emotional call to Becki offering his company.
A strong drink if she turned him down. Maybe two.
Erin landed them back at the pad, the clock ticking over to nearly ten P.M. David stepped from the hangar doors to greet them, a group of four local students rushing forward to take gear from his weary team.
David slapped him on the shoulder. “Thought you’d like a little help unloading.”
“Thank you.” Marcus pointed at the showers. “Lifeline, you’ve got a fifteen-minute reprieve. Soak your brains, then regroup. David’s students are cleaning up your mess.”
“Yeah, David.” Tripp high-fived him as he passed by.
Alisha stopped and gave David a kiss on the cheek. “You have a heart of gold.”
“Don’t expect this all the time,” he warned. “I felt sorry for you doing both training and pulling bodies.” David glanced at Marcus as activity wove around them. “You okay?”
Marcus nodded. “You heard from Becki?”
“She’s fine. Hiked out with the group of tourists who had been watching your team train and got a ride with them. She called me, and she said she’d contact you as well.”
“Texted. Is she okay, though?”
David held out his phone. “Call her if you’re so worried.”
Marcus shook his head. He wasn’t going to make his call in public. “I should give her a little room.”
“Uh-oh.” His brother leaned in closer. “What did you do now?”
Fuckhead. Marcus ignored him and sat on the couch to wait for the crew to return. “Remind me why I like her?”
David laughed and slapped him on the shoulder before heading over to guide the volunteers through their tasks.
By the time all the team had gathered and they’d completed analyzing the rescue, Marcus’s shoulders were aching with tension. It seemed to take forever until the staff room was finally empty, the last of the squad headed yawning for the door.
He hit autodial before he could think it through.
She picked up on the second ring. “Rescue went well?”
“All safe, team intact.” All the things he knew she’d want to know. “Alisha did this three-point twirl that was sheer poetry. Fastened rescue lines and clamped belayers into position all with blood rushing to her brain. How the hell that girl can keep oriented is damn freaky.”
Becki laughed. “When you like climbing, it’s not that difficult to know right side up even when you’re upside down.”
Marcus was silent for a minute. “Sorry for abandoning you. I . . .” No. Telling her she should have come with them, at least to the highway, was out of line. She’d been safe; she’d made her own decision. It wasn’t what he wanted, but he’d have to suck it up. “How are you?”
“Good.”
She wasn’t going to make this easy. “Do you want some company?”
Becki sighed, the telltale sounds of the creaky student bed complaining in the background as she wiggled. “Marcus, I need to think. And the walk out wasn’t long enough. So, thank you for offering, but not tonight.”