Stepping away from the spray at the back of the falls, he gently grabbed her elbow and led her deeper into the hollow. The space didn’t go back far, but there were crevices, places she could hide. He gestured for her to step behind a ridge in the wall.

Standing close so they could trap the heat between them, he faced the opening of the hollow and the waterfall. His dad had shown him this passage, but that didn’t mean the shooter didn’t know about it too. Even if the shooter was aware of it, Alex would be ready, waiting and watching. He had the advantage.

He gripped his now slippery gun.

Hoped for the best.

Prepared for the worst.

SIX

Pressed against the cold, wet stone that had been washed smooth from centuries of pouring water, Mackenzie stood behind Alex. She wanted to lean into his back and absorb his warmth, but she shouldn’t distract him. His clothes were soaked like hers, his hair dripping wet, the muscles in his back tense as if ready to pounce on anyone who might threaten her.

She hadn’t seen him in protection mode that day in DC, but she could see now that he was definitely all about keeping others safe. After all, that was part of his job with the DSS—to protect high-risk assets.

Mackenzie didn’t fall within that category, but Alex hadn’t held back. Though she didn’t like the circumstances that had put them here, watching him in action in his element fascinated her. Actually, more than fascinated her. The terror of being shot at and almost killed forced a rapid increase in her pulse. But she had to admit to herself and no one else—ever—that being with Alex in this scenario had also sent a thrill shooting through her.

He remained steady and protective, waiting for their pursuer to rush at them through the wall of water.

What if . . . what if he hadn’t been there, hadn’t found her on the trail? What would have happened? She never would have clued in on the drone, though she still wasn’t sure what that was about. Was the drone connected to the shooter? Regardless, she probably would have taken a bullet and been lying facedown on the trail now.

Shuddering at the thought, she pulled her hand back and hugged herself. Her knees trembled and her heart pounded in her ears, the sound overtaking the waterfall a few yards from them. Though she’d walked in dangerous places during her previous stint in the criminal world, no one had ever shot at her before. But she’d been threatened. Fear tightened her throat, and she pressed her hand against Alex’s back, causing him to shiver beneath her touch.

He glanced over his shoulder, his piercing eyes drilling into her like she would expect. “It won’t be long now, Mackenzie. Help will come.”

“Okay. I trust you. But will they get here in time?” Would someone step through the water and continue the rampage?