“We’ll see, but they both say they want too.”

“Then they probably do.”

They were last up the trail because the runners had long gone. But Piper wasn’t concerned; they’d be coming back down soon. Chief Blake and his men were up there, and Bailey and a few others were at the halfway point.

“Buzz, come back here!” The dog ignored her and sprinted off into the bush. “He’ll come back.”

“So you and Dylan?”

“There is no me and Dylan, Ava.”

“There should be.”

“What?” The girl’s words surprised her. “You don’t mean that. You the person who doesn’t care about anyone. I remember you once telling me that.”

“He’s a good man, for all he’s been missing most of my life. I can see that, and see we lived apart because living here with Mom was too much for them.”

“Ava—”

“I know it’s true, and it was the same for me, but I came home because I like Ryker. The drugs helped.”

“I’m sorry, if I’d known you were struggling I would have reached out.”

“No.” Ava shook her head. “I didn’t let people close, and this was something I chose to do. Lately... well, I’ve seen myself through others’ eyes, and I don’t think I like the vision.”

“Why did you start taking the drugs?”

“I got into it at law school, and then when I came here Zander and I continued.”

“Zander is using too?”

Ava realized she’d said too much. “It’s not his fault. He’s important to me, and keeps me sane, so don’t blame him. I was the one who was using before coming back to Ryker, not him. If anyone is at fault it’s me.”

Before Piper could ask any more questions they heard Buzz yowl as if in pain.

“I need to go find him, Ava. He’s probably got something in his paw.”

“I’ll come. We’re not winning anyway.”

“No, I think you should just wait here for the others to come back down.”

“Dylan said I had to stay close to you.” Ava untied the ribbon around their arms and lowered the coffee mug to the ground. “Let’s go.”

“I didn’t drug your mom, FYI.”

“I know that, and my brother does too, even though he was too stupid to figure it out right off.”

Piper made a noise that neither agreed nor disagreed and started walking.

“Buzz!” she yelled, and he barked. Pushing aside the branches, Piper went first, and made her way through the trees.

“Bloody dog,” she hissed as a branch smacked her in the face. “He’s getting straight kibble tonight!”

They found Buzz, tied to a tree with Zander bent over him.

“You found him, Zander, good job,” Ava said.

He leapt to his feet and pushed one hand behind his back.