“I’ve got a few things packed in waterproof bags for us,” he said. He opened the container and rummaged through the supplies until he found a towel.

Rio knelt beside her and unbuttoned the shirt, dragging it off her wet skin and tossing it aside. “Come on, sestrilla, stand up so I can get rid of these jeans.”

His voice was gentle, tender even. Rachael allowed him to help her up, leaning into his body as he peeled the material from her hips. He wrapped the towel around her and began rubbing the drops of water from her skin. She swayed with weariness and it embarrassed her. He was the one who had jogged through miles of forest with her in his arms. He had been the one to use his strength to keep them from being swept apart in the river. And he was as soaked as she was.

“I’ve never met anyone like you,” Rachael said. “Sometimes I’m not certain you’re real.”

Rio wrapped her in a dry shirt. “I have my good side,” he teased. “Unfortunately, it just doesn’t come out that often.” He laid a mat on the slab of rock and covered it with a thick sleeping bag before helping her to sit down. Rubbing the thick mass of curls, he studied her leg. “The green gunk held up. We want to get that off the puncture wounds in case they still need to drain.”

“It does feel better,” Rachael said. “I’ll have to remember to tell Tama he’s a miracle worker.”

Rio made certain she was comfortable before he peeled off his own clothes and rubbed the towel over his body.

“How long do you think we’ll have to stay here?” Rachael asked.

“I’m going to use the rest of the night to hunt the shooter. He’s leaving his own trail and he was injured. It will be easier for me to find him. I’ll know you’re safe and won’t worry about him circling back and finding you alone in the house. Franz is already scouting for me. He’ll pick up the trail, and he knows how to stay out of sight.”

Rachael’s eyes widened in shock. “You can’t do that, Rio. Not after what you told me.”

“He’s hunting us. The only way to stop him is to go after him. Did you think we were going to live in a cave for the rest of our lives?”

“No.” Rachael wanted to pull the covers over her head. There was no way to shield Rio from her past. “But before you go out and risk your life maybe you’d better find out who you’re risking your life for.”

“I know who you are.”

“No you don’t. You have no idea who my family is.”