Mountain Man's Accidental Surprise - K.C. Crowne Page 0,50

left half an hour ago, so I wouldn’t say very long,” Mason replied.

“Alright, let’s go,” Graham said, reaching his hand down for me. “Emmy will ride with me. The rest of you can follow us in Sam’s truck.”

I took Graham’s hand, and everything was a blur. My head was still stuck in the conversation with Antonio. All I could think about was Liv. But I went through the motions with Graham, and somehow, I managed to get into his truck.

He was driving down the road, his hands tight on the steering wheel. There was tension in his entire body. I knew we were in danger, but all I could think about was Liv.

“What are we going to do, Graham?” I asked as we approached the gate.

Water rushed alongside the road, splashing up and over at times. Graham paused, checked the rear-view mirror and gave a thumbs up to his brothers behind him.

“We’re going to make it across, that’s what we’re going to do.”

“I mean about Liv,” I said. “How are we going to save her?”

“Right now, we need to save ourselves,” he told me. “But trust me, we’ll get your friend back.”

“But how?”

“Trust me, Emmy. One problem at a time, though,” he said, hitting the gas. “I promise you - we will save Liv. Everyone will be just fine.”

I held my breath as we drove through the water, the tires throwing up torrents on either side of the truck.

“Had we waited another fifteen minutes, we wouldn’t have gotten out this way,” he revealed, though I’m pretty sure he was talking to himself.

The road sloped back up to higher ground, and the flooding was behind us.

“Where are we going to go?” I asked.

Graham didn’t answer me. He just kept his eyes on the road.

One problem at a time, Emmy, I told myself, repeating Graham’s words. First, we need to get out of here. Then we’ll find somewhere to stay.

And then we’ll save Liv.

Graham

I was quiet most of the drive. I knew that just because we got off the property, it didn’t mean smooth sailing for us. Liberty was surrounded by rivers and lakes, and the road leading to the highway was the least of our worries. If it was flooded, it meant other ways would be too.

Downtown probably wouldn’t fare much better either. The Liberty dam protected the town from being completely underwater, but the rain itself would see the streets beginning to flood. Businesses likely wouldn’t be open. The hotel probably wouldn’t be operating.

But getting out of town likely wasn’t an option either. There were bridges in almost every direction, and I’d be shocked as hell if they weren’t washed out by now.

“Where are we going?” Emmy asked me.

“I don’t know yet.” I hated admitting that I didn’t know something. After a moment, I said, “We’re just getting out of town for now. We’re going to drive as far as we can into the mountains on the other side of Liberty.”

“We’re leaving Liberty?” she squeaked.

“I think that’s the best option considering the circumstances.”

“But what about Liv?”

I gripped the steering wheel tightly and clenched my jaw. I understood Emmy’s concern for her friend. I wanted to save her too. But my focus was getting Emmy and my unborn child out of Liberty and to safety. Then we’d figure out Liv.

“Like I said, Liv is bait. They aren’t going to kill her,” I said. “Antonio said he would call back with more details. For now, all we can do is wait and see.”

She was quiet next to me, and I glanced over. She stared out the window, traces of tears flowing down her cheeks - much like the rainfall sliding down the window.

Her dark hair fell in front of her face, hiding her from view. It almost seemed intentional, as if Emmy didn’t want me to see her crying. She was a strong woman, one of the strongest I’d ever met. But even the strongest people break down when loved ones were in danger.

I took her hand in mind and gave it a squeeze.

“We’re going to save Liv,” I said softly. “I promised you, and I always keep my promises.”

I put both hands back on the steering wheel and glanced in my rear-view mirror. Dammit. Where’d they go?

Sam’s truck was no longer behind us as we pulled into Liberty. How long had they been gone? I’d been driving fast, turning down roads with little warning, and with the downpour, it was hard to see too far in front or behind you.

No time