Chapter no 23 – VANCE

Crimson River (The Edens, #5)

Tย he way Vera walked through the forest was so similar to how Cormac moved it was uncanny. She picked her steps deliberately. There was no hiding our tracks in the snow, but still, she stepped carefully, the only sound the crunch of ice beneath her boots.

Her pace was quick but not rushed. Her gaze swept back and forth through the trees, searching for threats and noting landmarks.

Heโ€™d taught her a lot these past four years, hadnโ€™t he? โ€œYouโ€™ve been living out here,โ€ I said.

โ€œYes.โ€ Vera glanced over her shoulder, keeping her voice low as she spoke. Habit, no doubt. Cormac had taught her to live out here undetected, and heโ€™d done a damn fine job.

โ€œFor how long?โ€

โ€œWeโ€™ve been in Montana for two years, I think? I lost track. Dad knows.โ€

I hummed.

Behind me, Lyla stayed close. Her cheeks were flushed as she followed my steps. She had to be tired from earlier, but she marched on, her strength and resilience as breathtaking as her beauty.

โ€œGood?โ€ I asked, stretching a hand for hers. She took it and nodded. โ€œGood.โ€

โ€œWe can slow down.โ€ Vera stopped ahead of us, turning to face us. โ€œIโ€™m always the one trying to keep up, so I know how it feels. Sorry.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m okay,โ€ Lyla said.

I tightened my grip on hers, then waved for Vera to continue.

Sheโ€™d slow down. I knew before she even took a single step that sheโ€™d slow down for Lyla. That sweet heart of hers was still there, despite everything that had happened.

Everything she wouldnโ€™t tell me.

โ€œHow often do you come to town?โ€ I asked.

Maybe the two times Iโ€™d seen that red hair in Quincy hadnโ€™t been my imagination or a stranger. Maybe it really had been Vera.

โ€œUsually once a month,โ€ she said.

โ€œFor tampons,โ€ Lyla whispered so quietly only I could hear. There was a box in those bags she carried.

โ€œDoes your dad come along?โ€ โ€œNever,โ€ Vera said.

Lyla and I shared a look. So that was part of how heโ€™d survived out here. Heโ€™d had Vera sneak into Quincy, where sheโ€™d just be any normal face.

Only not to me. Had I not come to Montana, no one would ever have suspected she was the link to a killer.

Was he a killer?

โ€œHow do you pay for things?โ€ Lyla asked.

โ€œCash. Dad took as much as he could when we left Idaho. That ran out a while back so he, um . . .โ€

โ€œRobbed a gas station in Oregon,โ€ I finished. Vera cringed. โ€œHow did you know?โ€

โ€œI went to Oregon.โ€

She stopped, turning to face us again. โ€œHe said thereโ€™d always be people chasing us. I didnโ€™t believe him. I figured after this long, weโ€™d be forgotten. But Dad is always careful, just in case. I guess he was right. That was you, wasnโ€™t it? You left the game camera by the stream where we put a fish trap.โ€

Fuck.ย โ€œHe saw the camera.โ€

โ€œThis morning.โ€ She nodded. โ€œHe said he felt like someone was watching him, so he circled back once the sun came up. Found it.โ€

He must have come up on the back side, otherwise my alarm would have gone off again.

โ€œYeah,โ€ I told her. โ€œThat was me.โ€

Veraโ€™s shoulders slumped. โ€œWeโ€™re leaving because of it. Today was my last trip to town.โ€

Damn. How fucking lucky was it that Lyla had wanted to walk along Main?

โ€œDadโ€™s been strange lately,โ€ Vera said. โ€œHe wouldnโ€™t tell me why, but heโ€™s kept us close to the shelter. Heโ€™s sent me to town more often than usual for supplies. Iโ€™ve had to take different, longer routes to make sure no one

would be able to follow me back. I thought it was just normal prep for winter. Stocking up on food and batteries and first-aid supplies. But he went out to check the trap this morning and came back panicked. Said we had to leave. I think heโ€™s been preparing for it for weeks but didnโ€™t want to tell me.โ€

Cormac had been acting strange because of Lyla, hadnโ€™t he? But he hadnโ€™t told Vera what heโ€™d done. About the river. Maybe heโ€™d expected the local teams to give up their search. To be fair, heโ€™d been right.

Except he hadnโ€™t counted on me.

โ€œWeโ€™re almost there.โ€ Vera looked right, then left. โ€œI think it would be best if you gave me a minute.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m not letting you out of my sight.โ€ I loved Vera, but this entire situation was fucked up.

For all I knew, sheโ€™d been leading us nowhere. Weโ€™d parked nearly a mile away from where Iโ€™d been searching. As much as I loved her, I didnโ€™t trust her. There was a very real chance that the minute she was out of sight, sheโ€™d disappear again.

Cormac would have taught her how to hide. Even from me.

โ€œFigured youโ€™d say that.โ€ She blew out a long breath, then cupped her hands over her mouth, letting out a piercing whistle.

The sound bounced off trees and rocks, until the wilderness swallowed it whole. We stood in silence, the only sound my pounding heart.

Then it came, faint and almost inaudible. Another whistle.

โ€œHeโ€™s coming,โ€ Vera said, giving me a pleading look. โ€œJust hide behind a tree or something. Let me warn him first. Please?โ€

โ€œVera,โ€ I warned.

โ€œIโ€™m not going to run off, Uncle Vance. I promise.โ€

For fuckโ€™s sake.ย โ€œFine,โ€ I clipped, leading Lyla to a large pine tree. I positioned her back to its trunk, standing in front of her, both as a shield and so I could keep an eye on Vera.

โ€œYou can stay right here,โ€ I told Lyla. โ€œYou donโ€™t have to see him.โ€ โ€œYes, I do.โ€ Her response didnโ€™t surprise me in the least.

โ€œOkay.โ€ I pressed a kiss to her forehead, then adjusted my grip on her hand. No matter what, I wouldnโ€™t let it go.

โ€œYouโ€™re late.โ€ Cormacโ€™s voice filled the air.

My frame locked. That voice was the same as I remembered, yet different. Panicked. Haggard.

โ€œAre you okay?โ€ he asked Vera. โ€œWhat happened? I was getting worried.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m okay,โ€ Vera said.

โ€œWe gotta go. Itโ€™ll be dark soon. Give me those bags. Iโ€™ll carry them.โ€ โ€œDad, wait.โ€

โ€œWhat?โ€

I didnโ€™t wait for Vera to make a big announcement. I took one sideways step, coming out from behind the tree, and facing the manโ€”my friend, my brother, the one Iโ€™d prayed to find for four years.

โ€œVance.โ€ Cormac stiffened, but otherwise, he didnโ€™t look shocked. That changed when Lyla stepped out from behind the tree. That was when Cormacโ€™s face paled.

I clutched Lylaโ€™s hand, watching as she raised her chin. Watching as she leveled him with a cool glare.

Thatโ€™s my girl.ย I was so goddamn proud of her. Heโ€™d beaten me. Iโ€™d let him win.

Not Lyla. Right here, right now, she was taking back her power. She was taking back what heโ€™d stolen.

Fuck, but I loved her.

I was in love with Lyla Eden. I had been for weeks.

Cormac snapped out of his trance, reaching for Vera. He took her by the arm, pulling her behind him and the pack strapped to his back. โ€œGet out of here, Vera. Run. Now.โ€

โ€œNo.โ€ She shook her head.

โ€œGo.โ€ He shoved her so hard she nearly stumbled. โ€œDad, stop!โ€

โ€œWait.โ€ I took a step, holding up my free hand. โ€œI just want to talk.โ€ โ€œVera, run!โ€ Cormacโ€™s bellow was pained and frantic.

Tears sprang to Veraโ€™s eyes as her hands balled into fists, her head shaking. โ€œNo. No more running.โ€

โ€œYou have to leave.โ€

She didnโ€™t move. โ€œWe canโ€™t keep doing this.โ€

โ€œWe have to, love.โ€ Cormac was just as broad and tall as he had been years ago. But he looked smaller now. Broken by guilt and sorrow.

โ€œI wonโ€™t say anything.โ€ Lylaโ€™s voice was steady. โ€œIf thatโ€™s what youโ€™re worried about, I wonโ€™t tell anyone that I saw you or Vera. But you owe Vance the truth.โ€

Here she was, fighting for me, not herself.

How was I supposed to walk away from her now? I squeezed her hand tighter.

Cormac stared at Lyla, apology written on his scarred face. He turned that same apology to his daughter. โ€œI just want to keep you safe.โ€

โ€œI know, Daddy.โ€ She reached out and clutched his hand. โ€œBut Iโ€™m so tired. Please. Talk to Uncle Vance.โ€

The faith she had in me to fix this was staggering. I clung to Lylaโ€™s hand, borrowing a bit of her strength, as I faced Cormac.

How long had I hoped for this? To come face to face with him?

It was nothing like Iโ€™d expected. Nothing like Iโ€™d planned for. I stared at him and didnโ€™t see a cold-blooded killer. I didnโ€™t see a man whoโ€™d betrayed my friendship. I didnโ€™t see a liar or manipulator.

I saw a desperate father.

โ€œPlease,โ€ Vera whispered.

I knew before he nodded that heโ€™d say yes. It was impossible to say no to that girl sometimes.

He cupped her cheek. โ€œOkay.โ€

She leaned into him, her eyes closing.

He took the plastic bags from her, putting them in his pack. Then with it slung on his shoulders again, he turned and led his daughter through the trees, ordering, โ€œFollow me.โ€

I took a step, expecting Lyla to stay beside me, but her feet seemed glued to the snow. Maybe Iโ€™d stolen too much of her strength. โ€œHey.โ€

Her eyes shifted to mine. โ€œI should hate him. Why donโ€™t I hate him?โ€ โ€œWhy donโ€™t I?โ€

Lyla looked behind us. โ€œCan you find our way back to the truck at night?โ€

โ€œYeah, Blue.โ€ I bent to kiss the top of her head. โ€œWe wonโ€™t get lost.โ€

We walked hand in hand, following Cormac and Vera until the forest got thicker and thicker, forcing us into a single-file line.

Not wanting Lyla to be last, I put her in front of me, one eye trained constantly on Cormac. There were a lot of unknowns here, but without a doubt, heโ€™d hurt her once. I wouldnโ€™t let him do it again.

The sun was sinking toward the horizon, the light dimming. Yet we walked and walked, pushing hard to wherever Cormac and Vera were taking us.

Lyla slipped on a patch of ice, her foot sliding out from beneath her. I rushed to catch her and help her to her feet. โ€œYou okay?โ€

She was out of breath but nodded. โ€œIโ€™m good.โ€

Vera, who walked behind Cormac, turned back, offering Lyla a kind smile. Sheโ€™d slowed earlier but wouldnโ€™t ask her dad to take it easy now. So we hiked at a punishing pace up the steep terrain.

The trees were so thick that there were patches where the snow hadnโ€™t reached yet. Theyโ€™d get covered as winter progressed, but for now, the dirt and pinecones and needles were only covered in a thick frost.

โ€œStay off the snow,โ€ Cormac said. โ€œFollow only where I step.โ€

Lyla glanced back, and when I nodded, she did as heโ€™d ordered. A few stretches were so wide that both she and Vera had to jump.

We continued for another quarter of a mile like that until we reached an outcropping of rocks that broke through the trees.

Cormac stopped, shifting the pack off a shoulder to dig out a spray bottle. Inside was a clear liquid.

โ€œWhatโ€™s he doing?โ€ Lyla asked, panting as we stopped. โ€œItโ€™s bleach and water,โ€ he said. โ€œUp you go, love.โ€

Vera nodded, then slipped past him to scale a section of the rock that was about eight feet tall, using a few notches and footholds to climb its flat face. When she reached the top, she lay on her stomach, stretching for the pack he hoisted up.

โ€œYouโ€™re next.โ€ Cormac jerked his chin for Lyla to follow, but that would mean passing him. Being within armโ€™s reach.

โ€œLyla.โ€ I shifted in front of her. โ€œHer name is Lyla Eden.โ€

Cormac met my gaze, cowering slightly. Then he dipped his chin. โ€œLyla Eden. Iโ€™m sorry for what I did at the river.โ€

โ€œWhat are you talking about?โ€ Vera asked. โ€œWhat happened at the river?โ€

He looked up at her. โ€œIโ€™ll explain later. Weโ€™re running out of light and need to hurry.โ€

โ€œWe wonโ€™t be going home tonight, will we?โ€ Lyla asked me. โ€œNot likely.โ€

She shuffled closer to my backpack.

โ€œYou guys climb up. Vera, keep going. Iโ€™ll catch up.โ€ Cormac walked past us, giving Lyla a wide berth. He descended the slope about twenty yards, then began spraying the bleach water over the ground before he jogged even further away.

โ€œWhatโ€™s he doing?โ€ Lyla asked Vera.

โ€œHeโ€™ll go run in a loop to leave his scent in a circle. If a dog comes up here, it wonโ€™t know exactly what direction to choose.โ€

โ€œAnd the bleach?โ€

โ€œHe says it can mess with a dogโ€™s nose. Overpower their senses.โ€

โ€œDamn.โ€ So that was how heโ€™d masked his scent with the dogs. And on top of that, heโ€™d chosen a path no dog could follow up that rock face.

โ€œCome on.โ€ I nudged Lyla forward. โ€œIโ€™ll help you up.โ€

Beyond the rock face was nothing but steep, wet rocks. There were no trees here, just jagged terrain that would be hell to descend.

Yeah, not a chance weโ€™d be leaving tonight. Not in the dark.

Vera climbed, somehow finding a path between the rocks, probably because sheโ€™d done this a hundred times. And about fifteen minutes later, Cormac cleared his throat behind me.

I wasnโ€™t sure what else heโ€™d done to mask our scents but I suspected that if anyone came looking for us tonight or tomorrow morning, theyโ€™d find a trail of prints in the snow that just . . . stopped.

Lylaโ€™s breathing became labored as we climbed. She pushed a lock of sweaty hair off her temple.

โ€œWant a break?โ€ I asked. She shook her head.

โ€œWeโ€™re almost there,โ€ Vera told us.

The scent of snow and rock and wind filled the air. I breathed in the cold air, hovering close to Lyla with my hands at the ready in case she slipped.

When I glanced back at Cormac, his gaze was glued on Lyla. On my hands. โ€œYouโ€™re together.โ€

โ€œYeah.โ€ And if he came near her, if he so much as looked at her the wrong way or made her uncomfortable, Iโ€™d slit his fucking throat.

Cormac nodded and backed off, giving us more space.

We hiked for another ten minutes until the ground leveled off into a canyon between cliffs. Clusters of trees and bushes grew on the canyonโ€™s

floor. I scanned the area, assuming weโ€™d keep going, but did a double take when I spotted a shelter tucked against a massive rock.

The hut was larger than Iโ€™d expected. It had four walls all made from small tree trunks. The roof was covered in moss and foliage to keep the heat inside.

Cormac had built his daughter a home.

It was far from any known trail. No one would see it from an aerial view. And given the winding, miserable path to get here, it was unlikely any random hiker or hunter would make it this far.

No wonder theyโ€™d lived here undetected for two years.

Veraโ€™s frame relaxed as we strode toward the shelter. She opened the door, holding it open for Lyla. โ€œCome on in.โ€

Lyla ducked past her, stepping inside. Vera followed.

I hung back, and when Cormac was close enough, I struck so fast he never saw it coming. My fist slammed into his nose.

Blood gushed from his nostrils, dripping down his chin. โ€œFuck,โ€ he hissed, pinching it with both hands.

โ€œThat was for Lyla, you motherfucker.โ€

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