Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
When he reached her side of the jeep, he stopped and looked all around the area before he opened her door. She tried not to think about the fact that he was being extra cautious about her safety.
There were still men somewhere who wanted to kidnap her. No need to harp on it constantly, but Sadie knew Magnus and the others were keeping a constant eye on the security cameras. Her Daddy would never take her out climbing like this if he thought it wouldn’t be safe.
As he helped her out of the jeep, she stumbled a bit, too busy looking at the rock wall in front of her and not paying attention to the stones at her feet. Rocco stabilized her easily with an arm around her waist.
“I’m a bit of a klutz,” she warned him.
“Everyone is when they try something new. Don’t worry about looking good or being the best. Just be safe and have fun,” he warned before patting her on the butt. “Come on, Cookie. Let’s climb, and then we’ll dive into the goodies the chef prepared for us.”
“Lead on,” she said with a smile.
In a few seconds, he had the equipment and their picnic basket unloaded. Rocco led the way to the beginning of the path he had created for the newest of rock climbers. Pointing at a low line of anchors he’d embedded in the rock face, he explained, “We’ll try this one first to learn the process and gain confidence and then go a bit higher.”
Quickly, he helped her into a harness and gloves and hooked her to the rigging he wore. “We’re anchored together so if you lose your footing or grip, I can keep you safe.”
“I don’t want to pull you off the mountain,” she protested.
“You won’t. If you feel yourself slipping, give me some notice. Don’t worry if it happens suddenly and you can’t warn me. I’ve got you, Sadie. I won’t let anything happen to you. Remember, I’m trained to do this.”
The look in his eyes guaranteed her that he’d never let her down. Sadie nodded and tried to relax. That tense feeling remained with her as Rocco led her onto the lowest path and helped her learn how to shift her grip and find toeholds. Each move felt easier, and she found herself enjoying the challenge.
When she jumped down the two feet to the ground at the end, Sadie threw herself into his arms. “I did it!”
Rocco twirled her around in a tight circle. “You not only did it, you were incredible.”
“Incredible might be pushing it, but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be,” she confessed.
“Ready to try the next level?” he asked, pointing upward to the anchors ranging about seven feet from the ground instead of the two-foot-high path she’d just conquered.
“I can do it,” she said confidently.
“That’s my girl!”
After he coached her through the process of climbing up to the second level, Sadie looked down and, to her surprise, felt excited rather than scared to see the ground below her. She looked back at Rocco, who looked concerned. “I’m okay. I think I’ve decided this is fun,” she said, laughing at herself.
“It is fun,” he agreed. “Stay focused.”
“Yes, Daddy,” she said sarcastically, then swallowed hard at the reproving look he sent her. She was going to pay for that tone.
“Focus,” he repeated, and she pushed that thought out of her mind.
Nodding, she pulled herself together. “I’m ready now.”
“Good girl.”
They were about halfway across the trail when she saw Rocco look over his shoulder. Glancing back herself, she saw a van approaching rapidly.
Rocco tapped his ear and frowned. “Damn! The battery must have died in my com. We’re going to have to move quickly, Sadie. We don’t want to get stuck here. There’s a ledge ahead of us that’s tucked behind some rocks. It will protect you.”
She nodded and shifted her hands and feet as fast as she could as the van screeched to a halt and three men poured out. To her horror, she heard one man call out, “Kill them both.”
A bullet chipped the rock off next to her head, and she froze. A strong hand grabbed her harness and yanked. Her body lurched to the side, swinging away from the rock face as Rocco hauled her around the rocks and onto a tiny ridge of rock that she would never have called a platform. Shivering in shock, she scrambled for a handhold to take the pressure of her weight off his body.
Clinging to the cliff, she whispered, “What are we going to do?”
“Did you put your panic button in your pocket?” he asked with his mouth against her ear as bullets pelted against the rocks.
“No. I’m with you. I didn’t think I’d need it.” Tears sprung to fill her eyes.
“It’s okay, Sadie. I’m sure someone in the control center has seen the van. The guys will come to help us. In the meantime, we’re going to stay in this protective niche but climb higher.”