Page 9 of Hollow Trace

Quinn placed the carbine and his rifle on the bed, slipped on the vest. “No night vision?”

“It’s only an emergency stash. The bulk of our equipment’s at the bunker.”

“You have a bunker?”

“We have to live somewhere.”

“This just keeps getting better.” He waved his fingers. “Mags. Lots of them. And Coulter doesn’t get to be the only one with frags.”

Scout scoffed. “Easy there, Mad Max. Our greatest weapon is stealth.”

“Right up until it isn’t. Then, it comes down to what’s strapped on these vests.” He looked at the second frag in his hand then pressed it into hers. “Which is why you’re carrying some, too.”

“And here I thought you’d be upset by all the firepower.”

“After what I just experienced…” He glanced at Coulter over his shoulder as the man scanned the area, scoping out the tree line, before stepping in close — tentatively running one hand down her arm.

She stopped, placed her hand over his. “Not a hallucination.”

“Just checking.” He pulled his hand away, taking any hint of warmth with it. “Still trying to convince myself I’m not at the bottom of that ravine, slowly bleeding out.”

“Quinn…” She grabbed his hand, prayed he wouldn’t simply pull away. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

“Right.” He eased free, took two steps then turned. “So, Coulter’s part of this. Is he just more worthy or something? Because he obviously didn’t know shit at the funeral.”

Scout cringed slightly, the biting tone impossible to miss. Not that she blamed him. “Of course, not. He kinda fell into this, too. Went looking for answers. Got into a tight spot. And you know, firsthand, the price he had to pay. His career. His life.”

Quinn looked at Coulter, then back at her. “Call me crazy, Scout, but he doesn’t look all that torn up about it. And for the record, at least he got a choice. I’ve spent the past three months staring at a photograph.” He clipped a mag into the carbine then held it out to her. “I’ll stick with my rifle and the spare Sig you had in your office supplies.” He took a few steps. “We should head out. Rain’s coming.”

Quinn took off in the direction of the signal as if he saw the route the way she did. Which, of course he did. He’d spent over a decade hauling people out of the wilderness, surviving what would kill a lesser man.

Coulter sidled up beside her. “I wouldn’t normally say anything, but you might want to cut Quinn some slack. I’ve been where he is, and under all that anger, he’s just overwhelmed that you’re still alive.”

Scout snorted. “Right. That scathing side-eye is because he’s super happy to see me.”

“He’s more than happy. But what’s really on his mind is whether you’re happy to see him? If he’s even crossed your mind these past few months. I know that’s what was on mine with Neve.”

“If he can’t see how much it hurt, how much it still hurts, then that’s a bigger problem.”

“It took me a week to get my head out of my ass. He’s only had an hour, so…”

She looked over her shoulder when Quinn whistled. “Why don’t you stay here? Wait for the rest of the team while we go recon the coordinates. See if it’s anything more than just another watch in the mud.”

Coulter snagged her wrist. “Not a chance, Scout. We stay together. Neve’s got Wynn and Zadie with her. She can catch up.”

Scout smiled her thanks, jogging over to Quinn as he stopped at the edge of a narrow trail, Coulter covering their six.

Quinn swept his gaze the length of her before motioning toward the trail. “You wanna take point?”

Scout stepped closer. “You okay with that?”

His jaw tensed, his gaze drifting to Coulter for a few moments. “I’m a damn good tracker, but you were always better. I assume that hasn’t changed.”

“It hasn’t. Just remember what I said. Stealth is our best weapon. We only engage if it’s life or death.”

“Then, you’d better hope they don’t threaten Brea.” He held her gaze, leaned in lover close. “Or you, because if they do…”

Scout’s breath caught, her chest constricting to the point she had to force in her next breath. She glanced at Coulter, then struck off, following the hint of a trail along the hillside.