Wheeler turned toward the cat. “What the fresh hell…”
Five wolves materialized, but before they made it to the water, Spartacus incited a chase and took them on a scenic tour. This cat didn’t climb a tree like any normal feline being pursued by wolves, but he weaved around them like a skilled athlete and then ran up the smallest tree in the woods.
One of the wolves vanished and yelped when he landed at the bottom of the trap. Spartacus made an elegant walk across a branch and leapt to an adjacent tree, stirring up the wolves below and causing another to fall into the trap.
Wheeler shook his head. “That cat is my damn hero.” He gripped my hand. “Let’s go!”
We splashed across the water, and as we neared the center, Wheeler slowed and moved ahead of me, testing the depth.
“Hold your gun over your head.”
I didn’t know much about guns, but I did as he asked. When the water reached my breasts, I had second thoughts about turning back. I wasn’t sure how buoyant I was with my passenger.
Reno dropped his gun belt and charged in, water splashing all around him as he pushed himself forward. Wheeler took my gun, and they exchanged places, Reno securing his arm around my waist and escorting me to shore like the hero that he was.
Wheeler had made it safely out, and his pants looked painted on, streams of water dripping from his backpack.
“Wrap your arms around my neck,” Reno said. “I’m about to give you an express ride.”
I held on, and Reno lifted me up, his arms around my waist and every muscle in his body rock hard as he pushed his way through the current of water until we reached the other side. I could feel his heart pounding against my chest, and when he set me down, he wasted no time in strapping his weapons back on.
The wolves howled and snarled on the other side, one of them attempting to cross the water but quickly turning back when he lost his footing in the current.
I squeezed the water from my hair while Wheeler rummaged through his pack. “Do you think Spartacus will be okay?”
He didn’t have to ask what I meant. I could see the flash of guilt on his face. Wheeler pretended as if he hated that cat, but deep down, he had an unspoken affection toward the feline. It wasn’t just about fearing Naya’s reaction if something happened to him; Wheeler cared for a scrawny black cat named Spartacus who had won his heart.
“He’s a tough little guy. He’ll be fine.”
Reno gazed across the creek. “Well, I’ll be a son of a bitch.”
“Huh?”
He pointed and shook his head. “I’m seeing it, but I don’t believe it. That cat is swimming across the goddamn river.”
Wheeler rose to his feet, his mouth agape.
Naya’s little water baby was paddling across that creek like a champion. He looked relaxed with his pink tongue poking out and a determined look in his eyes. The wolves paced frenetically on the opposite side of the water.
Wheeler waded out and retrieved the black cat from the water, setting him on his shoulder. Spartacus was sopping wet and looked grateful to be reunited with his family. He climbed onto Wheeler’s backpack and clung on for dear life.
Reno grabbed his phone from his bag and took a quick snapshot. “That one’s going to replace mine on the mantel.”
Wheeler patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll find a special place to put the bunny-slipper shot.”
Reno gave him a harsh glare. “A bonfire sounds good to me.”
Wheeler chuckled darkly. “The Internet sounds even better.”
***
An hour later, we reached the new campsite and collapsed from exhaustion. Reno kept in touch with Austin and sent him a message to let him know the package was safe.
I was the package.
Reno filled us in on what had happened while Jericho and I were sleeping at the old site—a scout had wandered into the area but ran off before they could catch him. Realizing he would draw the rogues to our location, Austin made the decision to go head-to-head with them. He didn’t want the rogues finding all our bunkers, and Reno said it would be a bad move if we had all packed up and run.
The way Reno saw it, a man should never put himself in a position where he’s the prey. It was a smart move. I would have slowed down the pack, and their hunters would have caught up with us.
I sat next to Reno and leaned against the tree, not even caring that the bark was digging into my back, and a stick was poking me in the butt.
We watched Wheeler attempting to set up a tent.
“Reno, will you send a message to Lorenzo and let my mom know we’re okay? She worries.”
“No sweat.”
Wheeler hurled a metal pole and cursed.
“Maybe you should help him,” I whispered to Reno.
He chuckled. “It’s more fun if I don’t.”
I scooted forward and tucked my bag behind my back to give me some lumbar support.
“They should be here in fifteen,” Reno said, staring at his phone. “No one severely injured this time.”
“How many did we get?”
“Seven.” He rubbed at the weathered lines on his face and then got out the solar charger.