She shivered.
Xavier’s arm tightened around her, and she leaned into him, taking the feeble comfort he offered and telling herself it was just because she needed his body heat. “So we break into the Baldwins for supplies, then retreat into the forest to sleep?”
“Not yet. I want to check out Jeb’s cabin while it’s still dark. Maybe there’s a clue there as to why he went to the yurt tonight. After that, we can head deep into the forest, holding off on stopping to sleep until about an hour before dawn, so we know we’re well out of range for any searching mercs. Then we’ll pitch our tent and hide out until it’s twilight again.”
“We’re going to hide that long? Lose a whole day?”
“The SEALs will be hidden during daylight too. No point in trying to find them when it’s so risky with little chance of success.”
“So we’ll try to find them when it’s dark again.”
He nodded. “The rain should stop by then, so it will be easier to move. Easier to hear birdcall signals and we won’t be exposed every step of the way.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and rubbed up and down her own shoulders. She hadn’t quite wrapped her brain around how long this would take. She could be trapped here for days as they played cat-and-mouse in the forest.
The problem was, she was pretty sure she was the mouse.
“What do you think the team is doing now?”
“If they found Jeb or the merc’s body, then they’re alert to the danger they’re in. Probably looking at improvising weapons and figuring out a plan to assault the lodge.”
“I hope they’re giving the mercs hell.”
He tilted his back against the inner wall of the trunk. His voice turned soft and wistful. “Me too, Aud. Me too.”