Chapter 2

Dario finally sent the men out, let go of the door, and tipped his chin at me.

“Get dressed. Vivian wants to go to the hot pools. You're going with her.”

I braced myself against the door.

“I'm not going. She can have a pool to herself.”

Vivian caught his arm.

“Forget it. I'll be fine. Don't put Elena out on my account.”

Dario slipped an arm around her shoulders, his gaze hardening as he looked at me.

“She's coming.”

He took my jacket off its hanger and tossed it at my feet.

“Get dressed. Don't make me come in there and drag you out.”

He stayed in the doorway, still holding the key card. I shut my eyes and picked up my damp jacket.

The pools were on the other side of the hill. Vivian refused to wait for the shuttle, so we took the slippery trail on foot.

Dario took off his coat, wrapped it snugly around her, and held her close.

“Cold? We're almost there.”

Enzo and the others walked ahead, their flashlights lighting only the ground in front of them.

At the back of the group, I stepped on a loose stone and fell hard into the mud.

They were discussing which pool was hottest. Not one of them turned around.

When we reached the pool inside the grotto, Dario steadied Vivian and glanced back at the men.

“Turn around. You know what happens if you look.”

They turned away at once. Not one of them made a joke.

I stood behind them, mud drying on my palms.

So he did know how to protect a woman. Just never me.

Vivian shrugged off his coat, revealing the swimsuit she already had on. Dario checked the water himself before helping her in.

The pool was small. Once they were all in, almost every place to sit was taken.

I was about to take my shoes off when Vivian slid closer to Dario, claiming the last empty corner.

She looked up at me with wide, innocent eyes.

“Sorry, Elena. We skipped you again. Looks like there's no room.”

Enzo grinned from the edge of the pool. “How about you stay out and watch our clothes?”

The others laughed.

Dario kept his eyes shut, letting Vivian rest against his shoulder.

“Find somewhere else, then.”

He didn't even look at me.

I wiped the muddy water from my face and walked away.

As I passed the other side of the grotto, I saw Vivian press closer to him through the steam. Instinctively, I took out my phone and recorded a short video.

But I was shaking with cold, and the screen was fogged over. I was in no state to look closely.

There was another, smaller pool nearby. It wasn't as hot as the main one, but it was warm enough to ease the chill of my wet clothes.

I took off my jacket and climbed in wearing my swimsuit, drawing my knees to my chest.

Gradually, the water cooled. A gust of wind set me shivering again. Only then did I notice the fault light on the heater.

Light-headed, I got out, dressed, and returned to the main pool.

Two empty water bottles floated on the surface. The clothes and flashlights were gone from the edge.

They'd left without a word, taking every flashlight with them.

It was completely dark. Beyond the grotto, tree shadows shifted in the wind.

I took out my phone and found a reply from Elliot.

They're still clearing the road at the foot of the mountain. I'll take another route in the morning. Wait for me.

Before I could answer, the battery died.

I started back along the trail in the dark.

I hadn't gone far when my foot slipped. I went over the edge and tumbled down the slope.

My forehead struck a tree trunk, and blood ran into my eyes. A rock tore open my lower leg. I lost a shoe on the way down.

I ripped out a piece of my jacket's lining and bound the wound. Clinging to the trees, I dragged myself back up to the trail.

Every step hurt, until my leg began to go numb.

Elliot's message was the only thing keeping me going.

If I could make it until morning, I'd never have to see them again.