Wild Men of Alaska 04 - Wild Men of Alaska - Four Book Bundle

slowly shuffled the ropes up the thick log posts, and struggled to her feet. The logs towered a good five feet above her, but if she could get enough of the rope to shimmy up the posts, she’d be able to toss them off. Thank goodness he hadn’t tied the rope tighter around them, just made sure he’d tied them fucking tight around her torn and bleeding wrists. That was the least of her worries, not with freedom within her sights.
    The strain and pull on her shoulders burned.
    Flipping her arm up and rotating it just right in the joint, she was able to slowly gain distance up the post. She worked on doing the same to the other arm. Repeating the action, she kept up the steps, gaining inches and then a foot, only to have the rope fall back down and have to start it again.
    But it was working.
    Sweat dribbled down her forehead, her hair was heavy and hot around her, creating a sort of blanket.
    When she had the rope at the top, she held her breath, edging it over the log post, gasping when it actually came loose. Her arm fell, and she cursed Sergei’s name as blood rushed into the limb with relief.
    She couldn’t believe she’d succeed. She’d refused to hope, and the release of not having her arm pulled, washed over her. She took a minute to baby her arm next to her body, cradling it, before turning toward her other arm, busting the rail free of the post, and easing the rope over the top.
    Yeah, that one was considerably easier.
    Guess, they didn’t make furniture like they used to, or at least, not furniture that could withstand Kate “No Mercy” Mercer.
    She collapsed onto the bed, breathing heavy with a satisfied smile. The lengths of rope were still tied to her wrists, but she was free. After a few minutes of rest, she sat up and struggled with the complicated knots.
    Where was a knife when she needed one? What the hell kind of knot had Sergei tied?
    He’d made it seem so easy as he’d tethered her into place. She studied how he’d secured the rope, hoping to remember how he did it, so she could use his technique herself some day if needed.
    Finally, she had the bindings undone. Gathering the ropes, she eased off the bed, her muscles sore and stiff, and opened the grate to the fire, tossing them into the flames.
    There, that was better.
    The flames greedily attacked the nylon rope, melting them more than burning. The acrid smell assaulted the room, and she huffed a breath of satisfaction.
    Tie her up again, would he?
    She headed toward the bathroom to clean up. There wasn’t a lot of time. And there was lots to do before Sergei returned.
    She glanced out the window facing the mountains and the direction he would have taken.
    All she saw was snow.
    A pang of worry burrowed its way into her heart.

    Sergei struggled up the last incline. There was the site. Kate had done an excellent job hiding her tracks, but there weren’t many who could hide from him. He had a way of sniffing people out. A sixth sense that his father and grandfather had possessed too. He doubted that anyone would have found where Kate had made camp with how she’d chosen to hide. He found her supplies tucked under the branches of a spruce. Just a little duffel. He liked a woman who packed light. Holding his flashlight in his mouth, Sergei opened the backpack and emptied the contents. Tent, satellite phone, MREs, a few more knives—what a woman—rope, fishing hooks and twine, and a change of clothes.
    Those he needed to dispose of. He liked her naked.
    He emptied everything, and then tore off his gloves to feel the seams of the pack. It took him a while, but he found another tracking device sewn into the bottom. It was very well hidden, and he’d missed it during the first and second search. He would have given up if he hadn’t been positive that another existed. Flipping out his switchblade to cut it free, he paused.
    Who was coming for her and when?
    Snow began falling in serious flakes. He looked around, his eyes sweeping his surroundings. He needed to head back or make shelter. The storm was going to snow them in and keep whoever was coming off The Edge.
    Unless they were already here.
    He gathered everything and stuffed it all back into the duffel. Swinging it onto his shoulders, he headed back down the mountain.
    Tied to his bed, Kate was in a vulnerable position, and she had a lot of questions to answer.

    Kate cleaned up her wrists, grabbed her underwear that she’d washed earlier, and slipped them on. Feeling much more