2

Book 2 of the Swift Security Series.

Saving Erin

Chapter 2

Jake's point of view.

We're up at the crack of dawn. The weather is bleak this morning as we load up the snow mobile's to make our way further up the mountainside. Tank turns to look at me as he says.

"The weather's definitely changing."

I nod my head as I look up to the darkening skies.

"Yeah, let's get this training done before the storm hits properly."

Laila grumbles as she climbs onto one of the snowmobiles.

"I can't even feel my fucking toes."

Tanks laughs as he replies.

"Want me to warm you up, Laila?"

Madog turns his snowmobile on, revving the engine, sending a wave of snow over Tank as he turns the machine on.

I chuckle, Tank is one of the best guys I've ever known, and I know that deep down, If Tank were interested in Laila, then Madog would be a very happy man.

We're soon powering up the mountainside as the snowmobiles plough through the ice. I grin, enjoying the ride. What can I say? We grown-ass men still love our toys. I chuckle as Laila flies past me; maybe that should be grown-ass men and Laila. These beasts are worth every penny, though, as we tear up the snow, making easy work of the tricky terrain.

I look up as we reach the bottom of the mountain, Tank unfastens the rope, and all of the climbing equipment as Madog and Laila toss a coin to be our damsel in distress. Laila hates being the person in need of being rescued. She would much rather be the rescuer, but this exercise is also about team building, and sometimes we have to learn to put our faith in others. That is something that Laila really struggles with; she's very much a lone wolf and hates being dependent on others but then again, after what she's been through, it's hardly surprising, but that's a story for another day.

In the end, we have nothing to worry about as Laila wins the coin toss and sends Madog up first. She takes a hold of the safety rope as he scrambles up the rock.

Tanks shake his head as he looks up at Madog, who is now hanging upside down halfway up an icy mountain, waving his arms around like a lunatic.

"What the fuck is he doing?"

He asks; I look up and laugh as I reply.

"Who knows what goes on Madog's  head."

I put my climbing equipment on as Tank takes the strain on the safety rope. There's no way I'm holding that fucker's weight halfway way up a mountain. I'll be at the top before he reaches the bottom.

I scramble up the rockface behind Madog, with the stretcher strapped firmly to my back. Once I have Madog safely strapped in, we're ready for the dissent as Tank and Laila take the strain, and I guide him slowly back down.

I'm so proud of the team today. They worked so hard, and the new cold suits have been money well spent. Even Leila hasn't mentioned the cold today, so they must be good.

Tank and I begin to pack up the equipment before loading it onto the snowmobile as Leila and Madog race around on the ice; I laugh at them. It's good to see them let their hair down.

Train hard, play hard, that's Madog's Moto.

Once we have everything packed up, we head back down the mountainside; as we make our way back to the log cabin, I can't wait to get in a hot shower.

Laila races off ahead of us, yelling over her shoulder.

"Ladies first in the shower, Boys."

Typical Laila. She's not one to get left behind.

Tank set off on her tail as he shouts 

"Wanna share, Laila." 

I take off behind him and wait for the........

"No way, that's my little sister."

Madog yells as he joins the race, making me laugh out loud.

Tank roars with laughter as he shouts.

"You fall for it every time Maddog."

"Yeah, well, you can all eat my dust cause I'll be the first one back."

With that, Madog races off in front like a lunatic churning up the snow as we all follow.

Once back at the cabin, Tank gets a fire going; as Madog checks his equipment, he notices there's a breach in the security system.

"Fuckin animals, I'll have to go and reset it all now." 

He mutters as Laila laughs before she says.

"Hahahaha, bags the shower."

I turn to Madog as I say.

"Come on, Madog, I'll come with you."

No one should be out alone in weather like this, no matter how close we are to the cabin. We head back outside; before I get a chance to take my cold-weather gear off, checking the perimeter that Madog had set up earlier.

As we walk around, I notice something brown on the ground. Whatever it is, It's not moving, Madog says to me.

"Whatever it is, It looks like it's already dead. I should have been in the shower now, not moving fucking dead animal carcasses."

He grumbles.

 As we walk up to the creature, I notice pale skin and long blonde hair.

"fuck Madog, that's no animal."

I shout as I take off running with Madog right behind me.

I drop to my knees. It's a young girl. Her skin is porcelain white, almost blue with the cold it looks as though we're too late.

I check her pulse, thankfully there is a pulse, but it's very faint. I can't believe she's alive out here. What the hell is she doing out here. I quickly unzip my cold suit jacket and gently wrap her up in it before picking her up. Yelling for Madog to run ahead and get Laila, as I run behind him, running as fast as I can, I look down; there is no sign of life. Her face is battered and bruised. It will be a miracle if she comes through this. There is one thing I do notice, though. This is no girl like I first thought. This is a beautiful young woman despite the bruises on her face.

Why would anyone do this to her? How can they just leave her out here to die?

I think to myself as I try to control my anger.

I pull her closer in my arms, her lips are blue, and her breathing is shallow, and I know she's not out of the woods yet. I can't let her die. I just can't lose her. I think to myself as I race back to the cabin with my heart in my mouth.