TONY: Slow Burn (Raging Fire Book 1) by Kallypso Masters (the false prince TXT) 📕

their past adventures in the Elk Range. Tony surreptitiously watched Carmella—the way her face lit up when she talked about the mountains, but also the uninhibited laughter at Nick’s jokes and the touch of her hand to Nick’s arm when she wanted to connect. Tony wondered if perhaps they were an item, but Nick treated her more like a brother would.

Shawana and Joyce tried to engage Tony and Ryder in conversation, but Tony left it to Ryder to keep the small talk going.

Back at the staging area, Tony and Ryder turned over the backpacks for the rescued hikers to the command center to return them to the climbers. He and Ryder would have to wait for the helicopter to return for them. In the meantime, they rejoined Carmella’s group.

“That was a lot of fun,” Carmella said to her climbing group as she removed her helmet. When she noticed Tony, she added, “Well, the part before and after the rescue anyway.” Her smile lit up her face and made her eyes twinkle. “If you two ever want to go up on Capitol, Maroon Bells, or any other peaks around here, give me a shout.”

The thought of mountaineering with Carmella left him with mixed feelings. He’d enjoyed seeing her in her element today, more than he cared to admit, but didn’t really think spending more time with her would be a good idea for reasons he couldn’t quite name.

“I’ll let you know,” Tony said noncommittally. Ryder was equally vague, but his SAR partner usually preferred hiking and camping alone with his wife.

Carmella grinned and shook her head, no doubt not expecting to hear from either of them. “Well, consider it an open invitation. You know where to find me. Take care.”

As she turned to make her way to their campsite, the skies opened up, and they were drenched within minutes. Carmella turned back to shout, “Join me in my tent until this passes!”

The thought of being in close quarters with Carmella made him nervous, but the helicopter wouldn’t be able to return until the weather cleared. Tony and Ryder looked at each other silently conceding that they didn’t have much of a choice.

They’d set off behind Carmella and the others when someone in a bright orange Broncos T-shirt darted across Tony’s path. His stomach tightened as images of the doomed mother struggling in the river slammed into him.

Tony stopped in his tracks.

Chapter Nine

Carm and her group had pitched their four tents at the far end of the campground to distance themselves from the other hikers. The six from New York had doubled up in three tents with Carm occupying the fourth and largest one by herself. She used the extra space to store equipment and gear for the others who were pressed for space. Besides, she also liked having her own space for some down time after the day was done.

When she reached her tent and didn’t hear footsteps behind her, Carmella glanced back only to see Tony drop to his knees in the mud, staring ahead blankly.

The look on his face reminded her of the times she’d seen Marc experience PTSD in those first few months after he’d returned from Iraq.

Ryder leaned over him, careful not to touch him. He said something close to his ear, but Tony didn’t acknowledge him.

What happened? He’d just been joking around a moment ago. Her stomach twisted in a knot for whatever nightmare Tony appeared to be reliving. Worried, she backtracked, wiping away the rivulets of rain from her eyes. “Everything okay?” Carm asked as she approached.

Tony muttered, “Too late.”

“Give him a minute,” Ryder said, holding out his hand as if to ward her off from coming any closer. Ryder didn’t look in her direction; his focus remained locked on Tony, addressing him slowly, but firmly. “Tony, it’s Ryder. We’re at Capitol Lake. We just finished a successful rescue. You helped save a woman’s life. Everyone’s safe.”

Tony shook his head. “She’s dead. Can’t you see her?”

Carm wasn’t sure what he was seeing but wanted to help. “Tony, it’s Carm.” She hunched down close to him on the opposite side from Ryder. “I watched you splint her ankle and get her in the basket to be airlifted out. You did a wonderful job. She’s going to be okay.”

“She drowned!” he hissed with such vehemence that Carm was taken aback but held her ground. But he still stared straight ahead.

“You’re at Capitol Lake, Tony,” Ryder repeated calmly. “You’re not in the river. It’s Wednesday. Everyone’s safe.”

Tony shook his head again then made a keening sound as he doubled over. “Oh God. No! They’re both dead!” His breaths came in short, shallow bursts as he continued to moan as if in pain.

Both? He’d lost two victims? When had that happened? Poor Tony.

The nightmare he relived in his mind kept its firm grip on him, but Carm began again. “Tony, we need to get inside my tent and out of this rain.” Ryder had mentioned a river. Perhaps the rain had triggered this apparent PTSD episode. “May I take your elbow?”

He held his abdomen as if trying to hold the pain inside but shook his head. Marc’s counselors had said not to touch him without permission, but it wasn’t safe for them to be exposed out in the open due to lightning. Helpless, she looked toward Ryder, pleading for him to do something.

“Carmella, wait for us in the tent,” Ryder instructed.

Like hell. “I’m not leaving you two out here.” Suddenly remembering one of the techniques that had worked for Marc, she turned her focus back to Tony. “I want you to take a deep breath, Tony. In through your nose and hold it until I reach a count of four.”

He ignored her, his breathing still erratic and swift, but she repeated herself two more times until finally, he took in a slow breath.

“That’s right, Tony. Now hold it for one, two, three, and four. Okay, good. Now exhale slowly through your mouth, Tony.” He did as she