"Okay." Ariana rolled her eyes and muttered again, "Useless."

She went back to bandaging his wound. "Even my kid could do this. And you're supposed to be some big mob boss?"

Feeling his pride sting under her disdainful gaze, Bennett retorted, "If I'm so useless, your boyfriend is not much better, not knowing how to escape a car explosion."

"That's not the same!" Ariana shot back, her anger flaring. "You were the one who interfered with him."

“As if he'd have survived if I hadn't messed with him," Bennett countered sharply.

Their argument intensified, each throwing verbal punches, but they soon simmered down without further words.

"Let's get moving," Ariana said briskly as she finished packing. This time, she chose not to bind Bennett. Instead, she expertly fashioned a long rope from assorted materials, secured it around a tree that sprouted from a rock crevice, and flung the end down the cliff.

"Can you handle the climb?" she questioned, eyeing both Bennett and the rope.

“Of course." Bennett grasped the rope and started his descent.

His injured leg hardly slowed him down; his training for years ensured as much, and he reached the bottom quickly.

Ariana observed his nimble descent, instantly on guard.

He seemed overly proficient. It was wise to restrain his movement a little.

Once Bennett was on the ground, Ariana quickly cut a length of rope and tied his hands, double-checking to ensure it was tight.

Bennett offered no resistance.

He felt resigned.

Did she really trust him so little?

As if this rope could contain him if he truly wanted to escape.

“Lead the way," Ariana ordered after she finished tying him. “How do we get out of here? I've tried every path, but I keep ending up back here, and I still can't find Holden or Adrian."

Her voice cracked slightly, exposing a layer of despair, but she quickly steadied herself and continued, "I found the remnants of a car, probably the one you were in before. It's just ahead, through that brush. I'll show you."

She yanked on the rope, urging Bennett forward.