Nero Pov Continued
"Footprints," Mitch said.
We all stopped.
He was kneeling and examining the ground.
"One. Two. Three. Four. Five sets. No. Wait. Six. There's a smaller one here. Beta Manuel."
"We're close," Manuel said. Stopping.
I looked around. Recognized it immediately.
I knew this place.
The trees. The way they formed a path. The river beyond.
This was where it happened.
Where Remi gave me that cursed ace nut.
The memory hit without warning. Clear. Vivid.
Made me need HER.
I'd grabbed her. Carried her to the river. Thinking cold water would help.
It didn't.
We'd f****d right there. In the water. Her back against a tree. My hand over her mouth to keep her quiet.
Right there. Water everywhere. Her legs around me. Nails in my back.
The sounds she made. The way she sai
