When the three of them trekked into what was once southern Colorado, Miles determined it easier to pitch camp in some of the hidden caves within the Rocky Mountains so they could all rest a little easier.
As they sat around staring into the fire, Bass broached the topic one more time.
"I want to know what happened," he said, glancing between Charlie and Miles.
Once again the two shared that look and he stood up, tossing his plate into the dirt.
"Damn it! I don't know why you all insist on hiding the truth from me!" Bass shouted, his temper rising. Charlie tugged on his shirtsleeve and he just glared at her.
"Oh for crying out loud, Bass, we'll tell you," Miles retorted, looking at his brother with mild annoyance. "Just sit down and calm down, you bastard, before you have an aneurysm."
Miles waved for him to park his ass and Bass complied. Charlie refrained from rolling her eyes. Miles was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Truthfully, much of it is a blur," he said. "Gene was injecting you and the next thing I know Charlie is whizzing by me. She tore through that room like a double-edged Texas tornado, taking out patriots left and right. I couldn't have done it better."
Miles paused, proud of his kid, a half-smile plastered on his face. Bass turned his head at her in astonishment. Charlie shrugged.
"Aaron was not far behind her and somehow I got free. By then, Charlie had reached you …" Miles' voice drifted off and Bass returned his gaze to Miles, whose face had hardened.
"Rachel grabbed for Charlie to stop her from unstrapping you and," he said before he was interrupted by Charlie.
"And I slit her throat," she said pointedly.
Bass gasped. Miles lowered his head.
"I didn't mean for that to happen," Charlie said, her eyes connecting with Bass' eyes. "I didn't even realize I had … that it was her … I was trying to save you."
The truth was she had been wielding the sword at anything that stood in between her and Bass. There had been no time to think. Her sole focus had been getting to him before the drug could flow through his veins.
Bass couldn't wrap his mind around it. Charlie had slain her own mother to save him. Rachel's life for his.
He vaguely heard Miles move away toward the mouth of the cave, leaving him alone with Charlie. Bass felt sorrow for him, remembering how he'd once lost the one he loved.
"So now you know," Charlie said, staring past him into the darkness.
"Charlotte, I'm sorry," Bass hoarsely said, pulling her into his lap, holding her close. "I really am. All I seem to do is bring trouble wherever you and your family are concerned."
Charlie said nothing, closing her eyes so she could concentrate on the steady beat of his heart.