Page 35 of One Last Shot

He kept his gaze on the dummy even as he listened to Boo count off the distance, then direct the chopper to place him on the jutting rock where the dummy lay.

He put his foot out, caught the rock, then landed, pulling himself onto the rock.

Bam.

The winch let out slack as he worked his way along the cliff to the dummy. He held on to the ledge above him, barely enough room for both bodies on the cliff.

“Now put the harness on him.”

He reached over to put the harness on.

The dummy reached up to grab him.

He jerked back. “What?” He pedaled back and clawed for the rock.

His foot slipped just as Axel flipped up his helmet andreached for him.

“Whoa—” Axel the dummy snagged Oaken’s webbed belt just as he lost his balance. Axel yanked him back.

They landed in a heap on the cliff.

Axel looked over at him. “That didn’t go quite like I’d planned.”

“You think?” Oaken pushed himself up, the cable line slack around his feet.

“Seriously?” Boo shouted through the headphones.

Axel lifted a hand. “Sorry, Boo. We couldn’t help it.” He looked at Oaken. “Okay, harness me up.”

Shep began to tighten the slack.

Oaken leaned over to put the loop around Axel’s shoulders?—

It was then he felt the pressure, tightening around his leg.

He looked down, and the cable had looped around his ankle, tightening as the winch raised the cable.

“Wait, wait!”

But even as he said it, the cable grabbed him, yanking him off the ledge and flipping him.

He swung out from the edge, upside down, the weight of his body on his ankle.

“Stop!” shouted Axel even as he grabbed for Oaken. Missed.

Oaken bit down on the heat spiking through him, grunted, leaned up, and grabbed the cable above his foot. Hoisted himself up and yanked his ankle free.

He dropped and held out his hand. Axel grabbed it hauled him in.

Breathing hard, he clung to the cliff.

“You okay?” Axel said.

“Mm-hmm.” But he closed his eyes, his hands braced on the faux rock, and let out a low growl, deep in his chest.

“Okay, we’re coming up. We have an injury here.”

Oaken looked at Axel. “I don’t think it’s broken. Just... bruised. I’m good.” His pride, however—in shards at the bottom of the cliff.