There was no way he could remain neutral and protect her. She taunted him at every turn, whether intentional or not didn’t matter. The end result would leave them pulseless. Under the circumstances, his commanding officer would demand he step aside. Not happening.
Whatever conspiracy Katt had jumped into had not yet played out. The danger increased with the number of known witnesses spiraling down.
An eerie quiet filled the cold trek back to the barrack, and he had no one to blame but himself. Previous excursions plus a light left on in the cabin lent a hand in finding his way. Waiting on the porch of Wyler’s cabin, he contemplated all the things he’d done wrong.
A bit later, a low whistle, his younger brother’s signature call, alerted him to company. Luc stepped into the clearing, his stiff stride shadowing an unpleasant conversation ahead.
“You’re damn lucky I remember the way to this place. What the hell’s going on?” Luc’s exaggerated scan of the perimeter dictated he’d not found what he expected.
“The only reason you remember is because Billy tried to blow it up. Did Ethan bring you up to speed?”
“Yeah. Bad guys looking for Katt, Carina’s body found along a trail, but we don’t know everyone who’s involved. Where’s Katt? Why isn’t she with you?”
“She’s at the camp with the rest of the group. I’ll take you there.”
Luc studied his older sibling for an extra heartbeat. “Christ, what’d you do now?”
“Nothing.” Matt reached down to grab the flashlight in his boot sheath. “We should get going. It’s an hour hike and I don’t want her left alone long.”
“Matt... What. Did. You. Do? I’m not moving one inch until you spill.” Luc crossed his arms over his chest and waited.
“Fuck it. Dammit all to hell. I don’t need this shit from you. Are you going to help me protect her or not?”
Luc tapped his foot and narrowed his eyes.
“All right, already. I kissed her. Are you satisfied?”
“More so than you. What’s the problem? I can’t imagine she slapped you or kicked you in the nuts.”
“Dammit, Luc. I’m too old for her. Jesus.” Running his fingers through his hair ended with him squeezing his skull, as if he could eject the memory of her warm body and willing mouth so close to pushing him over the edge.
Luc’s shit-eating grin came with future advice sure to end in unconsciousness. “Matt.” He shook his head. “You are the only one, and I do mean the only one who thinks that way. Katt is all grown up, educated, smart, and head over heels for you. If you walk away from this, you are the biggest fool in the world.”
“Let’s just head back. You stick with Katt and I’ll beat the bushes.”
“All right. But you have to realize you’re cutting your own throat—as well as hers. Same signals as when we were kids?”
“Yeah.”
Fifteen minutes into the climb, Matt grumbled. “I feel your censure, Luc. Knock it off.”
The answering chuckle spoke volumes, as much as any silence could. “I’m just imagining the moment when you capitulate. We’re gonna have a party and roast your ass.”
“Fuck off.”
“Back at ya.”
Chapter Eighteen
Katt woke to the familiar sounds of dawn’s chorus after two hours of fitful sleep. Chirps, melodic notes, and clear trills filled the morning air. A sidelong glance at the empty bedroll to her left accelerated the rapid deflation of her world. Matt wasn’t a man who’d abandon a woman in trouble, but neither was he one to subvert his will. He always kept a backup plan in his hip pocket.
She had no experience with such matters and no idea what to expect. Anything but a coward, he hadn’t returned to face her, which meant he’d reverted to his plan B.
In stepping out of her tent, she inhaled all the melding scents of the wilderness, remembering the breathtaking views of lush, carved valleys with lakes glittering sapphire, turquoise, and aquamarine. The quintessential moments had come with having Matt by her side, sharing stories of hiking and camping.
Thousands of unique discoveries waited to leave her heart beating a little faster and a little harder, the same way they always had. Flashbacks of stopping to take in the granite jawlines of paths too steep for beginners to trek induced a bittersweet smile. Matt had leaned over and whispered, “I’ll teach you,” the promise as exciting as the view.
Now, she wanted him present in whatever capacity he could endure. She’d pushed him further than his tolerance could bear and lost him in the process. Since rescuing her from the clutches of a lunatic, he’d become her friend, confidant, and missed one-night stand. Her lips still tingled from his overwhelming invasion.
Regardless of what alternate path he traveled, she would stay the course and soak up every piece of information given, every skill taught, and not cry for what might’ve been.
“Kathryn, can I have a moment?” Wyler shouldered his pack and headed her way.
“Sure. What’s up?”
“Matt called this morning and advised of the change in plans. However, since Lucas isn’t here yet, we’re going to have to start. I’m aware he knows—”
“Hey, Wyler.” Lucas McAllister jogged from the path cleaving the forest below. “Sorry I’m late. I was just taking a look around.”
“Lucas. I was just telling Kathryn we were going to leave you a note. I assume you’re up to speed?”
This is the new plan? Matt left our base camp and went home or to the barrack. Katt winced at the pity in Luc’s gaze.
“Yep. Ready and rearing to go. Let me grab our gear.” Luc strode over to her tent and retrieved both backpacks as if he’d done it every day.
Wyler shook his head then regarded Katt. “Are there any other changes in store for us? I generally run a tight group and alterations like this are a bit disruptive.”
Clueless. She was freaking clueless. Since she hadn’t known Matt arranged for the switch, she couldn’t vouch for his actions. She settled for a simple, “Not that I know about.”
“Good.” Turning to his waiting group, he added, “Okay, guys. Let’s get going. We’ve got an exciting day ahead.”
Luc approached, handing over her backpack. “Here you go.”
As the others turned to follow their guides, he touched her arm. “Listen, we’ll talk on our first break. It’s not what you think. Okay?”
Solemn words of hope lacked substance. Katt didn’t want to hear excuses or witness the sympathy in her friend’s gaze. She’d had enough of that after her mother left.
The day’s hike started out on a low gradient, but the angle soon steepened to challenge the group’s endurance. It was a small relief that she was one of many breathing a little heavier.
A stunning vista accompanied the first break. Granite slabs created nature’s seating arrangement on the small flange jutting from an overlook. The past week of cooler nights choreographed a riot of colors burgeoning into a scene rich in varying shades of orange and red. Katt shucked her backpack and plopped down. If she’d still had her phone, she could’ve taken a pic.
Luc joined her but remained silent, as if knowing she hadn’t collected her thoughts. If Matt shared the reason for his departure, humiliation would follow her into the afterlife. Still, she had to know.
“I pushed him too far.”
A familiar pain crossed Luc’s features. “Nah, I don’t think so. I believe he was shocked at losing control. It’s not in his nature, and he doesn’t know how to handle it.”
“I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.” And been kicked while I’m down.
“You haven’t lost anything, Katt. He just needs time for a mental adjustment. If that doesn’t work, I’ll help you throw him off a cliff. Deal?”
An involuntary grin kicked up one side of her mouth, a response to Luc’s support. “Sounds good to me. But we’ll have to take him by surprise.”
“Don’t think it’s over, Katt. Not by a long shot.” Luc held his hand out to emphas
ize his point. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to the idiot. He needs time to wrap his head around it.”
“I guess...”
“Meanwhile, I’ll help flesh out your skills and we can talk shop in the evenings. ‘Kay?”
Luc’s experience as a private investigator far surpassed her own. Even after Matt tossed her aside, he ensured her education would continue. “Okay. I just need a little time.”
“You got it.”
The rest of their hike passed in companionable silence, allowing a plan to form. It was risky, a little nuts, but a way to prove herself to the McAllisters once and for all.
After she got back to civilization, she’d need a few supplies—and a gun. For the remainder of the week, she’d pick Luc’s mind for tweaks in her skills, then show Matt she could run with the big boys. She’d spent more than half her life proving herself as smart and as motivated as any man. It was time to enjoy the payoff for all her hard work.
Days passed in strenuous physical activity and focused concentration. The sweat equity helped provide her with the skills to see her plan to fruition. Luc had excellent tracking skills, and she soaked up every bit of knowledge he offered.
Since she’d never been part of the blue wall, she couldn’t take recognition for the accomplishment in her next endeavor, but the McAllisters would know. Matt would know. And skin her alive.
The instructors hadn’t scheduled classes for the last weekend, instead leaving it open for group members to request additional help in whatever skills they needed to polish.
Katt roused at dawn on Saturday, wanting to take a short hike to solidify her plan. Sneaking out without disturbing Luc was a challenge but also a testament to her training.
Though she couldn’t define and hadn’t noticed her boots’ rank odor the prior evening, the rancid smell choked her once she sat on a rock to put them on. Now she understood why they kept boots in a bag outside the tent.
Dawn’s sluggish fingers slipped over the horizon to announce the day’s arrival in muted shades of purple and pink with now-familiar crisp and soothing scents filling her thoughts with purpose. She’d always been stronger than her family and friends had acknowledged. Again, she would prove it.
The path she set out on was familiar and led to a quiet area where natural seating and thick surrounding growth would provide a few minutes to sort her thoughts.
Over the prior days, they’d hiked for miles in every direction but always found a gem-worthy view at the end. At first, all the paths looked too similar to distinguish, but learning the plant life along with situational awareness and navigation skills elevated her to semi-comfort status in the wild.
She’d known before starting the course that detailed lectures would cover more than fire building, basic first aid, and surviving an animal attack, but Luc’s additional instruction had boosted her confidence. The combination of tracking skills and advanced investigative techniques increased her chances for success exponentially. She couldn’t wait to wipe the smug smile off Matt’s face.
So lost in her thoughts, she didn’t sense another presence until a branch snapped nearby.
Freezing came natural. Giving one’s senses free rein provided additional information.
Something took an additional step and also stopped.
A sentient being. Bears avoided people unless provoked.
Two-footed creatures stalk. The noise had come from her left. Maybe. She stepped right and took shelter behind a medium-size oak.
Another branch snapped nearby.
“Hold still, little mouse. It’d be a shame to shoot you and leave your body for the scavengers.” A slight if indeterminate accent caressed the command, which originated from a position too close to evade. The brush wasn’t thick enough to provide camouflage.
“Don’t worry. I just want to talk.”
When he stepped closer, she picked up his scent, a mix of musk and diesel foreign to the forest. He circled wide of her space, not allowing for defensive maneuvers. The pistol in his hand sported a silencer. Accurate at close range.
“You’re not exactly dressed for the occasion.” She grinned after her perusal took in his loafers and pressed slacks. Her scrutiny scaled the inappropriate clothes to his face, and finally to his lazy eye. Oh, fuck me.
Narrowed eyes gave his thick brows a sinister appearance, accompanied by thin lips twisted in a sneer. Bushmaster. “Not planning on being here long... and yet, I snuck up on you. Guess you haven’t been paying attention to the lectures.”
“How’d you find me?”
“Directions to the base camp were online. From there, let’s just say the light from evening campfires show for miles. It’s not like you guys try to hide your presence.”
“You’re the asshole who attacked me in the elevator. What do you want?” She kept her gaze trained on his shoulders for a clue to initiated movements.
“I don’t see the need for formal introductions.” Waving his gun made his point. “Where’s Denny hiding? Tell me, and I’ll let you walk away.” Precision in each rustling step forward coincided with his unflinching stare, which was incisive, menacing, and promised unimaginable pain. Cold radiated from the barrel that nudged her neck and grazed downward to settle against the top button of her shirt.
“If I knew where he was, do you think I’d spend two weeks in a wilderness training course?” Fetid breath washed over her face as he pushed the gun barrel into her chest.
“Since your skills suck, you must be spending your time screwing Mathew McAllister. Nice and cozy in that pup tent, is it?”
He doesn’t know the brothers switched places.
Rustling in the brush from the path she’d traveled brought her attention to black scurrying balls of fur. Two bear cubs, probably yearlings, tumbled end for end in their play fight. Each froze when their attention focused on the gunman.
Katt used the moment’s distraction to sweep her left arm up and push the gun aside. In reflexive action, he shoved her back and off balance. Landing in a tangle of vines and thorns, she clamped her mouth shut to prevent the scream from erupting.
Bushmaster straightened his arm and aimed at her chest, but a hoarse chuffing from behind him presented a bigger problem.
Beyond the hundred-pound fur balls, mama bear appeared and stood on her hind feet to investigate.
“Oh, shit.” Pointing a gun at the nearest cub, the gunman hesitated as his murmur drifted into the quiet surroundings.
“Don’t shoot. You’ll only piss off the mother with that thing.” She inched into a crouch, heedless of the briars’ attempt to claim her body. Pain registered in the back of her mind when she grabbed at the vines to pull herself upright. With her assailant’s attention focused on the threat, Katt took soft steps sideways then back until a deer path branched off to the side. Only then did her backpedaling steps lengthen to put distance between her and certain death.
When the barrel of the gun swung in her direction again, the cubs bounded up, closing the distance to investigate the human. Their mother dropped to all fours and lunged after slapping at nearby vegetation.
Two shots fired in the cub’s direction changed their protector’s huffing communication into a series of grunts and clicking teeth. Mama bear now radiated a fury he might not survive.
Katt turned tail and ran.
Contemplative hiking had placed her far enough away from camp that the rest of the group might not hear the muffled shots. They all would’ve heard the animal’s roar, though, and wondered if she’d tasted like chicken.
Behind her, the bastard yelled while the soft pffft of a poor defense continued. She’d estimated he had at least ten rounds of dwindling hope.
Twice, she stumbled over a fallen log or in the mush of humus, mud, and biological debris blanketing the forest. Her entire body felt bruised, cut, scraped, and gouged. The second time she tasted leaf litter, a hand snatched her upper arm.
Before she could scream, Matt pulled her upright and against his chest.
“What the hell are you doing out here alone, Nugget? Where the fuck is Lucas?” Murmured words against her hair promised safety and warmth from the glacial chill invading her bones.
“He’s back at camp. I just wanted some alone time to think.”
“Jesus, Katt. You have more balls than brains.”
She couldn’t identify the bird sound Matt whistled, but recognized the call as a sibling communication. “What did you tell him?”
“That all’s safe. What the hell is going on?”
Instinct wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on to prevent him from seeing the moisture brimming her eyes. The rapid-fire thrum of his heartbeat beneath her cheek engendered a sense of calm despite its staccato beat during her brief synopsis of events.
“Wh-what are you doing here? You—you came back?”
“I never left.” Matt’s scrutiny took in the surrounding area as he twisted to the side while maintaining his hold on her. “Let’s get you out of here. Then I’ll come back.”
A gentle tug led her along a path that circumvented the bears, now silent. Frequent glimpses over their shoulders indicated no one followed. The forest she’d thought of as a welcoming adventure now concealed unknown perils coalescing in the shadows.
She should’ve known Matt wouldn’t leave. On the heels of that came more questions. How many times had he watched her from a distance? Had he snuck into camp at night to check on her?
Lucas met them at the edge of the camp’s clearing. The rest of the class remained by the instructors near the fire pit. “Hope you haven’t endangered Smokey. That’s kinda rude. I believe I heard a disgruntled bear.”
“I decided to expand my horizons, make new friends and all that.” Though her heart rate hadn’t returned to normal, her penchant for sass thrived.
“One of the thugs found her, and then bear cubs found him. The sow should be picking him out of her teeth by now.” Matt bit out then gestured to Wyler to hold in his approach.
“Sow?” Katt looked between Lucas and Matt.
“Mother bear. Wow.” Luc looked at her with a new appreciation. “How’d you get disentangled?”
McAllister Justice Series Box Set Page 16
