by Em Petrova
“Cora? Is that the woman who was at the accident scene yesterday?”
“Yes. She’s part of our team. Mostly she acts as our pilot and guide.”
She ingested this and then spoke. “I received word that Joffrey’s been put into a medically-induced coma until the worst of his injuries heal. Otherwise, the pain would be too much and they’d never be able to control it.” Jenna’s voice dropped in volume.
“At least he’s alive.”
“But you want to interrogate him and investigate him,” she countered.
He didn’t tell her that the team had already been to Joffrey’s home, searched it and questioned his family extensively. Their findings so far pointed to Joffrey’s innocence, but criminals didn’t always bring their work home with them. Serial killers got away with their murders for years by keeping that life separate from their family life.
“Jenna, we do what needs to be done. Trust us.”
She sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me. You realize I’m not one of those assholes who expects a woman to bend to me, right?”
She pivoted her head and dropped her glance over him. “You’re the one who told me that I see the best in you.”
Yeah, and look where that led—to deep kisses too passionate to make him forget and a night with her in his bed that still had his balls aching and a brand on his mind.
“Where are we going anyway?” he changed the subject in his not-so-smooth manner.
“You’ll see.”
“Why do I get the feeling I won’t like it?”
“Because you don’t like anything?”
“That’s not true. I liked the steak you made me.” His attention locked on her shape obscured by her uniform. “And last night,” he added.
She sent him a sidelong look. “I liked last night too,” she said quietly.
They drove on in silence, and thank God she didn’t need to pull over to make any more rescue attempts, because he’d never keep his hands off her.
When they exited the park limits, she took a bumpy road that could only be called a path. Branches skimmed the side mirrors of the truck and the tires slipped in thick mud in the deep ruts.
“Is this some sort of fire access road?” Lipton asked.
“You’ll see.”
He really hated surprises. And the mystery surrounding their destination made him uneasy as hell. But he’d asked her to trust him, and he could only give her the same consideration.
When they reached the end of the track, the forest opened onto a small clearing. Looking closer, he saw what appeared to be a pile of castoff junk in the center of the property.
Then he realized the junk had a bit of order to it. The door wasn’t tossed onto the heap haphazardly, but rather it stood upright. With a jolt, he realized he wasn’t looking at a pile of junk but at a shack.
Jenna parked the truck in front, and then the shack door opened and an old man stepped out.
For a terrifying moment, he wondered if this could be her relative—a father or grandfather or uncle. But no way would Jenna allow her kin to live in such blatant squalor.
She twisted in her seat and settled her stare on Lipton. “This is my friend. He’s not a threat. I just want to make that clear, so you don’t do your bodyguard act the way you did with Paul.”
He clenched his jaw and managed a nod, but he’d make up his own mind about this person.
She climbed out of the truck and threw a wave at the old man. After she rummaged in the bed and hefted a box into her arms, Lipton stopped her. “Let me get that.”
Her brows shot up. “How? You have your crutches.”
Shit. Yeah, he did.
She didn’t appear to need any assistance as she lugged the heavy box to the door and set it down. Lipton observed them as they warmly embraced and grinned at each other.
He made his way to the pair, and the man watched him. “You brought a friend today.” His voice sounded as old and weary as his place was downtrodden.
“Al, this is Harris Lipton.”
“Hello. Bet you’re put out to be on those crutches.”
Lipton gave a nod. “No man enjoys being off his feet.”
“Had the same in ’68. That’s a long story I won’t regal you with, young man. Moon Shadow has already heard it a time or two.”
She beamed.
“What did you bring this old man today?” He bent and rummaged in the box, shifting aside a few boxes of food and some canned goods. Then he pulled out Lipton’s own coat she took on the way out of the cabin.
Lipton threw her a look, but she watched Al’s face as he checked over the coat’s thermal lining and breathable fabric, as well as the many pockets to hold a special operative’s gadgets and gear.
Lipton couldn’t be upset—he did have a backup, and if needed, he could always get another.
Besides the jacket she’d added the socks she’d purchased after selling Lipton’s carvings. God, could this woman be a better person? Impossible—she had a heart of gold, silver and diamonds, so bright and shiny and untarnished.
What the hell was she doing with the likes of him?
She doesn’t know me well enough to run.
He had a feeling that even if she knew about his broken childhood and difficulty finding ties in life that she’d only treat him like a bear with a wounded paw. She’d probably baby him with prime rib and more plants until the cabin overflowed with them.
The thought amused Lipton but he kept his feelings off his face, as always, and focused on this friend of hers. Or adopted family member. The two talked for a long time about Al’s last few weeks and how his arthritis kicked up in the wet. Lipton wondered why the man lived in a cold, damp place if he suffered so, but seeing all he had to his name, and the fact he accepted boxes of goods from Jenna, gave Lipton the impression he had little money.
A wood pile sat in the scrubby yard, looking as if it needed a lot of work to keep the man in wood for a season. Besides the ramshackle home constructed of doors, scrap lumber and a rusty chimney pipe shooting out of a roof that didn’t appear to be rated for Alaska snow loads, Al had no vehicle in sight. It was as though the man was truly cut off from the world here on this tiny parcel of land.
“What I really would like to know, Moon Shadow, is how you ended up with a military man.” Al’s blue eyes sparkled.
She blinked at him. “How do you know Harris is military?”
“I served in Korea and Nam, girl. I know a Jarhead when I see one.” He directed a nod of reverence to Lipton, and he extended his hand.
“Thank you for your service,” he said to Al.
They shook, and Jenna appeared ready to burst with happiness that they were getting along. Talk continued a few more minutes, and then she waved toward the truck. “I’d best be heading down the trail. My shift starts soon.”
“Thank you for the gifts. I truly do appreciate them. Take care, Moon Shadow.” He embraced her, and she hugged him too.
Al turned to Lipton. “Nice meetin’ you.”
“You too.” It rode the tip of his tongue to offer help at any time Al needed it—such as chopping wood for winter stores…or better yet, burning down his cabin and starting over with a much better structure.
But he wasn’t in any position to offer help, not when he had his own job to do. Besides, he wouldn’t be in the area for long. The thought sent a sharp pang through him.
They waved in farewell and made their way to the truck. Jenna drove down the track to the road again, and then Lipton finally spoke.
“You’re a good woman, Jenna. The best I’ve ever known.”
She offered him a smile, but he saw her eyes shining with tears. “I gave your coat away. You’re not angry?”
He shook his head. “After seeing how little Al has, I’d give him a hell of a lot more. Though don’t get any ideas about the rest of my gear,” he added with a chuckle.
She issued a watery laugh. “He’s
a good man, just down on his luck. He has a small pension from the military, but all he has in the world is that plot of land.”
“That house…” Lipton blew out a whistle, “could use work.”
“It could use a bulldozer.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that. You’re all about preservation and recycling, making use of what you have.”
“You’re right. But I’m terrified one day I’ll drive over there to find his whole house burned down with him inside it because of that awful woodstove catching fire.”
“I’m surprised he takes handouts from you. He seems prideful,” Lipton said.
“Oh he is. And those aren’t handouts. They’re gifts. There’s a difference.”
“I see. He doesn’t have family?”
“Not in the state and nobody he’s seen since he returned from war. He suffers from PTSD and he used alcohol to numb the memories. Though he doesn’t drink now. It’s the reason he doesn’t have a vehicle to go to town. He has to avoid the temptation of the liquor store and bar.”
“Damn.” Lipton scrubbed his knuckles over his jaw.
“Don’t tell me you actually like Al.”
He gave her a sharp look. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because you’re suspicious of everyone.”
Oh hell yeah, he was suspicious. He opened his mouth and then shut it again. Telling her what sat in his mind would only drive her away from him. But fact was, a veteran of two wars with PTSD could be a person of interest in the bombings in the national park.
As soon as Lipton returned to the cabin and Jenna wasn’t within earshot, he would investigate this Al character. Lipton might hold a lot of respect for Jenna, but she was too sweet and trusting for her own good.
“Where does that road lead?” Harris pointed toward the right.
“It crosses several fire access roads and roads only rangers are allowed on.” Jenna’s brows crinkled. “Why?”
“Just thinking.” He sat forward in his seat as if ready to spring through the windshield.
“Thinking what?”
He fell silent for a long time, and she didn’t think he’d share his thought process with her. Finally, he spoke, “There’s a pattern to it.”
“To the roads?”
“To the roads the bomber is targeting.”
She blinked. “Are you sure?”
“Pretty damn sure. The next road leads to an overlook, doesn’t it? A place you could see from a long distance. Am I right?”
“Yes,” she said slowly. “How did you know?”
“The explosives aren’t triggered by hikers. I knew that from looking at the setups. But I see now that the bomber has them rigged in places he can see.”
“Which means he’s watching? Waiting for some innocent person to walk by and blow them up?” Her voice took on a wobbly, high-pitched tone.
Without thinking about why he did it, he reached out and took her hand. Enfolding it in his own, he stroked her knuckles with his thumb to calm her down. “Don’t you see what this means? If I’m right, then we can predict where other explosives are hidden. Or where he might rig more…and catch him.”
The possibility had her increasing her speed to hit the road faster. Harris released her hand to pull out his phone. She listened as he spoke to a member of the Xtreme Ops team. A moment later, he ended the call.
“They’re meeting us and I’ll go with them. I want you to return to the cabin and stay there.”
She bristled. “I should come with you. I know this park inside and out. I can help you locate possible sites.”
He started shaking his head before she finished speaking. “I want you safe. Who knows if the crazy is out there watching and where. I won’t have you pinned underneath a tree because I made a bad judgment call.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, both at the visual his words painted and the tone of raw concern in his voice.
“Look at me, Jenna.”
When she did, her heart gave a hard flutter, like a bird preparing to take flight.
Harris’s hazel eyes burned. “I won’t have you anywhere near the danger zone.”
Part of her disliked being treated as a weakling who couldn’t handle herself, and the other part of her realized she might actually hinder the Xtreme Ops in doing their job.
“All right,” she said.
His head whipped around. “You’re not going to argue with me?”
“No.”
They reached the next area, and up ahead several ATVs had already reached the rally point before they did. She parked off to the side and looked to Harris, experiencing a leap of fear in her chest.
“I don’t want to be separated from you. What if you’re injured and I can’t help?” she blurted out.
A mask covered his features, a stone-cold emptiness in the man she thought she knew a moment ago.
Then he swallowed hard, and his mask stripped away, leaving the Harris she did know, the man who gave her heated kisses and the best orgasms of her life.
His eyes softened as he stared at her. “Sweetheart, I’ll be all right. I’ll check in with you as soon as I can. Okay?”
She wanted so badly to take his hand and make him swear promises, but that was silly child’s stuff. Harris was a special operative who hunted dangerous people for a living.
“Be safe,” she managed to say before he grabbed his crutches and climbed out. He met up with the other guys from the team, and she realized what a true bad-ass Harris Lipton actually was.
Totally out of her league.
Their one night together would end there—how could he ever want more from her? She allowed herself to get caught up in the excitement and thrill of having his attention, glossing over the fact they were very different people.
She did a three-point turn on the road and drove out again. After she punched in for her shift, she drove the park roads for an hour or so, though she barely saw the world around her because her mind remained there with Harris.
All her time alone in the wilderness had given her a very solid knowledge of her own mind, body and soul. Which meant she had a good handle on how attached she got to people and animals in a short amount of time.
Getting entangled with Harris would be a disaster to her heart if they continued for much longer. Though how she’d manage to stay away from him—and not want to be in his arms—seemed impossible while he was here.
She pushed out a sigh and took another route that circled to the ranger station. She could use a little morale boost, and she always found her fellow park rangers good company. Partway down the road, she spotted a man walking. Drawing closer, she noted the thick dreadlocks swaying.
She grinned. Though she should be ticked that Jack hadn’t heeded her and left the park, she couldn’t be upset at seeing her friend. When he heard the truck engine, he twisted around but kept walking.
She drew up next to him and rolled down her window. Grinning, she said, “Jack.”
“Moon Shadow.”
A moment passed where she heard Harris’s voice projecting in her head. Even though he hadn’t warned her that Jack happened to be wandering the park at the same time as Joffrey’s accident, she thought of it.
Was she seriously suspicious of Jack? Her long-time friend wouldn’t harm a hair on a fly’s little toe.
Yet…she had to be smart and vigilant about this threat. People had died. Several were injured, including Joffrey—and Harris. People she cared about.
I care about Jack too.
That didn’t mean she couldn’t do a bit of digging. If she got the slightest hint that he’d come unhinged…
He’s off but not off his rocker!
She had to stop this train of thought. Harris had foisted his views of the world onto her. He may be cynical, but that wasn’t her.
She cut off the thoughts barreling through her mind and smiled at Jack. “How are you?”
He gave her a sheepish look. “I know I’m supposed to leave the park. It’s just that I fo
und this perfect place to camp. I could see the moon over Denali and it was one of those clear nights where you could see the peak.”
She imagined the scene in her head easily since she’d seen it many times as well. “I know how it is to love nature that way. I’m heading out of the park. Want to get something to eat with me in town?”
So much for her returning directly to the cabin and staying put. Harris would chew her out, but he wasn’t her keeper. Besides Jenna could handle herself.
Jack grinned. “Pizza?”
“You know it. Get in.”
In his loping gait, he circled the front of the truck and climbed into the seat Harris had vacated not long before. As she drove, they chatted about places he’d been and when she had time off to meet up with him for a long hike. They discussed mutual friends on the trail, and how one couple recently had a baby and had to hang up their longer trips for the time being, though they backpacked the baby out for day trips.
All the talk made her bones long for a new adventure, and by the time they sat down for pizza, she felt more unsettled than she had in a while.
Again, Harris’s voice echoed through her consciousness. You’re reacting to your gut instinct about Jack. He could be the bomber.
Shut up, Harris. I’m good at reading people.
Are you sure? I do this for a living.
You trust no one, and I suspect that goes way back to your childhood days.
She didn’t know what made her suspect Harris suffered from a difficult past, and she wouldn’t pry. But she really did pride herself on being observant and a good judge of character, as she’d proven with Al and would again with Jack.
They tucked in to their vegetarian pizza stacked with peppers, mushrooms and onion. Jack devoured slice after slice, and she managed two before feeling a tugging desire to hurry to the cabin.
After they finished and split the bill, they walked out to the truck. She looked to Jack. “You know I can’t take you into the park.”
“I know. I’ll get a room here in town for the night. Or find a nice comfy plot of grass and sleep under the stars.”
She laughed. “I have no doubt you will.” They embraced. “Take care, Jack. You know how to find me.”
He gave her a nod and walked off, in the opposite direction she would drive to the cabin.
