“I’m not sorry he’s dead. Maybe that’s why I’m upset. The whole situation is . . . overwhelming.”
“I know it is.” He let out a deep sigh. “My heart stopped when I heard those shots. Each step felt like I was running in quicksand, although I probably set a record getting back to the lake. We may not be together, but the thought of losing you—”
She wrapped her arms around him and held on. “I know exactly how you felt. It’s the same fear I lived with every time you left on a rescue mission.”
He didn’t say anything for several minutes, just rested his chin on her head. “I’m sorry for that, Arden. At the time, I was so caught up in what I was doing, I never truly understood how it affected you.”
There was no point in rehashing old feelings. She straightened in his arms. “My hair is soaked. I’m getting you all wet.”
“I don’t care, but it’s late.” He pulled back to look into her eyes. “You should get some sleep.”
She nodded and slipped off his lap, clutching the towel closed between her breasts. “We both should.”
He rose to his feet and simply stared down at her. Finally, he moved toward the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
She waited until he left the room, then sank back down on the edge of the bed to let the tears fall. Until she had nothing more left to give.
Chapter Eight
“I need you. Now.”
Silence on the other end of the line was the only response.
Thanos huddled in his sleeping bag, certain he’d never get warm again. It had taken him an hour to drag himself through the woods to the cabin where he’d planned to hold the bitch hostage after he grabbed her.
Until she shot him.
The slug had barely grazed his arm in the cabin, but she’d pegged him in the thigh when he was out on the ice. Falling into the freezing water had slowed the bleeding and probably saved his life. Even if the bullets hadn’t killed him, hypothermia just might.
He fought off oblivion as the walls wavered around him, the agony from the wound in his leg so intense he wondered if this shitty little room was the last thing he’d ever see. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts. Get your ass up here right now, or I swear to God—”
“Fine.” The word seemed to be wrenched from her throat. “I don’t understand why you didn’t call one of your relatives.” Her voice rose. “I don’t want anything more to do with you, Demetri.”
“Too damn bad. Unless you’d like an anonymous source to tip off Grant about your role in his son’s kidnapping, you’ll ask how high when I tell you to jump.”
Harsh breathing filled his ear. “Where exactly are you?”
He gave her directions while he pressed the wadded-up shirt to his thigh. The bullet must have hit his femur, but he couldn’t risk seeking medical attention from someone who would report a gunshot wound.
“It’ll take me a few hours to get there.”
“You’d better arrive before morning. I can’t risk staying here much longer.” He bit off each word as the acute throbbing turned his whole body into one unbearable ache. “The last thing you want is for me to be arrested.”
“I’m leaving now.”
When his phone went dead, he let it drop to his side. The thick down sleeping bag was finally providing a little warmth. Or maybe a fever was heating his body as infection set in. He was too exhausted to care.
After he sank beneath the ice, he’d fought like a man possessed, kicking with everything he had until he found another crack in the surface. Gulping air into starved lungs, he’d swam toward the shore, completely numb, fearful he wouldn’t make it. Anger alone had driven him forward.
He’d lain hidden in the bushes when Grant walked by, gritting his teeth to keep them from chattering. If he hadn’t dropped his weapon in the water, he would have shot the asshole on the spot.
Still, he’d have his revenge. Maybe not tomorrow or next week. But once he was healthy, he’d make that bitch pay. And Brody Grant would suffer, knowing he’d snuffed out her life the same way he had their son’s.
Another shiver rattled his teeth, and he closed his eyes.
He’d kill Grant, too, and Counterstrike would fizzle and die. An irritant disposed of so he could get on with what he did best. Prey on the wealthy who’d been born with the world at their feet. Sharing their riches with those who hadn’t been so lucky.
He was God damn freaking Robin Hood.
* * * *
Brody lay on the couch, staring at the flames dancing behind the glass door of the woodstove. Sleep wasn’t happening. His mind kept turning over an image of Thanos sinking beneath the ice. Eyes bulging from lack of oxygen as soaking wet clothes and heavy boots dragged him to the bottom of the lake
The bastard who may very well have killed their son. Even though he was dead, Brody intended to do his damnedest to find out if it was true.
Not that he planned to mention his suspicions to Arden and reopen those wounds. His current emotions were as raw as a steak right after throwing it on the grill. Only sear marks scarred the surface, with a bloody mess underneath.
Throwing back the blankets, he pulled his feet out from beneath the cat and got up to put another log on the fire. Rising from the hearth, he walked over to the window and lifted the blind. Clouds had moved in to blot out the moon, and a light snow fell. The cold, dark winter might never relinquish its grip to the promise of spring.
“Can’t sleep?”
He spun around at the softly spoken words. Arden stood in the bedroom doorway, a darker shadow in the night.
“No. I guess you couldn’t, either.”
“Lying in bed, all I could picture was that man trying to hold onto the ice before he went under.”
“Better not to think about it.” He moved toward her and stopped a couple feet away.
She wore a pair of sweats in some light color. Crossing her arms over her chest, she shivered.
“There’s a lot of air leaking in around that doorframe. You should go back to bed.”
“Can we talk? Come hang out with me if you aren’t sleeping. I’d like to know what to expect going forward.”
His stomach did a funny little flip, but he followed her into the bedroom and stepped over the dogs to reach the bed. Once she crawled beneath the covers, he sat down and pushed a pillow behind his back, then pulled up the quilt. They were in the same bed, but enough layers separated them to keep him from doing something stupid.
He hoped.
“Will the police come out and drag the lake or whatever it is they do to find a body? Will they take me in for questioning?”
“They won’t be able to do much because of the ice. Anyway, I wasn’t planning to tell them you’re involved.”
She shifted to stare at him. “What are you talking about? I shot a man, probably killed him.”
“You don’t even know if you hit him.”
“He screamed.” Her swallow was audible in the silence. “I’m pretty sure I did.”
“As far as I’m concerned, the bastard can rot in the lake. Fish food. I don’t want you tangled up in an investigation.”
Because any investigation into Thanos and the kidnapping charges against him might lead to curiosity about River’s abduction. The last thing he wanted was the local cops questioning Arden about their son and dredging up all the heartache—sharp and fresh and aching.
“Well, I don’t want to find . . . the remains washed up in my backyard a month from now when the lake completely thaws.”
He let out a frustrated breath, wishing nothing more than to simply make the problem go away. “In the morning, I’ll see if his body has surfaced. Afterward, I’ll talk to the local sheriff. If possible, I’ll leave you out of it.”
“How do you intend to do that?”
“Home invasion. Your good buddy Jim said his friend already reported a break-in.” He tried to keep the snark out of his voice and failed. “I’ll tell
the sheriff an intruder showed up, and I shot at him. He ran away, broke through the ice, and drowned. End of story. My guess is the body won’t have any ID on it since Thanos is a cautious sort.”
“You won’t give the police his identity?” She turned on her side and pushed her hair away from her face.
“If I admit to the locals I have a history with that asshole, it’ll only complicate things. My hope is they won’t find his body until the lake thaws and won’t be able to identify it when they do. Much simpler that way.”
“Oh.” Her hair fell forward again as she picked at the quilt.
He laid his hand over hers. Her fingers felt delicate beneath his palm. “What’s wrong?”
“Lying to the sheriff doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
“That’s why you aren’t going to lie. I will, and only about who took the shot. We don’t have to volunteer information to questions he won’t ask. The sheriff will think it’s a poacher, probably drunk and looking for trouble. I see no harm in letting him believe that.”
“I suppose not.”
“The official investigation will be over and done with in short order. You won’t have to think about it again.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “You did nothing wrong. Nothing. You protected yourself because I was a fool and left you vulnerable. I don’t want you to waste any guilt on that bastard.”
“I’ve been telling myself that.” She hesitated. “But it isn’t easy.”
He slid down on the pillows and gathered her into his arms. “You were brave and smart tonight. You fought back like the strong, amazing woman you are.”
She rested her face against his chest, covered only by the thin fabric of his T-shirt. “I didn’t feel brave. I was terrified. Shooting at a person is nothing like aiming at a target or scaring away a fox. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking.”
“You saved yourself. That’s all that matters, and I’m incredibly proud of you.”
She didn’t say anything. Nor did she pull away. Brody held her a little tighter, wondering what was going through her mind. Afraid to ask. He wanted to simply stay like this for as long as she’d let him.
“Will you go back to Boston after you talk to the sheriff?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Right now, I don’t want to be alone.” Her voice was a mere whisper in the dark.
“I’m not going to leave you. Not tonight.” Not ever, if you let me stay. He kept the thought to himself. He wouldn’t push when her emotions were so raw. Not when he couldn’t offer her the normalcy and security she craved.
But when she turned her head and brushed his neck with her lips, he couldn’t stop himself from sliding his hand along her jaw and lowering his mouth to hers. She tasted like . . . Arden. His wife. The woman he’d loved more than anyone in the world.
A little purr in the back of her throat carried him straight into the past. Naked and wrapped up in each other on their honeymoon as the breeze blew off the beach in their tropical hideaway. Passionate lunchtime quickies to get him through the monotony of days working at Grant headquarters. Leisurely, careful lovemaking the month before River was born. Enthusiastically trying to get pregnant again with a second child before they learned there was a problem . . .
When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he quit thinking and simply lost himself in the moment. He kissed his way down her neck, coming up short at the edge of her sweatshirt. Not that the thick material stopped his hands from sliding under the hem to cup her warm, bare breasts.
“God, I’ve missed you. Missed this.”
She pressed her finger against his lips. “No talking. I know we shouldn’t, but—” He drew her finger into his mouth, and she broke off with a gasp. “You’re the only one who can make me feel like this.”
“Same.” Grasping the edge of the soft material, he pulled it up over her head then pressed his face between her breasts. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled her sweetness. After a moment, he sat up and peeled off his own shirt and tossed it to the floor before pulling off the work-out shorts he’d worn to bed. With a little maneuvering, he got her sweatpants down her legs, and paused while she kicked them off. When they were both naked, he crawled under the covers and pulled her close.
“I’ve dreamed of this more times than I can count.”
“Me, too.” She rubbed her thumbs over his rough cheeks. “Doesn’t mean it’s smart.”
“It can be whatever you want, Arden. You’re calling the shots.”
“Then let’s just love each other tonight and worry about tomorrow in the morning.”
“I can do that.” He kissed her again, taking his time before rolling her beneath him. The feel of her smooth legs as they tangled with his sent his need skyrocketing, but he held back. The last thing he wanted was for this to be over quickly.
Tasting every inch of her, he kissed his way down her chest, paying homage to each breast before dipping his tongue into her navel. She squirmed beneath him and clutched his shoulders as he went lower.
“You’re killing me. Oh, God.”
Smiling, he slid back up her body. Finding her mouth, he claimed it—and her—as he buried himself inside her. Home where he belonged. When he couldn’t hold still another moment, he moved slowly, building the tension. Her breathing came fast as she clung to him and let out a cry. With a final push, he let himself go. Holding Arden tight in his arms. Close to his heart.
They didn’t talk. Didn’t move, except he rolled to his side so he wouldn’t crush her. Wrapped together, he knew the minute she fell asleep, her breathing slow and even. Resting his cheek against her hair, he closed his eyes and drifted toward slumber. Happier than he’d been in a long, long time. Happier, he expected, than he’d ever be again.
Once reality intruded. As it inevitably would.
* * * *
Snow was still falling as Brody circled the lake in the early dawn light. His snowshoes sank into the fresh snow with each step as Heidi ran along beside him.
A good six inches had accumulated since the fiasco on the lake the previous night. He paused when he noticed a dark shape ahead at the edge of the water where the ice had broken away.
Not Thanos. A log, moving gently back and forth as the water slapped against it. Fractures crisscrossed the ice, and swaths of dark water had opened up in the cracks. No one who didn’t have a death wish would attempt to walk out on the surface. That certainly wasn’t him, not when he’d awakened with Arden in his arms. Even if neither of them had much to say to each other this morning as they ate a quick breakfast of oatmeal and toast with honey.
He finished circumnavigating the lake and took off his snowshoes at the back door. When he held the door open for Heidi, Arden turned away from the sink, her eyes wide with a combination of curiosity and dread.
“No sign of him. We’ll head into town to speak to the sheriff.”
“I want to take Hero to the vet. He’s still limping pretty badly.”
“We can do that afterward. I’ll also need to get a new jamb for your front door. I’ll install it when we get back.”
“Okay.”
He slid his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “We’ll get through today and then talk. Okay?”
She nodded. “Let me grab my purse.” Stepping away from him, she gave Heidi a pat on the head before calling Hero. “Let’s go, boy.”
The dog rose from his spot in front of the woodstove and followed her outside. Brody put more wood on the fire and turned down the damper before pushing the door shut and bracing it closed with a stout stick. He left out the back door and ran around the house.
Arden stood between the two vehicles. “Are you driving?”
“Sure. Let me lift Hero onto the seat so he doesn’t have to jump.” Once the dog was settled, he climbed in and started the engine.
She leaned back in her seat as they headed down the access road. “At least I don’t have to worry about someone shooting at us.”
“I’m just sorry I brought that scum w
ithin your orbit.” He reached over to lay a hand on her knee. “You’ll never know how much I regret that.”
She covered his hand with her own. “It’s over. We’ll talk to the sheriff and then move on.”
Despite the warmth of her palm, the determination in her voice told him everything he didn’t want to hear. For her, moving on meant going back to the life she’d built in Vermont. The one that didn’t involve danger and stress and constant worry.
When they reached town, he followed her directions and turned into the lot beside the government building that housed the sheriff’s office, court, and jail. Leaving the windows cracked for Hero, he gave Arden an encouraging smile as they crossed the pavement. After opening the glass door, he ushered her inside the warm building with a hand on her back.
An older woman behind the counter slid open the window and smiled. “May I help you?”
Brody smiled back. “We need to speak to the sheriff at his earliest convenience. I’m Brody Grant, and this is my wi—uh, my ex-wife, Arden Grant. She lives out at Tamarack Lake. We need to report a break-in and probable death by drowning.”
The woman’s pleasant expression faded. “Take a seat, please. Someone will be right with you.” She shut the window and picked up her phone.
They’d only just sat down on a brown plaid couch when the door to the waiting room opened. A large black man, probably in his fifties, his dark hair streaked with gray, approached. When they rose to their feet, he held out his hand first to Brody and then to Arden. “I’m Sheriff Underwood. Come on back to my office.”
Appreciating his direct approach, Brody followed the sheriff and Arden through an open room with a couple of desks, filing cabinets, and a copy machine to a small office in the rear. The man pointed to a pair of chairs in front of the desk as he walked around it.
“Have a seat. First, I’ll need your names and contact information.”
Brody pulled out a chair for Arden before dropping onto the second one. He gave the sheriff his name, address, and phone number, then waited while Arden did the same as he typed the information into his computer.
Imminent Danger (A Counterstrike Novel Book 3) Page 10
