SHIVER

by Tiffinie Helmer

  “Like hell I will.” She opened her door.

  “Damn it, Raven, I don’t have time to argue.”

  “Then give it up, I’m coming with you.” She slammed her door, emphasizing her words.

  Aidan swore a string of profanity, his face a mask of frustration and anger. “Stay behind me then.” He reached under the seat and pulled out a handgun. They ventured toward the cabin, Aidan scanning the area for danger. Raven kept her eyes wide open, watching his back, wishing she was also armed. Something besides the smoke didn’t feel right. Fire was always a threat in Alaska. Build-up of creosote in a chimney, a fire left unattended—the list was endless of how fires got out of hand, killed, and destroyed. She and Aidan crunched down the path, the sound of their feet and the hiss and crackle of flames the only noise. The pungent smell of smoke, much like a pleasant campfire, scented the area.

  Rounding the corner toward the back of the cabin, Aidan suddenly stopped. “Well, shit.”

  Raven plowed into the back of him. He reached out a hand to steady her, and she finally saw what he had. The lean-to that sheltered the stacks of chopped firewood simmered, reduced to flying ash and snapping coals. Flames had greedily eaten away at the wood and structure, leaving nothing to heat the cabin.

  “That took me days to chop.”

  “Your uncle really doesn’t want you staying out here.” Raven moved to stand beside him. “Crafty bastard.”

  “Something’s off.” He eyed the dense trees. Fat snowflakes started to whisper in the air. “This doesn’t feel right.”

  The flames were dying down as they ate up the fuel, smoke and glowing embers the only evidence of the lean-to and wood pile. There was no threat that the fire would spread. The only thing around the burn pile was snow. The forecasted storm started to dump its heavy load from the gray sky. Soon there would be no sign of the fire left.

  “Roland wants me dead,” Aidan continued. “Why not just kill me. Why mess with me?”

  “Are you sure he doesn’t want to toy with you first?”

  “No. He’s out for blood.” Aidan rubbed the back of his neck, still scanning the area. “The law is looking for him. He doesn’t have time for games.” He turned to the cabin. “Come on. Let’s get you back to the lodge and out of the cold.”

  “You’re not planning to come back here?” She knew the answer by the line of his squared shoulders.

  “A few bundles of wood from the store will get me by for the night until I can figure out something else.”

  “You can’t stay out here alone.”

  “Are you offering to stay with me?” He cocked a brow.

  She ignored the double meaning of his words. “You can stay at the lodge.”

  “And endanger the people there? I don’t think so.”

  “You promised your cousin you wouldn’t leave the lodge.” She tried again. The idea of him staying out here alone and unprotected while some nutcase wanted him dead made claws of fear sink into her bones.

  “Careful, you’re beginning to sound like you care about me.”

  She did care. And she was starting to realize how much. “Aidan…”

  His attention was caught by a snap of a twig. Suddenly a black wolf came charging toward them, growling with its teeth bared. Aidan pushed her away as the wolf came right at them, knocking them to the ground as the distinct crack of a rifle echoed in the dark. Then the wolf was gone, bounding off into the dense trees.

  “Move,” Aidan hollered, grabbing her arm and hauling her toward the side of the cabin. Another shot rang out as they hurried. They crouched next to the log walls. “Are you hit?”

  “Was that a wolf?”

  “Yes. Are you hit?”

  “No, you?”

  “The shots are coming from the back of the cabin. We need to get to the Tahoe.” They were both breathing hard. The wind picked up, swirling the snow as it fell. “I want you to run for it, while I cover you.” He cocked the gun. “Ready?”

  She nodded.

  “Go.” He pushed her away from him and peppered rounds over what was left of the wood pile.

  Raven ran and jumped into the passenger side of the vehicle, keeping her head down as shots rang back and forth over the area. She noticed the keys Aidan had left in the ignition. Without a second thought, she shimmied over the console into the driver’s seat and started the engine, engaging the gears. She glanced up just as a bullet shot through the windshield, missing her by mere inches. Then Aidan was there, vaulting into the seat next to her. She had the Tahoe in motion before he said, “Go, go, go!”

  Another shot hit the side of the vehicle and then blessedly there were no more. Regardless, she didn’t slow her speed, careening around icy corners, plowing through snow drifts as though the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels.

  “You can slow down now,” Aidan said, his voice breathless.

  She glanced at him, knowing he’d see the fear and panic in her eyes.

  “Back off the gas, sweetheart, or we’re going to end up dead.”

  “He was shooting at us.” She stated the obvious, letting off the gas.

  “I know.” Aidan grimaced as she hit a rut in the road.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He tightened his mouth.

  “Did he hit you?” she screeched.

  “I’ll be fine.” He grabbed the dashboard as the Tahoe slid around the corner. “As long as you don’t end us in the ditch.”

  “Oh, God. You are hit. Where?”

  “Upper arm. It’s fine. Just a graze.”

  She noticed how he was holding his right arm close to his chest and stepped on the gas. Knowing he was shot wreaked havoc with her emotions, and her driving skills. Adrenaline pumped through her veins like amphetamines. “Where did that wolf come from?”

  Aidan smiled. “He’s been hanging around the place. I think he’s looking out for me.”

  “If he hadn’t…”

  “I know.” Aidan swallowed.

  “Whoever Grandma Harte was, she raised some nasty boys.” Raven shuddered. Aidan didn’t seem anything like them, but she’d seen his dark side in the past and it had scared her to death.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Aidan finally relaxed when the lodge came into view. Raven jerked the Tahoe to a stop in the parking lot. He hoped no one would pay any attention to the bullet-riddled rental. She rushed over to help him out of the SUV, but he was already on his feet, meeting her at the front of the vehicle.

  “Give me the keys,” he said. “I’ll head to Fairbanks. There’s no need to involve your family in this.”

  “Don’t be an idiot.” She stubbornly pocketed the keys. “You heard Pike. You’re one of us now.” She took his good arm and pulled. He stayed rooted in his spot.

  “Raven—”

  “So help me, don’t give me this crap. Move.”

  He looked at her in surprise. “Are you going to ground me if I don’t?”

  “You don’t want to find out.”

  He gave her a slow smile. “Actually, I think I might.”

  “Aren’t you a funny man? Come on.” She opened the door and dragged him right through the lodge into the family kitchen, ignoring the looks they received from guests lounging around the main room. “Sit.” She pulled out a chair and waited for him to take a seat.

  “This isn’t necessary,” he said, still standing.

  “That’s enough.” She poked him in the chest with her finger. “I’m not buying the tough guy act. You can pretend all you want, but you need me right now.”

  He grabbed her hand before she drilled a hole in his chest. “I’ve always needed you, Raven” he whispered, his heart pumping hard.

  Something soft flickered in her eyes before she blinked. She pulled her hand free and reached for the phone.

  He fell into the chair with a groan as she called Eva. When she finished, she refused to meet his gaze, instead busied herself by grabbing the first aid kit from the cabinet, setting it on the table,
taking out peroxide, bandages, and scissors. A cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he took in the items.

  “Do you want a stiff drink before we take your coat off?”

  He shook his head. What he needed was to know what her look had meant. “We should move out of the kitchen for this. Is my room still free?”

  “No. The lodge is full. A snow machining group came in for the weekend.” She reached over to help him struggle out of his coat, all business. She worked the parka easily free of his left arm and then started on the right. Blood had soaked into the dark fabric, making it wet and sticky. “Are you sure the bullet just grazed you?” she asked, her voice catching.

  Aidan closed his eyes for a moment of strength as they worked the material down his arm. The arm had been a dull throb, now without the coat, the wound started to pulse with pain. “Not totally.”

  “You’re going to need a new parka.”

  “I didn’t get my money’s worth out of this one. Think Tiny Tom will give me a discount as a repeat customer?” he asked, trying to lighten the mood. It didn’t work as she saw the wound.

  “Oh, Aidan.” She cut at the fabric of his shirt with the scissors, revealing the extent of the damage. “Why don’t you rethink that drink?” She swallowed.

  Aidan glanced at his arm. Blood slowly bubbled out of the ragged edges of torn flesh. He turned away. “Damn, I shouldn’t have looked.” He clenched his jaw.

  “Where the hell is Eva?”

  He heard tears in her voice. She went to work on the buttons of his shirt, and he watched her face. Her eyes were focused on her movements as her fingers carefully slid open each button, but he caught the tightening of her mouth, her ragged breathing. Realization warmed his insides. She was scared. Scared for him.

  “Hey.” He caught her hands. “I’m going to be fine.” He smoothed back the loose strands of dark hair that had escaped her braid, and cupped her jaw. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

  Her lower lip trembled, and a tear blinked to run unfettered down her cheek. “You could have died out there today.”

  His heart thumped so hard in his chest, he felt something break free. Gently he kissed her lips, tasting the salt of her tears. Tears for him. Her lips quivered under his, and then she was clutching the sides of his face, her mouth pressing harder against his. He groaned and pulled her down to sit on his lap.

  “Well,” Eva snickered, bustling into the room, a smile splitting her face as Raven jumped out of his arms, a blush firing in her cheeks. “Glad to know the bullet didn’t slow you down.” She took in Aidan’s condition, a frown replacing the grin. “I hope patching you up isn’t going to become a full time job.”

  Lynx and Pike followed in Eva’s wake. Raven backed up out of the way, moving to lean against the counter. Her eyes hooded as though what had just happened between them, had shaken her up more than the events of the day.

  “What’s this I hear about you getting shot?” Pike asked, all bite and bluster. He already had his forty-five holstered on his hip. “Raven, you okay?”

  “F-fine.” Her eyes narrowed over the firepower. “Lynx, you too?”

  Lynx caressed the rifle resting barrel-up on his shoulder. “Fill us in, so we can get the son of a bitch.”

  “No one is going out there,” Aidan said. His tone brooked no arguments. Not that anyone seemed to hear it.

  “Son, we take care of our own around here,” Pike said. “Someone running around with murder on his mind will get more than they bargained for.”

  “You don’t understand Roland.” Aidan winced as Eva poked around his wound. “You won’t find him. The law’s been looking for him for months, and he’s eluded them. This is my problem, and I won’t have anyone else getting injured.” Slivers of dread needled down his spine at the idea of any of them hurt because of him.

  “We’ll get together a search party and flush out the bastard,” Lynx said, a glint of adventure in his eyes.

  Aidan found it hard to swallow. No one had ever stuck up for him before. Having Lynx and Pike willing to take up his fight caused a tightening in his chest.

  “Aidan!” Lana ran into the kitchen, Peter on her heels. “I heard you were hurt.” She gasped when she saw him. “What happened?”

  “Nothing.” Aidan pointed at the door. “I’d appreciate it if you would stay with Peter and wait for me.”

  “It was Dad, wasn’t it? Oh, God.” Tears filled her eyes, and she cried, “You promised me you wouldn’t leave the lodge.”

  “Peter, get her out of here,” he growled through clenched teeth as Eva poked at his wound. Why the hell was there so many people crowding around him? Emotions battered him from all sides. He wished all he had to concentrate on was shutting down the pain from his injury.

  “Come on, Lana.” Peter wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to the door. He addressed Aidan, “We need to talk when you’re through.”

  Aidan shook his head. “There are too many people in my damn business.” He stared at Pike and Lynx. “Put away the weapons. It’s snowing too hard out there. Any tracks Roland would have left are covered up by now. The man was in Special Ops in Vietnam. You won’t find him unless he wants you to.” Eva poured disinfectant on the wound, and he jumped in pain. “Shit, Eva. You could have warned me.”

  “Wouldn’t hurt any less if I did.” She reached into her bag of tricks and prepared a syringe.

  “What’s that for?” Aidan paled.

  “You need stitches. Doesn’t bother me if you don’t want the area deadened, but you’d probably prefer it.”

  Sweat broke out on his forehead. “Shoot me up.”

  Eva gave him a sadistic smile. The woman enjoyed her profession a little too much.

  Raven leaned back against the counter, spent now that the adrenaline had drained out of her. Pike and Lynx plotted, while Eva stitched the gunshot wound on Aidan’s bicep. All she could think about was that Aidan could have died out there today. They both could have. She didn’t want him dead. She didn’t even want him gone anymore.

  Suddenly he glanced up, and their eyes met. He raised his brows in concern. She tried to smile and reassure him that she was fine, but the effort fell flat. It would be so much easier if he wasn’t concerned for her. He was the one who’d gotten shot. He should be worried about himself.

  “There,” Eva proclaimed. “A shot of antibiotics and that ought to do it.” Eva finished wrapping a bandage around the doctored wound and then went for another needle. “You were damn lucky. A few inches to the right—”

  “Thanks, Eva,” Aidan interrupted.

  “No thanks needed. Having you around is honing my skills.” She flashed a toothy grin and shot him with the hypodermic. “I’d hate to get rusty.” She gathered up her supplies and meticulously put them back into her bag. With that done, she lowered onto a seat and rubbed her belly. “Lynx, you and Pike will wait to do anything until the weather improves. I don’t need any more patients under my care this close to term.”

  Lynx knelt next to Eva’s chair and wrapped an arm around her. “Are you feeling okay? The baby?”

  She leaned into his shoulder. “We’re fine, but we don’t need to be worrying about the two of you going off half-cocked.” She caught Raven’s eye, a twinkle in hers.

  Raven smiled, relieved. They needed to get the men focused on something else. “Pike, do you know if there are any shirts here that would fit Aidan? He’ll also need another coat until we can get to town. Fox and Chickadee will be home from school soon, and I don’t want them to see the results of what happened today.”

  “Good thinking,” Pike said. “I’ll find some clothes.” He made to leave.

  “Stow the weapons too.” Raven indicated Lynx’s rifle. Lynx reluctantly handed it over to Pike with a pout. “After the kids are taken care of, we can sit down and make a plan.”

  Eva nodded and patted Lynx’s arm. “Would you help me find a place to lie down and rest for a while.”

  Lynx gathered his pixie wife up int
o his arms. “I knew you were overdoing it.” He carried her out of the kitchen leaving Raven and Aidan alone.

  Raven felt the burn of Aidan’s gaze as she slowly put away the first aid kit and cleaned the kitchen. Pike returned with a flannel shirt and parka. Aidan thanked him, and he left.

  “Where’s Fiona?” Aidan asked, carefully sliding his injured arm into the borrowed shirt.

  “Fairbanks. Gran had an appointment.”

  “Is she okay?”

  Raven grinned. “Once a month, Gran meets with a group of friends who are concerned over protecting the habitat of the mosquito.”

  “Excuse me?” His brows shot up in disbelief.

  “They get together and drink Bloody Marys in sympathy of the mosquitoes’ plight.”

  Aidan laughed, though it didn’t break the tension that weaved through the room like the electric currents of the Northern Lights.

  “You can’t stay out at Earl’s anymore,” Raven said. “You don’t have any firewood, and—”

  “I’m not arguing with you.”

  “—you’ll stay at my place,” she finished.

  “What?” He paused in buttoning his shirt.

  “You heard me.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  “No.” He shook his head, his mouth tightening into a hard line. “I won’t put you and Fox in harm’s way.”

  “Your uncle is a coward. He’ll wait until you’re alone.”

  A reluctant grin crossed his face. “I’d love to see Roland’s face hearing you call him a coward.” Then he sobered. “You don’t want me staying with you.”

  She looked at him from under her lashes. “You don’t know what I want.”

  His hot eyes flicked to hers, and he made to get out of his chair just as a wide-eyed Fox barreled into the room.

  “Dad?”

  Raven’s heart tripped. Dad?

  “What happened to your Tahoe?”

  “Uh…big rock hit the windshield.”

  “Then how’d you get a bullet hole in the rear fender?”

  Aidan shared a look with Raven, and then turned back to Fox. “You’re too smart for your own good.”