Ice floods my veins, my vocal cords lock, and I can’t even scream. On my knees, my stomach heaves. Acid scorches my esophagus. Remembering the rules about crime scenes, I twist away right before losing my lunch.
I found Robert.
Chapter 30
Hunt
A miniature flame flickers to life while I blow on the embers. The crackling heat rises. Smoke curls burnt pine into my nostrils. As I’m about to remove my coat, the front door opens. A frigid blast of air whooshes up the flue, causing devilish tongues of reddish-orange to dance inside the bricks.
I turn.Ah, hell.
Face pale, eyes shining, Kelly drops the bundled wood by her feet. “I found him.” Her hoarse whisper is barely audible over the storm’s roar.
“Babe.” I walk the rough plank floor in two strides.
Shoving the door against the howling wind, I squeeze her trembling body into my arms. Her fingers clutch my jacket as silent sobs wrack her frame.
When she stills, I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and tip up her chin. My gaze latches onto her fields of green, circled by lashes laden with tears. In this never-ending winter, she is my spring. I will not let her lose hope.
My airways constrict. Dammit. I should’ve left her by the fire. If I had, I would’ve been the one to find him, not her. “Can you show me, sweetheart?”
Swallowing hard, she nods.
Outside, her footprints lead us to a mound of white. A sudden gust of arctic air stings, but it’s nothing compared to the dread settling in my gut. Brushing away over an inch of fresh powder, my innards churn.
Who the fuck leaves a man to be gnawed at by scavengers?
The snow crunches as I brush it off the blue, frozen skin. The execution-style small caliber hole to the forehead makes my stomach retch.
Message sent and received.
Time expands while my mind explodes with likely scenarios. Finally, my inner Marine takes over, forcing emotions aside. “There’s nothing we can do for him. We need to talk. Now.”
Hand to her lower back, I escort her toward the cabin’s relative safety. Inside, I tear through my backpack. Once I find the SAT phone, I yank it out.
Fuck.“No signal.”
How long before we end up like Dante?Needing her to focus, I cup her cold cheeks. “How many people know about this place?”
“I-I don’t know.” Shaking her head for a moment, the blood drains from her face. “You think we’re next?”
There she is. My border guard and ex-military hottie.
“Don’t you?” While I raise my brows, she snatches her outerwear from the hook near the fireplace. “You’re right. We’ve got to go.”
My hands on her shoulders, I wait for her to settle down. When the wild-eyed panic disappears, I state the obvious. “Listen Kell, it’ll be dark soon. The roads are buried. Think. How long before the plows come?”
Exhaling, the creases in her brow vanish. “It’s a county road, not even on the maps. It could take more than a week.”
I free her arms from her coat sleeves, then tug her into me. “Are there any snowmobile trails nearby?”
“Yeah, but it would be suicidal in the dark. One wrong turn and boom—Goodnight Moon.”
Chuckling at the kid’s book reference, I rephrase my agenda. “So, you’re saying we should stay hidden, get some rest, and hike out at first light.”
Lids heavy, she yawns before glancing at the cot. “Not sure I said that, but okay. It’s a plan.”
“Take the bed. I’ll be fine right here.” To make a point, I place my pack under my head and shut my eyes.
