Chapter 13
JOHNfinished his shift at the Ursa Lodge pub, demoralized and desperate.
He never should have taken out that line of credit from the casino.
It all seemed to make so much sense at the time. Borrow a bit of cash, just to start him off, and win enough to pay off all his debts. He’d seen it happen before. People won massive amounts at the casino all the time.
Unfortunately, the roulette table hadn’t quite been on the same page as John. He’d lost, more than ever. Not only did he owe Royal Hill he now also owed the casino. Big time.
As dozens of imaginary zeroes followed him, thumping against his head to punish him for his recklessness, John checked the dock schedule that was posted for employees. Another boat would be here at any time. Did he dare go home? He hadn’t been there in a day or two, deciding to splash out and enjoy the casino hotel and its room service. That was no longer an option.
He might as well go home, return Hill’s calls, and get it over with. Maybe, if he was lucky, Hills goons would only break a few bones.
Then again, he hadn’t been all that lucky lately.
After finishing up at the pub, he passed Ryland Snow in the hallway heading to reception. The resort owner had caught his eye and waved, his gaze narrowed.
Prick. If he’d only given him another advance or two on his pay, John wouldn’t be in this mess.
Annoyed, John headed outside and trudged toward the dock. The evening sunset held no beauty for him. All he saw was the end of another dismal day where he just couldn’t catch a break.
A group of children raced past, their faces red after a bracing afternoon in the woods. Some adults followed, no doubt their happy parents. Everyone on this goddamn island was so fucking happy. It made him sick. They were all shape shifters and completely oblivious to the danger he posed. He had retrieved his gun from the tree stump and now had it tucked carefully into the holster at his waist. His long winter jacket concealed it well, but it would be so easy to whip it out and fill them all full of lead.
His bear groused. Stupid, pansy teddy bear. No wonder he had so much trouble following Hill’s orders. The animal had better morals than he did.
John arrived at the dock, but the boat wasn’t there yet. Sighing, he dropped his backpack and sat on one of the support beams at the edge of the dock.
Only then did he hear the cry.
He glanced up, his attention drawn toward the woods. A flash of gold appeared between the trees.
Hair.Herhair.
Only Elaine had that color.
He focused his ursine senses. She was alone, and she was crying.
Adrenaline kicked in, and John automatically checked out his surroundings. Lex’s boat was nowhere in sight. The families he’d seen had escaped into the lodge. No one else was near.
And, glory be, a small rowboat had been overturned on the beach about fifty feet away, near where Elaine stood.
He could knock Elaine out, dump her in the boat, and bring her to Hill.
He could make this work. There was no choice. Hill had grown impatient. The idea of attacking Elaine made him want to spew chunks, but she would hardly go with him voluntarily.
His debts to Hill might finally be erased.
As for the casino credit line, well, he would find a way to deal with that too.
Driven by resentment, John stood and removed his gun from its holster. He couldn’t shoot her, but he could clock her over the head with it. With one glance to make sure he wasn’t watched, he followed Elaine into the woods.
He moved with a slow, casual air, like just any other person out for a stroll. The woods were quiet tonight, and even though she wasn’t making a lot of noise, Elaine’s sobs seemed amplified.
It didn’t seem very sporting to abduct a crying woman. Never mind that. He couldn’t afford to take an interest in her woes. Hill had plans for the bear woman. No doubt, they would be creepy as shit, but John refused to speculate.
Elaine approached a snow-covered park bench on the path. She brushed it off and sat down.
He waited a few minutes, and then he waited a bit more. Only then did he make his approach.
