Dez pressed her hands into the ground.Aiden couldn’t see their threat.There was nothing good about this situation.If she could spot Meredith, she could alert Aiden.
A movement behind one of the trees caught her eye.She narrowed her gaze on a light-colored tuft of hair.Ah-ha.
“Three o’clock,” she said, keeping her voice low.“Behind the tree.”
Aiden swirled in that direction.The beam of light illuminated the trunk protecting Meredith.The glow made Meredith’s blonde hair impossible to mistake.
“I see you, Meredith.Come out with your hands up,” Aiden barked.A metallic click told her he’d removed the safety.
There was a flurry of movement behind the tree.“Aiden,” Dez squeaked.
Crack!
A shot rang off.Aiden raced toward Dez, scooped her up to her feet with one arm, and backed her behind a cluster of trees.Her chest ached with the need for air but she didn’t dare stir the atmosphere.
With her spine against a tree and Aiden’s abdomen against hers she was protected.She let her body relax into the heat of his chest, pressing her hands into the warmth of his sides.The air was so much cooler near the river.He poked his head around the side of the tree, his gun in hand.
“Don’t move,” he said, his breath rustling the hair at the top of her head.
She wet her lips.“Fine with me.”
“You can’t keep this up, Meredith,” Aiden called into the shadows.“The police are on their way.It’s over now.”
Footsteps stirred the ground.Dez stiffened.“Is she on the move?”
“Can’t see.I dropped the flashlight.”
She glanced at his free hand, pressed to the bark next to her face.Shoot.Sweat rolled down from Aiden’s hairline.Her palms itched to stroke his cheek and soothe him, but she refrained from distracting him.
“I need to go out there.”
She pinched his shirt.“No, you can’t.She could shoot you.”
“She’s tried twice already.I don’t think she’s a good shot.”He brought his attention to her face.Lowering his forehead to hers, he closed his eyes.“I’m so sorry you’re involved in this.”He pressed his mouth to hers.
His kiss scorched her lips.She rose onto her tiptoes and gripped the collar of his shirt in her fists, needing more.
He broke away.“Stay put, please.”After brushing his lips over her temple, he strode around the tree.
“All right, Meredith,” he yelled.“Here I am.Now come fucking face me.”
CHAPTER 14
Every cell inAiden’s body vibrated with anger.Enough was enough.If Meredith wanted Dez, she’d have to fight him first.
He turned in a wide circle, frustration jumping along his nerve endings.“C’mon already.I don’t have all fucking night.”
Silence.
“I know you’re there.You’re going—”
Crack!
A bullet hit the dirt near his feet.He jumped back and braced his legs, bringing his focus down the barrel of his Glock.Scanning the darkness, he blinked.Every shadow played a trick on him.He had to end this.Not daring to move too far from the tree protecting Dez, he took a few paces away to get a better view.
A whimper sounded.
His muscles tensed.“Dez?”
