“He’s fine. Doc patched him up again, and then guess what? He and your other brother disappeared. Gone. Cleared out of the blue house within minutes.” Malloy’s voice rose even higher. “You’re on your own. I can’t keep the FBI off you now.”
Heath rubbed his pounding jaw. “Sure you can. Congratulations. You just caught the Copper Killer. Call Special Agent Reese and share the collar with him.” After giving directions to the cabin, Heath clicked off. He couldn’t help but place a gentle kiss on Anya’s forehead. “Warm up, sweetheart, and I’ll be right back. Then we’re gonna talk.”
CHAPTER
43
Anya looked out at the expanse of Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho, her feet up on a hand-carved coffee table and her butt cupped by a plush sofa. After a good night’s sleep, she wanted to keep on relaxing without any deep thoughts or concerns. Being with Heath felt right, but everything had been so emotional and scary, she didn’t truly know where they stood. Well, she knew how she felt, but what about him?
If he still wanted to keep her at arm’s length while he confronted his past, he was in for a fight. She’d fightforhim and this life. After she relaxed for a day, for goodness’ sake.
Though she was no longer the scared girl hiding her feelings and keeping people away. She wanted a family, and she wanted Heath Jones. Patience was her friend, and she’d take her time if he didn’t see things her way. They would end up together. She needed him, and she was fairly certain he needed her, too. Period.
Heath strode in from the kitchen, gripping two steaming mugs. He handed one over. “How are your feet?”
“Better.” She took the fragrant coffee and wiggled her toes in the thick socks. No frostbite for her. Although her entire body was sore from the last few days. “How many safe houses do you own, anyway?”
He took a drink of coffee and looked at the lake. “Just this one and one in South Dakota. We rent the rest only when we need them.” He winced. “We’ve needed them a lot lately, and I don’t see that changing for a while. We’re always on the move.”
She sighed. “Where is everyone?”
“Denver is sleeping and recovering from the last set of stitches, and Ryker took Zara for a hike around the lake.” Heath sat next to her and stretched out his legs.
“Is Denver going to be all right?” She glanced at the clock. He was due another antibiotic in an hour.
“Yeah, he’s tough. Sleep will help him more than anything else. Speaking of which, are you sure you don’t want to take a nap?”
“I slept all night, Heath.” After meeting Detective Malloy and handing over the body, they’d driven to this comfortable house and fallen into bed. Zara had cooked a delicious breakfast, and here they were. She’d told him about her conversation with Isobel Madison, and he’d been stoic the whole time. “Are you all right about your mother’s killer being dead?”
He breathed out. “Yeah, although I wanted to kill him. I believe she told you the truth, but when I find her, I want the guy’s real name, and I want to see his grave. I only knew him as Spyder. Asshole.”
She nodded. “Sorry your soldier dad probably passed on, if she was to be believed.”
“She had no reason to lie this time.” He shrugged. “I made my own family, and I’m happy. It’s time to forget that part of my past and move on.”
Sounded like a good plan. “Have you heard from Malloy?”
“Yeah.” Heath settled an arm around her and tugged her against his hard body. “With the evidence found in Daniel’s truck—mainly burlap, tape, and pictures of other redheads—the FBI has agreed that he was the Copper Killer. Carl’s watch was found as well, so the FBI figured out that Daniel set me up with the fake ID at the crime scene. They’re pinning it all on Daniel, rightfully, and they all look like heroes. The FBI has stopped their search for me.”
She winced. “What about that fake ID? Your real picture is on it, right?”
Heath grinned, flashing a dimple. “Apparently my brother Shane has sticky fingers. He’s dropping by and filching the ID, and then he’s coming here to meet you.”
She straightened. “To meet me? Why?” she breathed.
Heath set down his coffee and turned to face her. “Because I’m completely in love with you and don’t plan on ever lettin’ you go.”
Her chest heated. “Heath.” Could fantasies really come true?
He cupped her face. “I’m still on the run, and you know the whole story. I plan on taking the fight to Madison and Cobb soon. If you want to wait for me at the ranch in Montana, where you’ll be very safe, I’m fine with that. But you and I are the future.”
She swallowed, almost afraid to believe the words. He was everything she’d ever wanted, and he came with a family that was pretty amazing. While he wasn’t exactly on the right side of the law, she knew her father would’ve liked him. “I want to stay with you.”
His body settled. “I should let you know that we’re about broke after this last op.”
She chuckled. “Figures.”
He smiled again. “Yeah. If we can get the vehicles back from Malloy, we’ll be better off. I think he’ll turn those over since we didn’t steal them.”
