Wyland ran a gnarled hand through his wet gray hair.“I’ll stay sober and armed, Sheriff.”
“Amka, I think you should come stay with Brock and me,” Ophelia added.“At least until Jarod gets home.We have plenty of room.”
“Thank you.I can take care of myself,” Amka said.She had two guns and knew how to shoot.
Ophelia looked like she wanted to argue, but her mouth pressed into a hard line.The coffee in her hand had stopped steaming.
May tugged gently on Amka’s sleeve.“Come stay with me.”
Amka looked at her friend.“What if someone’s trying to shoot me?The last thing I want is for you to get hurt.”
“Then we’ll shoot back,” May said.Her hair was up in a crooked ponytail now, still wet, drying in uneven curls around her ears.Her eyes were clear, stubborn.
“You’re a good friend.But no,” Amka said.
“I’ve got her,” Christian said.His voice rumbled low and steady.
A shiver passed through Amka.Not from the cold.Not from the rain.Something in his voice—the tone didn’t seek permission.“I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“Too bad.You’ve got one,” Christian muttered.He glanced at his brother.The firelight caught the side of Brock’s face, showing that strong Osprey bone structure.“At first light, I’ll bring her over to your place, Brock,” Christian said.“Ophelia can keep an eye on her while we check out what’s left of that truck trail, although I don’t have a lot of hope.”
“I don’t need to be watched,” Amka said.Her spine locked straight as the words came out.
Christian swung his attention to her.“The fuck you don’t.”
Her mouth opened, stunned.She had never heard Christian Osprey swear.Or if he had, never at her.
His eyes glittered now.Not soft.Not gentle.Protective and sharp-edged.“I’ve given you the plan.”
Brock’s dark brows pulled low.“No offense, but I am the sheriff here.”
Christian shifted in his chair, still holding Amka’s gaze.“I might’ve forgotten to tell you.I just took a job with the Alaska Wildlife Troopers.”
Amka blinked.The words didn’t register right away.Christian didn’t say things like that.He didn’t make announcements.He sure the heck didn’t sign up for a career.
Brock stilled.His surprise broke through the usual blankness in his face.“No shit?”
“Yeah,” Christian said, lifting one shoulder.“Dutch is planning to retire and wants someone to take over the territory.I’m a civilian consultant for now.Training’s in July.I think I have to take a test next week, too.”
Brock clapped him on the back.The sound cracked across the table.“That’s fantastic.You’re perfect for that job, Christian.”He was still looking at his brother, like he was seeing him differently.“You’re the kind of guy who just steps out of the woods and people don’t even know you were standing there.Like the trees made space for you.Ghosts.Seriously—perfect.”
“Thanks.”Christian pushed away from the table, chair legs scraping hard.There wasn’t anything relaxed about the movement.The conversation had closed around him, and Amka felt it.Felt the space he left behind get colder by degrees.
Her coffee had gone cold in her hands.
“Let’s go, Amka,” Christian said.He wasn’t asking.
Chapter13
The rain hadn’t let up.It came harder now, bringing spring in with a vengeance and not a breeze.The wipers slammed across the windshield, fast, loud, unrelenting.Visibility was garbage.The wind whistled through the shattered back window.
Christian drove her SUV up the river road like he could see fine.No music, no talking.Just engine noise and rain.
Amka curled into herself in the passenger seat with the heat on full blast.Her boots were soaked, and her coat dripped where it bunched at her sides.She couldn’t get warm.The vents blew hot against her legs, but her hands still felt like ice.“Thank you.”Had she ever been this exhausted?The man kept saving her, though.“For what you did earlier.”
He grunted.
Of course.
