“Is something wrong?” Emma asked.
“Not really. Well, maybe, but I’m not sure yet. It just occurred to me that you and Hannah, well, let’s just say similar trouble followed you both.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hannah’s ex is the son of the kingpin of the Garcia cartel. Hannah had no idea Sebastián was part of the cartel. They met each other at college. When she broke it off with him, he didn’t take no for an answer, and he stalked her. Left her for dead at one point. Went so far as to hire someone to kill her while on the camping trip. One of Hannah’s friends was shot and killed during the trip, and it turned out the other so-called friend was actually helping Sebastián.”
Emma’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, my God.”
Cap stared forward, and his body tensed.
“Hunter and Hannah ran from the killer, and Hunter not only got shot, but he got bruised up pretty badly protecting Hannah, shielding her with his body as they jumped over a waterfall to get away. Rock walls and landings are unforgiving. Anyhow, in the end, it was Hannah’s quick thinking and perseverance that saved Hunter.”
“That’s quite the story.”
“Oh, there’s more.”
How could there be any more to such a tragic but great romance novel-worthy story?
“Do tell.”
“Hannah had to go on the run. For ten years, she lived under a different identity. Her brothers, too.”
“What about her parents?”
Cap’s gaze hit the floor for a moment before it bounced back up to her.
“They were killed, which is why the others went into hiding.”
Emma’s chest squeezed. “That’s horrible. So, they were in the witness protection program?”
Cap shook his head. “They didn’t qualify, so they did it on their own. Hannah’s disappearance had Hunter reeling. Finally, ten years in, Hunter and Hannah had a chance meeting right at the time Sebastián qualified for an early release from prison. It got messy again, so Hunter and Hannah fled to Uncle Lee and Aunt Heidi’s property in the U.P., and they drew Sebastián out. It’s a long story, but Sebastián was killed, and now Hannah is free from his hold.”
“That was it then? The cartel didn’t retaliate?”
“No. I think there was too much heat. Rumor has it that the heat on Sebastián’s dad sent him back to Mexico. I guess his mom stayed in the States. I’m sure that even though Marco is in Mexico, the business still operates. He wouldn’t give up that kind of drug money.”
Adrenaline rushed through Emma’s veins. “So, there’s hope that when this is all said and done, I’ll be safe.”
“Yes, and I’ll see to it,” Cap assured.
The conviction in his tone and gaze made her feel confident he would do everything in his power to make that a reality. But the risk scared her. She didn’t want him to get hurt again, or worse, as badly as Hunter had been.
“What’s the matter?” Cap asked, snapping her out of the horrible thought that Cap’s life was still in danger.
“I’m so sorry I dragged you into this mess.”
Cap reached over and placed his large hand over hers that rested on the tabletop.
“You need to stop apologizing. You didn’t create this mess. And remember, this is what I do.”
“You mean, did. And I pulled you right back into it.”
Cap’s dark eyes filled with mischief. “Don’t take this wrong, but a small part of me misses the thrill of hunting down drug dealers and killers and the satisfaction I feel when I take these folks off the street. Yeah, this is a small town, and the hunts aren’t as often as if I worked in a big city, but the thrill and satisfaction of it are still there. The only thing I don’t like is that someone I care about, which is you, is caught in the middle.”
Emma’s heart raced. How had she come to care so much about a man she’d just met? And he, her? She stood, ignoring the pain in her feet, and took the few steps needed to reach Cap. He spun in his chair to face her, and she placed her palms on his warm cheeks. The slight beard that formed over the past couple of days delightfully tickled her hands. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. His mouth was warm and his kiss was soft. He pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his strong arms around her. In his arms, she felt safe. Secure. Loved.
* * *
