“This is nice.” Ellena stood by Gabe’s truck, taking in the small cabin before her. “Cozy.”
“More importantly, it’s safe.” Gabe grabbed their bags from the back seat of his truck. “Kole and Sarah don’t come here very often, and it’s not listed in his name, so the property would be really hard to trace back to him.”
Reaching for her good shoulder, she adjusted the strap of her computer bag which contained the files she’d taken from her office. “Have you used it as a safe house before?”
He nodded. “Not too long ago, actually. Matt’s wife, Katherine, is a scientist. Before they were married, the work she was doing put her in danger. The two of them hid out here for a while.”
“This all seems so surreal.” Ellena shook her head in disbelief. “The attempts on my life, someone breaking into my office. Coming to a cabin in the middle of nowhere to hide from the bad guys…it’s like something out of a movie.”
One she wished she could turn off.
Unlocking the door, Gabe held the door open for her. “After you.”
Ellena’s brows turned inward. “Shouldn’t you, I don’t know…clear it first?”
For some reason, her comment made him grin. “Kole and Nate came out less than half an hour ago to stock the fridge and check the area. There was no sign of anyone having been here recently, and they’re too good to let themselves be followed.”
“Oh. Good.” She smiled up at him.
With an expectant look, Gabe remained in place. It took a few seconds longer for her to realize he was waiting for her to go inside.
“Right. Sorry.” A blush crept into her cheeks as she stepped past him. She hated how awkward she felt with him, now.
Once upon a time, being with him—lovinghim—had been effortless. As natural as breathing.
But today, she’d woken up on edge. Conscious of every single word forming on her lips before she said them and moving around him as if she were walking through a mine field.
“The bedroom and bathroom are through that door.” Gabe pointed to a door on their far right. “Towels and washcloths are in the closet there, and you’re welcome to anything in the kitchen.”
The bedroom? As in one?
“Don’t worry,” his voice rumbled. “I’ll take the couch.”
Ellena eyed the modest couch. She couldn’t help but grin as she imagined his large frame trying to fit. “I think maybe you should take the bed.”
“I’ve slept on worse.” He set his bag down beside the small table on their left and headed to the bedroom with hers. “Besides. There’s only one way in and out of this place, and I’ll sleep a hell of a lot better knowing I’m between it and you.”
And they say chivalry is dead.“I thought you said this place was secure.”
Stopping just before the bedroom door, Gabe turned to look back at her. “I’m not taking any chances, Elle. Not with you.”
She watched as he disappeared through the doorway, hating how confusing the whole situation was. They’d barely said two words to each other on the flight into Dallas or the drive here, but when he said things like that, her heart felt completely defenseless.
Images from last night flew through her mind. Gabe rushing to her after that bullet had struck. Hearing him scream her name and then feeling him scooping her up into his strong, safe arms.
Amongst the pain and her struggle to breathe, Ellena had actually felt the utter terror seeping from his body into hers as he held her close and sprinted toward the E.R. entrance.
I’ve got you, Elle. You’re going to be okay. I’ve got you, baby.
The tone of his voice had held the same fear she’d heard in his voicemail. Her strong, fearless man had been scared. Not for himself, but for her.
Then afterward, at the hotel, he’d been so sweet. Almost vulnerable. So much so, she’d damn near kissed him for it. Of course, then she’d gone and ruined the moment by opening her big mouth.
Ellena released a deep sigh. Being with him the last few days may have caused her to realize how much she still loved him, still wanted tobewith him, but it was clear that Gabe had no desire to return to the past.
If he couldn’t find a way to deal with the loss they both shared, they’d never have any chance at a future.
“You hungry?” His deep voice snapped her away from her bewildering thoughts.
