They were unpredictable, making their decision and the consequences that followed, impossible to foresee. While those with nothing to lose could be every bit as dangerous, a guy like Stanton—a former CIA assassin with enough friends and money to back up his cause—made Slade more fearful than any of the terrorists he and his team had chased.
But as he continued checking the rest of the perimeter, Slade knew the fear he was currently feeling had nothing to do with self-preservation and everything to do with the thought of something happening to the woman waiting inside.
Speaking of Shadow…
He climbed the front steps and entered the code on the exterior keypad connected to the cabin’s state-of-the-art security system. The tiny light at the top turned green as the locks audibly disengaged, and he opened the door and stepped over the threshold once more.
Shutting the door behind him, he went to the interior keypad and entered the same code. With the alarm active and ready to alert them of anyone stupid enough to try to break in, Slade turned and started for the stairs.
He made it three whole steps before he froze mid-stride, the sight of Shadow walking down the steps toward him momentarily stealing his ability to even think.
Fresh from the shower, her long hair lay damp around her shoulders and the top portion of her arms. Her face was free of all signs of makeup, and she looked much more relaxed and comfortable in a pair of black leggings and an oversized t-shirt.
Slade wasn’t sure how it was possible, but somehow she looked even more beautiful than before. But one thing he did know—the only thing that seemed to be perfectly clear—was that, when it came to this woman, he was in serious, serious trouble.
CHAPTER6
Shadow’s heartgave a hard kick when she saw Digger looking up at her from the cabin’s front entrance. He was just standing there, staring back at her with an unreadable gaze, and all she could think was…
I want to kiss him again.
To be fair, they hadn’t really kissed the first time. At least, not in the way she’d always imagined. Her father’s killer timing was to blame for the untimely interruption.
Though she hated to admit it, the missed opportunity was probably for the best. It would be different if they were here on a romantic getaway for two. Unfortunately for her, that was far from being the case.
A killer was out there, walking around as a free and powerful man. And though she may be on temporary lockdown with her own personal bodyguard watching over her every move, she had no intentions of giving up on a fight that had only just begun.
As for what came after, well…that remained to be seen.
“Hey.” She added a slight bounce to her steps and her best British accent to her tone. “I take it you didn’t find the Boogeyman hiding in the bushes during your evening jaunt around the cabin.”
Rather than smile, as had been her hope, Digger’s handsome face dipped into an inexplicably frustrated scowl.
“No.” He gave a curt shake of his head before resuming his previous steps in her direction. “The perimeter’s clear.”
Alrighty, then.
Assuming his extra grumpy mood had something to do with her having initiated their earlier, sort-of kiss, Shadow took his foul mood as a sign to move on as if it never happened.
“You still hungry?” She reached the bottom of the steps. “I thought I’d whip something up for us while you got cleaned up.”
“I could eat.” Digger stopped moving once again, keeping himself a safe distance away.
Okay, so apparently he’s back to his usual stay-the-hell-away-from-me self. Good to know.
The idea of apologizing for her previously flirtatious behavior briefly entered Shadow’s mind, but then she remembered this was Digger. If it wasn’t one thing souring the man’s stoic demeanor, it was another. And since he didn’t appear to be keen on sharing whatever it was that had him scowling this time, Shadow ignored the elephant in the room and shot him her most casual, breeziest smile.
“Great!” She purposely sounded far cheerier than she felt. “You go shower, and I’ll scrounge us up some food.”
She didn’t have to inquire about any possible allergies, as she’d had access to his and the other Tac-Ops members’ medical records for years. There also wasn’t a question as to the man’s pickiness when it came to the food he consumed. Her involvement in the team’s operations had long ago taught her Digger would either eat what was available or choose to go without.
A low grunt was all the response she was given as the two split off in separate directions. He went up the stairs with his bag slung over one of his broad shoulders while Shadow headed to the kitchen she’d caught a glimpse of earlier.
Positioned at the back of the cabin, the space was as pretty as the rest of the rustic hideaway. The large island and cabinets had been stained to match the floors.
The collection of stainless-steel appliances were nice enough to impress even a professional chef. Shadow smiled when she noticed a portion of the kitchen’s far wall that showcased several cast-iron skillets hanging from matching black hooks.
Her father had always enjoyed being away from the city, hence his decision to purchase a plantation versus a high-rise apartment. She could remember the occasional camping trips they’d taken whenever she was a child…and he’d always cooked the fish they caught in a skillet like the ones she was staring at now.
