Shoot, yes, suddenly Harley very much wanted to be back in her apartment, drinking a macchiato from Heritage Coffee, or fat biking on Perseverance Trail. Away from Mr. Bossy, crowding into her life, making her feel like she’d committed a crime.
Like she might be helpless.
“You’ve been gone a week,” Lydia said. “How much longer is this going to take?”
She stepped outside, the afternoon shadows reaching through the snowy yard from the forest surrounding the cabin. She noticed Hudson, who was ending a call and heading into Pete’s house. “You’re the one who told me to go after Mars.”
“I know. But Mars’s small potatoes. We need to get the bigger ring.” Lydia sighed. “I thought you’d nab him, turn around, come back. We could squeeze out information—”
“Did something happen?”
“The police made an arrest of a local dealer. I brokered a deal, he named people. This isn’t just about illegal activities on a small scale. It seems there’s a network operating through Juneau, possibly with international connections. It’s much larger than we anticipated, and the Sorroses are just a piece of the puzzle.” She sighed again. “Come home.”
A car pulled up and a woman got out, middle-aged, brown hair. Harley didn’t know her, but she wore a Copper Mountain Sheriff’s Department jacket. Maybe the Liora that Crew had mentioned.
“I’ll be in touch.” Harley ended the call just as Jericho stalked past her, through the door, into the yard.
She followed him. The wind had teeth now, biting through her jacket.
“Jericho—”
He whirled. “Is this how it’s going to be? You running straight at danger while I show up praying you’re still alive?”
She recoiled. But rebounded fast.Hello—“That’s myjob.”
“Do you know...” He held up a hand. “You make me crazy.”
Her mouth opened.
He stared at her, breathing hard, shaking a little.
“JB—”
He held up a hand when she stepped forward. “I just ... I need a second.”
He yanked open his truck door. Orlando stood beside her, pressed against her leg like a furry shadow.
“Orlando, come.”
The dog didn’t move.
“Orlando.” Steel edged Jericho’s voice. “Come.”
This time the dog obeyed, jumping into the cab. She started forward, snow crunching under her boots. “So you’re just walking away? Just like that?”
He wore an almost stripped expression. Sighed, and finally his voice dropped. “I can’t.” He shook his head, stared away from her. “I’ve spent my whole life looking for people in trouble. I...” The emotion in his gaze when he turned ripped through her. “I tried, Harley. I really tried. But I can’t ...I can’t watch this. Ican’t do this.”
Her mouth opened again.Wait. “What are you saying?”
“How am I supposed to protect you when you just ... you don’t look—”
“You’re not supposed to protect me!”
Oh, that was the wrong thing to say, because he drew in a breath, then swallowed, the emotion clearing from his eyes. “You’re right. You don’t need me. You’re doing just fine on your own.”
He turned toward the truck.
“Of course you’re leaving,” she said, the words just spiking out. Her eyes burned. “I knew you would bail on me.”
