Page 187 of Heart of Frost and Scars

They argue back and forth until Carl enters the cabin, announcing the local police are here.

“Listen to me,” Monty says into the phone. “I’m taking her home and keeping her safe. Don’t you dare try to fly back tonight. Wait until morning when it’s safe to fly. Use your fucking head.” He listens, nodding. “I know. We’re not letting this bastard win. We’ll find him.” Another pause. “She’ll call you when we’re back on the island. Yeah, you, too.”

He disconnects and turns his attention to me. “How are you doing?”

“Fantastic.” I grit my teeth. “How did they get so close to the yacht without being seen?”

“He’s been watching, waiting for the perfect moment.”

“How do you know it’s a he?”

“I don’t. But that note…my gut tells me this nutjob isn’t just an admirer. He’s possessive and jealous and wants you for himself.”

He will never touch you again.

What does that mean for Leo and Kody? And Monty, too? Will their body parts show up next?

“We’ll get through this.” Monty pulls me close, his arms banding around me in a protective embrace. “We’ll end him. I promise.”

Unless the stalker is Wolf.

Not all wounds bleed. Not all scars show. Some live beneath bones, cold and alone. In the chambers of frost, pain is my art.

Until we find his body, I’m not giving up on him.

41

Kodiak

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Longing.

Fierce, protective longing rages inside me. I stand at the taffrail beside Leo as Kai navigates Monty’s yacht toward the island.

Toward Frankie.

Despite the midday heat, the arctic wilderness still clings to my bones. Another fruitless week spent searching for Wolf’s body and the cabin.

Frustration sinks in its claws, shredding vital organs. Every time we leave Frankie alone with Monty, the anger coils tighter.

A stalker on the loose, a human heart, a severed hand, more texts, and disturbing threats…enough is enough.

My eyes land on the dock as we approach. Two small yachts sit there, their polished surfaces reflecting the low Alaskan sun. They look brand new and expensive. Typical Monty.

I shift my gaze, and there she is.

My heart stirs from hibernation and starts to beat again.

Long red hair tangles around her shoulders, her petite frame dwarfed by the towering, imposing man at her side.

How will your date end? If you go to bed with the wolf, will the bear and the lion fuck the siren?

A hot dart of jealousy pierces my gut.

He took her on a date last night.

He took her on a fucking date.

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