Page 98 of Love Me Dangerous

The hike down passes in a blur of dusky color, the muted trill of songbirds in the trees, and pain. The renewed ache in my side radiatesthrough my collarbones and lower back. My churning, empty stomach feels like a pincushion. Raw. I look over my shoulder, wondering if I’m being watched, but the darkness is falling fast and thick. By the time I get to the trailhead, it’s completely dark except for the pale glow from a gibbous moon.

The crunch of my boots on the gravel thunders in my ears as I cross to the truck. Once inside the cab, I gently rest the back of my head on the seat and close my eyes. Going back to town and the ranch means I’m going to have to start lying and pretending.

I have to become someone I’m not—someone I hate.

A thought niggles to the surface like a worm popping out of the dirt.

Is Kristov in custody back in McKenzie Valley or not? My attacker answered my question with violence.You don’t know shit.

During my drive, I try to come up with how I’m supposed to share the fake intel about the traffickers using hunting camps and The Limelight with Stu. If I say I overheard it, it sounds fishy as hell. He won’t believe me. And even if he did, he’d want to know why I didn’t call Sheriff Olson the minute I had cell service.

As I pull up to the ranch garage, an idea begins to form. I’ll need to spend some time in town and work on my story so it’s memorized and ready for the sheriff’s scrutiny.

Henry said to call for a ride, but I can’t face him right now. I feel exposed and angry. Like the shell of myself that I left behind in Alaska is on my back, weighing me down, digging into my skin.

But I’m not about to shirk my responsibilities or make the Huttons worry, so I slip into the childcare and recreation building, hoping the rental place is still open. A light is on in the back, so I knock on the window. A dark figure pops up. It’s one of the shop guys. Kai, I think, based on his lanky silhouette. He weaves through the bikes and uses a key fixed to his belt loop by one of those heavy chains to unlock the door., then quickly stuffs the keys away.

“Need something?” Kai asks. Even though his voice is calm, his dark eyes are tense with suspicion. Or maybe he’s reading the dread pooling in my gut like poison.

“Stu said it’d be okay to borrow a bike some time,” I say.

His eyebrows knit together. “Now?”

I shrug, hoping it doesn’t look as stiff as it feels. “I thought I’d go ride early tomorrow.”

“Um, sure.” He opens the door wider.

I follow him into the shop, past the rows of bikes hanging from the ceiling hooks. “Where do these go during ski season?” I ask to break the tension.

“Storage,” he replies.

Okay, so he’s not talkative. He’s probably eager to get going.

In the work area, both stands used for repairs are empty. There’s a row of bikes in the back, facing us. Kai rolls one of them toward me.

He gives me a quick up-down scan. “This should fit you.”

“Thanks.” I nod at the back door, which is ajar, like he was just about to exit that way. “Okay if I go through there?”

“Yeah. I can lock up behind you.”

I spin the bike around.

“Here.” He hands me a helmet. “You have gloves?”

“Yeah,” I say, even though I don’t. I’ve bugged him enough.

He gives me a quick nod. “Enjoy.”

I try to smile.

Outside, the cool night air sends a shiver down my arms. I wheel the bike past the building and cross the lit path to the grass and down to the road. The lodge patio is lit by the fire pits and the soft lighting filtering through the giant windows. I catch a glimpse of the interior, with staff buzzing around, tending to the needs of the guests. I’ve never been inside the main lodge. Employees aren’t allowed unless we have a reason, and Stu made it clear I don’t.

Though I know just because the patrons are wealthy doesn’t mean they’re immune to problems, it’s hard not to want to trade places with one of them right now.

The ride through town under the glowing moon would be a hoot if it didn’t hurt to pedal. Being back on a bike reminds me of those days on Evan and Jared’s property, either riding alone or with one of them. I wonder if William’s taken up riding yet. We could do it together.

Though the cold air makes my eyes sting, the tears that blur my vision have a different source. How can I protect my brotherwithout destroying the life I’m building for myself? I almost laugh at my foolishness—just hours ago, I was marveling at how Finn River had started to feel like home.

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