Page 66 of Line of Resistance

“She just let me know where the extra blankets were if we got cold.” Nate rested one hand on the small of her back, directing Eloise to the opposite side of the cabin and the bedroom they would share.

Reggie hadn’t come out and said it, but her husband definitely did well in his life. Well enough they could afford to build a custom home all the way out here, complete with electric and a drilled well. The place was impressive for its isolated location.

Even if the water heater was shit.

Eloise yawned, covering her mouth with one hand as they moved into the bedroom. Nate pulled back the covers, holding them up as he urged Eloise under them. Once she was in place, he tucked them around her and leaned down to press a kiss against her forehead.

Eloise gazed up at him, eyes searching his face. She was looking for reassurance. Looking for proof he really meant everything he said. All he did.

And it was there. She just had to be brave enough to believe it.

“Good night.” He smoothed her hair back from her face, needing to touch her just a little more.

Eloise’s brows pinched together. “You’re not going to bed too?”

“I’m going to go out and do a check of the perimeter. Make sure we’re safe.” He hadn’t seen anything concerning all day but couldn’t shake the feeling someone was watching. “Then I’ll be in.”

Eloise nodded and he started to step away. She caught his hand, holding it tight. “Be careful.”

He smiled. “You act like you’re worried about me.”

Eloise yanked her hand from his and shoved it under the blanket, like it would hide what she’d inadvertently revealed. “I’m worried about my trip to Disney World. If you die, who’s going to take me?”

Nate moved back in, leaning over her, bending close enough he could run his nose along the side of her neck. “Is that all you’re worried about? You wouldn’t miss anything else I do?” He nipped at her earlobe, smiling a little more when she gasped and squirmed under the blanket.

Eloise swatted his chest. “Go hike around in the snow.”

He chuckled, happy to see her feisty nature hadn’t left. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back.” He straightened, fingers sliding against her cheek. “You won’t be able to get rid of me that easily.” They might still be trapped with no obvious way to safely get home, but he was already making plans for when they did.

And they would. Nothing was going to stop him from being with her. Not fear of losing his family. Not Matt.

And sure as hell not whoever the fuck was trying to take him out.

Nate brought the blankets a little higher, smoothing them under Eloise’s chin before leaving her behind, warm and safe.

He methodically strapped on all his gear, swinging on his coat and weapons before slipping outside into the frigid night air. The snow from the storm was finally letting up, but the wind was still brutal and cutting. The drifts were deep as he followed the edge of Reggie’s property, doing a sweep of the wooded mountains surrounding it. Everything was peaceful. Quiet and calm. Nothing had come close to them all day outside of a few animals whose tracks had faded from the storm, but his lingering unease remained. Even as he made his way back to the cabin, undressed, and slipped between the blankets beside Eloise, the feeling of being watched stuck with him, leaving him considering going back out.

But then Eloise curled closer, her limbs winding around him as she made an unladylike grunt of disgust. “You’re cold.”

“And you’re still crawling all over me.” Nate wrapped one arm around her back, hauling her even closer. “Seems like you’re willing to suffer to get close to me.”

“Shut up.” Eloise wedged one leg between his, letting out a little sigh as she settled down. “Did you see anything?”

“Not a thing.” He wanted her to be able to sleep well. To relax. But he also knew Eloise well enough to realize she would want to be prepared. “But something still doesn’t feel right.”

Elise tipped her head back, eyes moving over his in the shadowy darkness. “How so?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

He wanted to offer her more, but more simply didn’t exist. All he had was a feeling. An intangible unease.

“Should we leave?” Eloise might have lingering fears his bad behavior would repeat, but one thing was clear. She trusted him to keep her safe. Had faith in his skills. Knew he would do whatever it took to protect her. And that mattered almost more than anything else.

Nate shook his head. “No, but I think we need to be ready to head out at any time.”

“Okay.” Eloise snuggled a little closer, burying her face against his neck. “Are we going to have to take Reggie with us?”

He stared up at the ceiling, mulling over their situation before admitting the truth he couldn’t escape. “Probably.”

---