Page 50 of Line of Resistance

Hewas not what she thought he would be. And it was royally fucking her up. Making her see things she’d been ignoring for years. Making her face things she’d done her best to avoid facing. And the fallout from all of it was starting to suck.

Eloise went as far as she dared before stopping to press her back against a wide tree, sucking in air as she lifted her face to the stars.

Why did Nate have to be like this? Why did he have to make her think about all the things she tried to leave in the past? Why couldn’t he just be like the other men she’d allowed in her life?

Shallow. Self-centered. Egotistical.

Safe.

“Shit.” Eloise swiped at her running nose with the sleeve of her coat, wiggling down the borrowed pants as she squatted lower, using the tree against her back for balance as she did her business. Gritting her teeth and bracing for the impact, she used a handful of snow to clean up her lady bits before yanking the pants back up and heading for the lean-to.

When she got back to their little camp, Nate had two of her MRE dinners activated and warming in their pouches. His long body was stretched across the blankets, boots off, guns close by, looking all sorts of problematic as he watched her kick the snow off her boots.

“Feel better?”

Eloise sat down, sliding off her boots before scooting across the blankets. “I don’t know if I’d call it better, but I no longer have to pee.” She blew out a breath. “Any idea where we are?”

It felt like they were so close yet so far away. It wouldn’t be difficult to find their way back to the main road cutting through this part of the mountains, but doing that was a risk. It would leave them hoping they wouldn’t cross paths with whoever tried to kill them the evening before. Using Nate’s cell phone carried the same sort of risk. Yes, it would mean they would know the second they were within a service area, but so would everyone else.

It would also mean using up the only battery they had without knowing whether or not it would pay off. So, outside of a few quick checks for time and direction, the cell stayed off.

“My best guess is we’re still due north of Two Rivers.” He shut the phone down and tucked it into the pocket of his pants. “We covered a good amount of distance today, so tomorrow we should end up somewhere we can call for help.”

It was technically good news. She was exhausted after only one day of walking through the snow and mountains. Having to do multiple days would probably kill her.

But there was something so nostalgic about being out here. Putting the skills her father taught her to good use. Proving she was still who he raised her to be, even though she’d spent the better part of the last decade wishing she was someone else.

Trying to prove she could be.

Eloise leaned against the back wall of the structure, getting as comfortable against the lumpy logs as possible. It was a losing battle. Apparently everything was determined to make her as uncomfortable as she could get. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.

After years of avoiding so much, the thought of taking it on was overwhelming and completely unappealing. So it was time to focus on something else.

She focused on Nate. “Are you from Alaska?”

“No.” He sifted through her bag, lining all their supplies down the blanket. “I grew up in Colorado.”

She pursed her lips. Apparently she was going to have to work a little harder for the distraction she was seeking. “I’ve heard it’s pretty there.”

Nate lifted one shoulder as he continued sifting through protein bars and emergency rations. “It can be pretty everywhere.”

“I guess that’s true.” Eloise shifted a little closer to him as the wind sliced around the corner. “Did you move to Alaska because of your job, or do you have family here?”

Nate’s hands stilled. “Both.” His eyes came to hers. “Alaskan Security is my family.”

She opened her mouth, ready to ask another question, but once again there was no avoiding the truth of what was going on. As much as it was a terrible idea, she was curious about him. Wanted to know more about the man beside her.

Because she still couldn’t help but like him. Hell, she might like him more now than before. “You don’t have any other family?”

Nate shook his head, the muscles of his jaw tensing. “No.” He held her gaze for a second longer. “Bryson and I have a lot in common.”

Her stomach dropped, sinking all the way down as a few of Nate’s actions started to make sense. “That’s why you were so nice to him.”

Nate’s expression hardened as he shook his head. “No. I was nice to him because adults should be nice to kids. They should be there for them. Take care of them.”

The lump was back in her throat, hard and unmovable.

It was so difficult to imagine Nate as a lost and lonely little boy, but the reality that it had happened was written all over his face. The pain still lingered.

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