Page 37 of SEAL by Fate

As he made his way toward the cabin, he sped along the mountainside, a blustery cold wind broke through the layers of his clothing, but he didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. Not until he knew she was safe. He ground his teeth against the cold as the sun settled even more. If anything happened to Stormy…

He gritted his teeth. He realized how much he cared about her safety—about her. He had to make it to her in time.

13

GRAY HAD BEEN gone a long time and the sun was now only a sliver of orangish purple in the sky. Her heart sank. What if he didn’t come back? What if…

She swallowed against the bile rising in her throat. Choices knocked around inside her head, but she had to trust him.

Going to the fireplace, she placed another log on and stoked the embers, hoping if anything that Gray would see the smoke coming from the chimney in case he couldn’t find his way back in the dark. Who was she kidding? He was a special agent. Didn’t that mean he was bad-ass?

Pacing the floor. Back and forth. Back and forth. Her feet started hurting and she had no choice but to stop. The hair on her nape lifted and she suddenly was overcome with what exactly? A sixth sense? Like someone was watching.

Spinning on her heels, she focused on every space of the cabin. If someone was close enough they could see through the curtain, they could be staring right at her. She didn’t believe it was Duncan. So who? It would have to be the man Gray was after.

Lola perked her ears, listening. The hair on her back lifted, but she stayed in front of the fire.

Stormy quickly made her way into the kitchen, opened a drawer and looked down at the selection. A fork, spoon, or a butcher knife. She took the latter and grasped the handle tightly, holding it up.

Lola growled and jumped up, going to stand a few feet from the door. Her tail was ramrod stiff. Fear escalated in Stormy and she could barely breathe. Someone was outside.

Then she heard a noise. Tears filled her eyes. Lola spun around, her eyes round.

Stormy squeezed the handle until her knuckles burned. She took one step, two and three, her eyes focused on the door.

Then a loud bang came on the wood and Stormy jumped.

*

Gray hunkered down as he approached the cabin. It was completely dark now and he couldn’t see if there were tracks leading to the house or not. He caught a glimpse of Stormy passing in front of the window. She was okay, at least for now. Relief spread over him and he felt some of the tension leave his shoulders—but not completely.

He’d left the snowmobile hidden at the bottom of the incline just in case someone was close and would hear him arrive. He looked up at the swirling snow with a frown. Time was ticking and they needed to get the hell off the mountain. Right now, he needed to keep Stormy safe above everything and anything.

Gray stepped onto the porch and touched the door handle, but it didn’t turn. He pounded hard.

It flung open and he met the tip of a knife. “Fuck!” He looked up the slender arm into the eyes of a frightened Stormy. “What the hell?”

Her eyes widened, and the corners of her lips deepened into a frown. “Oh my…I-I didn’t know if it was you.” Lola was now at his ankles sniffing and wagging her tail. Thankfully, the dog didn’t attack.

Stormy’s eyes filled with tears and he swallowed hard. “It’s okay.” He took the knife from her and dropped it onto a small table, kicking the door closed with his foot. “It’s okay,” he said softly.

“Gray? Where have you been?” She fell against him, and although he needed to focus on getting her off the mountain, he couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. She seemed so small, so fragile, as she shuddered. She didn’t have to say a word for him to understand how worried and scared she’d been. Guilt coursed through him, but if he hadn’t gone, hadn’t found the danger, the enemy could have shown up on their front door unexpectedly. Gray would never accept being the hunted.

He threaded his fingers in her hair, weighing the silky strands. “Sorry, sweetheart. It took me longer than I thought it would.”

“I heard someone outside. Lola was growling, and I thought someone was out there. I didn’t know it was you.”

“Let me look okay. Just to be on the safe side. You stay here with Lola.” He regretted letting her go, but what choice did he have? If she knew there were gun wielding, bomb making monsters on the mountain, she wouldn’t want to stick around too long. He hurried to the back door, opened it and looked outside, grateful that he didn’t see any fresh tracks. That answered his question that no one had been here. He closed the door, making sure it was secure and went back to her, seeing how pale her skin was.

“I’m sorry I held a knife on you, Gray.” Her lips trembled, and he couldn’t resist. He took her shoulders and pulled her in for another hug.

“Thankfully I’m always expecting a weapon to be slung my way.” He tried to be light hearted but maybe it was too soon because neither of them laughed.

“What took so long? Did you find someone? Why are you soaking wet?”

Now was the time to tell her what happened. He pulled back but didn’t let go of her. She looked up at him with an expression that ate through any defense he had remaining. “We have trouble, sweetheart.”

She blinked. “Trouble?”

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