Page 65 of Cold Light of Day

“I need to get something from my cabin.”

Confusion rocked through her. Why not drive there? She suspected she knew why he wouldn’t tell her about his background. Still, she would ask again. “What aren’t you telling me?”

His clandestine actions must have everything to do with his life before Shadow Gap.

He turned to her and gripped her arms. His expression had shifted.

Autumn tensed and moved her hand toward her gun. Reflex. Training. Whatever. But Grier had kind of morphed right in front of her eyes, and doubt rushed through her.

That infuriating, rakish grin erupted.

“How can you smile?”

“Anyone else might be scared right now. But not you. Youface your fears head-on, Chief. It’s what I admire about you.” And just like last night after the swim in the cold, dark river, he leaned in close enough she could smell that woodsy, masculine scent on him. Before she could catch her breath, he planted his lips against hers—gentle, testing at first, then harder and eager, promising more.

Then he suddenly stepped back, leaving her bewildered and wanting more.

“I’m hiking in, using stealth, because I can’t be sure my cabin is safe.”

No apology. No nothing. Stunned, Autumn didn’t move. What just happened? She’d kissed him back, that’s what. She couldn’t blame him for acting on something they both wanted. Seconds ticked by before she could clear her mind and focus—apparently, he didn’t have that issue. He’d already started off into the woods, so she caught up and hiked behind him, pulling her jacket tighter.

She could try another angle to get the truth out of him. “Why would anyone mess with your cabin? You aren’t the target.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

Moving between two trees, she jogged and hopped over a log to sidle up next to him. “I need to know what’s going on, Grier. Or I’ll hike down this mountain back to town. This isn’t how I work or roll. I need to know what you’re thinking. What you’re planning.” She glanced through the woods, taking in her surroundings. Was her would-be abductor out there, tracking her now?

She hoped so, because he wouldn’t best her again. She was done with his games.

Done with Grier’s games too. Because if his secrets held a dark side, maybe he didn’t possess the heroism she was looking for, after all.

“I never should have gotten into your truck.” She turned away from him and headed toward the road, carving out her ownpath. She’d radio for a ride, and that would go over so well if Craig was the one to respond.

Grier followed. Catching her arm, he turned her to face him.

Idiot that she was, she let him. She wasn’t in control of her faculties when she was near Grier, and that’s what it all came down to. She should keep her distance. The sooner she accepted that, the better. She’d have to take her chances with Craig and Wally. At least sheknewthem. Who they were, where they came from, and the trouble they were up to.

She’d known Grier was trouble, and she’d kept him close. The problem was, she didn’t know whatkindof trouble he was—other than to her heart. But he was also much more, she had realized too late.

Grier stared down at her, his deep forest-green eyes pushing back the protective layers to get to the heart of the matter. “I realize I’ve asked too much. You’re right—you never should have gotten in my truck. I never should have made myself available to assist. But here we are. This will go much better if I tell you who I am.”

Her throat constricted. She’d wanted the truth, hadn’t she?

He released a pain-filled sigh. “Chief Long...”

Her heart pounded at the way he looked into her eyes, and she was a coward all over again. How many times had she thought she wanted to know about her mother’s death—the day on the boat that she couldn’t remember. And then she’d ended the conversation with her father before it truly began.

And now here she was, wanting to know the truth about Grier. Or did she prefer to run from what he might say?

Anguish twisted his features. “I’m a fugitive.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

There. He’d told her what he’d been keeping from her.

The rain started again.

Great timing.

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