Page 105 of Revenant

Talk aboutnotsexy.

I should be cold, but I’m too much in awe of being outside and surrounded by a winter wonderland. Two feet of snow fell last night, covering our tracks, and I find comfort in that. The world around us is silent, the sea of snow sparkling under the bright sunlight.

It’s magical.

Until Jameson screams at the top of his lungs. “Snowball fight!”

A missile flies straight toward us. His aim is true, and my eyes widen in shock when a small white ball smacks Hicks right in the face. It explodes on impact, and I swear steam rises as it melts. Water and slush slide down his face, and he very slowly reaches up to wipe it away.

Everyone is frozen for a second…then outright war breaks out when Hicks scoops up a handful of snow to retaliate. Jameson does a full body dive behind a tree, landing in the snow with a puff of powder flying in the air, and I squeak in alarm and follow his lead, quickly darting behind a tree.

Just in time to have a snowball explode against the bark and dust me with tiny particles of ice. We laugh and scream, doing our best to annihilate each other. Gunner uses himself as a shield to protect me, dutifully showing me how to create a snowball and fight back.

Jameson army crawls to new locations, popping in and out of the snow like a fucking whack-a-mole. After twenty minutes, I’m dying from laughter, chilled to the bone, and my cheeks ache from smiling so much.

Every time I shift, snow seems to creep under my clothes and slide down my back. I’m panting, and every puff of breath fogs the air. When we reach the other cabin, I’m shivering in my boots. Literally. Gunner pounds on the door, nearly cracking in the poor wood, then winces, clearly having forgotten about his new strength.

Dallas yanks open the door with his customary scowl, his eyebrows climbing up his forehead when he is forced to tip back his head to look up at Gunner. Since he’s well over six-foot-five inches, I suppose that doesn’t happen to him often. “Fuck, you’re a big one, aren’t you?”

Jaceson snorts while Jameson grins like a lunatic and slaps Gunner proudly on the back. Ellis clears his throat, and though Hicks doesn’t react outwardly, I see a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. Gunner narrows his eyes, then crosses his arms as if self-conscious, oblivious to the fact that the move has his muscles bulging even more and he appears larger than ever.

I push my way forward with a bright smile and an awkward wave. “Hey, Dallas.”

“Dollface!” Without hesitation, he reaches for me. When the guys all stiffen, he refrains from hugging me and hauls me inside the cabin instead. “You’re frozen through. Don’t these brutes know how to take care of you?”

I’m forced in front of a roaring fire to thaw, my guys sneaking between me and Dallas so I’m surrounded by them. Thank fuck no one can die from glares, or Dallas would be toast. The man in question watches in amusement, his lips twitching. “I’ll grab you some hot chocolate.”

“I’ll help.” Jameson bounces up from his spot next to the flames, stalking into the kitchen after Dallas, clearly not trusting anyone else to be in charge of my food. I watch in bemusement as the two fuss over the proper way to prepare the best cup of cocoa.

Sue and Mabel wander in from down the hall, and I squash my smile at their rumpled appearance. They grudgingly take a seat across from us. Sue looks like she’s plotting murder for being awakened so early, while Mabel peers longingly at the kitchen with puppy dog eyes.

I don’t miss her silent shadow, the ghost from the asylum. He places a finger to his lips, silently pleading with me to keep his presence quiet. When he glances at Mabel, his expression softens, love shining in his eyes, and I don’t have the heart to banish him.

I don’t get the impression that he wants to harm her, more like he wants to reassure himself that she will be safe before he passes on to the afterlife. Since I would do the same with the guys, I can’t really blame him. At my subtle nod, he grins before fading into the background to watch from the shadows.

While I won’t admit it out loud, I’m slightly reassured to have another set of eyes watching over the group of misfits. Movement in the kitchen steals my attention, and it’s not long before we’re all supplied with mugs.

I have to bite my lip when my cup has so many marshmallows that they try to flee over the rim, leaving a trail from the kitchen. Jameson is so proud of himself that I accept the huge mug with a smile. Warmth radiates from the ceramic, and I cradle the cup close, inhaling the chocolaty steam, and my mouth waters. I take a sip and groan when delicious chocolate goodness explodes across my tongue…then my eyes widen at the extra heat of liquor burning down my throat when I swallow.

When I meet Jameson’s gaze, he just winks and guzzles the hot liquid, leaving a chocolate mustache smeared across his face. Love for the silly fool fills my chest, and I wouldn’t want him any other way.

It’s only when Sue finishes her mug that she looks up at us, some sort of sanity back in her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“I have a business proposition for you,” I say, deciding to be blunt and lay everything out for them.

Hicks and Ellis explain our plans, offering different options, and the others overwhelmingly vote to remain with us. We stay for lunch with them, a small group from the other cabins joining us, and the mood is lighter now that they have a place to stay. Only one girl declines our offer, wanting to check on her family first. She is aware of the risks and promises to return.

Jameson and I heal the few who were burned while escaping, then help a few more still having trouble catching their breath with all the smoke they inhaled. Hicks and Gunner talk to each person individually, setting up future meetings and training sessions. Ellis and Jaceson quietly speak with the others one-on-one, gathering a list of supplies they need. Contentment fills my chest as I watch the others plan our future together, the guys so efficient that I let them take the lead, only offering a suggestion here or there.

The sun hovers along the horizon by the time we leave, and I’m hopeful about the future. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I nearly trip over Hicks when he pauses on the steps in front of me. He waves off the others to head home, not speaking until they’re out of earshot. “You okay?”

I immediately nod, but he captures my chin to stop me. “Don’t lie to me. It’s fine not to be okay, especially after everything you’ve been through.”

“I’m…not sure yet.” I shrug and turn away from him to study the beautiful scenery around us. “I’m hopeful, but it doesn’t feel over yet.”

“Your father.” A frown deepens the lines of his face.

Without thought, I reach out to smooth away the lines on his forehead. He lashes out at the same time, capturing my wrist, and I freeze. “Sorry.”

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