Page 84 of Unlawful Seduction

“It’s the only way.”

“What then?”

I still didn’t answer.

She grabbed my arm, jerking me enough so I was forced to look her in the eyes. “What then?”

“Then I kill the motherfuckers.”

“What if they keep coming?”

I zipped the bag, taking a deep breath. We were running out of time. I felt it in my bones. “Then I’ll eliminate them as well.”

“And after that? We run? We hide? I can’t live life that way.”

“I know. One step at a time. Come on. You need to do as I say and follow my lead. Do you understand?”

She was shaking her head slowly. “They’ll just keep coming after you. Won’t they?”

There was no way of helping her understand this world. None. She’d asked the question before and as much as I wanted to tellher the nightmare would end, I knew better. It would take me finishing what I’d started, eliminating all those still standing in my way.

And that would not only take time, but significant cunning.

She remained quiet as I led her out the back, constantly scanning the area to ensure we hadn’t been further compromised. Snow was falling lightly, which would help hide our tracks, but at this point, I doubted it would matter. There was one safe way in and out. While the snowmobiles had more capabilities than my four-wheel drive, the drive down would still be treacherous no matter how I played it.

We both heard a crack and she slapped her hand across her mouth to keep from making a sound.

I gripped Jax’s leash, lowering my head so only he could hear. “Keep quiet. No sound.” I’d worked hard on training him to remain quiet when necessary. It was a tough trick to learn for a dog determined to protect his owner, but he complied.

“Good boy. Slowly,” I whispered more for her benefit.

I’d be damned if she didn’t try to skirt around me. I grabbed her arm, yanking her back, immediately crowding her space.

“You just don’t like to follow orders. Do you, Doc?”

“I thought I saw something.”

“You stay behind me. Period.” I’d thought about giving her a weapon, but knew that would only add an entirely different feeling of danger to the mix and one neither of us could afford. Our movements had to be precise, or we’d never make it out alive.

We moved forward as a team, heading toward the woods.

Crack.

A fallen limb from the weight of the snow. At least that’s what it sounded like.

Yet as the sound echoed in the air, I pulled her down to the snow, scanning the area.

“Stay here. I’m going to see what we’re dealing with,” I whispered.

“Like hell I will.” Her defiance surfaced at the worst times. “You’re not leaving me alone.”

“Goddamn it. Then stay low.”

At least she followed my orders, staying as low to the ground as possible. The snow was deeper, making it almost impossible to advance. When we finally were just inside the clearing, I pressed my finger across my lips, shaking my head then pushing her behind me. I kept close to the trees, ready to fire if necessary.

Then I exhaled, shoving the weapon into my jacket. There was no sign of any activity even though I knew it was only a matter of time.

Tick. Tock.

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