Page 2 of Mine to Protect

“Save it.” The man’s tone was angry and harsh, unlike minutes before. “I want that fight later. It’s my favorite part. Don’t worry, we’ll have so much fun.”

1

Alta

Someone was watching me.

I felt it everywhere. From the hairs standing along the back of my sweaty neck to the unease growing in my gut, I felt it. Keeping my fast pace, I raced down the final stretch of the rocked path around Lily Lake. Heart pounding, my already rapid breaths came faster and faster, forming gray puffs of smoke in the cool late-morning mountain air.

Desperate to find the source, I cut my eyes right and then left, scanning the rocky terrain with as much scrutiny as possible while not tripping over my own two feet or running off the path directly into the lake.

But I found nothing.

Not even a single scurry of a chipmunk or slithering snake. But the person setting off all my internal alarms could be lurking anywhere. Because there was someone out there watching. This time I was right.

This time it wasn’t in my head.

My frayed nerves urged a hand toward my hip belt, where I kept all the needed self-defense tools for a single woman on a solo run. After unzipping the small pouch, I tugged out one of the larger mace canisters. The cold metal bit into my already frozen hands but grew warmer in my firm grasp with each pounding step.

If I could only make it to the truck, get to Benny, I’d be safe. Damnit, I wish I didn’t mind breaking the park rules and had brought him out here with me. But being a part of the Rocky Mountain Park police force meant I did care about the rules and knew them inside and out. Plus, I wouldn’t want Benny to be tempted to chase after a moose or, even worse, his smaller frame draw the attention of a hungry bear in search of its next meal.

But right now I’d love to have his overly protective instincts and fierce bite by my side.

A steady crunch of gravel beneath pounding feet reached my ears.

Crap. Crap. Crap.

It was most definitely not in my head. Someone was behind me, and gaining ground quickly.

One hundred more yards until the parking lot.

All I had to do was make it one hundred more yards without being kidnapped or killed.

The sweat beading along my brow dripped down my temples and cheeks. A quick blast of wind, too cold for October, chilled my skin, making me shiver. An hour ago, when I dressed for the run, I didn’t account for the sudden drop in temperatures last night. Which was why I looked a bit crazy out here running in only tights and a thin dry-fit T-shirt. If I paid attention to the weather, I would’ve also worn my running hat, gloves, and jacket, maybe even tossed in some of those hand warmer packets into my pouch. It could be eighty out here and I’d still be in a jacket and scarf.

Another crunch of gravel a few feet back drew my attention back to the situation at hand. This time I didn’t stop from turning to get a quick look over my shoulder. What I found made my heart drop.

Whipping my head forward, I pumped both arms faster, attempting to put additional space between myself and the person chasing me.

At least seeing the man dressed in an all-black running suit confirmed it wasn’t in my head like yesterday, and the day before that. Well, unless I’d dropped to a new level of crazy and had moved up to hallucinating.

Despite the cold and the man eager to kill me, I laughed at that thought. Maybe Ihadsunk to a new level of crazy. I mean, all-consuming anxiety and paranoia would do that to a woman, I’m sure.

Finally at the bend, I dashed full speed into the parking lot, my frozen fingers fumbling in my pack for the key fob. Once it was in my grasp, I pressed the unlock button repeatedly, making the headlights of the truck flash like a seventies disco. Out of breath, I faltered on tired legs as I lunged for the driver side door handle. The moment I had the door open, Benny leaped from the driver seat onto the pavement. I waited for him to run after the man, but instead he sniffed a few of the bushes, peed on one he deemed fit, and trotted back to sit at my feet.

“Seriously?” I said between pants. “I’m in mortal danger.”

Benny’s head whipped in the direction of the trailhead, a low growl rumbling in his chest, just as the man who’d chased me came into view. Every muscle tensed as I palmed the mace tighter, readying to spring into action if needed.

But I didn’t.

Of course I didn’t. Like always.

The stranger in black continued on his run, not even slowing his impressive pace to glance into the parking lot. Benny watched with little interest as he passed by. As the runner’s form faded down the path, Benny turned back with a slight tilt of his head, giving me the eye he always gave when I got myself worked up about nothing.

Backside pressed against the hard metal of the truck, I leaned forward, gripping both knees. While I sucked down deep, gulping inhales in an attempt to calm myself down before a full-blown panic attack set in, Benny sat patiently, tail wagging along the blacktop.

It was getting worse. I was getting worse.

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