Already, I’m racing toward the woods directly behind me, promising myself I will get her back. Telling myself she has skills, more than most anyone I’ve ever known. She will survive. She is going to be okay. I run left and right and all around, following random footprints, that all look like Ana’s. None of them are larger. This realization comforts me but why would she come out here.
I walk the area fast and thoroughly and find nothing. Holy fuck, I cannot lose Ana. I snag my phone, check for service and come up with no bars. I can’t call her. I start running back toward the SUV, praying Ana will be there, reaching for the moment I clear the trees again. My relief at bringing the vehicle into view is momentary when she is not there, obviously, my hopes were hung on the false hope that she’d be there looking for me.
I round the front of the truck and find footprints leading to another area of the woods, toward the front of the cabin. I run that direction and bypass the woods. Once I’m at the front door of the cabin again, I step inside. “Ana?!”
There is no reply.
Ana is not here.
Chapter Thirty-One
Luke
“Luke.”
At the sound of Ana’s voice, I turn to find her walking up the steps, her weapon in her hand. My relief is as mighty as a hurricane and I meet her halfway, catch her to me and kiss her hard and fast. “What the hell is going on?”
“I heard something,” she says, stepping inside and shutting the door. “I know I heard something, but more so, I felt like I was being watched, but I can’t find footprints. I can’t find proof that anyone is here.”
“How about telling me, woman? You took off and I couldn’t find you. Do you know what was going on in my head?”
“Sorry, but—”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it, Ana. I thought you’d been kidnapped or worse, you were dead.”
“Yell at me later. I felt like I was being watched, Luke.”
“As you said, there are no footprints that aren’t yours.”
“Right. I know. I’m sure it was an animal, but I’m uneasy now. I want to search the cabin and get out of here.”
“We aren’t going down those narrow roads with a drop-off mountain in this weather. We’re safer here. Stay here. Search. I’m going to go get our supplies and start a fire.”
“A fire will make smoke. That’s just going to announce our presence.”
“If anyone that matters is here, they followed us and the smoke won’t change anything. Otherwise, it won’t make a difference.” I start to move away and Ana catches my arm.
“Luke—”
“Baby, I trust your gut instincts. You know I do, but we’re here. If there’s a battle to fight, this is where it’s happening and I wouldn’t count us out. We’re pretty badass, especially together.”
“Yes,” she says. “Agreed. But I’d like to live to enjoy that.”
“You will. We will.” I kiss her. “I’ll be right back.”
“Maybe I should cover you.”
“Do the search in case things get too hot to do it later.”
She nods and by the time I’m at the door, her gun is on the wooden kitchen table, and she’s squatted down, checking the underside of the wood. Damn, this woman is going to be the death of me, but she’s also my life. I’m not going to let anyone take her from me.
I exit to the porch and shut Ana inside the cabin, and for long moments, my gaze scans the area, seeking out any sign of life. My eyes find no evidence, but Ana’s right. There’s a distinct presence.
“Is that you, Kurt?” I whisper because my gut says we’re safe right now. And perhaps because I want my theory to be correct. I took Ana’s brother from her. It would be a hell of a gift to give her back Kurt.
A few minutes later, I walk back into the cabin loaded down with bags. “It’s snowing like crazy out there.”
“Anything other than the snow out there?” Ana asks.
“A deer and a couple of bunnies,” I tell her, leaving out my shared sense of being watched. Or rather, of someone being here. Being here does not mean whoever this is means to hurt us. Darius hung out up here. Maybe someone else does as well.
“Maybe it was a deer I felt watching me.”
“More likely a bobcat or a cougar, a predator that was sizing you up for dinner and didn’t know I’ve already claimed you as mine.”
Her lips curve. “Leave it to you to turn this into sex.”
“What’s wrong with turning this into sex?”
She laughs her delicate little laugh, that defies how tough as nails she is. “Nothing.”
“Well, then I better start a fire because I know you. If you’re cold, I’m not getting your clothes off of you.”