Grave Secrets (Manhunters 1)

She heaved a sigh, her expression frustrated and lost. “I changed all my passwords, but that didn’t help. Misty said he was probably tracking me with my phone and my computer. She ordered the disposable cells to her home and brought them to me. She also bought something that scrambles my computer activity. I don’t know how it works, but it keeps Hank from interfering with my purchases and internet searches.” She shook her head, furious. “But he’s obviously found another way to track me, because there was no way he knew about

tonight. I’m starting to think he implanted a damn GPS chip into me while I was sleeping or something.”

“He’s not that sophisticated,” Ian said. “I think he’s just listening in on your plans.”

She tossed her hands up. “How?”

“Do you really have those pictures?” he asked.

The change of subject threw her for a second. “Of course I do. I’d never risk your safety with a lie.”

He cut a look at her, but Savannah couldn’t read it. “Why haven’t you used them before this? Long before this. To get him to leave you alone or get yourself out of town?”

His voice was level, making it hard to read his emotions. “Because something that happened years ago, with no witnesses to prove Hank was the person who hit me, will not stand up in a Hazard County court. I need more. I was saving it in the hope it would work as a last-ditch effort, as an emergency get-out-of-Hazard-free card, hoping his reputation in town means more to him than his need for revenge and control.”

“Then why’d you use it tonight?”

“Because he was pointing a gun at you,” she said, her voice rising with frustration. “Maybe you’re used to that after being in the military, but my heart just about jumped out of my chest.”

He stared at her for another moment, then returned his gaze to the road with a soft “Fuck” under his breath.

“Are you mad?” she asked, then quickly followed with “I mean, it would be totally reasonable if you were. I am, and if I were in your place, I’d be really—”

“No,” he cut her off. “I’m not mad. Not at you. At him, yeah. At this situation, you’re damn right. I can’t stand the way he’s got you cornered in this little town, trapped between Canada, the Blackfeet Reservation, and the Rockies with your only way out through him. And I’m royally pissed off that you had to use your ace in the hole to save my sorry ass.”

He exhaled hard, as if he had more to say but wouldn’t let himself. With his elbow on the window ledge, Ian wiped his hand across his mouth and shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice a soft rumble now, filled with apology and compassion. “Like I said, I’m not angry with you. I’m angry for you.”

Savannah experienced a quick, deep tug of connection. The way he’d cut to the heart of the biggest obstacle in her life validated her in a way she’d never experienced. She felt…seen. She hadn’t realized—until that very moment—how minimized she’d felt all these years. How she could see so many people day in and day out, but not one acknowledged her struggle. Yet, Ian had been in town two weeks, and he’d not only recognized her problem but was incensed over the injustice of it.

Warmth blossomed low in her belly. She hadn’t had anyone but Misty give a shit about her in so long, the gratitude filled her until her chest tightened with it.

Her phone chimed with a return text. We’re great. Don’t worry. Focus on your hottie.

Savannah breathed a little easier. She knew Misty would die protecting Jamison; she just didn’t want it to come to that. And after seeing Hank draw his weapon on Ian, she was grateful Misty had weapons and knew how to use them.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

Savannah released a long breath. “Yeah. They’re fine.”

She looked out the passenger’s window into the darkness for a long moment. A sense of vulnerability washed over her. A sensation that was far too familiar.

“Hey,” Ian said, his voice soft as he patted the seat beside him. “Come here.”

She unbuckled her seat belt and slid to the center of the seat again. A smile tipped his mouth and relaxed his features. He lifted his arm, and she slid into place beneath it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. His muscled arm pulled her close and gave her a squeeze, and the whole atmosphere in the truck eased.

“Everything’s okay,” he said. “We’ll figure this out. It won’t be like this forever.”

She angled toward him and curled her fingers into his shirt. With her head on his chest, she murmured, “Thank you. I can’t remember the last time someone stuck up for me.” She exhaled. “But can we not do that again? I about had a heart attack.”

He kissed her head. “He would never have gotten off a shot.”

She wasn’t sure what that meant or how Ian would have stopped it from happening, but that didn’t matter. She just never wanted to be in that situation again. Though considering all the steps they’d taken to make sure they got out of the house undetected, yet still had been caught, Savannah couldn’t see a way out other than cutting herself off from the only man who’d ever stood up to Hank.

“I can hear the gears turning in your head,” he told her. “Talk to me.”

She rested her head against his shoulder. “How did he know where we were going? I didn’t tell anyone but Misty. And we didn’t talk about it on the phone.”

Ian didn’t answer immediately. The silence felt heavy, like a weight on Savannah’s shoulders.