“Are you sure he doesn’t want to toy with you first?”
“No. He’s out for blood.” Aidan rubbed the back of his neck, still scanning the area. “The law is looking for him. He doesn’t have time for games.” He turned to the cabin. “Come on. Let’s get you back to the lodge and out of the cold.”
“You’re not planning to come back here?” She knew the answer by the line of his squared shoulders.
“A few bundles of wood from the store will get me by for the night until I can figure out something else.”
“You can’t stay out here alone.”
“Are you offering to stay with me?” He cocked a brow.
She ignored the double meaning of his words. “You can stay at the lodge.”
“And endanger the people there? I don’t think so.”
“You promised your cousin you wouldn’t leave the lodge.” She tried again. The idea of him staying out here alone and unprotected while some nutcase wanted him dead made claws of fear sink into her bones.
“Careful, you’re beginning to sound like you care about me.”
She did care. And she was starting to realize how much. “Aidan…”
His attention was caught by a snap of a twig. Suddenly a black wolf came charging toward them, growling with its teeth bared. Aidan pushed her away as the wolf came right at them, knocking them to the ground as the distinct crack of a rifle echoed in the dark. Then the wolf was gone, bounding off into the dense trees.
“Move,” Aidan hollered, grabbing her arm and hauling her toward the side of the cabin. Another shot rang out as they hurried. They crouched next to the log walls. “Are you hit?”
“Was that a wolf?”
“Yes. Are you hit?”
“No, you?”
“The shots are coming from the back of the cabin. We need to get to the Tahoe.” They were both breathing hard. The wind picked up, swirling the snow as it fell. “I want you to run for it, while I cover you.” He cocked the gun. “Ready?”
She nodded.
“Go.” He pushed her away from him and peppered rounds over what was left of the wood pile.
Raven ran and jumped into the passenger side of the vehicle, keeping her head down as shots rang back and forth over the area. She noticed the keys Aidan had left in the ignition. Without a second thought, she shimmied over the console into the driver’s seat and started the engine, engaging the gears. She glanced up just as a bullet shot through the windshield, missing her by mere inches. Then Aidan was there, vaulting into the seat next to her. She had the Tahoe in motion before he said, “Go, go, go!”
Another shot hit the side of the vehicle and then blessedly there were no more. Regardless, she didn’t slow her speed, careening around icy corners, plowing through snow drifts as though the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels.
“You can slow down now,” Aidan said, his voice breathless.
She glanced at him, knowing he’d see the fear and panic in her eyes.
“Back off the gas, sweetheart, or we’re going to end up dead.”
“He was shooting at us.” She stated the obvious, letting off the gas.
“I know.” Aidan grimaced as she hit a rut in the road.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He tightened his mouth.
“Did he hit you?” she screeched.
“I’ll be fine.” He grabbed the dashboard as the Tahoe slid around the corner. “As long as you don’t end us in the ditch.”
“Oh, God. You are hit. Where?”
“Upper arm. It’s fine. Just a graze.”
She noticed how he was holding his right arm close to his chest and stepped on the gas. Knowing he was shot wreaked havoc with her emotions, and her driving skills. Adrenaline pumped through her veins like amphetamines. “Where did that wolf come from?”
Aidan smiled. “He’s been hanging around the place. I think he’s looking out for me.”
“If he hadn’t…”
“I know.” Aidan swallowed.
“Whoever Grandma Harte was, she raised some nasty boys.” Raven shuddered. Aidan didn’t seem anything like them, but she’d seen his dark side in the past and it had scared her to death.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Aidan finally relaxed when the lodge came into view. Raven jerked the Tahoe to a stop in the parking lot. He hoped no one would pay any attention to the bullet-riddled rental. She rushed over to help him out of the SUV, but he was already on his feet, meeting her at the front of the vehicle.
“Give me the keys,” he said. “I’ll head to Fairbanks. There’s no need to involve your family in this.”