20

Even if they hadn’t been standing in the middle of a gravel road, miles from town, surrounded by towering trees and acres of woodland, Slade’s suggestion would’ve sounded absurd. Which was exactly what he was going for; he didn’t need a signed piece of paper giving him the right to look after Skylar.

Not here. Not now. Not ever.

He would protect her—by any means necessary—regardless. The sooner she accepted that fact, the better. But how could he convince her? She’d already dug in her heels.

Perhaps a little coaxing would benefit his cause. Slade’s pulse spiked as he cupped Skylar’s face in his hands. Her eyes widened as he dipped his head and kissed her. He told himself the kiss was, again, a means to an end: He needed to disarm her, get her to soften her resolve and listen to reason, but when Skylar placed a hand on his chest—not pushing him away but drawing him near—his heart shifted and his plan backfired as his resolve weakened.

But he couldn’t allow his emotions to take control. Not until they were safe again. With reluctance, he eased away from Skylar, creating much needed distance.

She blinked repeatedly. “You did that to distract me,” she whispered the breathless accusation.

“Did it work?” His voice came out raspier than he intended.

She jabbed a finger at his chest as her gaze smoldered. “The next time you kiss me, you’d better not have an ulterior motive.” She stepped away and strode into the woods, leaving her sweet, delicate scent trailing behind.

“Is that an invitation?” He allowed a smile to break through. No doubt about it, he wanted to kiss her again, but next time would be purely for pleasure—hers and his.

Skylar didn’t reply as she kept moving at a clipped pace.

“For the record,” he said as he jogged to catch up, “I don’t normally kiss women without consent, but you’re stubborn.”

“For the record, normally, if a man kisses me without permission, I reply with a few swift kicks to strategic body parts, but since you’re trying to save my life, I kept my foot to myself—this once.”

“I appreciate that. More than you know.” Slade fell into step beside her. “Do you have any idea where you’re going?”

“I’d guess we’re about three quarters of a mile away from the garage as the crow flies. If we walk this way”—she pointed west—“we should find the building in about ten minutes.”

She’d nailed the distance, direction and timing. “How did you know? You were on the floorboard for most of the drive.”

“I didn’t need to see out the window to know you drove for about three minutes and took two curves in the road. And you taught me to find a point of reference and use it.” She pointed toward the sun.

No doubt about it, Skylar Hart intrigued him. “I’m impressed, but I’d better take the lead.” He stopped walking long enough to withdraw his Glock and switch off the safety. “Barnes keeps a pistol in his office and Mayhew carries a hunting knife and a revolver.”

Skylar shivered. “I need a weapon.” She searched the area and picked up a fallen branch about three feet long and six inches in diameter. She held it like a baseball bat. As if ready and willing to fight, she gestured for Slade to move ahead.

He didn’t budge. “Keep the stick if you want, but I’m not relenting. I want you to stay back. Agree now or we’ll both walk away from this.”

She nipped her lower lip and then sighed. “All right. You need the laptop, and I don’t want to jeopardize your best chance of getting to it.” She dropped the branch and dug in her purse for her cellphone. “But if anything happens, I’m calling 9-1-1.”

“Fair enough.” Slade gave her the garage’s official address just in case. “But only alert the authorities as a last resort.”

Skylar nodded her assent.

Slade took Skylar’s hand in his and maneuvered through the woods. Within minutes the garage’s dingy cinderblock walls came into view. “Let’s circle to the back.”

They rounded the building. A clearing about fifty feet wide separated the garage from the forest. As he neared the tree line, Slade stopped behind a large oak. “Please stay here out of sight.” He squeezed her hand before releasing it.

Concern filled Skylar’s gaze. “I’m getting used to having you around. Come back to me in one piece.”

Her sentiment, while casual in nature, ignited a longing deep within. He wanted to be more than her bodyguard. Maybe one day he could be. But first he needed to get them both out of this alive.

Gripping his weapon in both hands, he slipped around the tree and entered the clearing. Weeds, vines, and wildflowers adorned this neglected area, creating a haven for snakes and other creatures Slade would rather avoid. He watched his step as he approached the garage. Pressing against the wall, he crept toward the nearest window and peered inside.

Barnes and Mayhew were not in the main area, but the office light remained on. They might still be using the computer. If so, he’d have to draw them out, gain access to the laptop and check the files.

As Slade contemplated the best course of action, a branch cracked within the woods and leaves rustled as if something, or someone, approached. Had they been discovered? The possibility sent a chill down his spine. Every hair on the nape of his neck stood erect.

Skylar.

A fierce protectiveness surged through him, and he shoved away from the wall just as the sound of a gunshot ripped through the air. A bullet hit the garage inches from his head, shattering pieces off the cinderblock. He ducked and ran around the side of the building. Leaning against the wall, he peered past the edge and scanned the woods for any signs of movement.

“Didn’t know about the perimeter alarm did you, Cowboy?” Mayhew’s gritty voice, coming from the woods, held arrogance. “Guess not or you and the woman would’ve been more careful not to trigger it.”

Slade stifled a curse. Barnes must’ve had the system installed since Slade last scouted the woods surrounding the garage. He should have anticipated Barnes would take such measures. Although, Barnes had no legal right to the property, he treated the entire area as his territory.

“Why did you come back?” Mayhew swung his arm blindly around the tree and pulled the trigger three times in a random attempt to hit Slade, but the bullets went wild, one pinging off a piece of scrap metal lying in the weeds. “You want to take us out? Is that it? Keep the woman and the money?”

“You got it half right. The woman’s mine. But we don’t have the money.”

Mayhew’s revolver had two shots left, if that many. If Slade could get him to fire the remaining bullets, he might have a chance to get to Mayhew before he could reload.

“Go ahead. Hide behind the tree. You always were a coward,” Slade goaded as he returned fire. The blast echoed off the rolling hillsides as the bullet smashed into the tree’s bark.

With a cry of indignation Mayhew stepped out, aimed, and fired the remaining shots.

One of the bullets skimmed Slade’s left bicep, slicing flesh. Sucking in a breath, he ground his teeth against the searing pain and remained focused on Mayhew. “You’re out of ammo. Give it up.” He stepped away from the wall, closing in as he aimed at Mayhew’s chest. “Get on your knees. Hands behind your head.”

A challenge sparked in Mayhew’s eyes. “Not going to happen.” He tossed aside the revolver and lunged toward Skylar.

Skylar’s scream pierced the air as she raced into the clearing, heading toward Slade. But Mayhew gained ground fast, his long legs eating up the distance.

Slade took careful aim, but he couldn’t get a clean shot—Mayhew had positioned himself directly behind Skylar.

“Get down!” Slade bellowed, but it was already too late. She wasn’t going to make it.