Lissa’s good mood was fully restored. Who could brood when a campfire and delicious treats were in her future? “Good. Because I came prepared.”
Dax paused, one tent pole in his hand. “You did?”
“Yep.” She swung her own backpack down. “Chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. One thing I learned from living in campgrounds my whole childhood was how to make a mean s’more.”
Dax grinned. “I was—”
William’s low growls interrupted Dax. The dog stalked to the base of the dune, his tail low, his shoulders hunched.
Dax went just as rigid. “Stay here,” he said in a low voice. Silently, he scampered up the dune, slowing as he neared the top. He peered over the ridge.
“William,” Lissa whispered. “Go with him.” If a bear was coming their way, Dax would need all the help he could get.
The Bluetick scrambled up the hill and stayed under Dax’s hand. Man and beast were immobile for a solid minute. Lissa shifted from one foot to the other, rubbing her hands on her opposite arms. Dax was an experienced outdoorsman, she reminded herself. Whatever was out there, he could handle it.
But please, don’t let it be a bear.
Or a skunk.
Taking hold of William’s collar, Dax scuttled over the rim and out of Lissa’s sight.
She blew out a breath and looked up and down the beach. This was silly. She shouldn’t be the only one staying behind. Though she didn’t know how much help she’d be against an animal, except as a decoy. Bobbing up and down on her toes, she burned with indecision. She’d just decided to climb after Dax when he slipped over the ridge and slid back down the dune, William by his side.
He picked up her pack and handed it to her before slipping on his own. “We have to go,” he said in a low voice. “Now.”
Placing an arm around her back, he hurried her down the beach, staying close to the protection of the dune.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Shh.”
She pressed her lips together. It wasn’t like she’d yelled the question.
He led her around a large clump of beach grass, and they angled up the dune a hundred feet from their original location. “Three men. I recognize them from New Orleans.”
Lissa’s heart clogged her throat. “What? Here?” she hissed.
The last of the dusk faded, and Dax became nothing more than a moving shadow. “They could have followed my Jeep, but I don’t understand how they tracked us to the camp site. They don’t look like experienced trackers.”
Lissa slid her hand into her front pocket and tapped her phone. “A person can’t track disposable phones, can they? If they don’t have your number?”
“I don’t know.” He stopped. “But give me your phone just in case.”
Lissa handed it over.
His arm brushed hers as he cocked back and hurled the phone into the distance.
Lissa tried to follow its path. It glinted once, twice, in the moonlight and disappeared. She sighed. Another phone gone.
William woofed and hightailed it into the dark, after the projectile.
Lissa started after him. “William!” she whisper-shouted.
Grabbing her elbow, Dax tugged her in the opposite direction. “Let’s go.”
“But …”
“He’ll find us,” Dax said grimly.
“But he hasn’t learned fetch yet.” She looked over her shoulder, searching the shadows. “He only chases.”
“Tonight, I’m hoping he leads those goons on a merry chase. Far away from us.” They reached the edge of the cypress forest, and Dax brushed a branch back over her head.
A shout sounded, much too close, and a beam of light sliced in their direction.
“Or maybe not.” Dax pulled her into a jog. They threaded around tree trunks, tripped over bushes. The flashlight beam was joined by two others, inching ever closer to their position.
Dax changed direction, cutting a right angle to their pursuers.
Lissa stumbled down a hill, sweat rolling down her back. Her pulse beat like a drum in her ears. These people were nuts. Coming so far to resteal her money? For the first time, a real lick of fear unfurled in her chest. Because of her, would Dax get hurt? And where the heck was William?
“This way.” Dax pulled her behind the trunk of a fallen tree. He dropped down, dragging her to the ground with him.
Her lungs heaved. “What—”
Dax pressed a finger to her lips. “Wait,” he whispered as he searched the ground.
Shouts grew louder, followed by a wounded howl.
Lissa rolled to her feet, and Dax tugged her back down. “But William …”
“He has a lot more teeth and fighting skills than we do. Just wait.”
A rock dug into her butt, but she ignored it. The muscles in her legs twitched, itching to move. To run. A branch cracked, the sounds of heavy breathing growing closer.
“Do you see them?” a deep voice growled.
“Heading back to the car, I’m sure,” another voice said.
Dax moved beside her. There was a whisper of air, then something soft thudded in the distance.
The flashlights swung toward the sound. “There!” Three figures were limned in the moonlight as they thudded away from Dax and Lissa. The lead figure’s flashlight beam bounced, then dropped from sight.
“Franky?” The second figure tried to pull up but toppled over the edge of the canyon with a high-pitched shriek.
The third man was running too fast to put on the brakes. He made a valiant attempt at a leap across the chasm. His midsection hit the opposite wall and an “oof” slipped from his lips. His flashlight skittered away from his grip, spun on the ground, and lit up the upper half of his body. His hips and legs dangled over the abyss. He scrambled for a handhold to pull himself up, finding nothing. With a loud curse, he slid backward, disappearing from sight.
Dax stood and grabbed her hand. “Come on!” They sprinted around the canyon, following their original path back to the car.
Lissa gasped for air. “William!” she shouted as she ran. “Come here, boy!”
“Shh!” Dax’s backpack bounced heavily, and he attached the band across his chest and pulled it tight. “Let’s not advertise our location.” He took her hand again.
“Please.” She dodged around a jagged bush, a prickle snagging the leg of her pants. “It will take them a good long time to get out of that hole, assuming they still have functioning legs to walk on. There’s no need for stealth.”
“Good point.” Pausing, he scanned the area and pointed. “There. I think that’s the trail.”
Lissa followed him over to it. “We were this close to a trail the whole time? Why didn’t we use it before?”
He shrugged. “Off trail is more fun.”
A slight jangling approached them, and William loped into sight, tongue lolling out of his mouth.
“William!” Lissa dropped to a crouch and threw her arms around his neck. He licked her cheek and whined.
“Great. The band’s back together.” Dax patted the dog’s side. “Now let’s make tracks.”
With the flat, smooth path, they were able to jog at a steady clip. The couple of miles went by quickly. When the pearlescent reflection of cars in the parking lot came into sight, Lissa’s feet almost flew toward them.
She collapsed against the side of the Jeep as Dax rifled for his keys. “I’ve never run so well,” she said. “Usually I have to stop after a mile.”
“Being chased will do that for you.” Peeling her pack from her shoulders, Dax tossed it in the back seat and threw his on top. “Up,” he said to William, and the dog jumped inside. Dax opened the passenger door and took her arm.
“Wait.” Lissa patted the pockets of Dax’s cargo pants, searching.
“What on eart
h—”
“Got it!” She pulled out his pocketknife and flipped open the blade. “Flashlight?”
Dax slapped it into her hand. “Care to explain?”
“Watch and learn.” She flashed the light on the license plates of the three other cars in the lot, found the one with Louisiana plates. Making sure the blade was locked, she dug it into the front wheel. The air whooshed out with a satisfying hiss. She quickly gave the other tires the same treatment.
When she handed Dax back his tools, he gave her an impressed nod. “Nice. Can we go now? Any other tricks up your sleeve?”
“Nope.” She sauntered to the passenger side. “I’m done.”
Grinning, Dax trotted around the hood and climbed behind the wheel.
A cloud of dust followed them down the dirt road as they flew faster than the Jeep’s suspension liked.
William whined from the back seat, and Lissa urged him to hop over the armrest and sit with her. He panted heavily in her ear, and she rolled down the window to give him air.
Her adrenaline ebbed, her hands beginning to shake. They drove an hour in silence. The closer they got to Pineville, the worse it got.
She could have gotten Dax hurt. Killed even. All because she wanted a couple of more weeks with him.
William stuck his head out the window, his ears flapping in the breeze.
She rested her cheek against the doorframe. The cool air rushing past dried her tears.
Dax pulled his Jeep into a spot on the street across from the Pineville police station.
“We’re going to the police?” she asked dully. It was the smart thing to do, but that had never guided her before.
Gripping the steering wheel, Dax stared out the windshield. “I talked to Judge Nichols about your case. Without mentioning names,” he was quick to add. “It’s not certain, but you could be in legal trouble for what you did in New Orleans. Going to the cops now might prevent you from going to Bruggard-Tayo.”
Her throat went thick. “I don’t know if that matters anymore. Those men might have …” Hurt you.
“It matters to me.” He glanced at the police station, looked back at her. “You still want Bruggard-Tayo?”
She nodded, jerky.
Reaching across her knees, Dax popped open the glove box and pulled out his cell phone. “This guy in New Orleans, what’s his name?”
Frowning, Lissa told him.
He typed on his phone, scrolled down a web page.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Looking for his phone number.” He tapped the screen and put his ear to the phone.
Lissa grabbed his arm. “Wait. You’re calling him?” She reached for the phone, but he blocked her.
Jaw tight, Dax left a terse message. “This is Dax Cannon. Any problems you have with Annelise Ansel, you come to me about. Any harassment of her, any threats to her, they end now. If anything happens to Lissa, and I mean anything, you’ll have to deal with me.” He read off his phone number and ended the call.
She gaped, her stomach twisting. “He’s tracking phone numbers, you idiot.” She slapped his arm.
William shifted, then jumped into the back seat, giving her unimpeded access to Dax. So she slapped his arm again. And again. “You basically just told him to come find you.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want you involved in my mess!”
He caught her hands, bringing her fingers to his lips. He kissed them softly. “Your messes are my messes.” He sighed. “You don’t deserve to have your dreams taken away from you, your life ruined because some jerk was ripping you off. I’ll take care of this.”
Leaning across the center console, he drew her into his arms.
Lissa felt his heart beating against her own. Sweet, stubborn, stupid man. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and let herself enjoy the embrace. The scratch of the polo beneath her cheek, the scent of the forest and sweat and Dax in her nose—she tried to imprint everything about this man, this moment, into her brain. Because this would be one of their last embraces.
Her heart clenched so painfully it stole her breath.
For Dax’s safety, she had to leave.
Chapter 21
Dax checked all the food and water bowls. Again. Still full. He paced from room to room at Forever Friends, his body wound too tightly to stay in one place. The rising sun streaked into the windows high up on the walls of the central playroom, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air by the ceiling.
Dax checked his watch. Lissa should be holed up in Marla’s cabin by now. Safe. Secure.
The muscles in his shoulders released a tiny bit. There could be no way those thugs would find her there.
One of the new husky pups raised his head from his plush dog bed, cocking his ears. He hopped to his feet, barking like mad. All the other dogs roused, joining in the cacophony, until Dax winced.
Dax stilled and willed his pulse to remain steady. It was still too early in the morning for Brad to arrive, and today was Gabe’s day at his veterinarian practice. Which only left one possibility.
Sliding his hand into his back pocket, he gripped the wrench he’d swiped from Brad’s workshop.
His phone vibrated in the pocket on his thigh.
Striding to the door that separated the playroom from the lobby, Dax pushed it open and grabbed his phone. “Yeah?”
The door swung shut, hitting William on the nose. He jumped up, clawing at the glass and whining.
Shoving the phone between his shoulder and ear, Dax opened the door a wedge to let the Bluetick slip out and closed it quickly before all the other dogs could follow.
“Dax Cannon?” the voice at the other end asked.
“You’ve got him.” Dax went to the window and drew down one of the slots on the venetian blinds. He peered into the parking lot. A ten-year-old Dodge truck was parked across three spaces. Dax thought he recognized it from the lot at the trailhead. Lissa’s maneuver, smart as it had been, hadn’t saved them any more time than it took for the three men to steal a car. “Morris, I presume?”
“Bingo. I hear you want to be little Lissa’s savior.” The man’s tone was dry, contemptuous.
It put Dax’s back right up.
“Liss doesn’t need a savior.” He let the blind snap shut. “What she needs is for scum like you to leave her alone.”
“And I’ll be happy to do so,” Morris said. “Just as soon as I get my money.”
Pacing to the door, Dax cracked it open. The three figures remained in the truck. “Are we really going to get into a debate about the ownership of the money you cheated Lissa out of? And how many other artists were you ripping off? That’s a nice side business for an art gallery.”
“Don’t bring up things you know nothing about.” Morris’s voice went low. Mean. “I’ve been very nice trying to handle this situation. If you don’t hand over the cash to my associates outside your building right now, I’ll quickly become less so.”
“You’re not the only one who can play hardball.” William pressed against Dax’s thigh, and Dax rubbed his back. He tried to relax his body, knowing his nervousness was agitating the dog. “Lissa’s ready to talk to the police. She’d prefer not to, but if pushed any further, she’s calling the NOPD. I don’t think you want them taking a close look at your business. Be smart. Cut your losses and move on.”
A growl came through the line. “Tell your girl not to be stupid. There’ll be consequences if she goes to the cops.”
“And she doesn’t want that,” Dax said. “So walk away now, and there’ll be no consequences for anyone.”
Morris heaved a sigh. “You’re going to make me do this the hard way, aren’t you? Don’t worry. I’ll tell my boys to give you just a little taste this time. But if I don’t get my money by tonight, there’ll be no second chances.” And the m
an hung up.
Both doors on the truck swung open. One man’s boots hit the cement. The man on the passenger side stepped out more gingerly. He hobbled aside to let the third guy slide out.
Individually, none of the men looked like a threat. Their clothes were torn and filthy. They shared two black eyes among them and only one of them walked without a limp.
But it was still three men against one. Dax cracked the knuckles on his right hand. Three men who needed to be taught a lesson.
William stuck his nose out the door, growling and trying to burrow his way outside.
Okay, three against two.
One of the men pulled something out of his pocket that caught the rays of the rising sun. He slid it over his knuckles.
New plan. Dax reached for William’s collar. “You’re not going …”
The dog shoved the door open with his nose and bolted outside. The Bluetick ran up to the group and darted back and forth in a semicircle around the men, his hackles raised, barking every time one of them took a step.
Dax cursed and raced after him. He raised one arm in what he hoped was a friendly manner. “Hey, fellas.”
The driver disappeared back in the cab and came out with a tire iron. He advanced on William.
“Oh hell no.” Any pretense of geniality evaporated. Lowering his center of gravity, Dax dipped his shoulder and charged. He caught the man right under the rib cage. The tire iron slapped against Dax’s thigh as the thug bounced off the ground. His head hit the pavement with a satisfying thud.
Dax spun, chest heaving, assessing the next threat. The man with the brass knuckles inched forward, his bum leg dragging behind.
William took two steps and leaped. He encircled the man’s wrist between his jaws before he landed. As if the man’s arm was a rope in a tug-of-war, the dog shook his head from side to side.
The thug fell to his knees, howling.
“Guess it’s just you and me,” Dax said to the third man. He rolled his head and shook out his arms. It had been a long time since he’d been in a fight, but he couldn’t deny he was looking forward to this just a little bit. These men had chased Lissa across six states. Threatened her with harm.
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