Winter Peril

by Pinder, Victoria

  Erica shrugged and answered with a smile, “Divorce tends to be cleaner than murder, and she’d be free to sleep with drug or manipulate the next man that caught her eye.”

  “That doesn’t sound nice.”

  She nodded. “True. I’m glad you’re free now.”

  He winced, then ran his hand in his hair. He stared at her and then told her, “Don’t.”

  No. She’d not let him pull away. Distance wasn’t needed anymore. He needed to let go of the past. “It’s okay, Gabriel.”

  Slowly, he leaned toward her and took her hands. “I promised you. I’m getting you out of here. You can go back to your life, free of all this.”

  That was a sudden topic change. She met his gaze. “I don’t want to go anywhere without you.”

  “We can’t.” His face froze.

  She had energy that coursed through her now. If he could talk like he had today and find it in his heart to forgive her, then yes, they could have a future. Her heart fluttered. “Yes, we can.”

  Without a word said between them, she decided to be more dramatic. This talk deserved to get more physical, and she’d make her point. She unbuttoned her shirt and his eyes grew larger.

  His voice cracked while he told her, “We made a huge mistake.”

  “You’ve been right for me.” She picked up his hand and placed it on her heart. Then she offered him a small smile and told him, “Don’t you see how I burn for you? I’m so busy out there. With you, I’m here. I’m honest. And, most of all, I’m alive. We are not a mistake. Please take me, Gabriel.”

  His eyelids lowered, and her skin tingled in awareness of him. She’d never been this brave before. She’d never asked for a man to come to her. She licked her lips and waited. Then his tender, callused hands touched her creamy skin and every pore electrified. The moment he squeezed her breast, her body ached.

  “We shouldn’t.”

  He hadn’t sounded convincing at all. She’d lay odds he needed a small push, and she noticed his erection. Boldly, she sat on his lap and picked up his other hand. Pushing forward, she placed his palm on her back. “You want me. I want you. I can’t help myself with you.”

  As she ran his hand on her leg, he sent tingles through her body. “You’d tempt a saint.”

  She shook her head. “I’m no saint. I want my dark angel.”

  His mouth curled into a grin. As she leaned up to kiss him, she moaned. His lips crushed hers, and the tingling coursed through her.

  She curled her hands in his hair and drew him closer. Then her legs wrapped themselves around him.

  “Erica, you’re impossible to say no to.”

  She arched her back and trembled. His hands circled her waist. She was instantly turned on, and energy coursed through her. But his fingers trailed lower to her jean zipper. The heat in her body grew until the lights flickered off.

  They both froze. As she stood, he picked her up with him, and she brushed against his erection. A moment later, the power went out. The entire house and apartment was black. The wind rattled the windows and the stars gave off hardly enough light. With a quick kiss, he told her, “I’ve got to check the generator.”

  “I’ll go into the bedroom and wait for you there.”

  He let her down. She smirked, and in a tease, she decided to loosen the jeans. To demonstrate, she gave him her back.

  Emboldened, she brushed her naked stomach, and he let out a small groan. But he walked past her down the hall.

  She picked her pants off the ground and bounced back into her room. Without a care, she opened the door in the dark and tossed them to the side.

  Suddenly, a chill went down her spine.

  A female voice called out from the dark, “Slut, I thought it was about time to introduce myself.”

  Her backside hit the wall, and she didn’t have time to blink. Sentences couldn’t form, and then something sharp hit her head. Her vocal cords froze, and she couldn’t call out. A split second later, spots appeared. Then she blacked out.

  Chapter 26

  “Miami princess, wake up.”

  A cold female voice echoed in her ears. Erica wrinkled her face. Her head hurt, and her left arm didn’t move. With effort, neither did her right. No. She blinked and opened her eyes. The dark room appeared like a basement or a bomb shelter. Slowly she tried to sit up, but instead, she struggled against ties that held her down. A light flickered above her head and shone down on her like a spotlight. She coughed and her eyes adjusted. Then she saw the woman in the portrait. “Who are you?”

  The petite woman sat in a chair and stared at her. How had Tiffany dragged her here? She was tiny. Then Erica’s scan of the dark room stopped at the silver cart in the corner. She trembled at the glasslike blue eyes that were filled with loathing. The portrait was a vain, selfish woman. The person in front of her had hate that filled every cell in her body. Erica shook her head. Then a huge, catlike grin appeared on the woman’s face, and she crossed her legs.

  Erica struggled for freedom, and the woman shrugged. “The bigger question, slut, is why you kept sleeping with my husband after I left you all those signs that he murdered people. A normal woman would want to be far away from him. What kind of woman falls for the criminal?”

  Erica coughed again. Her throat was parched. “You’re Tiffany?”

  Without warning, she stood and loomed over Erica.

  Erica struggled against her restraints. Tiffany smiled and fixed Erica’s hair. “Guess even idiots have their moments. Why are you having sex with my loser of a husband?”

  With pain, Erica forced her head up and lashed in her restraints. Nothing moved. All she had to rely on to get through this were her wits. Somehow, she’d untie the restraints.

  Gabriel would eventually realize she was missing, but until then Erica had to hold out. With a fast prayer, she hoped he’d find her soon. He knew about the secret passages now. Then Erica raised her eyebrows and met the woman’s gaze. She refused to let Tiffany bully her. “Gabriel and I aren’t rational, but then, neither are you. You’re supposed to be dead.”

  She bit at the air. Later, Erica would tremble. Right now, Tiffany hummed and checked on Erica’s immobilized arm. “I’m not, but you will be soon.”

  “Were you the one who left the articles for me to find?”

  “I thought I told you that already? I wrote them. I couldn’t believe the online following I had as that author. But that’s a different story. Are you not paying attention?” Tiffany’s eyes widened. “Yes, I left all the clues. You were supposed to be scared of Gabriel.”

  The clues made sense now. Erica swallowed. She should always listen to her heart. “The diaries too?”

  Tiffany’s smile grew. “Gabriel is the villain in the story. No sane woman would ever fall into his bed.”

  Ah. Erica’s mouth opened, and before she could stop herself, she stated her opinion: “Our definitions of sane are different.”

  Tiffany’s face froze. “Excuse me?”

  Erica tried her legs, but she couldn’t move them either. Her gaze never left Tiffany. She answered, “Gabriel is a handsome man. Even you thought so.”

  She saw the blank stare Tiffany gave her. Erica blinked, as she didn’t want to see crazy in the other woman’s eyes. “You’ve not met his brother.”

  Still? She hadn’t seen the man in years. He could have eaten lots of junk food for therapy. Erica swallowed. “Gabriel is the sexiest man I ever met.”

  “You really are a foolish slut.”

  “Tiffany, my name is Erica.”

  Tiffany shook her head. “I was so close to finally winning. Gabriel believed he was half-crazy. This winter was supposed to be the end. He’d finally commit suicide, and I’d walk out of here as the innocent victim he had locked away.”

  A tug on her arms didn’t work.

  “No one would ever believe that. Raphael had the police listening to your confession.”

  With a demonic stare, Tiffany ran her hand down Erica’s arm and shoulder.
Erica winced from the touch. Tiffany explained, “Everyone would believe that. The entire town thinks him half-crazy, and he’s been a loner for a long time. And I never confessed. People talk; and I was so close until you showed up unexpectedly.”

  Erica twisted her head. “My car crashed. I had no choice.”

  The cold blue eyes stared right into her again until Erica flinched. Tiffany fixed her hair. The police had questioned her in the past. Did Tiffany not think that clear? “You might have lived if you didn’t have sex with Gabriel and convince him he’s not crazy.”

  With her chin up, Erica opened her eyes. “He’s not crazy. He suffers because of his past, but he’s a good guy.”

  At least she held back a “crazy wife” comment.

  A derisive sneer came out of Tiffany’s mouth. “You only say that because of your chemical reaction to him went off the charts after sex.”

  Erica’s eyes widened. “I say that because I’m falling in love with him.”

  “That’s your final sin.” Tiffany backed away, and Erica lost sight of her for a moment, until she came back into view. Tiffany had a half smile, and she squeezed a syringe.

  Erica swallowed. “How will you win Raphael back after you kill me and Gabriel?”

  “He’ll believe Gabriel kidnapped me.”

  “You shot him.”

  “It was an accident.”

  “He’s engaged to some other woman.”

  “That won’t be a problem.”

  A drop of the poison dripped on Erica’s arm, and her hands became fists. Tiffany leaned in and whispered, “Your left hand is already sterilized and immobilized. This will all be over soon.”

  “Wait, how have you lived down here on your own all this time?” Erica needed to keep the conversation going while Tiffany used an alcohol rub on her hands to wash.

  “This was built as a bomb shelter for World War II. I’ve all the necessities. It’s really quite spacious, with all the secret passages to the chalet.”

  Tiffany stepped back for a second, but kept that damn needle in her hand. Erica shook her head. “You’re insane.”

  “Shh. It’s almost over.” Tiffany smiled, but kept a solemn face. She cleaned Erica’s arm and searched for a vein.

  “Why bother? Aren’t you going to kill me?”

  Tiffany’s cold fingers slid on her arm. “For the police after they find your body. It has to look like an accident and that you weren’t poisoned.”

  Erica tried to pull away, but couldn’t. Tiffany told her, “I needed you to get him to talk about Raphael. It’s why I waited so long to kill you. Now that I know he saved me that day…”

  “He set you up, and you shot him.”

  Tiffany tilted her head. “I have my ways of influencing men.”

  “Anyone with a brain ought to see through you.”

  “Gabriel didn’t.” Tiffany laughed. “Your would-be hero fell for my acting, the same as every other man on the planet. Do you know how that happens?”

  Erica shook her head. “I have no idea.”

  “I believe every time in my soul that this one guy will be different, he’ll be a hero for me.” Tiffany shrugged. “They never are.”

  Tiffany was insane. Erica kept her mouth shut.

  Tiffany pushed the needle tip into her arm. Erica tried to kick, but couldn’t. “I can put you and Gabriel out of your misery. No one can ever love Gabriel.”

  “What?”

  She screamed. Tiffany’s hand on the needle stilled. Why didn’t she push the poison and be done? Why torture her now? Erica cringed.

  A boom rang out.

  The needle casing shattered, and the impact released the liquid on her arm. Then, as blood splattered on her face, Erica screamed.

  Tiffany fell backward and clutched her stomach, like she’d been shot.

  To breathe, Erica closed her eyes and counted to ten. She was still alive.

  She shook her arm to get the needle tip out.

  Erica opened her eyes and gazed at Gabriel. She smiled. He must have moved with the speed of light to pull the remains of the needle out of her arm. With her heart beating so fast, she almost didn’t hear Tiffany’s muffled scream.

  In a split second, Gabriel unbuckled her arms from the restraints and kissed her forehead.

  Erica tried to stop hyperventilating. The habit wasn’t helpful.

  Gabriel stepped back and found blankets, throwing them on her. He stepped over Tiffany. His gaze stayed on Erica. “You’re not dying on me.”

  Erica sat up and checked her pulse. She’d be okay.

  Tiffany screamed, “You made Raphael leave me. You don’t deserve . . . happy . . . ever . . . after . . . with . . . your . . . slut . . .”

  Erica squirmed to get free, and untied the ropes holding her legs. The knots were complicated.

  She struggled. Gabriel froze and stared at Tiffany for a moment. Erica watched Gabriel. His shoulders were tense. Then he said a prayer, turned back to her, and kissed her shoulder. “I should have been here sooner.”

  “You were just in time.”

  Then she could breathe. Erica scanned the room. Gabriel did the same. “Tiffany’s not here.”

  Erica swallowed. “I didn’t hear her.”

  “I was focused on you.” Gabriel stepped back. “Where did she go? She almost killed you.”

  Erica grumbled, then called out, “Don’t stand there. Help me.”

  His brown eyes met hers; then he glanced at her arm. “You can’t die on me.”

  “I’ve no intention of it.” She checked her arm where the needle had gone in. She bled a little, but everything in her body worked.

  She could make a fist.

  He untied the ropes, and her raw skin chafed. As he checked her arm, she lifted it for him to search for the puncture. He kissed the exposed skin, and she told him, “I think I’m okay. I think you hit the vial the second before she could press down.”

  He gulped. “If I’d have been a moment later . . .”

  His face went white.

  She cupped his chin to get him to gaze at her. “Don’t think about that. I’m okay. You saved me.”

  A second later, he met her gaze. “I thought she was dead.”

  “She is here.” She stood and tested her ankles. “Help me stand up. We have to find her.”

  With a decisive move, he stepped back and didn’t say a word. She couldn’t let him leave with more guilt to rack his body. She reached out to his arm and tugged on him. “Let’s go.”

  He helped her and stared at the ground. She tugged on his arm, but he didn’t move. “We should get you to safety first. I won’t let her hurt you.”

  She flexed her arm to check that it was fine. She felt okay. “You’re the crack shot in this duo. I’ll do whatever you say.”

  He clutched his gun, but said nothing.

  She placed her hand on his heart and pressed into him. “What’s your plan?”

  Tension came out of his shoulders with every millisecond she stepped closer to him. He hugged her and then kissed her ear. Soon she relaxed. Strength grew throughout her body, and her spine pumped adrenaline throughout her.

  “You’re fine. Let’s get you to my room. I keep my gun locker there, and if we secure the apartment area, then she can’t get in.”

  “I’ll help search every wall for secret passages.” She hugged him and rubbed his back. “Where are we?”

  Without letting her go, he answered, “In a basement I’ve never seen. You found her hidden passageways. I searched through the secret halls.”

  “At least now we know she’s here.”

  “I knew the story had a major hole in it, but I never found her.”

  They walked down the dusty passageway together. Her body was warm and soft again next to his. She gave a small smile. “How did you find me?”

  He took her hand and traced her arm. “Your pants were on the ground, and you weren’t in your room. My heart froze. I feared I’d lose you too.”

  His nam
e fit him. He truly was her angel. She went to her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “You saved me.”

  He kept her enveloped in his warm embrace as he led her out. “Let’s get you out of here. I have a plan, Snowflake.”

  She stepped with him. “So I’m dating a married man.”

  “Yeah.” His face went white again, and she couldn’t let him pull away.

  “In this case, I’m sure it’s forgivable. She is hell-bent on killing you.” As she inched closer, she let him grip her hip. “She can’t hurt you anymore, now that we know the truth.”

  He shook his head and opened the door back to the house. He gazed around the room, then held out his hand to help her. “Wrong person, Erica. I don’t care about myself. I can’t lose you.”

  With a strong hand, he led her away from the rooms he worked on and back to the living quarters.

  Her heartbeat grew louder in her ears as she followed.

  The man’s white pallor wasn’t good for him, and she refused to let him go back to the basement tonight.

  The second they made it back to the apartment, he stopped expressing anything. Even silence made her upset for him.

  His heavy footsteps in the kitchen area echoed in her ears. She walked toward the refrigerator, and she smiled. “I feel better here.”

  He stood in the hall by their bedrooms. “Let’s get supplies and get to my bedroom. I have to ensure the guns are stored and still in the safe.”

  Without a question, she took his hand and didn’t stop walking with him. She followed, and he led her straight into the bathroom. He called out, “Lock the door and let’s check the walls here first.”

  She nodded, then banged on the wall.

  He opened the safe, and she froze. He had at least four guns, some knives, and some other gadgets. He picked something up and said, “Hold this.”

  She shook her head and shivered a bit as she picked up the strange thing that looked like a gun but had two hooks. “What is it?”

  His eyebrows lifted. “It’s a Taser—unless you know how to shoot?”

  “I don’t. Why do you keep these here?”

  “I was in the military.” His gaze bored into hers. “I might need to hunt. It’s me against the elements up here.”