by Welsh, Hope
“Hell, I haven’t even checked them today.” He walked over to the phone that sat on the table next to the kitchen and picked it up. “No, no dial tone yet. But, the cell works a bit away from the house.”
Storm knew he meant what he said. He really did believe he could protect her. But was it fair of her to put him—and potentially those that lived here—in danger? She could run. Disappear. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Luke, but when the storm clears, I’m going to go. I can head south. Keep him confused.”
Luke just sighed. “I’m tired of having this conversation. He tracked you within hours, Storm. Why else would he have called me here to look for you? Somehow, he knew where you were headed.”
“But you said that was because I’d used my credit card for gas. I wasn’t thinking. I should have used cash. I know better now.” Of course, she’d have to get cash. There was some in her purse… “My purse. Let me see how much money I actually have with me. I don’t suppose it’s safe to use my debit card.”
Storm walked to where he’d sat her small suitcase and purse. She opened her purse and frowned. “My wallet. It’s gone.” She turned and looked at Luke. He didn’t appear to be at all surprised. She checked the side pocket and found her old debit card, but no money. “Did you take it?”
He shook his head. “Of course not. But, if he wants you stranded, what better way to assure it? He doesn’t know I found you—just that you’re in the area. I’ve got a friend keeping an eye out.”
“He could hurt them!” she protested.
“He won’t even know she’s there, Storm. She’s a shifter, too. A crow. He’ll not give her a second look.”
For a minute, she’d forgotten that there were apparently shifters in this town. Still, it wasn’t safe. “You could loan me some money.”
“I’d bet my last dollar that there is a tracker on your car. Even if there isn’t, he’s likely got it being watched.”
“Did you see something?”
“No. I didn’t shift when I was at the car. My sense of smell isn’t that much better than anyone else's when I’m in human form. But, I’ll go look.”
“No! If he’s there, he could shoot you. Or his men could.”
Luke walked to her and pulled her against his chest. “Calm down, Storm. I know how to be careful. SEAL, remember? I did this for a living.”
She looked up into his face. His eyes locked with hers. “I don’t want to be responsible for anyone else being hurt. John is already dead because of me.” She sagged against him and felt tears burning in her eyes. Her throat tightened. She hated to cry.
Luke lifted her in his arms and walked to the couch with her still cradled against his chest. “I need for you to trust me, Storm. You’re safe,” he repeated. “I will keep you safe.”
Storm didn’t say anything, she just snuggled against him.
§§§
Luke held her while she cried. He wished he knew how to make her believe him. First and foremost, he was a warrior. Samuels wasn’t omnipotent. He was mortal… But, what if he wasn’t? What if he was drawn to Storm because of her power? That was something that he hadn’t even considered.
If he was another shifter—or a wizard—he’d have to approach the situation differently. Maybe one of the stronger wizards in town would know of a detection spell? Something that would let him discover if Samuels did indeed have some sort of powers of his own?
It was possible. That might even explain how Samuels had become so powerful. Not all magic was used by good wizards. Hell, he knew that first hand. It had cost Keri her life. There has to be some way to be sure.
It was too bad he wasn’t entirely sure if TJ knew for sure that there were magical people in the town he protected. It would help quite a bit if he could let TJ know that the man they were waiting for was more than they’d first thought.
He did know that he didn’t want Storm to even have an inkling that the bastard might not be a normal human. It would be more than she could take. She’d run for sure. Somehow, he needed to investigate on his own. But, he really didn’t trust Storm not to do something foolish—which meant she went where he went.
First things first. He needed to be sure she ate something—and he was starving himself. “Why don’t we make those steaks?” he asked softly when she’d finally stopped crying.
Storm looked up and gave a tremulous smile. “Yeah, okay. I’m sorry. I forgot I was supposed to do that.”
“I like cooking. Come keep me company.” As a confirmed bachelor, he certainly knew his way around a kitchen.
“Okay,” she said again and climbed off his lap. “How can I help?”
He took her hand and led her to the kitchen. “You can wash and poke the potatoes. I know they cook faster in the microwave, but I like them better when they are cooked in the NuWave.” He handed her the bag of potatoes from the cupboard. “I’ll start the steaks. Too bad it’s too damn cold to grill.”
Luke pulled out the broiler pan for the steaks. “They won’t take long, so let’s start the potatoes first. How do you like yours?”
“Well done. I don’t like to see any red,” she said with a shiver.
Luke chuckled. She definitely didn’t have a predator shifter lurking inside her. Most that he knew preferred their meat rare. “No problem. They won’t take long.”
Storm stood at the sink washing the potatoes.
“On second thought…let’s just nuke them. It’s faster. I’m starving!” He grabbed the potatoes from her hand and popped them into the potato bag, then put them in the microwave. “They should take about seven minutes for two. Do you like cheese and bacon on them?”
Luke was trying to keep her distracted. She’d eaten barely a thing since he’d met her. He was determined that she’d eat a full meal now.
“Um, sure. If you do. I’m not terribly hungry, to be honest.”
Luke’s eyes snapped to hers. “You need to eat to keep your strength up. After we eat, I want to do some tests to see what powers you might have. You’ll need energy for that. Casting takes quite a lot of energy.”
“I’ll eat,” she mumbled, her arms folded across her chest.
“Good,” he said with a grin. He seasoned the steaks and preheated the broiler. “Salad?”
“Not just for me. I’m not a huge fan of salads, but I’ll make one if you want one.”
“What do you live on?” he teased. “Mac and cheese?”
Now, she smiled. “No. Hamburgers and fries. I outgrew mac and cheese about fifteen years ago!”
He laughed. “Yeah, well, I didn’t. I love mac and cheese, actually.” He pulled open the cupboard and pointed to the blue and white boxes. “See?”
“Yeah. What are you? Twelve?” she said with a chuckle.
“So, sue me. It’s good.”
“If you say so,” he muttered. “But, give me a juicy burger and fries any day of the week!”
“Wait until you taste my steak. You may never look at a burger the same way again.”
Storm’s smile slid from her face. “I know what you’re doing, you know.”
Luke shoved the pan into the oven and started the microwave. “What am I doing?”
“Trying to take my mind off of Raymond,” she said simply. “I’m not sure if that should irritate me or not.”
Luke sat at the table and pulled another chair out for her. “Have a seat.”
Storm sat warily. “What?”
“I’m worried about Samuels, too. But, I want your word that you won’t do anything foolish. If I tell you to do something, you have to believe there’s a good reason for it.”
“I’m not very good at taking orders,” she said defensively. “I’m just not.”
He grew very serious. “Storm, in most things, I wouldn’t dream of giving you or anyone else orders. But in this? When it comes to your well-being? Yeah, I’m bossy. It’s my nature. That’s not likely to change, either.” He paused. “I thought you decided you liked Alpha males?
; She chuckled. “Okay, Luke. At least for now, I’ll do what you ask. I’ll follow your orders. Then, we revisit the whole ‘order’ thing.”
He could easily agree to that. He couldn’t imagine it would come up once the danger from Samuels was over. “Deal.” He stood and walked to the cupboard again to grab plates, then took out silverware from the drawer. Then, he turned and looked at her. “What do you like to drink? I have tea, a few cans of soda…or I could make some coffee.”
She shook her head. “Coffee is awful. Soda will be fine.”
He muttered under his breath teasingly, “She doesn’t eat salad. Doesn’t drink coffee. Doesn’t like mac and cheese. I’m beginning to wonder how this relationship can survive.”
Storm paled. “Relationship?”
Luke’s head snapped up. “Of course, relationship. I don’t just take random women to bed.”
“But…it’s not that unusual. I mean, I’ve read about how in stressful situations, sometimes things happen that are just momentary lapses in—”
Luke cut her off with a look. “Momentary lapses?” The stove buzzer beeped, but he ignored it. “Is that what you think?”
“It’s the White Knight thing. Everyone knows that relationships don’t work that are begun in situations like this.”
Luke noticed that her tone was devoid of emotion. She was trying to close herself off from him, and he just was not having it. Not even for one more minute. He shut off the stove with more force than necessary, and pulled the pan from the oven, setting it on the burner. “We’re going to eat. Then, my dear Storm, we are going to talk.”
“About what to do about Samuels.” She nodded. “Yes, I think we need to.”
He just sighed. She was being deliberately obtuse. For now, he wouldn’t fight the issue with her. “Can you get the drinks? I’ll have a can of soda, too.”
She nodded and went to the refrigerator. He watched her as he put the steaks on plates. His was likely more done than he’d like, but he could eat it. He pulled the potatoes out of the oven when the timer went off. “Don’t forget butter.”
Storm brought over the soda and butter while he sat the plates on the table. She sat back down and looked at the steak. Her stomach rumbled. “It smells wonderful.”
He only nodded. “I’m sure it will be. Might be a little too done, but they should be edible.”
Storm waited until he sat down to cut a bite of the steak. “Oh! This is wonderful!”
Now, Luke grinned. “Told you I could cook. We men can be excellent cooks.”
“Good thing, too. Most of you would starve otherwise. Raymond couldn’t even boil a pot of water. He would have never eaten if not for his staff.”
“Let’s not talk about the bastard now.” The last person he wanted her to be comparing him to was that man.
“You must think I’m an idiot,” she whispered.
“Why?” he asked when he’d swallowed. He’d been right—the steak was overcooked for his tastes, but not bad.
“For being with him. For staying as long as I did.” She sat her fork down. “I should have left the first time he slapped me.”
Well, he certainly agreed with that, but it wasn’t that unusual for a woman to believe that a man like that could change. Of course, perhaps some could, but most did not. Statically, an abuser never changed. “Probably,” he agreed.
“He wasn’t like that at the beginning.”
Luke certainly believed that. Most men weren’t abusive from day one…but she’d said she’d only been with him for such a short time. He must not have waited long to start showing his true colors. “Do you want to tell me about it?”
Storm’s eyes were filled with pain. “I—I stayed because…I’m pregnant.”
Luke’s fork fell to the table with a clatter. “What?”
Storm cringed. Why had she told him? She hadn’t planned on it. What could he possibly think of her? She’d been a fool, and the baby coming only compounded it. “I’m pregnant.”
“It’s his?” he asked gently.
She nodded. “We used protection…but it didn’t work.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “You said you weren’t together very long.”
“I knew almost immediately. Those tests are more accurate now, though. I got one from the store. That…that is what upset Raymond so much when he thought I was flirting with John,” she explained. “He said he wasn’t sure that he was the father.”
“He won’t hurt your child, Storm. I won’t let him within a thousand feet of you.”
Storm shook her head. “He’s got money. He’s got power. He can get the baby from me easily. It’s part of the reason I ran. I needed to keep the baby from him.”
“We will,” he said. “You have my word.”
Storm just looked at him. Why was he so understanding? Surely, he could see now why a relationship would be pointless. She was carrying another man’s child. No man wanted to take on that responsibility. “So, now you understand why I need to go?”
“No, of course not!” he snapped. “What? Did you think I’d toss you out on your ear?”
“Well, no. But, surely you don’t want to really be in any kind of relationship with me. This isn’t your fight,” she insisted. “I just need to put as much distance between Raymond and me as I can.”
“Let’s just eat. We can talk about this when we’re done. The food is getting cold.”
Storm started to protest, but changed her mind. Finding out the woman you’d slept with was pregnant with a killer’s child had to be upsetting for him. She’d let him eat in peace. “Okay. I should have waited to tell you.”
Luke’s head came up at that. “No, you should have told me sooner. But it doesn’t change a thing.”
She didn’t believe that for one second, but she took a bite of the steak. Instantly, she felt a wave of nausea and ran from the table.
§§§
Luke started to go after her, but resisted the urge. Nausea in pregnant woman was nothing to be worried about. Morning sickness in the evening wasn’t so usual, he didn’t think…but he guessed that her being so upset was part of the problem.
Why hadn’t she told him? Not that it would have changed a damn thing…he’d still have wanted her. But now, he knew that Samuels would be even more insistent on getting her back.
Over his dead body. Shifters might not have mates, such as it was…but they certainly could and did have families and those they loved. She was his, damn it. He’d just have to make her see that. He’d have to tell her about Keri. He’d have to let her know how he’d failed her.
His instincts told him that she really did want to be with him. If he was wrong, of course he’d let her go when it was safe. But, he didn’t think he was wrong. Not at all. She’d been with him every step of the way when they’d made love. Her passion was an excellent match for his own.
Before he could mull over the new information further, his sharp hearing picked up a new sound. He paused and listened. Damn it all to hell, she was trying to run. Again.
Damned if he wasn’t going to turn her across his knee, he fumed as he ran to the bedroom.
Here he’d thought she was simply ill from the pregnancy—but she’d apparently been using that as a means to get away. What the hell was wrong with her? Didn’t she realize how much danger she was in if Samuels was out there somewhere?
She hadn’t shut the window, so he went and closed it, then headed back to the other room to grab his boots and coat again.
Obviously, she hadn’t gotten far.
Just as he had the thought, he heard the Jeep start.
Well, damn. He hadn’t expected that—though he should have. His tiger was the only way to go. He didn’t have exceptional speed in human form.
Cursing, he stripped, then opened the front door and shifted. It was too damn cold for this nonsense.
It wasn’t hard to follow the trail of the Jeep tracks. The snow was once more getting heavy, but he could still follow her.
§§§
Storm ran her hand over the tears coursing down her cheek. He was going to be furious if he caught up to her, but she still believed she’d done the right thing.
There was no doubt in her mind that he’d do his best to protect her, but she didn’t want to risk his getting hurt. If Raymond was out there, he’d likely be looking for her car—or a rental—not the Jeep. At least she hoped so.
If she remembered right, it was only a few miles to the main road where she’d originally been stranded. She’d drive much more carefully. Obviously, there was ice under the increasing snow.
She could barely see an inch ahead of her, and turned the wipers up a notch. Not that they were really helping all that much.
Could she really control the weather? If so, she really needed to get her emotions under control, because while she needed to get away, she didn’t want to wreck again.
She tried to think of calming thoughts. Slowly, the snow seemed to let up, and she smiled a little in satisfaction. Apparently, Luke was right. She could control the weather to some degree—though not enough, or it wouldn’t be so darn cold!
Storm rested one hand on her stomach. “We’re going to be okay, baby. I promise we will. Mommy will take care of us.” She hoped she wasn’t lying to herself.
Damn. She’d left her purse! It was still sitting on the table where she’d left it. She didn’t have a damn cent to her name. She’d planned on using the debit card. Frantically, she looked down at the gas gauge. It was almost full.
How good of mileage did the Jeep get? How far could she get on the gas in the tank before she’d have to figure out how to get money?
She did have a few friends in Florida still. Maybe she could call one and ask to borrow a little cash. Surely, Raymond wouldn’t have any way to track Western Union. Once more, she cursed. No, that wouldn’t work. She didn’t have her ID, either.
After this, there was no way Luke would let her out of his sight. She couldn’t go back. Maybe someone in the town would help her? She didn’t even know, really, how close Woodland Creek proper was. He’d said they were on the outskirts of town.