In the minutes before the police and fire trucks had arrived on the scene, Gideon had instructed Mya on what to say when they arrived. They were on their way to visit a friend in West Virginia. Stopped here for the night. They have no idea who threw the Molotov cocktail through the window. The room next to them was supposed to be empty. Say nothing about the situation back home with the lab or murders, Gideon admonished, and nothing about the formula.
Mya wasn’t comfortable lying to the police, but Gideon had convinced her that if they told the whole truth, they’d be stuck in town for days, if not longer, while the sheriff investigated.
So, she’d done what Gideon asked and given the deputy a statement that was, if not the whole truth, a version of the truth.
Gideon was probably right about one thing. Whoever attacked them was long gone and, if West had yet to figure out his identity, the sheriff had no chance of doing so.
It was better for them to give their statements and get to Irwin’s as soon as possible. Recreating her research and publicizing it was the only way to end this madness.
She finished telling the story and fell quiet. The sheriff looked to Gideon, his expression asking whether Gideon had something more to offer.
“That’s exactly what happened, Sheriff.”
If Gideon was feeling any of the same anxiety about lying to the police that she was, he was doing an excellent job of hiding it. She’d stuffed her hands in her coat pocket, in part to ward off the chill but also to hide the fact that they shook more than the test tube mixer at her lab.
The sheriff and Gideon’s gazes locked and held for a long moment.
Conversation from the firefighters floated back as they were preparing to leave. It was light enough now that a handful of guests and townspeople milled about behind the police tape, watching the firefighters pack up. The hotel clerk had called his manager in, and the man was not happy. He was loudly haranguing one of the other sheriff’s deputies about the cost of the damage and the lawlessness that the sheriff’s office had allowed to go unchecked in town.
The sheriff finally backed down. “Excuse me for a moment. You two stay right here.”
“He doesn’t believe us,” Mya said once the sheriff and deputy had stepped out of hearing distance.
Gideon put his arm around her and drew her into him. His warmth was a welcome balm against the cold. “He’s suspicious. That might be his natural state, he is the sheriff, or he could think something’s off.”
If he was any kind of sheriff, he knew something was off, Mya thought. They hadn’t been able to explain who the man that attacked them in the adjacent room was or why he’d fled. And they’d overheard the very loud manager say that no one was checked into that room.
After a few minutes, the sheriff returned. “Y’all are free to go. I’m sure Kelvin—” the sheriff’s chin jutted in the direction of the motel’s manager who was still waving his arms and fussing at the deputy “—will set you up with another room.”
“We won’t be needing a room. May as well get on the road, get ahead of traffic,” Gideon said.
“Wait, a minute. That’s it?” Mya asked, surprised. She felt Gideon tense beside her and knew she’d made a mistake, but the sheriff’s sudden change from suspicious to just letting them walk away was a shock.
“Unless there’s something else you’d like to tell me?” The sheriff’s intense green eyes locked on Mya’s face.
“No. I just—”
“Deputy Snodgrass is right. We have been having a bit of trouble with vandalism and destruction of property around these parts in the last several months. It’s mostly been harmless stuff, broken windows, and dirty words spray-painted on walls.” The sheriff took a pair of leather gloves from his pocket and pulled one glove on, then the other. “The last couple incidents though, have been more serious. This isn’t the first fire. Perp probably thought no one was in that section of the motel. Everyone knows Kelvin likes to fill the rooms closest to the lobby first. Saves him a few steps if someone needs a towel or has some other problem with the room.”
Gideon didn’t believe that for a minute. The Tahoe was parked in the space right outside the room. Of course, the sheriff didn’t know that.
The sheriff turned to look at Gideon. “Our firebug likes to tag the place somewhere the fire isn’t likely to get it. That’s probably why he was in the adjacent room. You probably scared him half to death when you busted through that door.”
Gideon’s eyes went dark and menacing. “I hope so.”
“Well, hopefully, your description will help us catch this guy.”
Mya slid a glance at Gideon. That was a vain hope.
“We have your contact information,” the sheriff said, stretching his hand out to Gideon. “If we have any further questions—”
The two men shook hands. “You know how to reach us.”
“Ma’am.” The sheriff tipped his chin and walked away.
Mya slid into the passenger seat and buckled up. “That was a sudden change in attitude.”
Gideon’s eyebrows rose. “And a good one for us. Let’s not question it.”
Mya felt heat climb up the back of her neck. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to raise the sheriff’s suspicions. It’s just his change toward believing us was so abrupt.”
“Don’t worry about it. The deputy probably convinced him the easiest answer was most likely correct.”
Mya followed Gideon’s gaze out the front windshield. The motel manager was now talking to the sheriff, but the sheriff’s gaze was locked on the Tahoe.
Gideon started the ignition. “But we’d better get out of here before the sheriff changes his mind.”
* * *
THEY WERE LUCKY the town was suffering from a spate of vandalism. Gideon wasn’t sure the sheriff would have let them leave so easily otherwise. As it was, he was pretty sure the sheriff hadn’t completely bought their story. There were enough holes in it to drive the town’s fire truck through, but the sheriff had no way to prove the story not true, and that had saved them a lot of trouble.
What he had to figure out was how someone could have followed them from the city without being seen. He’d kept an eye out for a tail as they’d left the city limits, but he hadn’t been as vigilant once they’d crossed state lines, figuring if they’d had a tail, he’d have made it by then.
Another possibility sprang to mind.
He hit the steering wheel with this palm.
Mya startled. “What?”
“We need to make a quick detour.”
“Detour?” Her voice rose in surprise. “Why? Where?”
“We need to change cars. This one could have a tracker on it. That could be how our fire starter found us at the motel.” Gideon mentally kicked himself for not having considered that Mya’s pursuers would have placed a tracker on the Tahoe. By now, the person pursuing her had to know he was sticking close to her. He’d been so focused on making sure her phone and computer didn’t have spyware or a tracker, he hadn’t considered he might be the one leading Mya’s attackers to her.
“You really think—”
He shot a sidelong glance at her. “I don’t know, but I’m not willing to take the chance.”
Mya’s expression darkened. “It was Shannon. She could have had someone place the tracker on your car while we were in her office.”
That was a possibility, but it wasn’t the only one. Mya’s history with and animosity toward Shannon clouded her judgment about the woman. She wanted Shannon to be the responsible party, so she viewed everything that had happened through that lens. He didn’t have the same luxury, not if he wanted to keep Mya safe.
Gideon turned a serious gaze on her. “You don’t know that. Focusing on one person without evidence can be dangerous. Might lead us to miss something vital.” If he was right about a tracker being on the Tahoe, he’d already
put her in danger. He wouldn’t let it happen again.
Mya’s gaze cut across the car. “But you do think that the attack at the motel is related to all the other stuff that’s happened, right?”
“Unless there’s a reason other than your formula for someone to try to kill you?”
Mya snorted. “Not that I know of—”
A clinking coming from the Tahoe’s engine interrupted their conversation. The chassis shook like an earthquake, starting with a slight rumble and quickly growing into full convulsions. Gideon pulled to the side of the road as smoke began seeping from under the hood.
“What’s wrong with the car?”
Gideon didn’t answer and instead focused on the road behind them. It was clear of any vehicles, but that didn’t mean it would stay that way. He scanned the trees on either side of the highway and saw nothing, although he knew that didn’t mean no one was out there.
He kept the Tahoe in pristine condition; he’d taken it in for service last week. It seemed like their attacker had done more than just install a tracker. He was setting them up for an ambush.
Stay with the car or bail out? Either way, he and Mya could be walking into a trap.
“I’m going to come around to your side of the car. When I open your door, I want you to get into the cover of those trees as quickly as you can.” Gideon pointed to the trees lining the side of the road.
Mya looked at him with fear in her eyes. “Gideon?”
“Trust me.” He held her gaze, willing her to see the single most important truth in his life. That he would lay down his life before he’d let any harm come to her.
He exited the driver’s side of the car. He stopped at the trunk and moved the two guns in the safe installed in the boot of the Tahoe to his overnight bag before slinging it over his shoulder. He studied the tree line and road one more time before opening Mya’s door. They were alone for the moment, but every instinct he possessed screamed they wouldn’t be for much longer.
Fear swam in the eyes that met his own. “Run for the trees. Don’t stop. Don’t look back. I’ll be right behind you.”
Mya hopped out of the car and sprinted for the trees.
He followed, his boots slipping on the rocky terrain.
It wouldn’t take long to find the Tahoe along the side of the road. Gideon wanted to put as much distance between them and the car as he could before that happened.
“Gideon, what’s going on? What happened to the car?” Mya asked.
He didn’t answer. For one, he didn’t know exactly what had been done to the car, although he had his suspicions. But more importantly, it wasn’t their pressing problem at the moment. He still wasn’t sure whether they were walking away from an ambush or into one.
After a few moments, they’d made it deep enough into the trees that he was sure they couldn’t be seen. He changed directions, so they were moving parallel to the highway.
He listened for sounds of other humans stalking the trees—the snap of twigs underneath a boot, heavy breathing, the sound of a bullet being chambered.
Thankfully, all he heard were the usual woodland creatures and sounds.
They’d put a good bit of distance between them and the Tahoe, but he had no idea how far they’d have to walk before they got to safety. He’d tried his phone, but he couldn’t get service. He didn’t want to chance walking closer to the road. No service also meant no GPS, so they kept moving, edging into the woods a little deeper whenever the trees thinned out.
They hiked through the trees. Mya didn’t complain. In fact, she had said nothing to him since he’d failed to answer her question, but he could see exhaustion was catching up with her. Despite the cold weather, sweat trickled down the sides of her face, and she’d unzipped her jacket.
Mya stopped short, hunching over with her hands on her knees. “Gideon, I’ve got to stop. I need to rest.”
She’d surprised him by keeping pace for this long. They’d been walking, nearly running, through the trees for forty minutes now.
He eased their bags onto the ground. “Just for a few minutes. We need to keep moving.”
The daylight peeking over the tops of the trees made it easier for them to navigate the dense foliage, but it also made it easier to be spotted.
Mya eased down onto the trunk of a fallen tree. “I take it you don’t think whatever is wrong with the car is an accident?”
“No—” his eyes pierced the trees “—I don’t.”
Mya pressed her palms against her knees. “What do you think happened?”
“Later.” Gideon reached for the bags on the ground and slung them onto his shoulder. “Let’s get moving.” He reached to help her up.
* * *
MYA PULLED AWAY from him, her mood changing swiftly from anxious to irritated. “Don’t you dare brush me off. I’m in this too. It’s my life at stake.”
“I know that,” Gideon replied sharply. “And I’m trying to keep you alive.” He started walking.
Mya fell in step beside him. “So, this is how it’s going to be again. My God. I’d have never pegged you for a coward.”
“Now is not the time.” His tone was even, but his words came out through clenched teeth. Irritation etched lines in Gideon’s face. Too bad because she was angry and sick of biting back all the words that stood between them.
“It’s never the time.” Her thighs strained with the effort to match his stride. “You’re pulling away from me because of last night.” She stopped walking. “You keep doing this. Letting me in just a little then pulling away.”
Gideon stopped short but didn’t look at her. “Last night was—”
“Amazing.” Mya grabbed his arm and turned him to face her. “It was absolutely amazing. And I’m not just talking about sex. You opened up to me, and I’m not sure you ever did that while we were married. You’ve always kept everything inside—what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling. But a relationship, a marriage, can’t survive like that.”
“We’re not married anymore.”
Mya squared her shoulders. “I heard you last night.” Surprise lit Gideon’s eyes as she continued. “I heard you say you loved me. Did you mean it?”
The silence seemed to last an eternity before he finally answered. “You want me to open up. Okay, here it is. I’m not standing here in these woods with you because of a promise made twelve years ago. I’m here because there is absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you. I loved you at nineteen. I loved you the day I signed the divorce papers. I love you now, and I will love you until my last breath.”
Her heart raced. It was everything she’d ever wanted to hear from him, but she knew it wasn’t enough. Not if they were to have a second chance that had a shot at lasting. “I love you too. I still want to be with you. But love is not enough. You have to decide to take a chance. You can be the Ice Man with everyone else, but not with me. I deserve more.”
“You do. That’s why I asked for the divorce. My time in the military, the things I saw.” He shook his head. “It messed with my head, and you shouldn’t have to deal with that.”
Her heart softened. She cupped his cheek. “I was your wife. I would have done everything I could have to help you.”
“Mya—”
“I want us to try again.”
He leaned his face into her palm. “We’ve been down this road before.”
She reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’m scared too, Gideon, but I want to try again.”
Her heart pounded, both with longing for him and fear that he’d reject her entreaty.
Gideon closed the inches between them, and this time, instead of pushing him away, she pulled him to her.
His mouth met hers, and he kissed her hungrily. She closed her eyes and melted into the kiss, meeting his fervor with her own. She opened her mouth beneath his, and he wrapped his arms a
round her waist, bringing their bodies as close to each other as they could get in their bulky winter clothes. Despite the freezing air whirling around them, an inferno was building in the pit of her stomach.
This could be a new beginning for them. They weren’t dumb kids anymore. They’d both matured, achieved success on their own. They’d learn from the mistakes of their past and build something that would last this time. She knew they could do it as long as they were open with each other.
Gideon stilled, and doubt flooded her. Was he pulling away again?
Mya opened her eyes, prepared to go another round. Gideon put a finger to his lips, the distress on his face sending fear shooting through her.
He pulled her behind a large pine tree and put his lips to her ear. “There’s someone out there. When I tell you to, run. Don’t stop and don’t look back.”
Mya hadn’t seen him pull his gun, but it was in his hand now. Staying low, he moved to her left, taking cover behind a large evergreen.
Mya peered around the tree trunk. She could just make out the shape of a person, a man, from the size. He was the same height as the fake cop who’d attempted to kidnap her and had the same dirty blond hair again. The sensation that she’d seen him before tickled the back of her brain.
A branch snapped, and Gideon pivoted, firing off three shots in rapid succession.
“Run!” he yelled, pushing her toward a thick bramble.
She weaved through the trees, not sure where she was going but not looking back, just as Gideon instructed. She prayed he was right behind her.
Several more shots rang out, and she pumped her legs faster. The forest floor pitched downward suddenly, and she struggled to stay on her feet as she slipped and slid down the slope. She stumbled over tree roots, but a vise clamped around her arm before she slid all the way to the ground.
Gideon hauled her to her feet. “We have to keep going.”
They slid down the incline and burst through the trees into a small parking lot at the back of a line of buildings. They ran around the building and found themselves at one of the rest stops along the highway.
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