Goddamn it.
Why would she try to rescue Joey by herself?
Please, Gabe. I don’t want you to die. If you don’t stay away from me, you’ll die.
He was a fucking idiot. He’d been so glad to reconnect with Hope that he’d let her distract him from explaining her nightmare. No, her vision. Suddenly, it all made sense. That’s why she left.
She thought he would die if she stayed with him. Why didn’t you tell me, Hope? Never mind. He knew why. She was foolish enough to believe it was her responsibility to protect him, and she would have known he wouldn’t let her sort this out without him. Not even if his life depended on it. She was putting herself in harm’s way because she thought it was the only way to keep him safe.
Sharp fear raked his spine.
He had to find her.
Gabe went into the bathroom and looked in the cabinets, the trashcan, and the bathtub. He opened the toilet tank and saw the smashed pieces of her cell along with its waterlogged battery.
If he hadn’t felt so terrified by the thought of losing her to an abusive psychopath, he might be impressed with her ingenuity. Unfortunately, Hope knew a lot of his tricks, which meant she would take countermeasures.
After a few panicked moments, he remembered that the rental car agency used GPS trackers on all their vehicles. All he had to do was get the information—and hightail it after his stubborn, beautiful, crazy mate.
PEBBLES AND ROCKS crunched underfoot as Hope darted through the trees. Icy rain slapped at her coat and her battered knit hat. She’d parked the car at the top of the hill. The only way to get close to the beachfront was to walk a mile down a steep, curved path. The snow and ice made the trip even more treacherous, but she’d finally made it to the Emerald Bay. Her nerves were frayed, especially after she realized the car had GPS tracking. Gabe might get to her sooner than she thought.
The temperature had dropped even lower. She shivered, her teeth chattering. The wind picked up, blowing branches against each other. The scratching sound grated on Hope’s nerves. Sheesh. Not even the moonlight penetrated the thick darkness. She flicked the flashlight on and pointed it at the churning water of Lake Tahoe.
Out there in the middle of the lake sat Fannette Island. Apparently there was a guesthouse built on it, but it wasn’t open during the winter season. No doubt Evan thought holing up with his kid at a remote location and no easy access to wait out the storm was better than risking being found in a Tahoe hotel. What kind of moron, other than her, would brave the storm and choppy waters to reach Fannette?
Almost to the beach, the wind whipped her hair as freezing rain beat mercilessly at her. Hailstones fell, smacking the water like small cannonballs. As she reached the edge of the bay, she saw a line of overturned canoes.
She hurried toward the nearest one, careful not to slip and bust her butt, and flipped it over. To her delight, its paddle was underneath it. She put the paddle inside, and shoved the canoe into the water. The glacial lake soaked her jeans, but she ignored the burning cold. She crawled inside and starting rowing toward the island.
THE BLACK HUMMER roared down the road. Every time Gabe rounded a curve, the tires screeched.
Forty-five minutes.
It seemed like a lifetime. The GPS tracked the car to a parking lot near Emerald Bay. That’s when he found out about Fannette Island. Mom had looked up the remote island and told Gabe about its guesthouse retreat, which was the only building on Fannette, and a perfect hiding place for a kidnapper. He’d asked for an additional accessory to be delivered with his transport.
When Gabe arrived at Emerald Bay, he immediately saw the rental car. His heart jolted. Hold on, babe.
He circled around and found a narrow paved road that lead directly to the beach. He ignored the Walking Only sign. The Hummer bounced along, and soon the headlights shone on the rocky beach.
Gabe made a wide turn then reversed the monster vehicle, backing up until the trailer hitched behind the water’s edge. He shut off the SUV, hopped out, and untied the three-passenger Jet Ski. He checked to make sure the plugs were sealed. If all went as planned, he’d be returning from the island with Hope and Joey. The machine slid into the water, floating against the edge of the beach as Gabe held onto the tether. He heard the rocks scraping the bottom of the massive machine’s acrylic underside.
Gabe strode into the lake, boots and all. He fastened his weapons bag onto his shoulder strap and threw his leg over the vinyl seat. The nob turned easily, and he waited a few seconds for gas to get to the engine. As soon as he could smell the acrid fumes, he pulled the clutch and pushed the starter button. The machine roared to life. He turned on the single powerful headlight and using full throttle, he followed the narrow beam of bright light across the frothing lake. Water splashed, soaking Gabe from head to toe. But he didn’t care. It was unlikely he’d die from hyperthermia. Shifters had superior genetics and tended be a whole lot less frail than humans.
The roar of the Jet Ski’s engine was lost under the wind’s constant gusts. The island came into view in less than five minutes.
Too late, Gabe saw the tree trunk floating in the water. He throttled back, but his momentum was too great, and he rammed into the dead wood.
He killed the engine and leaned to the side to push the debris out of the way. He struggled to stay put on the slippery seat. More than once, he almost fell off the Jet Ski. The heavy bag made balancing himself even more treacherous. He had to do something or he knew he’d end up in the ice-cold water.
Shit.
He let unfastened the bag and let it go. Without its weight, he immediately righted himself.
But his guns, his flares, and his cuffs... Basically, fucking everything was gone.
He’d have to make do.
Another five minutes passed before he reached the shore. The Jet Ski’s headlight bounced across the stone guesthouse. It was dark, but Evan wasn’t stupid. He wouldn’t put light anywhere someone would see and report it.
Gabe maneuvered the Jet Ski closer to shore. He slid off into the water and pushed the machine onto the rocky beach. He put his on his hip before he remembered he’d taken off his holster and Glock and put it into the bag.
Fuck.
He took his keys out of his pocket and used his penlight to scan the beach. The tiny beam of light danced across a dark green canoe. Hope’s? He moved forward, his senses on high alert. He leaned down to the canoe and inhaled. Lavender. His heart squeezed. Please don’t let me be too late.
He hurried toward the back of the house, moving with adept stealth and speed he’d developed over the years as a bodyguard. Sounds emitted from the trees just ahead, and he stilled.
10
HOPE MARCHED INTO the thicket of spruces and enormous, lush pines that shielded a lovely pavilion. She stumbled and got a poke in the back from Evan’s revolver.
“Keep moving,” he demanded.
Hope didn’t need the reminder that Evan had every intention of killing her. Before Evan had figured out she was in the house, she’d discovered a terrified Joey hiding under the covers in a small bedroom upstairs.
“We’re going to play hide and seek,” she said. “Do you know that game?”
Eyes wide, Joey nodded.
“This version is a little different. I’ll show you where to hide, and then my friend will find you. Does that sound fun?”
Joey nodded.
She took him into the downstairs bathroom and hid him in the bathtub. “Gabe Pearson is his name. He’s a big guy with messy hair. He might look mean, but don’t be afraid. He’s a big teddy bear
Joey’s fear made her heart race. She’d protect him, just like she was protecting the love of her life. She might not be a shifter, but she understood what it meant to love someone like only a mate could. “Forgive me, Gabriel,” she whispered, knowing he probably wouldn’t. Not if she got herself killed to keep him alive.
“Stay put, Joey,” she said to child as he huddled against the back of the tub. “
It’s going to be all right.” With that last parting affirmation, she twisted the lock on the knob and closed the door.
After she’d left Joey, she found Evan in the study, drinking Scotch and laughing to himself. He was shocked to see her, but after she told him he was going to jail for kidnapping, he’d wasted no time pulling out a revolver. She’d led him away from the house, toward the pavilion. Booze and arrogance made him sloppy.
She was confident that Gabe would arrive any minute. He’d check the house first, and find Joey. All she needed was enough time to enact her plan, and then no one would get hurt.
Well, almost no one.
FEAR COURSED THROUGH Gabe as he watched Evan point a gun at his mate. He debated about whether or not to shift, but decided it was too risky. As quietly as possible, he crept through the forest following until they stopped when she stumbled under the large pavilion.
He ducked low and ran across an open area until he positioned himself at the corner of the structure. The storm worsened, along with his fear, as each moment passed. He now stood behind Evan, but the man was at least five feet away from him. Gabe adjusted his position to get a better look at Evan’s profile and the revolver in his hand. He watched the man edge closer to Hope, apparently drawn in by her words. She bent low, scooped something out of the bushes, and tried to stab Evan’s neck with it. Evan easily caught her wrist and blue light flashed as the stun gun released its charge.
Hope screamed her fury and gave the man a right hook that made Gabe proud.
Evan staggered backwards, his face mottled with rage. He raised his gun, his hand shaking from the cold or cowardice or both.
Gabe’s heart beat a tattoo of dread as he lunged forward, propelling himself towards Evan. His teeth slammed together as his head connected with Evan’s back. They both hit the ground, sliding in the instantaneous mud created by the rain. Evan bought up his knee and jabbed it into Gabe’s stomach then twisted out from underneath. Evan rolled over, elbowed Gabe in the gut, and scrambled away. Gabe staggered to his knees, but Evan was already standing. He knew, from his research into Evan Phillips, that he’d been trained in hand-to-hand combat during his stint in the Army. Evan knew how to hurt people. It’s why he and his brothers had taken so many precautions when they’d hidden Donna and Joey. He knew not to underestimate the tycoon, but in his worry for Hope, he’d forgotten Evan could hold his own. Even against a bear shifter.
Evan pointed the gun at Gabe’s head, finger on the trigger, his scent reeking of triumph.
A primal scream froze both of them, but Gabe recovered first. He lunged forward, bringing his forearm up. It connected with Evan’s wrist, and the man’s arm sailed upward, the gun flying out of his hand.
A blur of motion slammed into Evan.
The kidnapper cried out as Hope pummeled the crap out of him, her fists connecting with Evan’s face and chest in a wild flurry of punches. Evan tried to fight back, but Hope was fast—and pissed off.
Gabe plucked his kicking and screaming mate off the asshole and managed to avoid getting hit in the process. Well, almost. She’d connected with his shin in a painful shot. After he set her down behind him, he raised his fist and brought it forcefully down on Evan’s face. The sickening sound of flesh hitting flesh broke through the storm’s unending cadence.
Evan went limp.
As soon Gabe stood, Hope dove into his arms and squeezed him so tight, he almost forget how fucking furious he was with her.
“Where’s Joey?” he asked.
“In the house.”
“Let’s get him and get the hell out of here.” He kissed Hope hard and said, “You’re in so much trouble.”
They both hurried toward the house, and wasted no time getting inside. Hope led him to the downstairs bathroom. “Joey? Open the door, honey.”
Out of reflex, she tried the knob. It turned easily. Her look of horror told Gabe all he needed to know. “I’ll take the upstairs.”
Gabe checked every room, every closet, every bathroom, and hell, even the attic space. There were plenty of hiding places for a scared little boy to conceal himself.
Gabe called out, too, but there was no answer. He came down the stairs and met Hope in the hallway.
Tears filled her eyes. “He must’ve gone outside.”
Gabe kissed her forehead. “We’ll find him. You go to the beach. I’ll check around the house’s perimeter.” He strode to the window and removed a hefty tieback from one of the brocade curtains. Except for the tassel, it looked just like a piece of gold rope. “I’ll make sure Evan is tied up nice and neat for the authorities.”
He kissed her, and she smiled, and in that smile, he saw all her love for him. He was humbled by it. “Will you come home with me?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t leave me again, Hope. You are my heart.”
“And you are mine.”
They parted ways with one last kiss.
HOPE SCOURED THE beach, yelling Joey’s name. The storm had been reduced to flutters of snowflakes, though it was still freezing. She felt chilled to the bone, but she couldn’t help but think about Joey wandering around in this awful weather in just his pajamas.
She passed the canoe and the Jet Ski, and saw a figure in the distance. She squinted through the flurry of snowflakes. As she got closer, she realized it wasn’t Gabe.
It was Evan. How had the asshole managed to get up after that beating? She turned to run, but the cold and utter exhaustion made it feel like she was running through quicksand. He caught up to her and grabbed her by the back of her coat.
He swung her around. “You’ve cost me enough, you bitch.”
Hope felt like she would choke on the revulsion rising like bile in her throat. Evan was a sick, sick man, but she had no pity for him. She clenched her fists against her sides. This whole situation was a clusterfuck. Where was Joey? Was Gabe okay? Had he been hurt? Or maybe he found Evan and took him to the house. Or maybe he realized Evan was missing and was searching for him, too.
He propelled her down the rocky beach, the revolver shoved against her ribs. Her palms were damp with sweat and her heart pounded fiercely against her chest. Fear roared through her. He pushed her toward the water’s edge, until she was ankle-deep in Lake Tahoe.
He raised the revolver, his lips curling into a sneer.
“Hope!”
Over Evan’s shoulder, she saw Gabriel running full-force toward them. Evan swung around, obviously deeming Gabe the larger threat.
No, no, no. It was the vision. It was happening. Terror clawed at her guts. I won’t let you die.
Like a movie projected in slow-motion Hope saw Evan’s arm swing out and aim the gun at Gabe. She couldn’t stop him from firing, but she could change the target.
Hope launched out of the water, screaming bloody murder as she barreled toward Evan. Now, she was the immediate threat, and he reacted accordingly, firing the gun three times in quick succession.
The loud report of the shots echoed in her ears.
Twin sources of pain in her shoulder and hip brought her to her knees. She pressed a hand against her coat, and came away with a palm soaked in blood.
Gabe’s cries of agony turned into a roar so loud and ferocious, Evan whirled back around.
But he was too late. Gabe had shifted. The man in human form was impressive, his beast doubly so. The massive black bear reared up and roared, his breath heating the air into a frosty fog. Evan froze, his expression one of utter shock.
Hope sank onto her side, her vision blurry, her breath shallow and rapid.
Roaring, the bear swiped his claws across Evan’s neck, easily severing the carotid artery. Blood spurted from Evan’s wound, and he slapped a hand against his neck, his eyes wide with horror. He lifted the gun with a shaking hand.
Gabe removed the revolver, along with Evan’s hand, in one vicious swipe.
The man flopped down into the shallows, his blood clouding the clear water. With a final gasp of air, he left this Earth.
“Gabe,” she whispered.
He trundled over to her, and picked her up, and she sank into the warmth of his fur and the sound of his beating heart.
And let go.
HOPE HEARD LOW murmurs and beeping sounds.
“Turn off the alarm,” she demanded. “I need five more minutes.” She tried to turn onto her side, but she couldn’t seem to manage it.
“Hope.”
Gabe. He touched her face, and she opened her eyes.
“You’re back,” he said softly.
“Did I go somewhere?”
“Evan shot you. A through and through in the shoulder. The bullet that hit your hip caused more damage, but you’ll heal up.” He took her hand. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I had a vision, Gabe. I couldn’t stand the thought of you dying because of me.”
“So you took ten years off my life by trying to get killed yourself?”
“It made sense at the time.” She studied the worry lines around his eyes, his ashen skin, and the untamed beard. “What happened to Joey?”
“He’s fine. He said the storm scared him so he went to his special place. There’s a little door under the staircase. He fell asleep there. Donna’s recovering, too. They’ll both be just fine. Because of you.”
“And you.”
He took her hand. His eyes were bleary and his hair needed brushing, but he was still the best-looking man she ever saw. She loved him more than her next breath.
“Your Gran’s outside waiting to see you, but I had a question for you before I go.” He cleared his throat. Then he got down on one knee and offered her the engagement ring she’d given back. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes.”
He stood up, leaning down to kiss her. Then he straightened and took her hand once more. “Let’s get one thing straight. You have a vision about me, you tell me. You don’t run away or put yourself in danger. If you get a warning again, I will heed it. I trust you, Hope. I want you to trust me, too.”
The Pack Rules Boxed Set: The Complete Series of Wolf, Bear, and Dragon Shifter Romances Page 41