Winters' Thaw

by W. Lynn Chantale

  She shook her head. “I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  She opened her mouth to speak and he pressed a fingertip to her lips. He stilled. She held her breath. The way he went rigid sent warning bells off in her head. Something was really wrong.

  Crack! Crinkle. Shatter! Glass and wood exploded around them. Logan shoved her to the floor and covered her with his body. The breath left her lungs, and she gasped for air even as he shielded her head and face from flying debris.

  Michaela clutched at his shirt willing her panic to subside. An eerie silence descended on the room before it was broken by a whine. Logan’s eyes widened and he jerked her to her feet, scrambling toward the other side of the bed.

  He kicked away the braided throw rug, to reveal a trapdoor. Logan yanked on the metal ring, threw back the door and tossed down a couple of bags.

  Michaela hesitated. How far was the drop? Was it safe? “Logan, I don’t know.”

  “We don’t have time to stand here and argue. Move!”

  “But...”

  He grabbed her, and they plunged into darkness even as the air above them exploded. She hit the ground hard enough to knock the wind from her lungs. She gasped and sputtered for air and heaved a sigh when she was able to draw a deep breath. A muttered curse came from beneath her, then an audible snap. Their world brightened to a green glow.

  “What the hell was that? You never hesitate. I tell you to move. You move.” He jerked her upright, brushing dirt and debris from her clothes. He shook his head. “We’ve got to keep moving.” He grabbed the scattered packs and slung them over his shoulder. “This tunnel goes around the lake and comes out on the dock on the other side. Burg is meeting us there. That’s the only safe place he could get to.”

  Numb, she limped after him, swiping at the moisture on her face. Somehow she had to wrap her mind around the fact that someone had just tried to blow them up and she hadn’t wanted to jump ten feet because she was afraid of hurting the baby. She had to tell him.

  She favored her right leg. A burning sensation speared her from knee to ankle, but she didn’t dare stop.

  After several feet, he noticed her uneven gait.

  “You’re limping.”

  “I know.”

  He stopped and faced her. “And crying.”

  She pushed past him. “I know that too.”

  He grabbed her and jerked her close. “Hey.”

  She snatched away from him. “You said we had to keep moving.”

  With a firm hand, he grasped the back of her neck and forced her to sit. “You should’ve said something.” He inspected her ripped jeans then carefully rolled up the pant leg.

  “Before or after you yelled at me?” She sniffled.

  “Either would’ve been fine.”

  “I’m mad at you.”

  He jerked open one of the packs and removed a first aid kit. “The feeling is mutual.” Despite his harsh words, his touch was gentle as he cleaned and bandaged the abrasion on her leg. “Next time, tell me if something hurts.”

  She huffed.

  He hauled her to her feet, but didn’t let her go. “I mean it. You’re too important to me.”

  “Right now it doesn’t feel like it. This isn’t the first time your job has gotten in the way. Having to leave on our honeymoon was bad enough, but not seeing you for three months was the absolute worst.” She folded her arms below her breasts. “Then you show up in my office an hour before I’m due in court—”

  “Michaela. I’ve apologized. What more do you want from me?”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  He blinked. “Come again.”

  “Ugh.” She shoved away from him and resumed walking. If he didn’t hear her the first time, he wasn’t going to hear her if she repeated her statement. Her breath came out in white wisps as she forged a green-lit path through the darkness. He grabbed her by the arm, jerked her to a stop and pushed her back to the wall.

  “Say it again.” His lips were soft as they moved over hers and his hands roamed her body, before finally settling on her abdomen.

  A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

  “You heard me the first time.” An answering smile curved her lips.

  “Tell me again.”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “And that’s why you didn’t want to jump down here.”

  She nodded.

  “Nothing else hurts? No cramping? No twinges?”

  “No.” She soaked up his concern and excitement and held it close.

  He heaved a sigh and scrubbed the heel of his hand over his face. “All right.” He kissed her again.

  The slow perusal of her mouth left her knees weak. She linked her fingers behind his neck and allowed him to draw her closer.

  This was what she’d missed. He might never say a word to her about his feelings, but he always showed her how he felt with his body. It was how he’d always demonstrated his emotions, and now was no exception.

  His work roughened hands moved beneath her shirt, skimming her sides to splay across her back.

  “I’m sorry, Michaela,” he murmured against her lips. “Had I known about the baby, I’d have taken you somewhere else.”

  She angled away to look at his face. “So your protection skills have gotten rusty?”

  A ghost of a smile brushed his mouth. “Hardly. At the end of this tunnel is a balcony. It isn’t very stable. It’s the only way down to the docks, other than the fifty foot drop to the lake below.” He grinned. “When we were kids, my brothers and I used to dive off the railing. With the water frozen, I wouldn’t recommend the jump.”

  “I wonder why.”

  He chuckled. Without warning, the humor fell from his face. “After we get out of this, I’m requesting a transfer.” He smoothed her hair back. “Leaving you alone to deal with the rest of the pregnancy and raising a baby just isn’t an option.”

  Tears pricked her eyes. Requesting a desk assignment was more than she expected from him, especially when she knew how much he enjoyed being in the field.

  “When I left you on our honeymoon, I promised I would make it up to you. I had no idea the assignment was going to be so long or that I wouldn’t be able to contact you.” He cradled her cheek. “I don’t want to miss out on anything else and definitely don’t want to argue with you anymore.”

  She twined her fingers in his jacket. “You’d never win.”

  He grinned. “You’re right, but I want to spend that time loving you, not apologizing for mistakes.” He rested his forehead against hers. “Know this. I will keep you and our baby safe.”

  “I know you will.”

  “Good. There is something I wanted you to have.” He patted his pockets and pulled a small box from a side pants pocket. “I was thinking of you while I was gone.”

  She accepted the proffered box and lifted the lid. Nestled on the cotton square was a detailed crystal phoenix. The wings were outstretched and the artist had captured the bird as it appeared from the flames at the base.

  “It reminded me of you. It seems no matter what obstacles come your way. You always come through, even the trials by fire.”

  She clutched the figurine in one hand and pulled his head down for a kiss with the other. Logan was a continual surprise. Shuffling, in the distance, behind them had them pulling apart. He pressed a finger to her lips. She nodded. He motioned her toward a wide crevice. Again she nodded.

  He shoved a backpack in her hands and leaned close. “I’ll check it out. If I’m not back in five minutes, follow this tunnel to the end. Wait for Burg.”

  Fear knotted in her belly, she didn’t want him to leave. Michaela opened her mouth to protest.

  “I mean it. Wait for Burg. He’ll be there.”

  She nodded.

  One last kiss and then he was gone. She covered the glow sticks with dirt and was surrounded by darkness. From somewhere, water dripped and she strained to hear any other noises abov
e her ragged breathing. That wouldn’t do. She needed to get her breath under control. A slow inhale and exhale steadied her nerves. She squinted at her watch, the dial glowing in the dark. He’d only been gone a couple of minutes.

  As quietly as possible she inched from her spot but then ducked into the shadows when her stomach growled, the sound echoing off the walls. It had been hours since she’d last eaten anything. She rummaged through her pockets and pulled out a small package of crackers.

  She held her breath as she ripped open the cellophane wrapper, stuffed the plastic in her pocket then carefully popped half a cracker in her mouth. She allowed it to soften on her tongue before she chewed and swallowed.

  It was time to go. Michaela pushed to her feet. Using the rough wall as a guide she carefully made her way down the corridor. The steady drip of water filled the silence. She paused. She could’ve sworn she’d heard a footstep. She shifted the backpack on her shoulders and reached for her weapon.

  The last thing she wanted was to get in a shootout in unfamiliar surroundings. Hairs on the back of her neck stood on end a moment before a hand clamped over her mouth and an arm circled her waist. She struggled, her attacker only tightened his grip. Had they someone how gotten past Logan?

  “Don’t. Two guys are headed this way.” Logan’s harsh whisper filled her ear. “I’ve set a little trap for them, but it will only slow them down.”

  When he released her, she spun around and hit him. “Don’t do that again.” She holstered her weapon. “You scared me.”

  “Yell at me later. We need to move.” He grabbed the strap on her backpack and hurried her along. “Do you need water?”

  She glanced at him. “Crackers are good for now.”

  He nodded, but still cast a worried look her way. The sound of rushing water grew louder and layers of ice clung to the walls and ceilings narrowing the passageway. They had to be close to the lake.

  “It’s not much farther.”

  A small explosion rocked the cavern. Logan blanketed her body with a muffled curse.

  She stared up at him. “Your handiwork?”

  “Yeah.” He looked her over, brushing grit from her face. “We need to keep moving. They’re just minutes behind us and I’ve got to get you someplace safe.” He glanced over his shoulder as he propelled her forward. “If we get separated for any reason then keep going. Burg will be there to meet you. Shoot to kill anyone else.”

  She shook her head. She hoped it didn’t come to that.

  “You are my priority. Always have been. I will not lose you to some crazy nut job. I love you.”

  She stopped walking and faced him. “Say it again.”

  He cupped her cheek, threaded his fingers through her hair and drew her close. “I love you, Michaela. I always have.” He dropped his mouth hers.

  Tears seeped beneath her lids at the tenderness in his kiss. His arms held her snug and secure against his body. His warmth seeped through her clothes and chased away the chill invading hers. She didn’t want to let him go. If she released him, she worried he might not come back. She clung to him.

  Grunts echoed off the walls. Logan pulled away. “We gotta go.”

  They hurried through the corridor. There were cracks and crevices along the path, but no substantial cover if the bad guys decided to start shooting. They jogged along. He dropped a pace, then two, behind Michaela.

  Wind, bitter and brisk, ripped through her, freezing the droplets of sweat on her forehead and cheeks. She huffed, her breath white against the dim background.

  Stone exploded near her head showering her with pebbles. Logan grabbed her around the waist and shoved her to the ground. More rock chips pelted their bodies. He hauled her to her feet then pushed her forward while he returned fire.

  Michaela stumbled toward the shaft of light in front of her. The hard press of Logan’s body kept her moving. A shrill whistle split the air a moment before a shadow caught the corner of her eye.

  “Logan—”

  “I hope that’s Burg,” he muttered and nudged her onto the balcony before flattening her against the wall.

  This was the best they had for now. Michaela stared into Logan’s eyes. “Don’t do it.” She clutched at the front of his jacket.

  He nodded toward the far side of the balcony and the set of snow covered steps. “Do exactly what I told you to do.”

  She opened her mouth to protest.

  “Down!”

  She dropped to the ground, covering her head as the night erupted into smoke and noise. Her vision dimmed and a fading scream sent a chill racing down her spine. Footsteps thudded beside her. She curled into a ball as cold slithered across her hands and down the collar of her coat.

  She blinked in time to see two men grappling with Logan. The breath stilled in her throat as one lifted his weapon. Logan tossed a fist and caught the man on the chin. The gun went flying over the balcony rail.

  He threw one assailant over his shoulder. The man landed on the balcony several feet away. The other man rushed Logan, who then ducked. The man went flying into space, his scream fading until a muffled thud and a crash met with silence.

  The second thug recovered and rushed Brock, catching him around the waist. For one horrifying second, they teetered on the rail. Michaela scrambled to her feet as they toppled.

  “No!” Wind whipped through the icy gloom, threatening to rip away a dangling Logan from Michaela’s desperate grip. Beneath her, the aging balcony she lay on shuddered and groaned. Bitter cold from the steel floor seeped into her clothes as if she wore nothing at all. It tilted forward, and a shriek escaped. Frigid cold metal bit into her skin as she was wedged against the railing. Arctic air blowing off the frozen lake, slapped at her face and stung her eyes. She tightened her hold on his jacket. Her back and shoulders burned, straining with effort.

  The supports gave another ominous creak and the balcony bounced lower. She clutched handfuls of his clothing, uncaring that her fingers were raw and numb with cold. All that mattered was dragging her husband the few scant millimeters until he could grasp one of the iron spindles.

  “Let go.” Quiet command filled his shouted words.

  She stared into honey-brown eyes, read acceptance and love. He’d do anything to protect her. Well screw that, she wasn’t letting him go just so she could spend the rest of her life a widow. “Shut up.”

  Despite the situation, he chuckled. He reached for the metal bar, his fingertips just grazing the rod. Hope surged. Just a little farther and he could pull up the rest of the way. She renewed her efforts, grunting as she inched backward with her toes. Her arms and shoulders quivered with the effort of holding him, but she held on. Giving up was not an option.

  Footsteps pounded in the concrete tunnel behind her. Michaela stiffened and turned her head. Oh god. She glanced at her husband, then to the gun she’d abandoned earlier. It lay on the ground lodged against cement lip joining the bars to the balcony base just out of reach.

  “What?”

  “Someone’s coming.”

  “Get out of here.”

  “Not without you, Logan.”

  The structure lurched forward. Her weapon scraped closer.

  The only way to protect them both would be to let him go, at least with one hand. She twisted his clothes tighter in one and reached for her gun with the other.

  A shadow fell across the wall. Michaela stretched. Her little finger just touched the butt of her weapon. The clothing went slack in her grip. Heart pounding, she glanced at Logan. He had one hand curled around the metal bar, but he wasn’t out of danger yet.

  Black boots appeared in the doorway. She grasped the gun with two fingers then dragged it until the weight rested in her palm, aimed at the newcomer and squeezed the trigger.

  “Whoa!” The newcomer dropped to the ground. “I’m a friendly.”

  “Dammit, Burg.” She set the gun down. “Help me.”

  Burg reached over her and grabbed a handful of Logan’s clothing. Together they haule
d him over the rail. She wrapped her arms around Logan.

  “I was so scared.”

  “I know, baby.”

  “I hate to break up the happy reunion, but we need to move.” Burg nudged them toward the stairs. “This thing can go any second.”

  Logan nodded and hustled Michaela onto the landing. He went before her while Burg brought up the rear. They were a third of the way down the stairs when the balcony gave a sickening creak and separated from its support. Brock grabbed Michaela’s hand and they raced down the steps.

  A loud crack had him throwing her to the ground and blanketing her with his body. She gasped for air as once more the world seemed to erupt in chaos and noise. A loud splash followed and then they were drenched by a deluge of freezing water.

  When silence rushed by on the wind, with care, Logan eased off her. Her hair and jeans a sodden, snow covered mess, she shivered The men hadn’t fared much better. Both were soaked. Water dripped and then froze on their lashes.

  “We need to get dry,” Brock said.

  “I’ve got dry clothing in the camper.” Burg turned.

  Michaela’s teeth chattered. She faced Brock. “Can we leave now? I think I’ve had enough of this place.”

  She jerked, stumbled forward and clutched her shoulder. Crimson stained her hand when she pulled it away before the first crack registered. She glanced at Logan, his face pale, eyes wide as he reached for her. Burg was already pulling his weapon.

  Another explosion split the night. This one closer. She reached for Logan as she pitched forward and into nothing.

  Chapter Four

  Blip-blip-blip. Her breath was warm and moist against her skin. Michaela shifted her head. She hated when Logan shifted the pillows and she breathed in her own face. Moving did no good. Now something bit into her cheeks and pinched her ears.

  She lifted a hand and a spear of pain lashed through her system. Her eyes popped open. The constant blip sped up as her gaze bounced around the room. Nothing looked familiar. Not the darkened television hanging from the ceiling, or the drab gray and ivory curtain giving her the illusion of privacy. Antiseptic and illness clung to the air.