Brotherhood Protectors_Winter Flame Read online

  “Henson does.”

  “To be fair, he growled when you let yourself into my cabin as well.”

  He looked down at her and dropped a quick kiss to her lips. “Just for the record, I had all sorts of bad intentions once I got my hands on you again.”

  “You did follow through with them. I think I have marks from your scruff on my inner thighs.”

  “Didn’t mind so much as you clamped your thighs around my head to keep me there.”

  “Is this really the conversation we should be having right now?”

  “Keeping your mind off what is about to happen, isn’t it?”

  She worried her lower lip. “It was.” She flicked her tongue along the seam of her lips. “Just be careful okay?”

  “Always.”

  He stepped away from her and neared the door where Henson still stood, unmoving. That same low growl pouring from his furred throat.

  “I got this, Henson. Britt, call him and stay low. Get behind the sofa and don’t come up until I say it’s okay.”

  “You can’t see out there.”

  “Here’s hoping they can’t either.”

  “What are the chances of that?”

  Slim to none. He didn’t respond, just waited for the dog to move. He did in response to Britt’s low call.

  Dousing the lights in the cabin, he paused at his gear and pulled out his own NVG, standard in his pack when he was on a mission. He tugged it over his head then he looked back to see her and Henson crouched near the stove and the faint light it gave off. However, if there was thermal reading out there her position was smart.

  Curt opened the door, he slid through and drew it shut behind him. seconds later shots rang out. Rolling off to his right, he brought up the rifle and fired in return. He couldn’t see anyone but he was moving the second he got back to his feet. As he circled the cabin, he searched for any one there. He drew up short when he spied three men moving in close.

  Her ex may have hired someone to kill her but the men he got weren’t the smartest. A small grouping, unless there were more people that he’d not seen yet. As it was, all he had to do was take three shots and the threat would be gone.

  A tingle snaked up his spine and he glanced up into the cloudy sky. He swore he spied a parachute in his NVG as it floated to earth but when he swung his gaze around back to that spot, he didn’t see anything resembling that at all. There wasn’t anything there.

  Chapter Four

  Britt held her breath, fingers tight around the case and the folder she shoved inside it, and her other sunk deep in Henson’s thick coat.

  “We don’t have anywhere to go to, Henson. Unless we just run and hide.” She exhaled sharply. “I have your harness in here and we can jump on the skis, I know hooking you up to the sled will take to long.”

  He nudged her hand, almost like he understood her words or at least the urgency. She worked quickly, getting him in his harness. Then she found a backpack and shoved the case in there. Freezing each time shots rang out, she ducked when the splintered the wood and glass of the window.

  Although she inched toward the door, she paused before opening it. Which side had she left her skis on? Right? Or left?

  Left, same as the snowshoes.

  “Ready, Henson?”

  His answer was a low woof. She opened the door and scurried along the ground with him crawling beside her until she could knock down the skis. Once they were lined up in the direction she needed them, she locked her feet in, remaining crouched. Henson moved out until the line was no longer slack.

  “I’m trusting your eyes here, boy. Take me out nice and safe. Hike,” she ordered in a low whisper.

  He lunged into the harness and they shot off, she pushed up to stand upright shortly after he began moving them across the snowy landscape. Shots snapped around her and she prayed they made it out. Only one they were a good distance away, did she stop him. Unsure of what her next step should be, she shook her head.

  “I left him there. To face whatever they brought without me. What kind of jackass am I?”

  The worst.

  Shrugging out of her pack, she used a bit of rope and tied it up in the tree. Then she turned back the way he’d just brought her. This time, she secured the rifle in her hands before she gave him the command to move.

  Her dog flew over the snow and she along with him. As they began heading up toward where the cabin was, she halted him. he shots were faster and louder. A loud explosion rocked the area and she ducked as she swore. A bright orange ball of flames filled the darkness. She saw two figures running.

  One fell then the other. Shit. Was that Curt? Someone else?

  She wanted to go there and yet she wanted nothing more than to run in the opposite direction.

  I’m definitely a lover not a fighter when guns and exploding shit are involved. Yet her conscious wouldn’t let her leave, not without knowing the status of one Curt Blackwell. Damn him for coming all this way to protect her and for worming his sexy ass way into her heart.

  “This is either going to be the most heroic or the absolute stupidest thing I’ve ever gotten us into Henson.”

  His answer was to lean in the harness, his position clear.

  “Nice and easy, boy. Let’s go.”

  She skirted the edge of the flames, trying to remain hidden best she could. But it wasn’t easy with the trees in her way. This was the reason she didn’t ski through forests much, but snowshoed. She winced as one trunk got to close and when she snapped her head away to avoid it, she smacked into another one.

  The trickle down her face was ignored as she accepted the reality the cold would stop the bleeding, or at least it would slow it down.

  “Come on boy, find Curt.”

  Her wish was granted although she wished for a moment, the outcome would have been altogether different. He lay there, barely moving, blood pooling into the snow beneath him.

  Dropping Henson with a single word, she unhooked from him and the skis before sinking to her knees by Curt.

  “Curt? Can you hear me?”

  “You left the cabin,” he mumbled. “I told you to stay put.”

  “Considering it’s on fire, I think I made the wiser choice about that. Can you walk? Can you get up?”

  “Shot in the leg and the side, but I got them all. I think. Won’t be walking far.”

  “How about long enough to get to the sled?”

  He sat, groaned and fell back. “Be right with you, baby.”

  After he passed out, she swore again and looked at Henson. “I don’t want to leave him either but we have to.”

  They raced back to the cabin and she hooked him up to the sled, grabbing a few final items from the burning cabin before shooting back across the snow to where she’d left him. relief filled her when she reached him. however, he still hadn’t regained consciousness.

  As she struggled to get him in the sled, he came to and helped best he could. She packed his wounds best she could before zipping him in the bag and pulling up the heavy furs to keep him warm. After he ate a piece of jerky she kissed his cheek before drawing the furs over his face to keep the wind from him.

  It was going to be a hard ride to the nearest village where they could get assistance. Hell, even so, she wasn’t sure he would make the trip, but she had to try. With a brief stop to pick up the pack she’d left in the tree, she began the journey.

  αβ

  Curt opened his eyes. The room, hazy at first slowly came into focus. He wriggled his fingers and toes.

  “Finally awake I see.”

  He blinked a few times at the deep voice and looked up from his prone position on the bed to find Simon standing there, watching him.

  “Simon. What are you doing here? What am I doing here? Where am I?”

  “Back in the United States finally.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning you were in Norway for a while to get stabilized then were transferred here.”

  “Here? Where in the US am
I?”

  “Seattle.”

  He gazed about the room and stopped when Simon shook his head.

  “What?”

  “She’s not here, Curt.”

  He sat up in bed and glared at his friend. “Where the fuck is she?”

  Simon held out a hand to slow him down. “She’s with Geri. Geri took her to Hank to explain what happened then she is going to confront Grubler.”

  “The fuck she is without me. Get me some clothes.”

  Fear slammed into him so hard, it was a good thing he already was sitting on the bed for his legs would have given out on him. When he got her back at his side, he was going to spank that firm ass of hers. What the hell was she thinking going after a man who’d tried to have her killed?

  “Hank won’t let her go alone and neither will Geri.”

  “No offense but she’s my woman and I aim to keep her safe.”

  Simon smirked at him, crossing his arms. “Does she know that?”

  “She will.”

  “She saved your life, you know.”

  He nodded. “I had no doubt she would. I want to know how it happened but she can tell me after I shake her for doing something foolish.” He tossed back the blanket and grunted. “Clothing?”

  “Keep your gown on, I’ll go get you some.” Shaking his head, Simon exited the room only to be replaced by a nurse who poked and prodded him.

  Nerves strung tight by the time Simon returned carrying a duffle bag of clothing, he shoved into them as quick as he could. They were a bit big on him but he didn’t complain, he knew where they’d come from. They were Simon’s.

  “Let’s go. Our tickets are waiting.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “San Francisco. I asked Geri where the man worked.” They signed him out and went to a waiting taxi. “Before you ask, yes, he’s going to be there. Geri is doing her best to slow Britt down but she’s not an easy woman to control. Or get to listen to reason.”

  “She does have her own mind for sure.” His body ached and was clamoring for more sleep but he would rest on the plane and sleep once Britt was back where he wanted her. Beside him.

  “So tell me,” Simon said as they headed to SeaTac. “What was the Arctic like?”

  “Cold. Honestly I don’t know how she does it. There are storms that come through and she closes the windows, wood on both sides. The hours of the day mean nothing as it’s pitch black out there. I was going crazy for a bit then one day, or night, I don’t remember, she took me out and it was absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen a night sky like that, not even out in the desert. It was like I could reach up and touch the stars. Or the Northern Lights when they were out. The colors were so vibrant, in those moments, I got why she was up there and how she put up with the harsh conditions.”

  Simon didn’t do much more than grunt but Curt knew he understood. The trip to the gate was uneventful and while part of him wanted to get a cart his pride wouldn’t let him, so he walked, grew winded and exhausted.

  He was grateful to sit on the plane. Heart pounding, he closed his eyes and waited for them to take off. He needed to see her and make sure to his eyes she was okay. Needed to hold her and sample her lips once more. Brush her hair away from her face and look into those amazing hazel green eyes.

  He slept the short flight and woke when they began the descent. Impatiently waiting for the time to disembark, he tried to keep the emotions off his face, well aware, of how intently Simon watched him.

  He breathed a bit easier as they climbed into the taxi to head for Grubler’s buisness.

  Epilogue

  Britt shook off Geri’s hand and strode from the cab to the front door of the building. “I’m not waiting any longer, Geri. This fuck needs to know that he failed and I’m coming for him.”

  Her friend sighed. “You know I’m all for this bastard getting what’s coming to him because he’s not only an abusive asshole but because he had the audacity to try and have you killed to keep this information quiet.”

  Stopping, she turned to stare at her friend. “I love you for all the support, but seriously, this guy has gone to far.”

  “I know that. Hank knows this. And he’s working on it.”

  “You’ve been saying that.”

  “Stuff takes time, Britt.”

  “I know, so you and Hank do what you feel you must but I have to do this.” She gripped her friend’s hand and squeezed. “He nearly killed me when we were a couple and now he still is trying to kill me. I need him to realize I’m not the same scared person I was when he and I were a couple. Granted a dysfunctional one but still, a couple. I survived the shit he put me through and I will continue to survive.”

  Geri watched her with her those intense amber eyes she had. “Okay then, let’s go face the devil.”

  She gave her a smile and nodded.

  Together, they strode in to the building and moved to the elevator bays. As they waited for the doors to open, she began to fidget. It had been a year since she’d seen this bastard. The doors swung open and she stepped in, Geri with her.

  They got off on his floor and she shared a look with her friend before she lifted her chin and made her way toward the door. She stepped into the office and headed for the door leading for his space.

  “Hey, you can’t go in there.”

  Waving off the secretary, Britt opened the door and stepped inside. The office hadn’t changed much. The colors had, however, the position of the furniture still remained in the same place. As did the sight of Grubler fucking a young woman over the arm of his sofa. Familiar but this time, no pain of betrayal.

  The sharp tapping of his secretary’s heels behind her preceded the, “I tried to stop her sir, oh. Oh my goodness! How are you doing this with her? You told me I was the only one.”

  Britt turned and clucked her tongue. “Honey, you’re one in a long line. Surely you knew that working for him. he fucks anything that doesn’t have a dick. But then hey, I shouldn’t say that, perhaps he does. I don’t know. Don’t give a damn either. Get out.”

  “What are you doing here, Britt?” he drew back, dick covered in slickness.

  She snarled in disgust and rolled her eyes. “I know, a shock right. After you sent those guys to kill me, it’s got to be something like a ghost. But I’m not, they failed. I’m alive. They’re dead and I have to tell you, once you’re in prison, I’m going to find some big hulky skinhead and pay him to make you his bitch.”

  He took three steps toward her as the woman he’d been fucking tugged down her skirt and tried to straighten up.

  “Give it up, hon, you still look like you had a roll in the sack. Get out.” Britt jerked her thumb over her shoulder.

  She sneered down her nose but listened. Soon it was only her, Geri, and Grubler.

  He stuffed his softening dick into his suit pants before leveling another glare at Britt. For a moment, she stiffened and flashed back to how he made her cower. A fleeting touch on her back gave her the courage not to flinch.

  “You are a stubborn whore, I’ll give you that.”

  “Whore? Which of us was just fucking a woman while another woman he screws was outside the door?”

  “I’m a man.”

  She snorted. “That’s debatable. You’re male, I’ll give you that but I highly doubt you’re a man.”

  He narrowed his eyes, fisting his hands.

  Normally she would have stepped back but not anymore. She lifted her chin and moved toward him.

  “You don’t scare me, Grubler. Not anymore.”

  “Why couldn’t you just die?” He pulled out a gun and waved it at her. “I didn’t want to have to get my hands dirty but apparently those fuckers were incompetent.”

  “Why are you out to kill me? What did I do?”

  “A loose end.” He shrugged. “I mean, you were a decent fuck but when you left me, you were a liability. I lost you for a bit, I’m guessing that is when you were hiding. But your name resurfaced when we were discussing
building a pipeline through there. That’s when I heard you were up there.”

  He raked a hand through his hair.

  “Damn it, why couldn’t you have just died up there and the animals ate you?” He gestured around with the pistol. “Now this is going to get messy. You know this don’t you. I mean, now we have to clean it up, erase the video footage of you even coming in here. God, you were a pain then, looks like it’s still the same now. And you brought your friend to die with you.”

  “We’re not going to die today.”

  Geri stepped up beside her.

  “Yes, you are.”

  Britt frowned when her friend stepped in front of her. No, she wasn’t about to let Geri die because she’d been impatient about confronting this asshole. She shifted and pushed by her friend only to pause when Geri gripped her wrist.

  “No and if you don’t want to have a hole in your head and chest, I would suggest lowering the gun.”

  “You’re lying.”

  Britt shook her head. “There’s a red dot on your chest.”

  He looked down, eyes widening. She understood, where the hell had it come from. Cutting her gaze to Geri, she saw a smile on her friend’s face. And she realized why her friend kept delaying her, she’d been waiting for the backup to arrive.

  “And one on your head.” Britt admitted there was a bit of glee in her tone.

  “I don’t have a scope to put a dot on you, but I will blow your fucking head off if you don’t put that weapon down.”

  Curt’s voice wound around her and she spun to see him. relief so powerful swamped her, she nearly sank to her knees. He was alive. She’d done everything she could not to ask about him, unaware how she would have handled it if word came he’d died.

  “You’re alive,” she whispered.

  “Thanks to you. Ladies, come to me.”

  She and Geri listened. When she reached him, she touched his arm and he squeezed her hand before moving her behind him.

  “Go out the door. Simon is there.”

  “I want to stay with you.”

  “Go. I didn’t pull through to lose you now. I’ll be right behind you. We just need to get this fucker in cuffs.”