***
Braxton gripped the windowsill as he watched Kate’s SUV disappear down the snow-covered hill and out of sight. He should go after her and explain, but it was light out and he didn’t know whether the Assassins were still out there looking for him. The last thing he wanted to do was to get Kate hurt.
“She’s always been too trusting.” Beau busied himself with pouring a cup of coffee. “I knew the moment she brought Tom home it wasn’t going to work. I never trusted that shifty-eyed son of a bitch.”
Braxton swallowed, his gut burned with anger. “I would never hurt Kate.”
“Braxton, face it. No matter how this thing plays out, Kate’s going to get hurt.”
“What do you mean?”
Beau set his coffee cup down. “If the Assassins find you, they are going to kill you. If they don’t find you and think you are dead, then you’ll be on your way out of town out of Kate’s life, forever on the run and looking over your shoulder.”
Braxton hardened his gaze.
Beau scrubbed his hand across his face and sighed. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on between you two, and frankly, I don’t want the play-by-play.” Beau shivered. “Jesus, Kate’s like my sister, so I don’t need the visual. But what I do know is how she looks at you when you walk in the room.”
“How does she look at me?” Braxton glanced away, waiting to hear the next few words come out of the vet’s mouth.
“Like you’re her hero.”
“I’m nobody’s hero.” He’d tried to be that for his mother, to save her from the monster his father was, and look where it got him. As much as he loved his mother, she would never have left his abusive father. The pattern was set and the routine learned. He couldn’t save someone that didn’t want to be saved.
“While I’m here, let me have a look at your shoulder.” Beau waved him over to the barstool.
“Nice way to change the topic.”
Beau snorted. “I have to admit, I’ve never actually seen an Assassin’s bullet before. And I’ve never heard of anyone living after they were shot with one. You must be one lucky son of a bitch.”
Braxton shook his head. He didn’t have a lucky bone in his body. He never did. “It’s not luck. I’m just cursed to keep on living.”
***
Kate lifted the trunk to her maroon SUV and began loading up her groceries. She didn’t normally buy this much when she didn’t have guests at the B&B. But judging how much Braxton had put away at the last few meals, she’d gone ahead and stocked up. He ate as much as a family of four, yet there wasn’t an ounce of fat anywhere on his body.
“Can I give you a hand with those?” A deep male voice came from behind her.
“No thanks, I’ve got it.” She turned to give the stranger a polite smile but froze. The man had to be as tall as Braxton and just as broad. Dressed in jeans and leather jacket, he wore sunglasses that obscured his eyes. She shivered as her gaze landed on a vicious scar that ran down one side of his cheek. The hair on the back of her arms stood at attention. Danger seemed to pulse off him in waves.
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”
“I’m sure.” She turned back and quickly began tossing the white grocery bags into the SUV. She needed to get out of there.
She slammed the door shut and spread her keys between her sweaty knuckles. She saw that defense move on TV one time. If he took a step closer, she was prepared to stab him in the balls.
“I’m looking for someone who passed through here a few days ago. He’s a friend, and he didn’t meet up with me at our designated destination.” The stranger cocked his head. “Can you take a look at a photo for me?”
Cold fear ran up her back as the stranger held out a picture of Braxton. She swallowed hard and shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I’ve not seen him. Have you tried asking down at the restaurants on Main Street? They get a lot of traffic and maybe someone saw him there.” She gave him a tight smile.
The stranger held her gaze and then finally nodded. “Thanks, I’ll do that.”
She forced herself not to run and jump into her car. The last thing she needed was this stranger getting suspicious. With her heart pounding in her chest, she took her time putting the shopping cart back in the cart corral and walked back to her car. She started the engine and glanced in her rearview mirror. The stranger didn’t move but watched as she pulled away.
With shaking hands, she forced herself to take several deep breaths. As much as she needed to get home, she drove slow and took the long route home just in case the stranger got the urge to follow her.
***
Braxton frowned as he watched Kate pull around the back of the Bella Luna and park. Why wasn’t she parking in the front of the house?