Dangerous Refuge

chapter Forty-seven



Shaye hesitated. She had seen someone in front of her, but now there was nothing. The figure hadn’t been Kimberli—too big and no glitter. It hadn’t been Ace—his khaki clothes were pale in the moonlight. That left Tanner in his dark T-shirt and jeans.

There was the faintest glimmer of moonlight off something. It could have been a gun.

Oh God. He can’t tell it’s me.

She could speak up and maybe get shot by Ace at a distance with a .22, or stay silent and get shot close up and for certain by a cop’s gun.

Easy choice.

“Tanner,” she said roughly. “It’s Shaye. Don’t shoot.”

The shape dissolved and Tanner’s voice said, “Jesus. I nearly shot you.”

She felt tears stream down her face as she ran to him and buried her face in his chest. He flinched, made a rough sound of pain, and then gave her a one-armed hug.

“You’re hurt,” she whispered.

“Hit my head, right wrist is—”

Her fingers covered his mouth. “Too loud,” she said.

He barely heard her past the ringing in his ears, but he lowered his voice. “This better?”

“Yes. We have to get to cover.” She pointed toward the jumble of boulders just uphill.

“Been there,” he said softly. “No good for two.”

She pointed toward the bigger trees. “Ace.”

Tanner made a circle-around motion.

She nodded and headed out, climbing up in a direction that would eventually lead to big trees.

Wanting to object, yet knowing she was right, he fell in behind her. Or tried to. He couldn’t keep up.

“Wait,” he said in a low voice.

At least he hoped it was low. The only thing that had real volume was the ringing in his ears.

She appeared by his side.

“Can you shoot this?” he rasped, holding out the Glock.

For the first time she realized that he was essentially one-handed.

“Yes. But I’m not very good.”

“Extra magazines.” He tapped his left jacket pocket.

She hesitated, then pulled out two magazines and put one each in the back pockets of her jeans. The instant she was finished, he placed something in her hands. It wasn’t as heavy as other handguns its size, but it wasn’t exactly a feather. The weapon was warm from his skin, but still it chilled her. She wanted to tell him she couldn’t do this, then realized it wasn’t true.

She just didn’t like pistols. Too easy to screw up with them.

But Tanner didn’t look real steady on his feet right now. She was lucky he’d had the training to wait and be certain of his target before firing.

He tapped the safety on the Glock, showing her the on/off control.

She nodded, worked the control until she could do it by touch alone, and turned back toward the slope. The pistol was an uneasy weight in her right hand. She considered asking him for the holster, but didn’t. She would be slow enough getting the pistol into firing position as it was.

Wish I’d spent more time with handguns. But I didn’t and it’s way too late now. I know the basics.

It will have to be enough.

The night had tipped from cool to chilly. Wind sucked heat from anything warm, especially bare skin. The bigger trees that would give cover seemed to get farther and farther away.

Shaye listened, heard only the occasional stumble from Tanner. He was falling behind. She waited, listening carefully, and heard nothing beyond the two of them. Either Ace wasn’t following them or he was used to stalking game.

A chill went over her at the thought.

As soon as Tanner caught up, she pushed on again, heading toward one side of the Bronco’s gleaming headlights.

Is Ace doing the same?

Is he just waiting to get both Tanner and me at once?

Can I really shoot Ace?