Page 37 of Deadly Sins
Kate’s face fell. “And no way to check the weather prediction without internet access.”
“Exactamundo. Looks like we’re on our own.”
She tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We’ve been doing okay so far.”
“No, we haven’t. But I like your spirit.”
Fenn stared at the bagel, his appetite gone. Kate was right. The food was like cardboard, a far cry from the breakfasts Mason often cooked up at the compound. Fresh squeezed juices, perfectly cooked bacon and eggs, homemade biscuits with whipped butter…and steak, if Mason was feeling it.
Kate loved steak. Medium rare, not too much salt. Fenn knew that, just like he knew that she preferred her hair loose, even though she often wore it in a high ponytail. And beneath that tough exterior, she had a great sense of humor and a soft heart.
Not that he’d ever admit to knowing about her collection of glitter unicorns. He valued his life too much for that.
But as he sat there, watching her push her own food around her plate, he couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to have her by his side always. To wake up next to her every morning, to share every meal, every moment…
Fantasies for a later time.
He leaned back in his chair, his mind whirring with possibilities. “Before we make a plan, we need to consider what we know about this guy.”
Kate nodded, her brow furrowed. “It’s most likely the same person who attacked you last night.”
“Agreed. And possibly the one who hit you with the snowmobile, too.”
“Makes sense,” she said, her fingers tapping against the table.
Fenn held up a finger. “If that’s the case, we know he doesn’t want to kill either of us.”
“Yet,” Kate amended, her voice grim.
“Point taken.” Fenn leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “But either way, that buys us something. He could have disabled our snowmobiles or just killed us outright.”
The thought made his stomach churn, his few bites of breakfast threatening to make a reappearance. The idea of Kate’s life ending, of her lying cold and still in the snow… He clapped a hand to his mouth, fighting back the wave of nausea.
Kate was by his side in an instant, her hand on his shoulder, her voice soft with concern. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m good. Just…not a fan of that particular mental image.”
She squeezed his shoulder, her touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “Me neither.”
They sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Fenn choked down another bite of bagel. “I think the attacker wants to slow us down for some reason. But why?”
Kate shook her head, her eyes distant. “That’s the first question on my list once I bag this guy.”
“You mean when we bag him,” Fenn corrected, his tone brooking no argument.
She opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand. “I know you need this. I know you need redemption. But there’s no way I’m letting you go it alone.”
She stared at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face. Then she nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Okay. Together, then.”
“Copy that.” He rubbed the back of his head, wincing at the tender lump there. What a time to be less than a hundred percent. Ugh. But wait. Maybe it could work to their advantage…
“Assuming the jerk who whacked me last night is the same guy who left you the notes, he had to circle back to town after hitting me,” he mused, his mind racing. “So what if…”
He trailed off, the plan forming in his mind. It was risky, sure. But if it worked, if they could catch this guy off guard…
His eyes flicked to Jimbo, who was once again absorbed in his video game. “Go with me,” he murmured, then groaned loudly and plastered his hands to his chest. “My ribs are killing me.”
Sure enough, Jimbo looked up, his brow furrowed with concern.Perfect.