Chapter 40
Palmer
The bed-and-breakfast sat dark and quiet as Roman and I arrived.
Snow lingered across the yard in uneven patches, though much of it had melted over the past few days, leaving behind damp grass and icy edges along the walkways.
The air was cold enough that my breath puffed in front of me when we stepped out of the truck.
We lingered on the porch a moment. Anyone watching the house needed to believe that Roman and I had simply come home alone after the fundraiser.
Inside, the security team waited. They’d arrived earlier in the night through the cover of darkness through the back.
It would’ve been difficult for someone to have seen them, even if they had been paying attention.
Roman unlocked the door and pulled me inside behind him. The warmth of the house wrapped around us, shutting out the cold night air. He closed the door and armed the security system.
For a moment, we stood there in the darkness, not speaking. We simply stared at each other, both of us knowing that things were about to change.
The plan had been carefully laid out, but there were still so many unknowns. We didn’t actually know whether the Shadow Stalker would take the bait. Graham seemed confident he would, but confidence and certainty weren’t the same thing.
Finally, Roman took my hand and led me deeper into the house. He reached for the living room switch, flooding the room with yellow light. I squinted against the brightness, but the room was empty.
Everything seemed normal—exactly the way we’d left it earlier: the couches, the coffee table, the throw blankets draped neatly over the armrests. It felt strangely peaceful considering what was about to unfold.
Roman guided me toward the kitchen. He didn’t turn on the lights there.
The glow from the living room spilled across the floor and into the kitchen just enough to reveal the figures sitting around the table.
Several men sat at the kitchen there, dressed in tactical gear, their silhouettes dark and solid in the dim light. I had met them briefly before leaving for the fundraiser, but seeing them now—sitting silently in the shadows—made my heart race.
I didn’t know much about them, only that they were an elite team August had assembled. Most of them were former Special Ops or marines.
Though I knew they were here to protect us…the sight of them sitting there in all that gear sent a ripple of nerves through me.
The room was quiet as one of the men pushed back from the table and stood. He stepped toward us, his face serious but friendly. He had a boyish quality to his face, even though he must’ve been at least a couple of years older than me.
“You about ready?” he asked.
Roman squeezed my hand. The tension in his body was unmistakable. My fingers clenched around him, wanting to reassure him but knowing it was futile.
Roman had been even more displeased with the new plan than the original.
“I’ll be okay,” I murmured to him.
He didn’t reply, but his thumb caressed the back of my hand in acknowledgment that he’d heard.
I glanced at the man who’d approached me. “I’ll go get changed,” I said softly. It was a little unsettling how quiet so many men could be. “Then I’ll be ready.”
The man nodded.
With one last look at Roman, I reluctantly let go of his hand, missing his warmth as I hurried to the downstairs half bathroom off the kitchen and slipped inside.
A change of clothes that I’d put there earlier waited on the counter. It was all the black things that I owned and a couple of new pieces I’d bought specifically for tonight.
I moved quickly, shedding my fundraiser dress and pulling on the black athletic pants and long-sleeved top.
Even my socks and sneakers were black, with nothing reflective.
August had been very specific on what would work.
After I was clothed, I tied my hair up into a bun and hid all the light, golden strands beneath a black beanie.
Staring at myself in the mirror, I felt like some kid playing dress-up and trying to be something she wasn’t.
Over it all, I shrugged my coat back on. The dark fabric would help me blend into the night—and keep me warm because it was still freezing outside.
My heels and the dress ended up tucked into the corner of the bathroom. I’d come back for it later.
Hopefully.
The man who had spoken earlier was waiting for me outside the bathroom door, leaning against the wall. He straightened when he noticed me step out.
He extended a hand. “I’m Jude. I’ll be in charge of your safety tonight.”
I shook his hand and gave him a small smile. Jude had a calm and steady presence that made me feel a little better about what we were going to do.
Before I could reply, Roman stepped up beside me. He seemed to melt out of the shadows surrounding us. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me into his side.
His gaze locked on Jude. “I expect you to take care of every single hair on this head,” Roman said, voice low.
I stifled a shiver, but Jude blinked only once at the clear threat in Roman’s tone. Roman Ramsey could be downright menacing when he wanted to be, but Jude didn’t flinch.
He gave Roman a firm nod, like this was a promise he’d made a thousand times before. “You can trust me.”
Roman continued to pin Jude with his stare, but eventually, he nodded. “I hope so.”
“We should get going,” Jude said to me.
Roman’s grip on me didn’t loosen.
I turned to him, rising on my tiptoes and pressing a kiss on his cheek. “I’ll be fine, Roman,” I whispered. “I’ll see you soon.”
The way he stared at me in that moment left me breathless—like I held something precious in my hands that he wasn’t sure he could afford to lose.
Then he leaned down and kissed me.
It was quick, but deep and fierce. The touch of his lips was soft, but firm, his tongue claiming.
He left me aching when he pulled back. “I’ll be waiting for you,” he rasped.
I nodded, swallowing hard as a brief wave of dizziness washed over me.
“Stay safe,” I said, the words laced with desperation. I didn’t want to leave him, but for this night, it was better if I was somewhere safe.
I turned toward Jude, who guided me toward the back door. Every step had the dread building, highly aware of Roman’s sharp gaze on me as I walked away.
“I need you to stay as quiet as possible,” Jude whispered as he opened the door, and the cold air bit at my face. “You know the plan, correct?”
Jude would take me to a safe location just outside of Ember Hollow.
“Yes,” I said softly. “You’re taking me to a cabin.”
He gave a small nod. “The vehicle is parked outside of the wooded area near a back road. Follow me as close as you can. Stay low and quiet.”
I peeked over my shoulder before we stepped out into the night. Roman was barely visible in the dark kitchen, but I sensed his attention.
Then Jude tugged me into the black night, and my heart pumped adrenaline through my body like venom.
The moon was hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds; not one star was visible. The night was heavy and silent, like the entire world had been swallowed by shadows.
The hair on the back of my neck rose, and I scanned the yard, convinced I’d see a pair of eyes watching me.
Jude positioned me so I was at his side, but slightly behind him. He curled a hand into my coat to steer me in the right direction, whispering low directions, though I had no idea how he could see. I felt blind.
Jude moved with a quiet confidence, darting from one patch of cover to the next as we cut toward the trees. I followed as carefully as I could, tripping over a mound of leftover snow and fallen sticks which only became worse when we hit the woods.
I stumbled along, Jude keeping me upright at some points as we rushed through the tight patch of trees and underbrush. It seemed like it took forever before the faint outline of a vehicle appeared through the trees.
My stomach lurched as we came upon the dark sedan.
Jude opened the back door and helped me slide into the seat. A moment later, he climbed in, started the engine, and pulled the car away from the trees and drove off into the darkness.
Nervous energy thrummed through me as we drove.
I stared out the window as the road slipped by, my thoughts drifting to Roman.
What was he doing right now? Would the Shadow Stalker take the bait? If he did, how long would it take?
Although an entire tactical team was waiting for that serial killer, I still couldn’t stop worrying.
The drive took about fifteen minutes, but I was pretty sure we hadn’t taken a straightforward path.
Eventually the sedan turned off the main road and onto a narrow gravel drive that was hidden so thoroughly among the brush that I didn’t see it until we were on it.
The trees closed in around us as we drove, thick and dark. For a moment, I wondered whether there was even a cabin out here at all.
Then a darker shape emerged. Slowly, the headlights revealed the outline of a small hunting cabin deep in the woods.
August had explained that it used to be rented out years ago, but the family who owned it had stopped after it had been broken into. Apparently they’d done August a favor and allowed him to use it just for tonight.
There were no records of anyone staying here. No reason for anyone to come snooping.
Jude parked the car and cut the engine. The headlights shut off, plunging everything back into blackness.
We both stepped out, and he rushed me toward the cabin. We didn’t turn on any exterior lights, and inside it was almost darker. Jude reached into his pocket and handed me a flashlight.
The cabin was small. I could barely make out the shapes of a kitchenette, a small table, and a modest living room area.
“Let’s not turn the overhead lights on.” His cheeks and nose were pink from the cold, which the cabin barely kept at bay. “Use the flashlight if you have to. Try not to shine it toward any of the windows.”
I nodded, keeping the beam low.
“Get comfortable and settle in,” he continued.
I frowned. “Are you leaving?”