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“Maybe I don’t want anything to happen to you, either. Did that never occur to you?” For a moment her stony mask slipped and he saw the emotion behind her fury.
She was worried about him.
“I’ll be okay,” he reassured her. “I work better alone.”
“Do you though? You were stalled out in this case until I came along. Admit it.”
“I admit it. But now?—”
“Now you’re choosing to put yourself in danger, but you’re not allowing me to make that same decision.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Here’s something you should know about me. When I care about someone, I fight for them. That’s why I came to Alaska. For Lila. Same with Elias.”
“I know that. I do. You have the heart of a warrior.” Of course he knew that about her.
But that he was included in her circle of care—he hadn’t known that. And now he was pushing her away.
“Molly.” His voice cracked as he said her name. He reached for her, needing to feel her in his arms, show her how he felt, that he cared too, more than she knew…maybe even more than he knew.
But she slipped out of his grasp and out the door.
“Maybe you think you’re protecting me, and maybe you’re even right. But I’m not and will never be the damsel in distress. I’ve fought for myself and survived my entire life. That’s who I am. You underestimate me, and I deserve better after everything we’ve been through up until now.”
Grabbing her tote bag, she strode off toward the Cessna parked on the far side of the tarmac.
He swore to himself—and at his bad luck that he would have fallen for someone just as determined and independent as he himself was.
Then again, he wouldn’t change her for the world.
He understood her point of view. In a way, he agreed with her. She could take care of herself. She was quick-thinking and strong and hell, she could always run farther than anyone else.
But this situation was so unpredictable, and she wasn’t trained for it, and this case was his responsibility, and so he had to make the call. Either she’d forgive him eventually, or he would have fucked up the best thing to come into his life in a long, long time.
He zipped up his duffel bag, and checked the truck to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind. For a flash, he imagined if his life was different—if he and Molly were a real couple just returning from a trip to Anchorage for supplies. They’d be loaded up with paint for the kitchen—a creamsicle shade to brighten up winter mornings—and sacks of rice and beans, and seed packets to start the garden.
It was so real he had to stop and shake his head to chase it away. Sweet lord, was that what he wanted? A life with Molly? A real life, maybe even with family?
In the next moment, he knew how impossible that was. Why would Molly from New York ever want to make Firelight Ridge her home? She didn’t even have cell service there. She wouldn’t be able to practice her profession. Who needed lawyers in a place like Firelight Ridge, where disputes were either settled with a few shoves at The Fang or they developed into decades-long feuds?
Satellite. He had a satellite dish. She could have all the internet connection she wanted. And everyone needed a lawyer at some point. Guaranteed, if she offered her services, she’d find some takers.
All those thoughts scattered at the sound of a shout from the direction of his plane. It sounded like Molly—Jesus, it was Molly! She’d just reached Rover and was yelling at the top of her lungs. “Elias! Elias!”
Elias? Had he escaped the clutches of Children’s Services and somehow made it to his plane?
Two strong arms reached from the Cessna and grabbed Molly by the shoulders. Those weren’t Elias’ arms, they were much too beefy and muscular. They must belong to a grown man. A Chilkoot, he had no doubt.
Sam set off across the tarmac at a run as Molly struggled against the man’s grip. It was no use. He dragged her, kicking and screaming, onto his plane. The last he saw of her was her right boot hooked against the fuselage, trying to stop her forward progress. Then she was entirely inside the Cessna, and the hatch was slammed shut.
Sam dropped his bag so it didn’t slow him down. He pounded across the pavement, oblivious to everything except getting to Molly.
He was close enough now to see that his tie downs had already been removed and the chocks tossed aside. Maybe if he hadn’t been arguing with Molly he would have noticed that essential detail.
He had the key to his plane in his pocket, so what the hell were they planning, some kind of hostage situation? Holding onto Molly and Elias inside the plane in order to negotiate for something?
Holy fuck, his plane was moving. Without him. They must have hot-wired it; was that even possible? Of course it was, anything was possible, if you had the mechanical knowledge and knew your way around a Cessna.
