A stick snapped, and Taylor dropped behind Kam near a bramble bush. She didn't know much about plants, but this one looked like it would hurt if she had to drive beneath it.
Kam reached back and placed his hand on her knee. It was like he sensed her unease and knew exactly what she needed. She'd let it go this time, but she needed serious work on that wall around her heart. A rustling came from the bushes in front of them as a large moose sauntered toward the path they had just vacated. The beast would have towered over them even with them standing. Hunkered down, it was as if it would only take a split second for them to be crushed.
Taylor held her breath until the moose disappeared through the trees. She blew out her breath and rested her head on Kam's back.
"Not a big fan of moose?" he teased.
"Not a big fan of being trampled to death by a two-ton animal."
"That little guy probably only weighed 1,000 pounds."
"Little? He was huge," she scoffed.
The early morning light was starting to lift the nightly shadows, and the humor in Kam's eye made her stomach flip.How she missed this. Wait. What happened to that wall she was supposed to have up?
She stood. "We need to keep moving."And I need to keep you out of my heart.
She took off in the direction they had been going. Why was her heart so willing to trust in this man? She had no idea where he was or what he had done for the last three years. It was a long time to be embedded with the Russians.
Davin trusted him. At least enough to let her go with him. She stopped walking and looked behind her.
"Agent Schulz is an excellent shot."
"He is. But he's not bulletproof." She looked at him in the dawn light. The shadows kept most of his features subdued, but she could still make out the scar. If Davin trusted him, she should try to keep her doubts in check, too. "I pray he didn't die because of me."
"You'd be worth it." Kam stepped toward her, eyes burning with desire. She knew he wouldn't hesitate to die for her.
She trailed her finger down his scar. "One day you'll have to tell me everything."
He took her hand away from his face. "We need to keep going."
"I thought you said that Schulz would be okay."
"I'm sure of it, but that doesn't mean there aren't more assassins coming for the bounty on your head."
Kam started walking again, but this time he didn't let go of her hand. It was possible that the last three years hadn't turned him into a jaded person. She was well aware of how her view of the world had changed since she started working for the FBI. Being exposed to all kinds of evil in the world made it easier to see evil everywhere. This was why her Bible study group was the most important thing. Those ladies kept her grounded. Helpedher realize there could be joy in the world. No matter how deep the darkness felt.
The forest ended at a rutted service road. An old pickup sat half-submerged in the ditch. Kam let go of her hand. They rounded the truck and climbed in. He twisted the key. The engine sputtered, but didn't roar to life.
"Come on. Come on." Kam tried again.
Nothing.
He hit the steering wheel. Movement down the road made Taylor turn her attention outside. A man dressed in all black started walking towards them, gun raised.
"Lord, we could use you right now." Kam's prayer washed over her. Somehow, he had kept his faith through everything. She could feel another brick in her wall falling away.
Now she needed to survive long enough to discover more about the man she once loved.
Kam turned the key again, and the old truck stirred to life. He threw the truck into reverse and sped away from the hitman.
"Get down!" Kam shoved her head below the dash. The windshield shattered as small shards of glass rained down on her. Kam jerked the wheel, which spun the truck around. He shifted into drive and bounced down the service road.
Another shot rang out, but the back window stayed intact.
"Thanks," Kam mumbled.
Taylor peeked over her seat. Paul stood in the middle of the road, heaving his chest. She could make out the anger in his eyes as the sun lit up the morning sky. Taylor stared at him and nodded.
