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His eyes sharpen instantly. “That’s the problem with women like you. You always think you’re saving someone.”

I jerk hard against his grip. “Get your hands off me.”

Instead, he steps closer.

“You fascinated me immediately,” he says quietly. “The interviews. The way you looked into cameras like you weren’t afraid of anybody.” His mouth curves slightly. “But you are afraid. You just hide it better than most.”

My heart pounds harder with every word.

“You’ve been following me this entire time?”

“You’ve been on my radar since Seattle. Imagine my luck when I got a call from a private security company about your plans to travel to Devil’s Peak to investigate some missing hikers.”

Jesus Christ.

“Felt like I won the jackpot. And you signed your death warrant.”

The room tilts slightly.

“You’re sick.”

“No,” he says calmly. “Just protecting the people.”

The honesty of it terrifies me more than if he’d lied.

“From the truth. You’re protecting them from the truth.”

“Most people can’t handle the truth.”

Snow slams against the windows harder outside while he finally releases one wrist just long enough to pull zip ties from his pocket.

My stomach drops instantly. “Don’t.”

“You should stop fighting me, Nora.”

“I’d rather die.”

His expression shifts slightly at that.

Not angry.

Excited.

That realization turns my blood cold.

“You know what your problem is?” he asks while forcing my wrists together. “You mistake attention for danger.” He tightens the restraint hard enough to sting. “But attention means devotion.”

I glare at him. “You need psychiatric help.”

He smiles again.

“You sound just like Rhett.”

The breath leaves my lungs.

“What?”

“Oh, I know all about the mountain ranger.” His tone sharpens slightly now. “Big guy. Protective. Possessive.” He tilts his head. “You fell for him fast.”