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Charles and Barrow would have stopped us both if they knew what we were up to. The massive Jeep pushes through the snow as we head toward Frozen Falls.
“How will we find them?”
“Frozen Falls isn't that big.” True. I bet anything she knows everything there is to know about Frozen Falls and has memorized it. When we finally hit what I think is a real road, I make a loud sigh of relief. I hear Daphne make one, too.
“Were you even sure you’d make it this far?”
“Nope. I figured the worst that could happen would be that we got stuck, and they would have to come and save us.”
“Been there. Done that,” I joke. It’s either that or panic.
Daphne is so confident. I would’ve thought that she and Bells might bump heads, but Bells is the one who thought Daphne was on our side. I think I agree, especially after Daphne tried to get me not to come. Either way, Bells is going to murder us both when she finds out about this. Clover might frown me to death. It won’t be pretty.
“Rescued by four interesting, handsome, shadowy men. Look how well that ended for you.”
I smirk. “Good point.”
“And Tiernan. He’s got enough interesting to last a lifetime. So many stories all rolled up into one man.”
“I guess we’re all lucky to have wound up at the lodge.” I’ve found my home. With the way Daphne keeps bringing up Tiernan, I wonder if that’s part of the reason why she wanted to venture into Frozen Falls. I have a feeling this is about more than the story. In fact, this might be where her story begins.
14
DIEGO
We pull up outside Maudie’s Town House, the only ‘hotel’ Frozen Falls has to offer. It’s a large Georgian colonial that burned in 1901 and was rebuilt as an exact replica. For decades, it was a brothel and rooming house. Now it’s a fancy place to stay. Frozen Falls is full of interesting facts like that. I suppose all old towns are.
I stow my musings as I make sure my pistols are secure. A car drives past slowly, and I give it a long look. But it’s just a local. Now that the roads are clear in town, more people are moving around. All the better for us, since we won’t be noticed.
“I’ve been waiting for something like this.” Tiernan practically beams as he checks his knives. “Hand to hand under the radar. God, yes. A challenge.”
“The guys outside the lodge weren’t enough for you?”
“Too easy.” He shrugs and peers up at the house. “This takes skill.”
“Hope we’re not rusty.” I grit my teeth as I think about the asshole who’s holed up in Maudie’s.
“Not a chance.” He throws a knife, misses the roof of the truck by only a hair’s breadth, and catches it with fluid ease. “We’re killing this guy, right?”
I turn to him, my blood chilling as I settle my heart rate and ready myself for what needs to be done. “We’ll be heading back to the lodge with his body.”
His grin grows. “I knew coming with you was a good idea.”
I grunt a laugh and open the truck door, then jump down to the street. It’s still icy in patches, and snow is piled on the curb. Stepping over it, I meet Tiernan on the sidewalk. He gives me a nod, and then we split up. Given the fact he’s not a terrifying giant, he’ll take the front door while I head around to the back.
Maudie, a feisty octogenarian, will likely fall for his charm while I break and enter through the back.
I ease around the house, the homes on either side blocked by snowy trees. We can get in and out without much trouble. As sure as I know the sun rises in the east, I know that Kent Kingston is a coward. He takes pleasure in terrorizing women, in terrorizingmywoman. I won’t let him do it any longer. Not to Aurora or anyone else.
When I reach the back door, I find it unlocked. Entering the kitchen, I catch a whiff of something buttery simmering on the stove. It reminds me of Aurora. I’ll be with her again soon, both of us cuddling in my bed as another winter storm creates a wonderland around us.
I make my way through the back hall and to the servants’ stairs. Tiernan’s voice wafts to me.
“Just thinking a beautiful woman like you and a guy like me could, you know, be friends.”
“Excuse me, young man? I think I must’ve misheard, because I don’t accept any salty talk. Not even from handsome young men like yourself.”
He clears his throat. “Err, I mean, I’m interested in staying a night or two.”
