Page 13 of Storm Warning

“You have a cut on your temple.” He reached up and pushed the hair away.

Her eyes flew open at his touch, and he thought she might punch him in the throat too. “Whoa ... I’m just taking inventory. Where else were you cut?”

She stepped to the side and out of his reach. “I don’t need you to take inventory.”

Served him right.

Maybe his surprise at her attitude showed in his expression, because she said, “I’m ... I’m sorry. Thank you for your help. That’s twice in one day.” The look she gave him didn’t give him any warm and fuzzy feelings.

And it sounded almost as if it had cost her to thank him. Not like before, when he’d pulled her from the cliffside.

“This cut was from a tree branch, that’s all.” She averted her gaze again. “I got the feeling...”

“The feeling what? Tell me, Remi.”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged.

What had she been going to say? Maybe the man hadn’t touched her with the knife and maybe she had skills, but this guy ... he had more skills. Maybe the man was toying with her, but Hawk knew better than to vocalize that thought because it would be insinuating that she hadn’t held her own. And she had until Hawk got there. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn’t decided to venture out and away from his cozy cabin and into town in inclement weather.

Remi stared at him again, studying, searching, and mentally grilling. He could tell. “You keep showing up when I’m in trouble. Why is that?”

Why are you in trouble?“I can’t help it that I saw a Bronco just sitting there, the door wide open. Signs of a struggle. I didn’t know it was your vehicle. Okay? And why am I defending myself?” He wanted to turn and stalk off.

Branches above them clacked together with the rush of wind. Remi jumped and stared up. The attack had put her on edge.

“We need to call the sheriff,” he said. “Get out of thisweather and somewhere safe. Whoever attacked you could be circling back.”

He eyed the woods once more and then offered his hand—just in case she needed reassurance. She looked at his hand but didn’t take it as she moved past him. Okay, then. She was upset and he would give her space.

He let Remi lead them to the vehicles while he watched their backs, secretly hoping her attacker would show up again and Hawk could take him down, or at least capture him.

That’s not what you do anymore.

Because his last assignment had ended catastrophically.

Keeping alert to his surroundings, Hawk stalked behind her—there was no hiking next to her in these woods. “So, what happened anyway? Do you know who attacked you and why?”

“How should I know? And right now, my main concern is getting that tree cut up into pieces and moved off the road.”

In other words, she didn’t want to talk about it. Everyone responded differently, but Remi’s reaction to being attacked baffled him.

“I’ll help with the tree.” He cut around her and stood in her path. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t know.”

In the distance, the sound of chain saws roared, bringing a small sense of relief, at least to him. Her face relaxed. Chain saws meant that someone else was here to help and had already started the process of removing the roadblock.

At the road, two additional vehicles were parked. A couple of guys had already started on the massive trunk that had blocked the path. Apparently, finding the two empty vehicles hadn’t raised any alarms, and hearing gunfire in the woods hadn’t disturbed them. Or maybe they had been curious, but what else could be done except move the fallentree? And they’d already made quick work of opening up the road. He and Remi weren’t even needed.

Still, he followed her to the back of her Bronco, where she stood under the open hatch and examined her supplies. Making sure they were all still there? Wind gusts picked up, and they might have to remove another fallen tree before this was over.

“Can you please stop and take a breath?” Rain had soaked his head, but he didn’t care. “You were attacked. You’re allowed a moment.”

Like it was his business, but he’d been there and considered himself involved enough to ask questions.

Remi’s hair was dripping wet. Her hood had fallen back, and she hadn’t bothered to pull it on again. Beneath the hatch of the Bronco, they were somewhat protected from the downpour.

When she didn’t respond, he took a different tack. “Did you call to report the ladder incident?” he asked. “Maybe what happened today is related.”

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