Page 17 of Storm Warning

“He had a black mask and a hood, and it was dark in the woods. I can tell you he had brown eyes. I don’t know ... I...” Her throat constricted and she looked at Hawk.

“You said he tried to stab you with a knife at your Bronco,” Hunter said.

“Yes, but I got away, and he was between me and the Bronco, so I couldn’t get my gun. I ran into the woods, and he caught up with me. I was forced to fight him. He was strong and had more stamina, so I figured my only way to survive was to get away. I was able to knock him in the head with a branch, and that’s when I started running back toward the road, but he was closing in on me, so I stopped at a tree to try to get my bearings. He attacked me again, and then Hawk showed up. The distraction waswhat allowed me to punch his throat. Plus, Hawk had a gun, and he fired a warning shot.”

Deputy Hunter wrote more and lifted a brow. “Makes you wonder why he didn’t have a gun too.”

“I don’t know.” Remi was growing tired of this whole thing.

Deputy Hunter closed her notepad and stood. “Thanks for the coffee. That’s going to hold me over on the drive.”

“That’s it?”

“Unless you have more to add. I think you should at least make sure your guests lock their doors. There’s an assailant out there somewhere—unless, of course, you think that you’re the target.”

“I don’t know why anyone would target me.” There it was again. That half-lie. Holding back was the right thing, wasn’t it? She’d bide her time and, worst case, she’d tell the county sheriff’s department, but what could they do even if they learned she had amnesia?

Because what did she know, really? Nothing. Shedidn’tknow why someone would target her. Only that she might ... she could be ... a target for reasons unknown.

“Thanks again for coming out in the storm. Let me walk you out.”

“No, don’t bother. You stay inside. I can find my way to my vehicle.”

Remi got the feeling the deputy was ready to be alone with her thoughts. She had that same feeling, but Hawk was still here. He had the demeanor of someone who intended to stay until he got answers. But she didn’t know him and wouldn’t be answering his questions. He could even be the person who had left her the puzzle pieces. He was former military. Army. Remi had been Army.

He’d shown up, and suddenly her world was crashing.

What was he doing here now, really? Though Remi wouldremain on guard and wary of the man, Hawk had saved her twice, so the thought that he could have left her the warning puzzle pieces to remember before it was too late didn’t feel right. Didn’t ring true. Dr. Holcomb had told her that even if she remembered, she couldn’t trust those memories. They could be inaccurate. A way her brain tried to fill in the gaps. If memories could be inaccurate, what made her think she could listen to her instincts or trust her gut?

Trust herself?

Remi had the sensation she wasn’t tethered to anything solid and had no foundation. The wind blew hard enough in this storm that it might rip her away and carry her off into oblivion.

She caught Hawk staring, and her cheeks warmed. All this distrust of the man couldn’t dampen the stirring inside when he looked at her like that.Oh, come on, Remi. Get it together.

“So, Army, huh? What did you do?” she asked.

His genuine smile warmed her up. “Would it surprise you that I flew helicopters?”

Even after the day she’d had, a small laugh erupted. “I guess not.” She didn’t know this guy at all, and she knew to be wary of all strangers, including Hawk. But...

I like you, Hawk Beckett.

She hadn’t wanted him here, running a tour package, for more than the explanation she’d initially given him—too much noise. But though she couldn’t remember those hidden days, she had the sense that she’d trusted the wrong person. And she wouldn’t do that again.

6

Hawk could be reading it all wrong. But he didn’t think he was.

Remi was holding back. Hiding something. And it was putting her in danger. He had to figure out how to get answers from her, but he could see in her eyes that she had made the decision to keep him uninformed. She had no idea who she was dealing with in him—and that could be part of the problem.

Hawk had been trained to find his way in the dark, so he had no doubt that he would learn the truth.

Remi pursed her lips, then lifted her cell, her eyes wide. “A text came through. I need to take this.”

He could just stand there and wait for her to read it, but her eyes flashed with irritation and she gave him a look.

“I know when I’m being dismissed.” He bit back any other words he might have said, likewe need to talkorI’ll find you later. No need to ramp up her determination to keep him ignorant of the truth.

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