Page 50 of Storm Warning

He viewed the map, reviewed the weather alerts, and set course for WilliamR. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles.

“To the right is Mount Olympus. We can’t see the peak. The clouds are too low.”

“But I can still see that it’s covered in snow. It’s breathtaking from this view. I’ve never actually seen it since you can’t see it from Seattle. It sits in the middle of the range. I’ve heard you have to go to Hurricane Ridge, and you can view it from there. No roads go in or out of the Olympic range. Just around it.” She glanced his way. “Maybe that’s why people want a helicopter tour of the mountains.”

A warm zing filled his chest. She was getting it. Showing someone the wonders of the world always made him happy, but for some reason, Remi’s reaction dipped much deeper into his heart.

He couldn’t explain it.

Maybe it was her big blue-gray eyes that had snagged him from the beginning. Or the small intake of breath she’d taken just then. He shouldn’t be thinking about her like this, not while they were both in survival mode.

He couldn’t have imagined he would be on the cusp of finding his brother while caught up in trying to save a woman’s life. A woman he wished hadn’t caught his attention, hadn’t intrigued him.

“Oh ... maybe someday I could get used to this. Maybe someday you can take me back up when there aren’t any clouds.”

“I’m counting on it.”

Her words drew him back to the moment, the present, where he very much needed to remain focused. He’d been flying on his own personal autopilot. Remi sounded somewhat relaxed. Maybe this would be a good experience for her, after all—well, not counting that she was running for her life. And despite the fact that he wanted her to love this as much as he did—even with his own horrific memories—he should really focus on why they were here.

They knew who was after her, but Cole was a hired man, and they needed to know more. And why.

“Besides what you’ve told me, have you remembered anything else?” he asked.

“No. It’s all still blurry. The feelings. It’s almost as if I’m reliving it, and right now I need to think about something else. Talk about something else. Let’s talk about you. Tell me what happened back in King County.”

He cringed. Wanted to know what she knew, what she’d heard, what she’d read or seen on television. But he had no intention of talking about it if he didn’t have to. Not yet anyway. But he did get her strategy. If she was going to share with Hawk, then she’d want something from him.

“How about I tell you about the Night Stalkers.” Then he wouldn’t have to tell her about what happened in King County, the part that wasn’t in the news.

Sure, he could fly anything, anywhere ... until he couldn’t.

21

Hawk landed and powered down the bird. As soon as the rotors started slowing, Remi hopped out, glad to plant her feet on the ground. That and, well, she had to give herself some space from Hawk Beckett, the former Night Stalker who could fly anything, anywhere, at any time. And being so close to a guy who had already acted as her personal hero a few times—and no doubt he was a hero to many others—threatened to turn her insides to mush. She admired him. Now was absolutely not the time to let the blue-eyed former Night Stalker get under her skin. Was he trying to do just that? She couldn’t quite figure him out.

She lifted her face to welcome the harsh slap of cold wind on her cheeks. She looked out over the angry waters of the Pacific Ocean, more specifically, the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Across the way, low-lying clouds almost completely shrouded the mountains of Victoria, British Columbia.

She’d gotten to Port Angeles and quickly, thanks to Hawk, who had basically forced her to get on his ride. At first, when he’d taken off into the escalating wind and rain,she thought she would have a heart attack. Either that or lose the contents of her stomach.

But she listened to Hawk and forced herself to relax. Once they were in the air, she listened to his stories—the heroics he shared of his team after he changed the names to protect the innocent. He was counted among the best pilots in the world, which begged the question—Why was he here at this moment with her instead of flying VIPs to private island summits? Regardless, if she couldn’t trust Hawk Beckett to get her to her destination, then she couldn’t trust anyone. No point in fearing death by helicopter when she already had a killer bearing down on her.

The rain felt like tiny pricks of ice stabbing her face. She glanced around for Hawk. Ah. Of course. He was still sitting in the cockpit. She peeked inside. He flipped switches on the dashboard.

She opened the door and climbed back inside. “Brr. No point in me standing out there until you’re ready.”

Hawk looked at her. “I had hoped the helicopter ride would also help jog your memory. Anything?”

She slowly shook her head.

“Nothing at all?” His lips flattened in disappointment.

“Nothing.” She chewed on her lip.

“Time to get a cab. Come on.” Hawk led her to the airport terminal, acting as if he came to Port Angeles all the time.

A few minutes later, Remi and Hawk stepped onto the sidewalk in front of a mall-type structure called the Wharf. “We just need to meet her at a place called Downriggers on the Water.”

His brows furrowed, and his gaze took in their surroundings as if he was ready to pounce or protect at any moment. “Doesn’t this feel a little weird, Remi?”

---