Page 91 of Storm Warning

“Where’d you say we were landing?”

“You know the old military camp near the bunkers? There’s the remnant of a helicopter pad there. Think about the best way to the lodge from there. You’re in charge of that.”

“Do you have permission to land there?”

Do I need permission?“I don’t think anyone is going to care right now.” He certainly didn’t. He just needed to land somewhere. “This bird is big, and I need some extra space.”

“There’s not a direct path from the camp to the lodge. Not by a long shot.”

“Then use the SAT phone and call someone to meet us and pick us up.”

“Good idea. I think the last of the storms is moving in. It sure feels like the roughest ride yet. Are you sure we’re not going to blow away?”

“The wind is picking up.” He wouldn’t mention thatit was quickly becoming too much for him to fly. “We’re landing just in time.” He glanced at her, though maybe he shouldn’t have. He had trouble enough concentrating on flying after he’d kissed her—but he hadn’t been able to resist that look, her ever-changing eyes filled with longing.

He landed and powered down the rotors. Then took a deep breath. Remi watched him, and he looked at her. He had so much to say, and yet he had no idea what to say. He’d come to care deeply for her in a short period of time, and for the first time in years, he’d met someone that drew his attention—partially because she was involved in his personal drama and so he was naturally drawn to her. Couldn’t look away or ignore that she stirred up his insides. And he was at the end of his search for Cole. So maybe now he would give himself permission to pursue a real life. A relationship. Still, he ran the risk that Remi might want nothing to do with him because he would always remind her of what she’d gone through. His brother was an assassin, after all.

And they weren’t out of danger yet.

“Jo should be here soon.”

He wasn’t looking forward to facing the storm again, especially since he knew things were about to ramp up. That other helicopter brought a menace that was his brother and would land somewhere near and fast. He had to get Remi out of here.

He had to prepare to face evil head-on.

37

Coat snug, hood tight, Remi jumped out of the fancy flying machine. While it was cushier than Hawk’s personal bird, she hadn’t enjoyed that trip. Planting her feet on the ground, she relished the feeling of the earth beneath her.

Bracing against the wind and rain, she started to walk toward the trees. Hawk rushed around the helicopter and gripped her arms, his eyes wide.

Another helicopter buzzed over them. She and Hawk both reflexively ducked. “You couldn’t lose him?”

“He’s determined.” Frown lines deepened in his forehead. He shoved his wet hair back out of his face and searched the woods. “But I’m more determined.”

With those words, he ushered her away from the old helipad and into the cover of the forest. Releasing her arm, he hovered near, protective, on high alert. The blue-eyed pilot sent a thrill through her even as dread engulfed her. This was absolutely the wrong time to be into this guy.

Hawk appeared fierce and ready to battle it out, but he wouldn’t want Remi anywhere near the confrontation with Cole.

Frenetic waves crashed nearby. She drew in a deep breath to clear her head and squashed the urge to go find the cliffside view. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed the sounds and smells of the tumultuous Pacific Ocean. The scent of salt water was stronger here than in the city, where the pungent scents of exhaust and oil and the dense population near Puget Sound overshadowed nature. She’d been a farm girl and maybe she was still a nature girl, at the very least.

Under the thick greenery, the rain and wind lessened but only a little. She hugged herself, drops sliding down her face. “Well, here we are again. In the woods, waiting out a storm. What do you think your brother is going to do? Can he land here?”

Hawk drew close, fear and dread apparent in the contours of his face. “I don’t intend to wait around to find out. Let’s get to the road so we can head Jo off.” He tugged Remi closer and held her hand as they weaved their way between the trees and sword ferns, stepping over gnarly roots that jutted out.

A rutted vehicle path came into view and Remi started forward, but Hawk pulled her back. “We need to keep to the trees.”

“Like he can’t figure out where we’re going?” she asked.

Around the curve in the road, the grille of a truck emerged from the forest, and the engine rumbled when the driver accelerated. Hawk stepped out of the woods with Remi, and Jo slammed on the brakes. The truck slid in the mud.

She opened the door. “What’s wrong?”

No time to explain, Remi rushed around to the passengerside and got in. She slid over to the middle of the bench seat, but Hawk remained standing outside and shut the door. She lowered the window. “Get in. What are you doing?”

He leveled his gaze on Jo. “Get her out of here. I need to deal with this.”

“No, wait!” Remi shouted.

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