Page 89 of Out of the Shadows

Their physical relationship was new and beyond amazing. On one hand, it boggled her mind that she got to kiss him and touch him. But on the other hand, it felt like they’d already been together forever. It was so natural, so right.

Gavin knew her—flaws and all. She didn’t have to hide who she was with him, but she wasn’t quite sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

He was their leader and was great with people. Could she be the partner he needed? Could she stand beside him at functions like the charity gala? If she were being honest, the mere thought gave her hives. But that was part of the deal, part of what he did as the face and head of Hudson Security.

Again, his words sounded in her head, pushing down some of the worry. Even more than his words, though, she recalled their talk in the woods and all the moments they’d had up until she’d left for her hike today. She thought of the way he looked at her... His gaze always held that potent mixture of affection, protectiveness, and flat-out desire.

Her heart warmed. Perhaps they could find a compromise. Some kind of middle ground. Hell, maybe she could bribe Esme to go to all those events with him instead.

A smile lifted her lips, and a new feeling filled her belly. One of butterflies and hope and... love. Yes, she was scared. She’d never had a relationship that mattered. However, she’d never backed down from a challenge, and she wasn’t starting now.

She took a cleansing breath in and let the crisp forest scents do their thing. She exhaled and slowed her pace as the trail narrowed. The women she’d passed earlier hadn’t been wrong. The next five or so feet were a muddy slog. Glancing around, she spied a large stick off the side of the trail. Grabbing it, she poked at the mud to see how deep it was. Thankfully, it wasn’t too bad. Using the stick for balance, she carefully made her way through the mud. Her footing gave way and she yelped, but thankfully, her handy-dandy stick kept her from face-planting.

When she reached firm land, she pumped her fist in the air. “Hell yeah!”

With her walking stick in hand, she continued up the trail. Gavin and Wilson were definitely going to hear about her amazing newfound stick-finding abilities. Maybe she’d sign up for one of those outdoor survival classes after all.

A loud crash sounded to her right.

She froze.

Holding her stick like a baseball bat, she scanned the forest. Another rustle kicked her pulse up a notch. Everything was silent except for her racing heart. Then a deer burst through the trees and stopped on the trail in front of her. She locked eyes with the animal and tightened her grip on the stick.

Holy shit, do deer attack?

The deer huffed out a breath and looked in the direction it’d come from. Two smaller deer popped out of the trees and stood next to the larger one. Lowering her stick, she shook her head as the big deer gave her one last look before they all pranced away.

“Yeah,” she muttered, slapping a hand over her still racing heart. “You’re definitely signing up for Tactical’s class.”

She continued her hike, and after a few more minutes following the twisting trail, the faint sounds of a waterfall echoed through the trees. The whoosh of gently rushing water grew louder with each step until she rounded a curve. To her right, about a few dozen yards away, was a beautiful waterfall tucked against the rocks. The trail narrowed and continued away from the waterfall. She stopped and admired the view, absently wondering if there was a little river or lake somewhere higher up in the hills.

Twigs snapping behind her pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced behind her and shook her head. Nothing. Her imagination was getting the best of her. Or rather, her newfound fear of wildlife was getting the best of her. Moresounds of rustling filled the air, and her gaze swung up the trail.

Tightening her hold on the stick, she turned.And we’re done.She may be proud of her mini-outdoorsy achievements, but nope. It was time to head back.

Heading down the trail, every noise and every rustle of leaves had her head on a swivel. She carefully trekked through the muddy area and was relieved she didn’t lose her balance. She jerked to a stop when some small critters darted out of the trees on her left and flew across the trail. With a hand over her heart, she took a deep breath.It’s just another deer family. You’re okay.When she got back to the office, she was definitely going to leave this part out of her solo-hiking story.

More twigs snapped to her left. She jerked and scanned the dense forest, holding her breath. It was definitely time to get out of th?—

Her eyes narrowed at a shadow in the distance, and her stomach clenched. Was that a person?

Ice shot down her spine and the fine hairs on her arms rose.

Run!

She took off down the trail, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest. She risked a glance behind her. No one was there, but she didn’t slow. Everything inside her screamed to keep moving. As she turned her attention forward, a blur to her left startled her.

Something hard slammed into her, knocking her off her feet. She tumbled off the side of the trail and down the mossy embankment. Momentarily dazed, she glanced up at the figure looming at the edge of the trail. There was a man dressed in olive-green pants, a black coat, and a ski mask. It looked like he was trying to find a way down to her.

Holy shit, not good. Not good at all.

Grabbing her walking stick, she jumped up and took off and cut to the right, zigging and zagging through the trees until she could no longer see where she’d tumbled off the trail. Spotting a group of fallen stumps, she crouched behind them and prayed he wouldn’t be able to find her.

Bean’s hands trembled, and her mouth had turned to dust. She held perfectly still, not knowing how long she sat crouched behind the logs. It could have been seconds. It could have been minutes. Bile rolled in her belly when branches broke and twigs snapped.

The man’s movements were getting louder, closer.

She remained frozen, terrified to move.

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