Page 3 of Utterly Dauntless

Her tears followed, dropping silently into the current below.

Just a little more of her moving out of reach...

"You wouldn't recognize me," she repeated. The truth of it still stung, even after all these years without her powers. But what truly squeezed her heart was the bare emotion in his voice."Because I wouldnae wish to disappoint ye."

She pushed away from the railing and hurried toward the shadows of the trees that lined the riverbank. The night air was thick with Highland mist, and her boots clicked against thedamp pavement. She had to get away from this place before she did something stupid—like call him back and tell him exactly where she was.

Brighton had been a clever diversion, using her credit card to lead him out of town so she could come home without getting caught. Even if he headed straight north on a fast train, she'd have a whole day before she had to be gone again.

Of course, there was always the chance she might run into his friends. After all, she was far too close to the ranch where Wickham might still live. But even if they saw her, by the time they told Grey, she'd be in the wind.

"I'm sorry," she breathed—maybe to herself, maybe to Grey—and another flood of hot tears warmed her cheeks.

The remnants of the burner phone were already headed downstream. Just like her, always running, always flowing away from the one place she truly wanted to be.

No. That wasn't right. Inverness was where the old her wanted to be. The new her...the new her had to find another place to love. And she would. One day.

She pulled her coat tighter and quickened her pace. She had to get back to the hotel and sleep while she could. Then she'd do what she'd come for and get out of town. And though a little devil on her shoulder whispered the temptation in her ear, she wouldn't leave any breadcrumbs for Grey Strachan to follow.

The early morningtrain lurched forward, heading north toward Scotland. Grey stretched his long legs into the aisle, earning a disapproving look from the conductor. He pulled them back with a mumbled apology. The rows just weren't made for men his size.

A group of tourists filled the seats ahead. Their excited morning chatter grated on his nerves, though it wasn't their fault he'd had no sleep. One kept sneaking glances his way. Was she unaware that he'd been blessed with peripheral vision just as she had?

He ran a hand through his hair, longer than it had been in his first life. Perhaps it was time for a trim. The attention had been flattering at first, but now it only reminded him of everything he'd lost. Aries had loved his hair long...

His phone buzzed, a welcome interruption.Kitchens.Finally.

"Tell me ye found something."

"Sorry, mate. The call came from a burner. Couldn't trace it. But listen?—"

"Damn." Grey sat up and pressed his forehead against the padded seat in front of him. "I thought I was so close."

"Maybe closer than you think. Grey, she's never slipped up like this before. Using her credit card? Calling you? After all these years of staying three steps ahead?" Kitchens paused. "I'm thinkin' she wanted ye in Brighton."

Grey straightened, his heart pumping as hard as it had when he'd reached Room 420. "Ye reckon she was there, watchin'?" He looked out the window to gage the speed of the train. He had to get back!

"Maybe. Maybe. Or maybe she wanted ye out of the country. Not so far ye wouldnae at least try to catch her, but far enough..."

"Because she doesnae wish to be caught in Scotland."

"Exactly. Whatever she came back for, she didn't want ye in town to stop her."

"Bloody hell." He'd been played like a fiddle. Again.

"Good luck, mate. I'll let ye know if she gets careless."

As soon as Kitchens hung up, Grey started calling his friends. "Shug? Aye, listen. Aries is in Inverness. I need ye to contact some lads. Search everywhere. The river. The shops. The ranch.And Peg’s house, o’ course." He paused, listening. "I don't care if ye have to lock her in a dungeon with a pile o' bones, dinnae let her get away!"

Two more calls and he had two dozen men combing the city, but that didn’t appease him. The train couldn't move fast enough. Every mile of clicking and clacking could signal the very minute she was making her escape!

No, no. Not this time.

This time, she would sit and face him until she explained herself, until he was satisfied with her answers. This time, she wouldn't distract him with sweet words and sweeter touches. And maybe, just maybe, he'd finally understand why she ran from the love that still lay between them.

The tourist twisted around again, batting her eyelashes. "Excuse me, but I couldn't help overhearing your accent. Are you a Highlander?"

Grey barely glanced her way. "Aye. I thought I was. But I reckon I'll have to prove it all over again."

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