Page 24 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Temptation
She sucks in a breath, going pale.
“Listen to me, sugar. I need you to get dressed as fast as you can, then throw a bunch of logs into the fireplace. As soon as it’s lit, sit your ass down in front of it and don’t move.”
“Why the fireplace?”
“They have thermal technology. I’m hoping it will disguise your signature enough to give me time.”
She swallows. But doesn’t ask the question I can see in her eyes.
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Now get dressed. Go!”
Ellie scrambles into the bedroom, and I’m hot on her heels. The drone operator won’t be far, and neither will his team. He may be the scout, but they’ll have a contingency in place if they were discovered. I have one advantage, and I aim to use it.
They don’t know who the fuck they’re dealing with.
My name, my prints, everything has been redacted from government records. Officially, I never existed. Yeah, I have documents when I need them, but these assholes won’t be able to find anything about me, no matter how deep they dig. It’s the one service my country did for me.
I throw on an old set of green combat clothes and gear up. Sliding knives and magazines into various pockets is as natural as breathing. I add two handguns, then grab my rifle.
Ellie is in the living room frantically throwing wood on the fire. I crouch beside her and add some kindling, then cup her cheek. She looks at me with frightened but determined eyes.
“You know how to use a gun?”
She shakes her head.
“Then take this.” I hand her my Ka-Bar, handle first. “I’ve seen you in action.”
She laughs, and it’s half hiccup, half sob. She points to her muffin pan. “I have this too.”
Of course she does. “Wouldn’t want to face you down.” Her smile is watery, but strong. I kiss her for a beat longer than I have time for. Letting her know how I feel.
“I’m yours, Anson Blackwood.”
“Fuck yes. I’ll be back soon. Stay down.”
She nods.
Then I stride out the back door and go hunting.
I pickup their trail half a mile away. There are four of them, plus Grant. I can tell by the tracks of their boots. Four are worn. One is brand new. The prick is out here playing commando. He has no idea what he’s in for.
They’re making fast progress up the mountain toward my cabin, but their boss is winded and slowing them down.
I could take them here, but in the event one escapes, I want to be close to Ellie so I can protect her. Silent as a ghost, I move right by them, a smile on my face.
Near the cabin, I find a tree with good limbs and quickly scale it, settling into a spot that gives me a good vantage point.
I don’t have to wait long. In less than ten minutes, I hear the rustle of men moving through the forest.
There. As I thought, two men are circling the cabin toward the back. The other two are in the tree line at the edge of the driveway. One has binoculars aimed at the cabin, probably thermal, and another is sticking close to a clean-cut man who looks like a lawyer in combat fatigues. Totally out of place.
I raise my rifle and aim for the two closest to Ellie.
One pop.
