Page 48 of Vanished in the Mist
Her eyes flew open. She blinked and looked around. What the? She was in the bathroom? On the floor?
“Ew,” she exclaimed, trying to jump to her feet. Her legs got all tangled up in her comforter. Her comforter?
Laughter sounded above her.
She looked up into Kaden’s amused eyes as he bent down and began pulling the comforter off her shoulders.
“Kaden?”
“Shanna?” He freed her and tossed the comforter into the tub.
“Why am I in the bathroom, on the floor? With you?”
“Because I couldn’t wake you up. Do you always sleep like the dead?”
“I have no idea. Help me up. Why were you trying to wake me, anyway? Wait, Kaden. You’re here.”
He was laughing as he helped her stand. “I don’t remember you being this confused this morning when you woke up.”
“That’s because I woke up on my own, not when some rude person dropped me onto the bathroom floor. Gross, by the way, regardless of how much of a clean freak my sister might be.”
“I didn’t drop you. And you have approximately five minutes to do whatever you need to do in here before we leave.”
“Leave. Wait, that’s what the prince said.”
He frowned. “Prince?”
Her face heated. “Never mind. It must be late or I wouldn’t be this tired. Not that I can tell the time with all the windows blocked out.” She blinked at him, her stomach clenching with sympathy. “Your right eye’s turning black.”
“Warren got a lucky shot in earlier. Poor jerk.”
“Poor jerk? He’s a stalker and an attempted murderer. I have absolutely no sympathy for him. Wait. You caught him? Dawson’s taking him to jail?”
His jaw tightened. “Not exactly.” He glanced at his dive watch. “I’ll explain on the way. I’ve already packed you a bag. Just…wash your face or whatever you need to do and get dressed. You have four more minutes. After that, I’m hauling you out of here, even if you’re naked.” He checked his watch. “Make that three minutes.”
“Ugh.” She stomped her feet in frustration and shooed him away with her hands. “Get out. I need a minute.”
“I figured you would.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes, or ease the tension along his jaw.
Before she could ask him again what had happened, he left, pulling the door closed behind him.
True to Kaden’s threat, he was back to get her in just a few minutes. Luckily she’d already emptied her bladder and brushed her teeth. She was tying her shoes when he knocked, then shoved open the door.
“Let’s go.”
She called him some unsavory names that had his mouth twitching with amusement, but he didn’t complain. He didn’t say anything at all. He just grabbed her hand, and hauled her through the cabin and out the door, barely giving her a chance to grab her purse.
The sky was black as velvet, not a star in sight. Clouds must have moved in while she was sleeping. Seeing the driveway and yard empty now, except for Kaden’s truck, her sedan, and his boat trailer sitting near the end of the cabin sent a shiver up her spine. It was too dark, too quiet, especially given the chaos she’d heard outside earlier when all the police had been there.
Refusing to answer any questions, he lifted her into the truck and shut the door. After rushing around the hood, he hopped into the driver’s seat, tossed a black leather carry-on bag into the back and locked his door. His tires spit gravel as he turned around in the yard, then he sent his truck barreling down the road toward town.
“Slow down, Mario Andretti,” she complained, clinging to the armrest, “or we’ll end up in a ditch.”
He checked the rearview mirror and the side one before easing up slightly on the gas.
“Well, that was fun,” she said, letting her death grip on the armrest go. “Fastest I ever got ready. Hope you don’t mind the lack of makeup. Lucky for you I have some in my purse so I won’t scare everyone who sees me in the morning. It’s too late for me not to scare you.”
As if against his will, his mouth curved in a smile. “You’re adorable when you first wake up. But your disposition could use some sweetening.”
