Flirting with Fate (12 page)

“You, my darling,” she said as she selected his clothes for the day, “are brilliant in some ways but stupid in others. Maybe that’s why I love you.”

“I love you too.” He slid on his slacks. “Would you like me to find out if the pass is open?”

“Elle Reagan dies before we leave.”

“But she didn’t access my files.” The minute he disagreed, he wanted his words back. He held his breath, waiting for the explosion. When none came, he breathed easier. He would pay for it later, but for now, she was calm.

“I don’t know what game she’s running, but it ends today.”

Nine

“H
ey, sleepyhead. Time to rise and shine.” Logan pushed the hair off Elle’s face and then leaned down to kiss the soft skin behind her ear. “It’s stopped snowing and the sun is shining. I’m ordering breakfast soon.”

She opened one eye, and the corners of her mouth lifted. It was enough to make his heart squeeze and his pants tighten. Her nose wiggled like a rabbit. “Do I smell coffee?”

“Yup. There’s a full cup right here on the nightstand. You might have time to get in a shower before room service delivers breakfast.”

“I’m up.” She raised her arms over her head and stretched. The sheet slipped, exposing the most beautiful breasts he’d ever had the privilege of tasting.

“You’ll be the death of me.” Logan spun on his heel and headed out of the room.

“So you’ve said. Be careful who you give that power to.”

He paused in the doorway. “I trust you with it.”

“And that’s a good thing.” Elle raced past him, naked as the day she’d been born, to her side of the suite.

Logan ordered breakfast, then sat down at the bar. He checked his phone, hoping to find a text or message that at least one of the electronic files had been safely opened. He was also waiting for an email from Eric with information on Cheyenne Forrester. Finding neither, he opened the folder that Brandon had given him last night. Dissecting the documents line by line, Logan looked for any claim or promise of riches. He needed facts that would hold up in a court of law.

Two hands stroked his shoulders. He’d never get tired of having Elle’s hands on him or having her scent wrap around him. A knock on the door pulled him to his feet.

Minutes later, he and Elle were eating breakfast. They chatted about the weather and spending the day enjoying the beautiful mountains. It occurred to him that they sounded much like a married couple on vacation. He had to voice his concern about today.

“You weren’t serious about skiing today, were you?”

“Absolutely. We’re going to enjoy today. Maybe when we get back, we’ll have news about the files.”

He had to be honest with her. “I don’t like it. Don’t forget that someone tried to kill you.”

“I’m not likely to let that slip my mind.” Elle’s head tilted to the side. “You’ll be with me the entire day.”

“You scared Brandon. He may not know why you’re on the hunt, but he’s fully aware you’re nipping at his heels.”

“If you’re going to play the part of a rich guy, we can’t hang out in the room all the time. Our free stay at the castle will be over soon. We’re as safe on the slopes as we are sitting in the coffee shop. We’ll be in broad daylight and surrounded by people.” Elle took a sip of coffee and then stood. “I’ll be ready in a flash.”

Elle quickly dressed for the slopes except for her toboggan, and her heavy outerwear and boots, which were in a backpack. She’d slip them on once they got to the ski desk.

She found Logan already changed and waiting for her. He took her pack and carried it with his.

“Ready?”

She rose on her toes and kissed him. “Just remember, you’re a better skier than me.”

“Stronger maybe but not better.” He reached for the door.

“I’ll get that,” she said. “Your hands are full.”

She led the way to the elevator and pushed the button. Just as the doors opened, his cell chirped. He stepped inside, allowing her to enter.

Logan set the backpacks on the floor, retrieved his phone, and turned the caller ID screen toward her.

“Eric,” she groaned.

Logan nodded, pushed the speaker button, and held the cell so Elle could hear. “You find something on the Forrester woman?” Logan asked.

“She’s had a few brushes with the law. Three arrests for prostitution. No convictions. One of her customers filed a complaint stating that she took their role-playing too far and damn near beat him to death. He later dropped the charges. That was the last time she showed up on our radar. Where’s Elle?”

Eric had changed the direction of the conversation so quickly that Logan and Elle had been caught off guard. A second of silence passed.

“She’s right here. You want to speak to her?”

“No. I want you to keep her out of trouble, but do it at arm’s length.”

“We’ll talk after I get home.”

“Remember me? I know how many hearts you’ve left in your wake. We’ll fucking talk now.”

“Must’ve been because the right woman hadn’t come along. I gotta run.” Logan ended the call. “He may never forgive me.”

“Sure he will. He’s your best friend.”

Logan stuffed his phone back into his pocket. “Interesting stuff about Nicki. That is, if she and this Cheyenne Forrester are the same woman.”

* * * *

The weather outside was cold, brisk even. Elle turned her face upward toward the sun, allowing the rays to seep into her soul. The high winds of the past few days had gone away with the snow, leaving a blanket of white beauty. “The view from the top will be spectacular.”

“No doubt,” Logan said, helping her with her skis at the lift loading ramp. “Ready?”

The brilliance of the day, the sunlight reflecting off his sunshades, and the excitement of skiing with Logan at her side sent her into deep thought. Their future, if they were to have one, would be filled with love and laughter. She refused to think about his job and the chances he took every day. If he loved her, she could deal with the minutia. A tug snapped her back.

“This is ours.” Logan helped her and then sat next to her. “You look beautiful. The sun loves your skin.”

The lift lurched slightly, and soon they were rising above the ground. The higher they climbed, the more spectacular the view. As the castle grew smaller, her field of vision opened to miles of snow-covered mountains. Skiers dotted the landscape. A quiet peace washed over her. Elle couldn’t keep the truth about her feelings inside any longer.

“Logan.”

A couple of popping sounds rang out. Logan jerked her to him, covering her with his body. The lift chair swung sideways and then tilted, jerking them apart. He grabbed for her, but she went flying through the air. Elle reached for him but found nothing. Her body met the snow-covered mountainside with a hard thud. White flakes flowed over her, covering her face and body. Elle pushed herself to a sitting position. Her ears rang and her back hurt like hell. Fear and worry strengthened her as adrenaline flowed through her body.

“Elle,” Logan’s voice boomed in the open air. “Elle.”

“Here,” she responded. Her panic subsided at the sound of his voice. She fell back, calmer now that Logan was making his way to her.

Logan knelt over her. Concern filled his eyes. “Are you hurt?”

“Nothing serious.” She stood, grimacing at a twinge of pain in her ankle.

“We have to get out of the open. Put your arm over my shoulder. We’re sitting ducks.”

“So that was gunfire I heard?”

“Yeah.”

Logan’s eyes burned with anger as he held her close. The snow was soft powder, and his long legs pushed their way through quickly. His gaze scanned the tree line as he trudged toward the row of pines. “We’ll be harder to spot.” Logan stopped behind a tree and put her down.

Elle tested the ankle. “I’m fine. Nothing’s broken.”

Logan unzipped one of the pockets on his coat and pulled out his cell. He handed it to her. “Call Liam while I take a look around. Tell him about the gunshots and that we’re about halfway up the mountain. He’ll send someone to pick us up.”

Elle’s talk with Liam was brief. She hung up with a sigh of relief. “He’d been notified of the cable break but didn’t know about the gunshots. A rescue team has already headed up the mountain.” Elle kept her eyes on the horizon. “Brandon’s good-old-boy routine should win an award.”

“He’s crazy if he thinks I won’t hunt his sorry ass down.” Logan, who’d been scanning the horizon, turned toward her.

Her eyes filled with panic. “You’re wounded. How did I not notice that your right arm is bleeding?”

“I’ve had worse.” He tried to ease her fear. “The bullet must have grazed a nerve. My fingers are tingling.”

The roar of an engine was a welcome sound. The bright orange rescue snowmobile cruised into sight. Its driver, dressed in cold-weather gear and wearing a full-face helmet, slowed the big machine.

“Thank God.” Elle pushed away from the tree she’d been leaning on, walked to the opening, and then waved. “We have an injured man. Hurry.”

“Elle,” Logan growled her name. He pulled her behind him, shielding her with his body. “Stay behind me.”

The driver stopped and motioned for them to get on the back of the snowmobile. Logan slowly scanned the area. Elle wanted to grab him and run. If he had lost the feeling in his fingers, something was very wrong. He needed medical attention.

“Stay alert.” He glanced back at her.

His troubled expression and deep frown touched her. Elle put her hand on his back as reassurance that she’d follow his instructions. It was no surprise to find that his muscles had coiled tightly.

Single file, they walked out into the open. The snow slowed their forward movement, but Logan forged ahead. A bright flash blinded Elle for a second.

The driver aimed a rifle at them. Logan whirled and pushed Elle down in the snow. Together they crawled behind a scrawny tree. He landed on top of her just as a gunshot rang out, echoing in her head.

He was trying to unzip a pocket on his right hip using his left hand. “Get my gun. Safety’s on.”

Elle put her hand in his pocket, feeling the cold handle in her palm. She flipped off the safety, turned to see their attacker walking toward them with the rifle aimed their direction. There was no time to give the pistol to Logan. Elle fired.

The driver stumbled backwards and collapsed.

“Stay down,” Logan said. He eased up to the shooter, grabbed the gun with his good hand, and retreated as fast as possible in the snow.

“Oh, my God.” Elle stared at the body. Her brain locked down as reality hit. Her chest heaved. She couldn’t catch her breath. “I killed him.”

“Elle?” Logan grabbed her, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “Baby. You did what you had to do.”

She studied the shooter for a second longer. “Logan. Even under all those layers, I can tell that’s a woman. Look at the size. That isn’t a man.”

Logan walked toward the body. He glanced at Elle. “I think you’re right.”

Elle had to know. She took a deep breath and joined him. Flashes of television shows where the killer was still alive flashed through her mind with every step. The bad guy always woke up, reached out, and grabbed the heroine’s arm.

“Ready?” His eyes locked on hers.

“Yeah.”

He lifted the face guard. Nicki’s blue eyes stared up at them. Cold and very dead.

“You’re very observant. That’s the sign of a good cop. It’s not too late for you to sign up for the academy.”

“Thanks, but I couldn’t deal with the danger.”

“It was our life or hers. Never forget that.”

His words had been intended to soothe and calm. She loved him for reassuring her. “Let’s get you to a doctor.”

“I’m okay.”

“You’re bleeding. Lean on me,” she said.

“Have you ever driven a snowmobile?”

“I’ll figure it out. Damn it, don’t argue.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “We can wait right here.”