Storm Watch (Woodland Creek) (10 page)

If she remembered right, it was only a few miles to the main road where she’d originally been stranded. She’d drive much more carefully. Obviously, there was ice under the increasing snow.

She could barely see an inch ahead of her, and turned the wipers up a notch. Not that they were really helping all that much.

Could she really control the weather? If so, she really needed to get her emotions under control, because while she needed to get away, she didn’t want to wreck again.

She tried to think of calming thoughts. Slowly, the snow seemed to let up, and she smiled a little in satisfaction. Apparently, Luke was right. She could control the weather to some degree—though not enough, or it wouldn’t be so darn cold!

Storm rested one hand on her stomach. “We’re going to be okay, baby. I promise we will. Mommy will take care of us.” She hoped she wasn’t lying to herself.

Damn.
She’d left her purse! It was still sitting on the table where she’d left it. She didn’t have a damn cent to her name. She’d planned on using the debit card. Frantically, she looked down at the gas gauge. It was almost full.

How good of mileage did the Jeep get? How far could she get on the gas in the tank before she’d have to figure out how to get money?

She did have a few friends in Florida still. Maybe she could call one and ask to borrow a little cash. Surely, Raymond wouldn’t have any way to track Western Union. Once more, she cursed. No, that wouldn’t work. She didn’t have her ID, either.

After this, there was no way Luke would let her out of his sight. She couldn’t go back. Maybe someone in the town would help her? She didn’t even know, really, how close Woodland Creek proper was. He’d said they were on the outskirts of town.

When she hit the main road, she continued the way she’d been headed when she’d slid on the ice. She knew the town wasn’t the other way.

A sudden roar of rage sounded and she pressed the brakes. Roar? Were there mountain lions in this area? Hell, she didn’t know. She knew that there should have been no way for Luke to have caught up with her. He’d have to either call someone, or shift. Did tigers run as fast as a car?

She just didn’t know. She eased her foot off the brake, but kept her eyes peeled. He’d said there were other shifters in this area. She didn’t want to hit any of them—or anything else for that matter.

With her eyes focused in front of her, she almost crashed when she heard the distinct whirl of a siren behind her. Her eyes flashed to the mirror and she groaned.

It was another jeep—but this one had a light bar on the top.

Was it one of Raymond’s guys? Should she stop or see if she could outrun the other vehicle.

She could barely make out the driver in the other Jeep. It was a man, but that was all she was sure of.

God, she’d been stupid to leave Luke’s so unprepared! She could kick herself.

With a sigh, she slowed and stopped near the edge of the road. She was afraid of being stuck in a ditch if she went over too far. Her hands clenched into fists as she waited to see what the driver would do.

S
torm tensed as the tall man climbed from the Jeep. He looked to be in his mid-forties. Was this the friend that Luke had told her about? She couldn’t make out the writing on the side of the Jeep. It wasn’t at the right angle.

With a sigh, she rolled down the window just a bit, but she didn’t turn off the Jeep. If she needed to run, she needed the few seconds head start. When the man was by the window, she forced a smile. “Is there a problem, officer?”

“Well, ma’am. I’m just a tad curious,” the cop replied with a frown marring is features.

Storm tilted her head. “I know I wasn’t speeding. What are you curious about?”

“Please turn off the engine, ma’am, and hand me the keys,” he ordered.

Storm’s heart raced. She didn’t know what to do. Why would he want the keys if he didn’t mean her harm. “Why?” she asked, her voice shaky.

“Well, miss, I’m pretty sure that this Jeep belongs to Luke Steele. I don’t think he’d appreciate your stealing it,” he said. “So, how about you do as I asked?”

Storm thought quickly. “He knows I have it. Give him a call.” She knew he couldn’t get cell reception in his house…she prayed he wasn’t close enough that he’d be near a cell tower.

“Well, ma’am, it’s like this. It’s late. I spoke with Luke earlier. He told me about the woman he’d found on the side of the road. Now, I am not asking again. Please turn off the vehicle,” he ordered, his tone stern.

Storm gave up. It was too risky to try and outrun him, and she assumed that he was the cop Luke had told her about. “Fine,” she muttered, and turned off the key. “Who are you?” she asked.

“Chief Rickman, ma’am. I’m the head of the Woodland Creek police department.”

She sighed again. Well, she’d have to hope Luke knew him as well as he thought he did. “So, what now?”

“Well, now, I think we’ll take a ride on back to Luke’s place. Come on, then. You can ride with me.”

“Am I under arrest?” she asked, panicked.

“Until I talk to Luke? Let’s just say that I’ll be detaining you until I know just what is going on, shall we?” he replied.

Storm heard a low growl again and groaned when her eyes caught a flash of fur behind the police chief. “Oh no.”

Rickman turned his head. “That you, Luke?” he asked, chuckling. “The lady got your Jeep, I see.”

Storm watched the tiger nod his head. Now, that wasn’t a sight you saw every day. Obviously, Rickman knew about shifters.

“So, I was thinking I’d drive her back…but do you want her to ride back with you instead?” Rickman asked, as if he spoke with shifters every day.

Again, Luke nodded, then walked slowly to the passenger side of the Jeep and let out a low growl.

Storm sighed, and opened the door for him. There was nothing else she could do. She’d been outsmarted.

“I know you’re angry,” she said when Rickman had closed the door.

Luke narrowed those startling blue eyes and bared his teeth, which made Storm chuckle. She’d never imagined a tiger could show such emotion.

“Okay, okay. We’re going back to your place, apparently.” She turned to Rickman, who now stood by her door. “Is that okay?”

Rickman nodded and grinned. “Sure. I’ll follow you—just to be sure you don’t get lost on the way.”

Storm rolled her eyes, then raised the window and turned on the Jeep. It had gotten cold fast.

Within what seemed like only a few minutes, they were once more back at Luke’s house. She parked the Jeep near the door and walked around to open the door for Luke, just as Rickman pulled in behind her.

Luke jumped down and went into the house, apparently sure that his friend wouldn’t let her drive off again. She heard the bedroom door slam and winced. “I think he’s a little irritated,” she said as they walked in behind him.

“Yes, I’d imagine so, young lady. Where did you think you were going? Isn’t there a killer after you?” TJ asked.

Storm sighed and ran her hand through her hair. “Yes. But, I thought if I was in a different vehicle, he wouldn’t know it.”

TJ frowned. “Did you have your keys?”

“Um, no,” she admitted. “They’re missing.”

“Then it’s safe to assume that that man is around here somewhere. Don’t you imagine he would know what Luke is driving, since he hired him and all?”

She hadn’t even thought of that! What if he was in town? “Can you get me away from here?”

Rickman shook his head. “Only as far as town. And what would you do there? If you’re afraid, I could put you in protective custody.”

Luke walked into the room—in human form. “Good idea. After all, she did try to steal my Jeep. Maybe in a cell, she’d at least be safe.”

Storm paled and glared at him. “You’re going to
press charges?
”

“Why shouldn’t I? This is the second time I’ve had to run you down. You’re obviously not going to listen to a word I say,” he snapped.

Rickman stood off to the side, his hands on his waist, just listening. Storm looked to him for help. “Are you going to let him do that?”

Rickman nodded. “He’s within his rights to press charges. The fact that you didn’t get far doesn’t negate the auto theft,” he said calmly.

Storm backed up. “Luke! You can’t put me in jail!” Her heart was racing. If Raymond found her there, she’d be a sitting duck. She didn’t really think he’d keep the charges, but she wasn’t all too sure that he wouldn’t put her in the cell if he thought it was for the best. Her appreciation of his Alpha tendencies was waning fast.

He just glared at her. “Can’t I? I can’t keep you safe if you don’t cooperate, Storm. I’ve told you that over and over again. Just an hour ago, you gave me your word you’d do as you were told until this mess is over. Now, I know that you’re not the only one to be concerned with! You have a baby to think about, too! What the
fuck
were you thinking to take off like that?”

Storm was suddenly dizzy. Her ears were buzzing and it was getting difficult to hear—right before the world went black.

L
uke cursed himself for seven kinds of fool as he raced to catch Storm before she hit the floor. “Son of a bitch,” he swore.

“What’s wrong with her?” TJ asked sharply.

“Hell, I don’t think anything is wrong other than fear. Damn it, I shouldn’t have said that, but Lord, this woman can bring out the worst in me,” he muttered as he laid her on the couch. He touched her cheek. “I never thought a woman would make me feel like this.”

“Like what?” TJ asked.

“I’m in love with her, TJ. I’ve known her for what? Two days? But, I’m in love with her,” he said, frustration clear in his tone. “And all she can think to do is run.”

“W—what happened?” Storm asked.

“You fainted,” Luke said softly. “Guess the idea of jail didn’t sit well with you.”

“Are you…?”

He shook his head and kissed her gently. “No. But I should. At least I’d know you’d be safe. You can’t keep doing this, sweetheart.”

“I don’t know what to do,” she whispered. “I’m afraid.”

He helped her to sit up when she tried to rise. “I know you are, Storm. But, you have got to trust me.”

Storm looked over at the police chief. “Why is he still here?”

TJ chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m not taking you to jail. But, I do need to know what’s going on with this Samuels. I haven’t been able to even find an inkling that he’s not exactly what he appears to be.”

Luke looked over at the older man. “She’s telling the truth.”

TJ shook his head and sighed. “I didn’t say she wasn’t, Luke. I trust your judgment. But, it is going to make it difficult to pursue this. If no one is watching him, or looking into him, I have nowhere to start. What was the name of the man that he killed, Storm?”

“John. John Hendricks. He worked for Raymond,” she said. “And Raymond shot him in cold blood. Then, he put the gun in my hand and forced me to shoot him. I—I ran as soon as I could.”

Luke sat next to her and hugged her. “Well, at least that gives us a starting point. We can see if the killing has been reported. I should have thought of it sooner.”