Bulletproof Bride. Diana Duncan

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СКАЧАТЬ gaze jerked sideways to the flickering flames. Would he realize what she’d done?

      “You’re still jumpy. You’re not afraid I’ll hurt you?”

      “The ocean scares me. You don’t.” In spite of a lingering edge of doubt, some primal instinct deep inside insisted he wouldn’t harm her. After his gallant response to her irrational terror on his boat, she was almost sure of it. Wanted to believe it. However, she had a life to get back to.

      Gabe shook his head. “You did go pretty ballistic on me there for a while.” He took several more swigs. “I’m sorry about having to detain you.”

      “You don’t have to detain me. I don’t have any interest in whatever skullduggery you’re involved in.”

      “Skullduggery? Now there’s a word.” He chuckled before drinking again, then rested his head against the back of the sofa. “Unfortunately, you’re already involved.” He yawned. “I’m starting to fade. I’d better make us some sandwiches.”

      No! She had to keep him quiet in order for the medication to kick in. She jumped up. “I’ll do it.”

      His dark brows lowered and he flashed her a puzzled look.

      “I was going to fix myself something to eat anyway.”

      “Go ahead then. And thanks for being such a good sport.” He flashed her one of his heart-stopping smiles. “You’ve held up damn well considering what I’ve put you through.”

      Feeling unaccountably like Benedict Arnold, she stalked to the kitchen.

      The snap and crackle of the fire was the only sound in the cabin as she made a tuna sandwich and carried it to the small table near the window. Chewing slowly, she managed to draw out her meager meal. Twenty minutes later, she poked a cautious head through the doorway.

      Gabe lay stretched out on the couch, the mug still clutched in one hand. His sooty lashes rested against his cheeks and his full lips were parted. He was motionless, not even appearing to breathe.

      Had she given him too many pills? Her stomach flip-flopped. Pulse racing, she stared at his broad chest until she saw the rise and fall of his deep, rhythmic breaths. “Gabe?” she whispered.

      He didn’t move.

      “Gabe?”

      Still no response.

      She tiptoed across the room, and then carefully turned the doorknob. The door swung open with a slight creak. She stepped across the threshold.

      “Don’t leave me!” Gabe begged, his voice husky with anguish.

      Her heart rocketed into her throat. She whirled.

      Still asleep, but restless, he flung out his arm and the empty mug fell to the rug. Heart pounding, she stood frozen until her muscles cramped, waiting for him to resettle into deep slumber. Finally, she crept outside.

      “No!” he cried. “Please don’t go!”

      A choking lump lodged in her throat. Who was he pleading with in his dream world?

      Her chest tight, she eased the door closed and crept out into the darkness—feeling oddly as if she had left something precious behind.

      Chapter 3

      Enveloped in blackness, Tessa paused. The ocean roared on her left, loud in the quiet night. She turned in the opposite direction and broke into a run. Blindly, she stumbled through the woods, clawing aside rough branches and wet leaves. Finally her burning lungs grew unbearable and a stitch caught in her side. Gasping in the damp air, she clutched her aching ribs and slowed to a walk.

      The night closed around her like a predator cornering his prey. An eerie screech rang out, echoed through the fog-shrouded forest. The hairs on her arms prickled. The bushes beside her rustled, and she swallowed a scream. Gabe’s advice to focus on something else popped into her mind.

      She hummed “Don’t Be Cruel” as her thoughts spun. Gabe—what a puzzle. Even when she’d tossed her cookies in his car and whacked him with the door during her escape attempt, he’d kept his good humor. And when she’d been terrified in the boat, he’d comforted her with a story about his foster mom. And a tender, calming kiss.

      Obviously, he’d been in the juvenile care system, not always the best environment. His foster mom sounded loving, though. What had caused the flash of anguish in his eyes? And to whom was he crying out in his sleep? Her heart contracted at the memory of his desperate plea.

      The irony of the situation struck her and a grim smile tightened her mouth. Not only had she taken the advice of a man she was running away from, thoughts of him provided the distraction that kept her panic at bay.

      Suddenly, pain exploded in her forehead. Reeling backward, she plopped down in the damp grass. Brilliant stars crackled in front of her dazed eyes. She blinked, peering upward into the darkness. The twisted shape of a low-hanging branch loomed above her. She must have smacked into a tree limb.

      Tessa gingerly explored the swelling knot on her forehead. It wasn’t bleeding, but the throbbing sting made tears stream from her eyes. She clenched her teeth against a whimper. Throwing a pity party wouldn’t accomplish a thing. The only way out was to keep going. She blinked again and then clambered to her feet. Shivers crawled up her spine, and she wrapped her arms around her middle. Warily peering into the gloom for any more of Mother Nature’s ambushes, she doggedly put one foot in front of the other.

      Hours of cold, lonely progress later, she stumbled out of the smothering thicket of trees and onto a highway. The long ribbon of asphalt loomed black and empty. On a guess, she turned right and kept trudging, praying she was headed toward a town.

      Her plodding steps in tandem with her pounding head, she trudged along the gravel shoulder. She’d quit humming hours before. Her pinched, empty stomach grumbled in the silence. The pale morning sun peeked over the horizon, weaving golden strands through pink-and-lavender clouds. Another round of shivers rattled through her and she hunched over, too forlorn to appreciate the beauty. The unexpected rumble of an engine behind her sent her spirits soaring. She whirled and waved, but the car sped past. Sharp disappointment speared through her. Her despair deepened when she saw the taillights of a green sedan. Why had she expected a gray Jag?

      The miles dragged by in an icy-cold blur before she finally spotted a weigh station with an Oregon State Patrol car parked in the turnaround. Her knees weak with relief, she staggered toward the welcome sight.

      A tall, square-jawed trooper jumped out and helped her to the car. “Sit down, ma’am.” He opened the back door. Shaking, she sank onto the seat. He squatted down. “What happened?”

      “I’m Tessa Beaumont. I was…kidnapped yesterday during a bank robbery in Riverside.”

      The officer studied her forehead. “Did the perpetrator assault you?”

      Tessa drew a ragged breath. “No. Please take me home.”

      “You were in the woods all night?”

      At her nod, he rose and walked away. The car bounced as the trunk popped open. In seconds, he returned with СКАЧАТЬ