“When you moved into the cabin the very first night, you told me you were shocked about not having electricity. Did you lie to me? The more I play that night over in my head. I keep thinking that you genuinely seemed surprised but knowing what I do, that you wanted to move off-grid, go somewhere that you wouldn’t be exposed, it makes sense that you would have intended not to have electric.”
Jaxson unclasped his hold from me and dug out his phone again. He pulled up the original listing on the cabin. He showed me the listing, holding his phone for me to see.
Off-grid. Quiet, rustic living at its finest either year-round or the perfect getaway cabin with hundreds of miles of trails all around.
“I hadn’t taken off-grid to mean no electricity.”
“Well, you should have,” Lincoln added sharply from the driver’s seat.
I pursed my lips, considering the right words. Why was he pissed at me? Was it because I had worked for the agency or because he was defending his friend? “Yes, off-grid could mean no electric, but it can also mean a small town in the middle of nowhere which is precisely what the cabin is and where it’s located.”
I’d spent a great deal of time looking into small towns, but most I hadn’t been capable of affording, and getting a loan would have been too risky. I needed to keep a low profile, little good that had done. I’d still been found, and I wasn’t sure where I’d messed up, except my credit card. While it had been assigned to my maiden name, the name I’d legally taken, it was possible some asshat had figured that out and exposed me. Now they were hunting me down.
“Shit.”
“What?” Jaxson asked. He shoved his phone back into his pocket. We turned off the road, onto the last trail up to his house in the woods.
“I just realized how they found me. I’ve been stupid. I thought that if I kept a low profile everything would blow over, but it’s clear, that was a mistake.”
“You’ve made a lot of mistakes,” Lincoln muttered from the front seat.
“What’s that?” I shot back and turned to face him, letting go of any trace of Jaxson against me.
The truck came to an abrupt halt. “We’re here,” Lincoln said, putting the truck in park.
“Stay in the truck. Keep the doors locked.”
Lincoln shut off the engine and took the keys with him. They locked the truck and hurried inside.
“How am I supposed to stay warm?” I asked. No one could hear me. Both men were already outside rushing to get into the house and make sure Izzie was all right. A red hatchback sat in the driveway in front of the house. I didn’t recognize the car, but I hadn’t been to his house. I shifted closer to the door but kept inside the vehicle.
The truck's engine roared to life, and I jumped in my seat, realizing Jaxson had turned on the auto start. At least I wouldn’t freeze to death.
Part of me wanted to help. I didn’t enjoy sitting around, watching events unfold and not being involved. I also knew I was no good if I was injured, and I didn’t have the luxury of acting like an agent, gun drawn, running around with body armor. The reality was I never had a traditional field assignment unless you called stakeouts and surveillance operations exciting. It wasn’t a thrilling job, but it was resourceful, which was crucial in catching the bad guys.
I missed being able to use my skills. The resort hadn’t been the most exciting job, but I thought it would have given me a fresh start. Instead, it paid barely above minimum wage, and I’d been tracked down. That wasn’t anyone at the resort’s fault.
I was prone to keeping secrets. That’s all I’d ever know but look what good it had done. I had lied to Jaxson, the one guy who I liked and had a chance with, all because telling the truth was too hard and too risky. I was worried about being exposed and look where that got me.
I hated myself.
BOOM!
BOOM!
A loud explosion rattled the truck and blew out the windows. I covered my ears and my head on instinct, but I heard nothing but a slight ringing sensation and beyond that silence.