Witness Protection Read Online Free Page B

Hunting me. I’m running for my life. Again. Your boss made promises he didn’t keep.”
    Nick bent down and poured water on his palm, allowing Boomer a drink. When the dog was hydrated, Nick took a swig of water. “He shouldn’t have done that.”
    “It was all well and good when people wanted me to help them.” She pulled her knees into her chest. “I’m sure it didn’t hurt his career to be able to put a man like Grimes away.”
    He whirled around on her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “How much do you trust your boss?” Anger had her bating him into an argument.
    “Smith is fine. You’re tired.”
    “Is that right?”
    “I hope so because if this is your personality, it’s gonna be a long night.”
    “You think this is funny? Forgive me if I don’t laugh along with you.”
    Nick cleared his throat. “I never said that. I’m not here to hurt you. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m trying to help.”
    “For how long? You can’t watch me the rest of my life. Maybe I should go after him for a change.” What she’d said was the emotional equivalent of raising a red blanket in front of a bull. She had two choices. Fight or cry. She’d rather fight.
    “Now you’re being crazy.”
    Tears welled, but she’d be damned if they were going to fall. “First I’m tired. Now I’m crazy. Which is it?”
    “I get why you’re...freaking out.”
    “Do you? You think you already know what’s going on inside my head? Why don’t you tell me, then, because I’m confused.” She shot daggers at him with her glare. Fear pushed away the cold air, replacing it with heat. Her body vibrated from anger, her defense mechanism for not losing it and crying.
    She stood and took a step toward him. She expected to see anger or confusion. Instead, he faced her with his whole body. His hands were open at his sides. His relaxed gaze moved smoothly from her eyes to her mouth and back. His lips softened at the corners in a smile. She steeled her breath, but nothing prepared her for the warmth of his big hand on her shoulder.
    The fight drained from her.
    “We have a long walk ahead. You should save your energy.”
    Her chest deflated. She plopped onto the cold ground. Boomer nuzzled his cold wet nose on her neck.
    “Give me a minute. I’ll be fine.”
    * * *
    T HE LAST THING Sadie looked was fine. If he’d learned one thing from having two sisters, the word
fine
didn’t mean good things. He’d give her a minute to regroup even though he’d feel a lot better if they kept moving. They’d put some distance between them and whoever was following, but for how long? “For what it’s worth, my sisters tell me I’m stubborn. If I were in your situation, I’d be crazy, too.”
    She rewarded him with a smile warmer than a campfire. “Smart women.”
    “Don’t tell them that.” He bent down on his knee, fighting the urge to provide more comfort than his words.
    “Do I detect a case of sibling rivalry?” Her brow arched.
    “No. But I do have two younger sisters to keep track of.”
    “You must be exhausted.”
    “Not really. They can take care of themselves mostly. Both work in law enforcement. They humor me, though.”
    She relaxed a little more. “Bet I could learn a thing or two from them.”
    “I doubt it. You’re a survivor.”
    “How do you know?”
    “You’ve made it this far.”
    “You never told me where we’re going. Do you have a hunting cabin or something out here?” she asked.
    “Guess I didn’t adequately fill you in. I’d apologize but I’ll just do it again. My sisters tell me I tend to get in a zone then information comes out on a need-to-know basis.”
    “Does that mean your brain can act and speak at the same time?”
    He laughed. “It’s possible. Words are empty, though.” He could hear his grandmother’s voice in the back of his head echoing the same sentiment. “Actions are better.”
    She’d also taught him to be grateful for what he had instead of sorrowful for