Saving Amber - Zoe Dawson Page 0,65

granite, but there was something dark and intense in his eyes, something so dangerous it made even her swallow hard.

“They’re going to hunt us, Tristan,” she said, unable to keep the horror out of her voice.

His head whipped around to her, then back to the chief. “You hunted James? I’m going to kill you with my bare hands,” Tristan said, and she marveled how his voice only got quieter.

Even the chief pulled back as if Tristan was going to rip him to shreds. “James was an unsanctioned hunt,” the chief said, as if he was talking about a wily fox instead of a wonderful human being. “Randall was never very good with patience. He kidnapped James and released him much too close to where you were conducting your class. He almost got away. He was a worthy opponent, one of the best I’ve heard of so far, and Garza and I have hunted our share of military and law enforcement prey.”

“You are all sick and twisted animals. James was only twenty-five years old. He’d been through two tours serving his country, protecting you and your rights. How dare you hunt him like an animal!”

The chief nodded. “I agree. Randall squandered what would have been a satisfying kill. He was dealt with. No one in my operation steps out of line and lives.”

Tristan’s face was a mass of pain and rage. He was so tense next to her that Amber could feel the heat coming off him. “You’ve been hunting people on base!”

“I got bored with game hunting a long time ago. Then we joined Sportsmen Unlimited—where the unlimited really stands for something.”

“Geezus,” Tristan said.

“I suggest you conserve your energy. You’re going to need it tomorrow.”

He rose, heading for the door. Tristan said, “If you want to live, I suggest you let us go right now.”

The chief turned and there was deep gratification in his face. “Oh, this is going to be a great hunt.”

“Are we going to be paired up?” Tristan said.

“No,” the chief said. “We’re going to split you up. It’ll be more fun for us.”

Garza approached Tristan and crouched down. “Aren’t you cocky? I bet Amber knows all about that.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Wouldn’t hurt to have a real man to compare you to. Too bad the chief is going to take you. But then…” He looked at Amber. “She’s no consolation prize. I got a feeling she’s going to give me a good time—and when I run her to ground, an even better time. I’m going to see how feisty she really is.”

“Last chance, Garza. Let us go.” Tristan’s voice was a flat, dead calm.

Garza laughed.

“You’ll never see me coming and you’ll be dead before you hit the ground.”

Garza punched Tristan, knocking his head to the side. “Well, tomorrow I’m going to have your girlfriend and then, I’m going to kill her. Sweet dreams.”

They left the cabin and slammed the door shut behind them. Amber heard the lock turn.

Tristan’s gaze focused on her. He spoke, his voice low and ragged. “Are you all right?” He shimmied his arms under his butt so that his cuffed hands were in front. Amber did the same. He draped his arms over her head and dragged her against him.

Locking her jaw to stop the weakness from taking hold, Amber grasped the fabric of his shirt and held on, molding herself to him. Her throat was so tight she could barely get the words out.

Hauling in a deep, ragged breath, he tightened his embrace, his face still buried against her neck. “God, I thought I’d lost you,” he whispered roughly, holding her as if he couldn’t let her go. “I almost went crazy.”

Tears burning her eyes, Amber clasped his shirt even tighter. “I can’t believe this is happening. That Mayer hunted him, Tristan. It’s heinous. That’s why there were so many service members AWOL. They’ve been doing this for two years. They started with hikers and snowmobilers, then started on military targets because they were more challenging.”

He swore viciously under his breath. “Did they explain to you how this was going to work tomorrow? Any advanced information I have will be helpful.”

“Garza told me that there was no escape, but to be a jerk, he said if I was smart, fast and resourceful, it was possible I could get away. It was obvious he didn’t believe I was any of those things. He made that quite clear. But he told me I would get a fifteen-minute head start. Then,