so intense because we’re alone in the middle of nowhere? Because he’s been my savior?
It’s on those thoughts that I hear a low and repetitive chuff-chuff sound in the distance. Is that… I listen harder. “A helicopter.” I scramble off the seat, pull up my pants, and bolt outside just in time to see a big, black chopper hovering not far in the distance.
“Alexander!” I race through what’s left of snow and mud, keeping a tight hold on my ribs. “There’s a helicopter!” I fly through the cabin door to find him scowling out the window. “Do you see it? They must’ve seen the cabin. They’re landing.”
He steps into his boots and slams each one on the chair to lace them up. I follow him out the door and through the trees toward where I saw the chopper hovering. My stomach flips and stirs with excitement. I could be home in a real bed by sundown! The thought makes my eyes burn.
We emerge through the thick copse of trees and into a clearing. Because of the lack of shade trees, the area has little to no snow on the ground, and parked in the middle of the great expanse like a giant rescuing angel, is a sleek helicopter with the words North Industries in gold painted on the side.
The back door opens, and a man in a business suit steps out, looking like he belongs on Wall Street rather than the middle of nowhere in the Adirondacks.
My subconscious blares that something is off. This isn’t a rescue helicopter, and he isn’t dressed in rescue gear.
He smiles at Grizzly, but that smile falls instantly when his gaze settles on me. Alexander’s jaw is rigid, and he doesn’t take his eyes off the newcomer as he walks uneasily in his loafers through the muddy terrain.
“You’re early,” Alexander growls as soon as the man is within earshot.
What the fuck?
“Sorry about that, brother.” He inspects me through narrowed eyes that seethe with distrust.
Brother? Not just a friendly term of endearment. Although this man has lighter hair and a clean-shaven face, I can see the family resemblance in their glares.
“Well…” He takes me in from foot to forehead, with a look of disgust on his face. “Aren’t you a surprise?”
I move closer to Grizzly.
“Why are you here?” Grizzly says in a way that demands a response.
“I’m picking you up.” He glares at me. “Who the hell are you?”
My heart kicks behind my ribs.
“Do you understand English?” he says with condescension dripping from his voice. “How did you find Alex?”
“I found her. Three weeks ago.” Alexander tilts his head and glowers at the man in a way that would make most men shrink, but this guy meets his gaze.
“I was lost and hurt. Your… brother… saved me.”
The guy examines me, his hazel eyes—the same as Alexander’s—move over my arm that I have held tightly to my ribs and then settle on my face. Or, more specifically, my bruised and swollen lip. “Is that right?”
“Hayes.”
The man looks at Alexander and smirks. “Right. Well, we need to get going. I assume your houseguest will need a lift?”
“We’re all going to the same place.” Grizzly grips my elbow and turns me around to head back to the cabin. “Ten minutes.”
He drags me through the forest like a disobedient child.
“What the hell is going on? Your brother owns a helicopter? We’re going to the same place? What does that mean? The city? Do you live in New York City?” Who the hell did I have sex with last night? The question makes me queasy. I try to pull my arm from his grip with no luck. “Let me go!”
He doesn’t.
I stop walking, and the momentum of his next step pulls me off my feet. He turns in time to catch my fall, and I face plant into the solid wall of his chest.
“Why do you insist on making things so difficult?” He grips my biceps and brings me to my full height at arm’s length away.
“I’m making things difficult?” I study him up and down, his bearded face, piercing eyes, and tense muscles. “Who are you?”
He turns and heads back to the cabin without answering me.
“Mr. North, sir.” A man dressed in a white polo shirt with North Industries embroidered on the front greets us at the open door of the helicopter. “Good to see you again.”
“Murphy.” Grizzly steps into the chopper in front of me.
“Ma’am.” Murphy nods deeply. His full, dirty blond hair combed to perfection and lack of