CHAPTER 21 - CHANCE

Waking up with Dream in my arms was the most amazing feeling knowing that no matter the outcome of this deal with Nick, that she and I would be together. As I kissed her shoulder and slid out of bed and strapped on my leg, my phone rang.

I saw Austin’s number and answered. “How’s it going, man?”

“Well, I wish I had better news, but it seems the local police are questioning your claims, and with the storm, they don’t think this Nick person is a threat. I told them about your friend seeing a strange car, and asked them to check out the neighborhood around her house, but they said they really don’t have the manpower to set up watch anywhere.”

“Yeah, Dream said getting any help from the police might be impossible, but I thought if we could get the military backing they’d comply. I can’t believe they wouldn’t even drive by Liza’s house.”

“I’m going to have to contact my buddy in the FBI. He’s a vet, and he’s also married and a father. So maybe he’ll be a bit more sympathetic to the situation.”

“Thanks, man, I appreciate the help. We’ve been snowed in, and thankfully the lights are back on now.” I wondered if that had anything to do with the tree that had been down over the road and if access, as well as power, had been restored.

“How’re you two holding up? Do you need anything from town? I could come by if you want, and help you secure the perimeter.”

“Well, now that I know there’s power, I think the access to the main road is restored, so it might not be a bad idea to get you out here. I know for a fact he was trapped on the other side as of yesterday, but I’m sure if he can get closer he will. It’s been a couple of days; he’s getting desperate I’m sure.”

“Well, I’ll be on my way then. I’ll be there in about an hour. You might want to go out and check on things.”

“Right, I know, man. I’ll be prepared.” I hung up the phone and Dream stepped into the living room wrapped in a blanket to keep warm.

“Who was that?” Her eyes were narrowed.

“Austin. He’s on his way to check on us. We’re going to secure the perimeter and see if we can catch this guy lurking. Now that the snow has slacked up and the power’s on, I’m sure the road has cleared.”

“And what did you mean the police wouldn’t drive past Liza’s house? I told you not to inform the police. He’s one of them. You don’t know you’re messing with.” The anger was back in her expression.

“Look, Austin has connections too. I had hoped the locals would be more concerned with someone’s safety than a tree across the road, but it seems that was all they were worried about.”

She followed me to the basement stairs where I stripped off my shirt and then went down to grab my gun and protection. I strapped on a Kevlar vest, and when I turned to walk past her on the bottom step, she grabbed my arm and looked at me with wide eyes.

“Where are you going?” The concern for me in her stare was better than anything.

“I’m going to go outside a minute. I need to check things out.” I took a step, but she put her hand on my chest.

“You’re not telling me something.” She tilted her head and let out a long breath.

“I’m not keeping anything from you, baby. I swear.” She was worried about the police, and I knew then, not telling her had been a big mistake.

“But you didn’t tell me you involved the police, now Austin’s on his way, and you’re strapped into a bulletproof vest.” She didn’t believe me.

“It’s just precaution. But I need to get out there. The lights have been on for a while, and once he sees lights and movement, he’s going to know we’re in here.” She let go of me, and I headed up the stairs and to the living room for my gloves.

The sound of shattering glass from outside froze us in place. Dream hurried to my side, and I kissed her hair and whispered close to her ear. “Get back down to the basement and lock yourself in.” I hurried to the door, and once I saw the all clear, I headed outside. There was a sound near the woods, and I turned to see a squirrel on a tree trunk.

I walked around the corner of the house to where the truck was parked, and at first everything seemed fine. But when I walked around to the passenger side, I found the window had been smashed out. Tiny squares of glass lay in the snow. I glanced over my shoulder, my gun pointing in the direction of my eyes, and then I made my way out into the tree line on the edge of the property after securing the entire area around my house.

Austin had found gum wrappers around back, and if I doubled back, maybe I could find where he was hiding.

I had hoped that Dream had stayed in the basement and knew that once she was in there, with the doors locked, that I couldn’t even get in there to her. She was safe, that was all that mattered.

I saw something shimmering in the distance, so I stopped, and upon further inspection, a car was parked in a small pipeline clearing near my property, which had no doubt been his access. I checked it out and found it empty but for a few dozen crumpled coffee cups and snack wrappers.

I decided I’d keep going, making my way around to the spot where Austin had spotted the gum wrapper, but that was empty too. I’d backtrack and lay wait.

After a while of not seeing anything, I headed back toward the house. A noise sounded from inside the cabin and I hurried over to make sure Dream hadn’t come out of the basement looking for me.

Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and I stepped quietly around the corner to see if, by some chance, Nick had gotten in when I wasn’t paying attention.

A noise behind me brought me and my gun around, and Dream’s eyes widened in fear as she saw the barrel pointing at her. I lowered the weapon immediately. “Why in the fuck aren’t you in the basement?”

“I was worried about you.”

“Thanks, but you should be worried about Nick. I want you to be safe in the basement in case he shows up. There’s no way he can get in there to you if you do as I say and lock the door behind you.”

“Did you find anything?”

“His car is parked a little way from here in the pipeline. That’s how he’s been getting so close. You can’t go outside; do you hear me?” She nodded. “He’s been at it a while. There were coffee cups and wrappers everywhere. I am going to go back out and wait until I see some movement. I’ll go into the shed and out the back door of it and slip into the woods so he can’t know I’m there. I want you to promise you’ll stay locked in the basement.”

“Don’t go now. Wait for Austin. I’ll feel better if it’s the two of you. You’ll have each other’s backs. Please.” She wrapped her arms around herself and stared at the floor as tears filled her eyes.

“Look, we had a little time with the weather and the tree down, but he’s bound to show up any minute. When he does, I want to know you’re safe. I can’t stand to think he could hurt you.”

“I can’t stand it if you got hurt too.”

“I’m trained for this shit, Dream.” I gave her a hug and then walked her to the basement door. “Go, and don’t come out until I tell you.”

She nodded and before I could turn away, her lips crushed to mine one final, desperate plea.

I hurried out front and then walked into my shed. The old back door was hardly used, but I knew I could sneak through and into the woods without being in any clear line of vision. I made my way down to where I could see the car and my house, and waited to see if he would return.

After a while of not seeing any movement, I decided to head back toward the shed and call Austin who should be getting close. I’d tell him to park on the road and meet me in the pipeline.

Before I could make it to the shed, my phone rang with Austin’s number glowing on my screen. “Hey, I’m out here in the trees by my house. I found his car. He’s using the pipeline.”

“I figured as much, which proves he’s kind of sloppy.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t care if we know he’s here, that’s why he called and let her know. He’s trying to intimidate her.”

“He’s not scared, but neither are we.” Austin let loose a deep breath. “Where’s Dream? Did you tell her to stay in the house?”

“She’s locked in the basement, I hope. She’s not very good at following instruction when she’s worried about me.” My blood started pumping, coursing through my veins as I remembered her the night before.

“Sounds like the two of you are getting close.”

“Yeah, something like that. And I don’t want to hear a word from you.” I didn’t need the guy busting my balls about being in love and finding romance and all that hearts and flowers bullshit. There were no bridal shops in my near future, and okay, so maybe that was only because she was already married, but with any luck, she’d soon either be a widow or a divorcee. But I’d never admit that I’d thought about it.

“Hey, you’re going to hear it from me, pal. I left Lola to be here for you and Star, remember?” He gave a chuckle, and it suddenly felt like the old times when we were in battle together.

“Yeah, yeah. I hear you, man. You know it’s a fucking vacation.” He’d been bitching about bridal shops and eating cake. This had to be better than that. We were adrenaline junkies by trade after all.

“Yeah, but I’m not getting any around here, and Lola will probably hold out on me for a week once I get back. I’m nearly as pathetic as you.”

“Who says I’m not getting any?” I chuckled.

“Fuck, man. You’re really in deep, aren’t you?”

“You have no idea man,” I said in response.

“I’ll be there soon.”

The call ended, and as soon as I put the phone in my pocket, the sound of glass shattering and a piercing scream came from inside my house.