Chapter 28

28

Fenn prowled the big warehouse, his senses on high alert. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this whole situation. Kate had a fiancé. And then, for twelve years, she didn't. And now the guy was back again, looking like an action figure.

He couldn't decide if he hated the guy because he'd once held Kate's heart, or because the man had smashed it. Or maybe it was Fenn's intuition, screaming that something was very wrong.

Not that he could convince Kate of that. Not yet, anyway.

As he made his way through the warehouse, he had to admit that the defenses were impressive. There were stacks of ammunition, enough to supply a small army, and a collection of weapons that would make any gun enthusiast drool. In the corner, he spotted a couple of snowmobiles and a state-of-the-art snowcat.

Interesting, but nothing a guy who supposedly ferried people and supplies to the military outpost wouldn't have.

Fenn wandered over to the snowmobiles, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of something odd. The newer one was missing a chunk out of the front fender. He recognized the outline. He had the missing piece in his room.

His heart skipped a beat. Had Steele been the one driving the snowmobile? Or was there someone else involved, someone they didn't know about?

He stalked back into the office area, his mind whirling with the new information he'd discovered. He needed to talk to Kate, needed to make her see that something wasn't right about the guy's story.

As if on cue, Steele headed out of the room, muttering something about checking the perimeter. Fenn watched him go, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Then he blocked the doorway. "We need to talk."

Kate looked up at him, her brow furrowed with concern. "What's wrong?"

"The snowmobile that tried to run you down? It's here. In the warehouse."

Her mouth fell open in shock. "What? Are you sure?"

"A hundred percent. It's missing a chunk out of the front fender. The same chunk I have in my room."

Kate stared at him for a long moment, her expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. "But… Hawk admitted to writing the notes and bashing you in the head. Why would he try to run us off the road too?"

Fenn shook his head, frustration building in his chest. "No idea."

Kate bit her lip, her eyes darting away from his. He could see the conflict playing out on her face, the reluctance to believe anything bad about her formerly-dead, former fiancé.

"I don't know," she said finally, her voice quiet. "I just… I can't believe Hawk would do something like that. Not after everything we've been through together. Plus, it doesn't fit his goals. He said he needed my help. Running me over wouldn't be a great way to get that."

She wasn't wrong. The motive made no sense, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Hawk was responsible. He was at the tavern that night, and the snowmobile was in his warehouse. Where Fenn came from one plus two almost always equaled three.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Having Steele turn up after all this time had to be devastating for her. Hurt, confusion, guilt, and longing made for a toxic brew.

He reached for her hand. "I know. I'm not asking you to believe it right away. But we need to be careful. We need to keep our eyes open and watch our backs."

Her fingers tightened around his. "Okay. I can do that."

Steele strode back into the room. Kate dropped Fenn's hand, but not before the guy noticed. He glowered at them.

Fenn couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at the guy's reaction. Jealous much ?

"I know I've put you two in a bad position," Steele said. "But I was doing the best I could with what I had at hand. What can I do to make it up to you?"

Before Fenn could respond, Kate blurted out, "You can explain why the snowmobile that almost ran me down a couple days ago is in your warehouse."

Fenn winced. Now he'd never get a clear read on the guy.

Steele looked shocked. "What?" He strode out into the main warehouse. "Show me."

The three of them made their way over to the snowmobile, and Fenn pointed out the missing chunk in the fender.

Steele looked deflated, and embarrassed. He swore under his breath. "That machine went missing. I found it on its side out behind the co-op." He eyed them both. "You can ask Jimbo over at the hotel. He was heading home after his shift. I spotted him a twenty to help me right it."

He turned to Kate, his expression pleading. "I swear, Kitty Cat. I have no idea who took it."

Fenn wasn't convinced. "This place is wired with state-of-the-art tech. You're telling me some random dude broke in and stole this rig?"

Steele shuffled his feet, squirming under Fenn's gaze. He ran a hand through his stupidly thick hair. "That's not how it went down. Chalk it up to a tactical error on my part." He grinned at Kate. "I saw you heading for the tavern the other night. I rode it over. Left the keys in the ignition. When I came out after you left, it was gone."

Clever. An essentially unverifiable story. Sure, they could ask Jimbo about it, but that didn't mean Steele hadn't dumped the machine on its side himself.

"Do you believe him?" he asked Kate.

"I don't not believe him, if that makes sense." She looked completely miserable. Devastated.

The guy smirked.

Fenn turned away before he took a swing. Kate's world as she knew it had just blown up in her face. He could extend some grace. She wasn't going to be firing on all cylinders for a while.

Until the Kate Hackett he knew was back, he'd have to do the thinking for both of them.

Ignoring Captain Amazing, Fenn gave her a small smile, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. He knew he would do anything to keep her safe, anything to protect her from whatever Hawk might be planning.

Even if it meant going up against the man she'd once loved.

The man she might still love.