Free Confessions by Carol Lynne

said, driving down
    the gravel road.
    “A good dream?” Priest asked, his hand moving
    further up Luke’s thigh.
    “Not that kind of dream.” Luke grinned and reached
    down to move Priest’s hand even higher. “You were in
    trouble and you were cal ing for me, but I couldn’t get to you
    fast enough. Have you ever had those dreams where you’re
    trying to run but, like, the ground keeps sucking your feet
    down like it’s mud or something?”
    Priest shook his head. “I don’t let myself dream.”
    Luke rol ed his eyes. “You can’t stop yourself from
    dreaming.”
    “I can. With al the things I’ve seen and done, if I
    couldn’t switch off my subconscious I’d never sleep.”
    “Maybe you can teach me that trick while we’re here,”
    Luke said, turning down a dirt road. The trees were so
    overgrown they barely left a path wide enough to drive the
    van through. “Are you sure this is right?”
    Priest grabbed the sheet of paper and studied the
    handwritten directions. “That’s what it says. The manager of
    the place promised me it was secluded.”
    “Guess he wasn’t kidding.”
    After driving almost two miles along the rutted dirt
    track, a log cabin came into view. Although smal , the house
    looked to be only a few years old. From the front, Priest
    was able to make out a portion of the back deck. “I think I’m
    paying for the privacy and the view.”
    Luke stopped the minivan in front of the cabin and
    turned off the engine. “I’m glad I’ve got you with me
    because it’s kinda creepy out here. You don’t think I’l see
    Bigfoot, do you?”
    Priest held up his booted foot. “I think you already
    have.”
    Laughing, Luke opened the door. “I think I’ve done
    more than seen it.”
    Priest went to open the door when movement in the
    trees caught his attention. “Get down,” he ordered, pul ing
    the Smith and Wesson out of the glove box.
    Luke did as he was told, folding himself between the
    dash and the seat. “What is it?”
    “I don’t know. Stay here.” Priest slipped out of the
    minivan and sprinted towards the nearest tree, his gun at
    the ready. He peered around the trunk, looking for anything,
    prepared to shoot at the slightest movement. “Come out
    you bastard,” he growled under his breath.
    With Luke unarmed in the van, Priest didn’t dare
    venture any further. As he continued to study the area,
    doubts began to form. There was absolutely no way anyone
    from the agency could have fol owed them and arrived at
    the exact location before they did. He’d rented the cabin
    with cash, under a brand new identity, so unless the
    manager was an agency informant…no, not even then.
    Shit.
    Despite the cold, Priest had to wipe the sweat from
    his forehead before it dripped into his eyes. He lowered his
    weapon and walked back to the van. “You can get out now.”
    “What happened?” Luke brushed his hair out of his
    face as he climbed out.
    “I thought I saw movement. Probably just a deer or
    something, but I’ve learned to be cautious.” Priest wrapped
    an arm around Luke’s waist, pul ing him closer. “Sorry if I
    scared you.”
    Luke laid his head against Priest’s chest. “Better safe
    than sorry, right?”
    Luke’s understanding never ceased to amaze Priest.
    Of course he hadn’t told Luke about his latest assignment.
    Speaking of which…Priest pul ed out his phone and
    checked for coverage. The manager had assured him he’d
    be able to get reception and sure enough, he saw three
    strong bars.
    “The key should be under the mat. Why don’t you go
    on in? I just need to make a phone cal .” Priest kissed the
    top of Luke’s head, hugging him tighter as he did.
    Luke pul ed away and opened the back of the van.
    “Want me to take your bag in?”
    “I’l get it, but you can grab that box.”
    Luke shouldered his duffle bag and grabbed the milk
    crate fil ed with snacks they’d picked up along the way.
    Priest waited for Luke to unlock the door and