Free Claiming the East Wind by Anna Hackett Page A

hated losing sight of her, but he couldn’t tip her off. The woman had sharper survival instincts than a wild animal.
    In the main part of the station, the large arched windows flooded the area with natural light. He sank onto one of the old wooden benches. And waited.
    It reminded him of all the missions where he’d hidden in shadows with his team. Lying in wait for their target.
    She was smart. She waited ten minutes before she walked off the platform, head down, drawing no attention. A hood was pulled over her hair.
    He bided his time until she was far enough ahead of him before he slipped into the flow of people.
    Stripping off his jacket, he tucked it under his arm. Now she’d only see a dark blue T-shirt if she looked back.
    He counted her steps, fighting the urge to spring at her.
    Wait. Wait . Wait. He couldn’t lose her again.
    She turned left on Wynkoop Street, headed deeper into the renovated warehouses of LoDo. At one of the brick buildings, she went in the front door.
    He grabbed the door before it clicked closed and eased inside. He paused in the entry, watching her.
    When she stopped to unlock a door farther down the hall, he moved fast.
    He grabbed her, yanking her back against him. He maneuvered them into the shadowed recess of the doorway, subduing her struggles.
    He pressed his lips to her ear. “Gotcha.”