Free Shifting Targets by Austina Love

that. It gets worse…much
worse.”
    Trip lifted her chin with one finger until
their eyes met. “Talk to me.”
    After taking a deep calming breath, she
relayed the conversation but stopped before the marriage part,
wondering how to present the ultimatum with tact. How will he
react when I tell him the worst part? Tears of rage and pain
blurred her eyes but she fought them back.
    “He said I must make a sacrifice if I
want to regain partial ownership of the land and move my parents
back home.”
    “What kind of sacrifice? Helping Pike take me
down? Become part of their drug ring? Do they want money or a place
to hide their cash? Does he want you to set me up?”
    “No…” She shook her head and stared up at him
through misty eyes. “He expects me to marry him.”
    Silence—her muscles tightened waiting in
agonizing silence for his response. Several minutes later he
spoke.
    “You told him to go to hell, right?” Lines on
his face tightened and his expression intensified with
expectancy.
    “I tried.”
    “But?” His eyes searched hers in sheer
panic.
    “He gave me one week to decide.”
    “You’re not considering this. You can’t
possibly be considering this blackmail, are you?” He brushed a
runaway tear from her cheek.
    “Of course not. I’d never marry that
scum.”
    “Yet there’s more…what is it, babe?”
    Her body began to tremble beneath the extreme
stress. “If I don’t go to him in one week…he’s coming after
me.”
    Trip’s arms swept up her back, holding her
close. He rested his cheek against her hair and though his voice
was soft and low, he spoke with fierce determination. “Let him
come. We’ll be waiting.”
    “I don’t want to put you on the run again. I
just keep bringing trouble into your life and getting in the way of
your plans.”
    “I love you, Shye.” He kissed the top of her
head then eased back to gaze into her eyes. “We committed ourselves
to each other. You are my top priority now. Draven’s days
are numbered and now Gage just put his name on my list.”
    Rage, love, passion—all flashed through the
shimmering depth of his eyes. She felt the connection in their
spirits and the resolve in his soul. Everything in his expression
screamed silent outrage yet under the fury she saw his gentle
heart.
    “What will we do?”
    “Do you love me enough to take on the
fight?”
    “You shouldn’t have to ask.” She pouted
briefly then added with a softer slant, “I love you with all my
heart and soul. I only worry of bringing more chaos to your
life.”
    “I think we’re past that point,” he said with
the easy smile she loved so much. Tenderly, he brushed stray hairs
from her face. “You have a gift…Shadow. You may have misjudged
Gage, but don’t ever underestimate yourself.”
    “Do you have a plan?”
    “Not at the moment, but I’m sure we’ll think
of something.”
    “I guess we’re not free after all.”
    “Sure we are,” he said. “We’re no longer
wanted by the law, which is where I like to be. And now we know who
the ringleader is. See, my love, you have helped me with this case.
I knew Gage was involved, but had no idea he was the boss.”
    “You sound confident.”
    “I am.” He brushed a feathery kiss over her
lips. “Our enemies just gave us an entire week to devise our
counter attack. I can think of plenty of ways to spend our time
while strategizing.”
    “The targets in this game keep shifting.”
    He let out a short laugh. “And that is our
edge, babe.”
    She half-smiled, impressed by his quick mind.
“I really do love you, ya know.”
    “I know, angel.” He lifted her back onto the
bike. “How do you feel about checking out the rest of Remle’s
arsenal?”
    Flutters of excitement vanquished her fear.
“Oh I like that idea.”
    He mounted the seat to her front and pulled
her arms around his waist. “Hold on tight. I like to ride
fast.”
    “You are so the perfect man for me,” she
purred while snuggling close behind.