Page 151 of Shadowing You

“If they take us both,” Ethan said, “then we’ll both die.” He spoke each word carefully. “If he catches me, he won’t kill me. He’ll use me to find you. As long as you’re free, he won’t kill me. You understand?”

“We will not be separated.” She yanked the handlebars to avoid a low branch.

“Promise me, Mei Lin.”

A gap opened between two trunks. There was a tiny bit of snow there. Maybe it would help. She took it, searching for another patch of snow. The trees were growing thicker. Even so, there was less and less snow.

“Promise me.” His arm tightened. “You have to get away.”

She didn’t have time to think or even process what he was asking. This moment—the ground, the trees—nothing else mattered. She would promise anything if it would make him stop talking so she could focus. “Fine. I promise.”

“I love you.” The words were a breath against her ear.

And then his arm slipped away.

The weight at her back vanished, cold pouring into the place where he had been, the machine suddenly light and wrong beneath her. She let off the throttle and twisted, waiting for him to get back on.

But Ethan was scrambling to his feet and up a short hill, the pistol in one hand. He turned to look at her, barely pausing. “Go!”

And she understood.

He hadn’t fallen. He’d let go.

He’d let go so she could move faster. So she could escape.

Her chest split open.

No!

But the men were coming.

And Ethan was running.

She turned, set her thumb to the throttle, and lurched forward. Maybe they would only follow her. Maybe Ethan would be safe.

Tears blurred her vision.

She drove toward the red dot, toward the place where Asher thought they’d find help.

Leaving the man she loved.

Keep him safe. Please, God. He is the bravest, most foolish man You ever made. Do not let me lose him again.

A gunshot erupted behind her. Ethan shooting at them…or them shooting at Ethan?

The trees began to thin. Pale light opened ahead where the forest gave way to a meadow. On the other side, maybe there would be a house or a village or…or something or someone who could help. She was so close.

They’d been so close.

The snowmobile spluttered and died.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Ethan pressed his shoulder into the bark and squeezed off a second shot at the lead four-wheeler. Whatever it took to make the man stop.

Ethan’s whole life had been about keeping people alive. It went against everything in him to shoot at a man. But to save Mei Lin…

He fired again.