She’d ridiculed him. Fought him and then laughed at him. He could still hear the echo of her laugh. Maybe not during their last moments together, but she’d laughed at him from the first second they’d met. Of course, he’d laughed at her, too. The way she looked down at him and thought him harmless, and the unnatural way she thought of herself as so powerful.

Women were not powerful.

His current project held her head high and strode like another prized mare. Proud and intelligent with unearned confidence. She’d probably slept her way to her position, just like the rest.

They all deserved to die.

Bloody.

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Genesis Valley Community College had been built when the lumber companies of the area were raking in cash, and they had contributed generously to the construction. Lovely wooden buildings made up most of the campus, with a few more recently built residence halls built of off-white stucco.

Faculty offices were housed near a wooded area in a two-story building that blended into the forest.

Laurel strode across the shoveled walk to the door. As she reached it, her boot caught on a chunk of ice and her feet flew out from under her. Just before she struck the ground, Huck caught her up, swinging her against his chest. She hit his muscled torso and let out a pained gasp.

Startled, she looked up into his dark eyes. “You have incredibly fast reflexes.”

“Came in handy when I was a sniper.” In addition to the impressive reflexes, his strength was something to admire. He held her easily against him. “You okay?”

“Yes. Thank you for catching me.” She wasn’t a woman who became flustered easily, but heat rose into her face now.

“No problem.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.

She caught her breath. They were fighting, weren’t they? Was he going to—

The door opened, slamming into his side. He slipped, attempted to right himself, and then fell backward onto the pile of snow edging the walkway.

Laurel yelped as they landed and sank into the berm, struggling to keep from going too deep. Snow fell onto her legs and slid up the arm of one coat sleeve.

“Dude. Sorry.” A lanky kid with a backpack slung over one shoulder reached for her hand and hauled her off Huck and to her feet. “You okay?”

“Yes.” More snow fell down inside the neck of her coat, and she winced.

Aeneas bounded around, barking in excitement.

“Stop.” Huck stood and yanked off his jacket, shaking it out. Snow covered his backside. The dog instantly sat, panting happily as if they’d been playing. “You good, Laurel?”

“Yes.” She shimmied to force snow out of her coat, shivering. “Let’s go inside.” Smiling at the college student, who was now barely holding back a laugh, she hurried inside the still-open doorway, where heat tantalized her skin. “Are you all right?”