Caught in the Crosshair by Barb Han

this. My world is simple, uncomplicated. I own my own shop, which was doing pretty well until I mortgaged the hell out of it to save my brother, who will most likely die anyway.”
    Jaden’s lips clamped shut. Exhaustion deepened the lines around his eyes. “You’ve been brave today. For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you.”
    Now she really felt bad for snapping at him. “Thanks,” was all she could manage to say.
    “We’re set up next door. We’ll be safe for now.”
    She followed him to the condo.
    A man who looked to be in his early twenties was there, setting up a machine the size of a small dishwasher.
    “This is Gregory,” Jaden said.
    Lauren introduced herself. Gregory couldn’t be more than twenty-five. His light hair and eyes, and serious but eager expression made her think he might be new at this undercover operation thing. His military cut told her he had experience. She pointed to the hunk of metal in the middle of the dining room. “What is that?”
    “A generator,” Gregory said. “This place belongs to my cousin. It’s not ideal, but it’s all we have to work with right now. If this storm gets as bad as they say, we’ll lose power.”
    A radio squawked and beeped with weather warnings.
    Jaden moved to the kitchen where he dug around until he found a large salad bowl. He filled it with water, and then fought the winds outside to bring it to the horse.
    After removing the bridle, Jaden held up the bowl for him to drink. Lauren followed, but didn’t say anything as she smoothed her hand down the sorrel’s neck.
    Then Jaden smacked his hindquarters and shooed him away.
    Jaden pulled Lauren safely back inside. Looking like almost all the strength had drained out of him, he moved to the kitchen. “We’ll be okay here for a while,” he said.
    Exhaustion was wearing Lauren’s nerves thin, Lightheaded and hungry, she moved to the couch and crumbled onto it.
    “I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired before,” she said, wanting clean clothes and a shower, but too tired to make a move for either.
    Filling a glass with tap water, Jaden quickly drained the contents before refilling it.
    A few moments later, he was by her side, looking strained, tired. His face was red from windburn. “Can you sit up?” he asked.
    She eased up enough to notice his expression that said he might explode from the pain movement caused him. Not that he’d admit it. She doubted he’d let anyone get close enough to see anything beyond the external. His face was a study in fortitude. His expression gave away nothing of what he truly thought. He was a professional. A soldier. This was his job.
    He held out his palm with two tablets on it. “Pain reliever. This should help.”
    Lauren propped herself up on one elbow, then tossed the pills in her mouth.
    “You’re lips are purple. You’re cold. You need to get out of those wet clothes.”
    “I’m dry, just cold.”
    He disappeared, returning a moment later with a blanket, which he used to wrap her body, carefully tucking in the sides. “How’s that? Better?”
    As he eased back onto the edge of the couch, she smiled. “Much. Thanks. That goes for everything you’ve done for me today. I wouldn’t be alive if not for you. God only knows where I would’ve ended up.” A shudder ran through her. “I certainly wouldn’t be here.”
    Lauren’s eyelids were heavy weights, adrenaline having faded from her body, and with it, her ability to fight exhaustion. A yawn rolled up and out.
    They’d made it to shelter.
    Jaden said they’d be safe. No reason to doubt him.
    “You hear from Gunner’s crew?” Jaden shouted toward the empty hall.
    “Not since this morning.”
    “They didn’t show at the beach.”
    “Got a tip about an asset’s location. Haven’t heard from him since.” Gregory appeared, holding a gun and a cell phone out to Jaden. “This storm has been upgraded, sir. As of now, we should be safe. Might get orders to evacuate though.”
    Jaden