Triple Threat by H. L. Wegley

body appeared to relax. The frown lines faded. Kate looked at peace and her beauty in that moment claimed his breath. Claimed his mind. And tugged hard on his heart.
    What if she really—no. Kate’s faith was blind and baseless. He would have to take charge or their escape attempt could go badly…very badly.
    Kate raised her head and opened her eyes.
    “Kate, you didn’t answer my question.” His voice sounded like an attorney attacking an uncooperative witness. “What if they’re waiting for us at Blackcomb?”
    “It’s OK.” She laid a hand on his shoulder. “We’re not going to get off there.”
    “But, Kate—”
    “Listen. We’ll ride the peak to peak back to Whistler Mountain. As long as we can catch the peak to peak ride without them seeing us, and as long as we’re on that gondola, we’re safe.”
    “Sort of.” He shook his head.
    She squeezed his shoulder. “There’s a way to keep us safe. I have it on good authority that—”
    “Enough, Kate! No more nonsense. I’m taking charge—”
    Kate’s hand squeezed with incredible strength.
    He grunted when the intense pain took him to his knees.
    “I’m sorry, Josh. But I needed to get your attention. This is a good plan. Are you listening now?”
    “Yeah. I’m listening.”
    A tall, slender girl had just incapacitated him. His anger stopped a little short of the boiling point. He wouldn’t fight Kate, at least not yet.
    “Here’s the plan.” Kate pursed her lips and studied his eyes. Her gaze grew so intense it felt as though she was reading his heart and his mind.
    His sense of vulnerability grew uncomfortable. He averted his gaze.
    She raised her hand.
    He flinched.
    She brushed his cheek softly. “It’s OK. I understand. I’ve been right where you are now. Filled with doubts and concerns. Then Jenn…Mom saved my life.”
    “I’ve heard stories about her at the U.”
    “Those stories probably didn’t include the role her faith played.”
    “Kate, just tell me the plan. We’re only five minutes from the terminal.”
    “The second our gondola door opens we sprint around the terminal building and out of their sight. We should be able to reach the peak to peak terminal without them spotting us, or at least, with a big lead.”
    “So that buys us nearly fifteen minutes. Then what?”
    “When we reach the terminal on Blackcomb, we stay on board. If you were to maybe…kiss me again, no one will bother us. Once we’re away we have about fifteen more minutes of relative safety.”
    “Relative?”
    “Well, they could pass us going the other way, but—”
    “They could shoot us as they go by and no one would know until it was too late.”
    “I doubt they’d hit us. Especially if you do your job.”
    “Which is?”
    “Watch for them in each approaching gondola. If you see them, we lay on the floor until they pass. They probably won’t see us, but if they do, the metal around the base of the car should protect us. Besides it’s not an easy shot with a handgun, the motion, the distance—”
    “So now you’re an expert on guns, too?” He wanted the words back the moment they left his mouth.
    The flash of anger on Kate’s face only added to his remorse.
    She drew a deep breath and stared out the window at the snowcapped mountains to the west. “I know a bit about guns. I’ve had several shot at me and…” Kate’s face turned toward him. Their gazes locked. “I told you that I killed a sex trafficker with an AK-47.”
    Who was this woman? “You’re not like an agent in training or something are you?”
    “No. Now get ready to run. The terminal is just ahead.”
    “I’m ready, but I still don’t know how we get away or what we’re buying with your plan.”
    “I’ll explain more in a few minutes. Now, we sprint forty yards ahead, and cut to our left around the building. Let’s lose those two goons.”
    When the car slowed inside the terminal, a loud click sounded and the door popped open.
    Kate took his hand