Murder Game by Christine Feehan

found.
    Kadan rose up behind the man, knife flashing toward his throat. The man must have sensed him, because he half turned, firing his gun instinctively as Kadan’s blade took him across the jugular. One of the Glock’s bullets shaved off jacket and skin across Kadan’s shoulder, a wicked, burning kiss that stung like hell. He closed his mind to the pain and continued with a standard figure-eight kill attack, slicing down and across the torso, thighs, and then back up to finish the kill. Again he stepped back, careful not to disturb either body.
    He moved a short distance from both of them and sank into a crouch, taking a deep breath. Exhaustion washed over him. The sun was long gone and another night had crept up on him. He desperately needed to sleep, not chase Tansy over the mountains. He shoved his fingers through his hair and forced his body to his feet. They would have to be gone at daybreak. He’d leave the bodies where they lay and erase his tracks, hoping the vultures and other creatures would do a lot of damage before either man was found.
    He made his way back to the campsite, moving in silence, letting the night wrap him in shadows. Tansy? You still with me?
    Again he felt her hesitation. Yeah. She was with him. She was deciding to run, but she couldn’t quite make a break from him. Maybe Whitney had managed to pair them, not just on his side—or maybe he was lucky and she was genuinely attracted to him. Cursing under his breath for even hoping, Kadan shook his head to rid himself of the thought. She was simply a good person who didn’t want him dead.
    I’m here.
    He closed his eyes briefly, allowing the sound of her voice to slide down his skin like the touch of fingers. His throat ached and his body tightened. He was in bad shape to let just her voice have an effect on him. He picked up the pace, moving quickly through the trees, taking the shortest possible route back to her camp.
    The tent was tucked between a couple of rocks with trees and brush, masking its presence. Food was scattered across the table and onto the ground, where ants swarmed. Wildlife had made short work of the offering.
    It’s safe to come back to camp now. He picked up the frying pan and carried it to her makeshift sink.
    I doubt that. It will be much safer for me when you’re gone.
    Kadan sighed heavily, the weariness washing over him and regret biting deep. You know I have to take you with me. I’m damned tired tonight. Just get back here and drop it until I get some rest. Kadan meticulously cleaned the grounds, dumping the remains of their meal in her trash can. She obviously burned most of the remains from each day.
    How inconvenient of me to argue with you when you’re so tired.
    Sarcasm dripped into his mind, but it didn’t for one moment alleviate the ache in his body for hers. Inconvenient is exactly the word I’d use. Thank you for understanding, he agreed, hoping she’d laugh. He stripped and used her shower, allowing the water to pour over him, although it was cold and didn’t take the ache from his bones.
    She didn’t laugh, but a trace of amusement flowed from her mind to his. Along with it came an impression of sadness, even regret.
    I’m sorry, then. But I can’t help you. You refuse to take no for an answer and I’m not willing to be dragged off my mountain. I’ll have to say good-bye from here. Actually though, it was nice to finally meet someone who has an explanation for what I am and how I got this way.
    He caught the thought that she had a lot to discuss with her parents. You can’t do that. What I told you was classified information. You cannot take it to your parents. He dried himself with a thin towel and dressed in clean clothes from his pack. Come on back. Talking this way over a distance is tiring. You’ll end up with a blinding headache.
    Don’t pretend concern for me. Now there was an edge to her voice.
    Kadan sighed. There was little point in telling her he’d rather not do his job,