Kraven Read online

Bat noticed her sister looked a lot better when they returned to camp five minutes later. Bat dumped her heavy load of dirty branches to the ground. Drantos had already started a fire. The sun lowered quickly, a chilly wind picking up, and Bat spent her time helping some of the passengers get more comfortable.

  Her heart went out to an elderly married couple. The woman had a head injury and didn’t look so good. Her husband had a broken wrist. Bat helped him make a sling for his arm with a jacket, wishing she knew more about first aid.

  “Thank you, young lady.” The man reached out and took his wife’s hand. “It’s going to be okay, Mary. I’m right here with you.”

  “Simon,” the older woman whispered.

  “Yes, my love. I’m here.” He scooted closer, snuggling up to his wife. “Help is going to come soon. You just hang in there for me. We’re going to celebrate fifty years of marriage next week. Remember?”

  “I do.” Mary smiled. “You’re still the most handsome man I ever met.”

  “And you are the most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on. Remember when Simon Junior was being born and I almost lost you? You swore you’d let me die first because I can’t live without you. Don’t break your promise to me. We’ve been through worse.”

  “I’m going to be okay.” Mary’s voice came out stronger. “You just hold my hand like you did in the hospital. We’re going to go see our grandchildren.”

  “Yes, we are.” Simon leaned closer and brushed a kiss on her forehead.

  Tears filled Bat’s eyes and she had to turn away before the couple noticed. Their love was strong. She couldn’t imagine spending that length of time with someone but it had once been a dream. They reminded her of her parents. They’d had that kind of close connection. It was something she’d always longed for but had given up on finding. Her luck with men turned out to be shit.

  She walked away from the fire toward the hulking, dark shape of the crashed plane to compose herself. She didn’t want Dusti to see her fall apart. Her sister knew her too well and would worry. It was important to keep a positive attitude until they were rescued.

  A hand clamped down on her shoulder and caused her to gasp.

  “Where are you going?” Kraven didn’t sound happy. “It’s dark out there.”

  She wasn’t about to admit the truth. She was emotionally drained and just wanted to escape to get herself together. “I saw some cushions on some of the seats in the front of the plane. When you and your brother were helping everyone out, I took some time to do a bit of searching around. It’s not much but it’s better than nothing. That elderly couple needs to be made as comfortable as possible. I’m also going to see if I can find some discarded jackets or clothing. It will help keep people warm.”

  “Hell,” he sighed. “That’s a good idea. Take my hand. I’m used to maneuvering in the dark. I’ll lead you there, you wait, and I’ll search the plane. I don’t want you climbing around blind. You could get hurt.”

  It surprised her that he’d be so thoughtful. “Thank you.” She reached out and his warm fingers brushed hers. A jolt went up her spine at the contact when he gripped her firmly. He had big hands. A saying drifted through her mind. Big hands, big feet…wonder if everything is big?

  She grinned, amused. It beat being depressed.

  He stopped minutes later. “Can you see anything?”

  “Not really.”

  “There’s a tree a few feet to your left. The plane is in front of us. Just stay put and I’ll bring things to you.”

  “How can you see so well? It’s so dark.” The shapes of the tree and plane, and his big form, were barely distinguishable.

  “Just stay put.” He sounded almost…disgusted, for some reason.

  She actually missed Kraven’s warm touch when he let her go. She shivered in the cold as she waited. It didn’t take him long to return. He placed something on the ground near her.

  “Those are two intact suitcases. Hopefully something in them will be useful. They don’t weigh much. You carry those and I’ll get the cushions and blankets I piled up. I also found your sister’s purse. I’ll be right back.”

  She blindly bent and fumbled for the handles of both cases and lifted them when her fingers located the plastic. Kraven hadn’t lied. They weren’t heavy. He returned and she followed his moving shadow back to the camp. The firelight was more than a welcome sight.

  One glance at Dusti had her worried again. Her sister looked nervous and a bit pale. She abandoned the suitcases to head in that direction to check on her. She forced a smile she didn’t feel to put on a brave front.

  The quick conversation with her sister eased some of her fears. Dusti seemed to be okay, albeit a bit anxious. It was reasonable under the circumstances. She refused to take another shot and swore she felt better. There were enough to last them for a few days if it took the rescue teams that long to find them. She really hoped they’d be located early the next day.

  Bat watched Drantos and Dusti while they seemed to have a staring contest. The sense of something being wrong nagged at her but she dismissed it. It may just be her guilt over bringing her sister to Alaska, the exhaustion, the stress of their situation, or all of the above. She’d feel better once they were back in civilization.

  Bat zoned out, answering a few questions from Drantos with her thoughts elsewhere. Her head hurt worse than ever but she didn’t complain about the pain. The earlier dull throbbing of a beginning headache had turned into a loud pounding, but she was pretty certain she didn’t have a concussion. Her vision wasn’t blurry and she didn’t feel as if she would throw up. It was just stress and probably lack of caffeine.

  Kraven joined them. Bat silently studied him—and found herself annoyed that he looked so good. She felt like shit, yet he seemed at ease with the great outdoors. And she didn’t want to be attracted to the big ape. He was annoying but hot, the type of guy she loathed most. His brother seemed so polite. It amazed her that they came from the same family.

  He announced he was going to go hunt for fresh meat, then flashed her yet another dark look. It was the last straw.

  “What are you going to use to hunt with? Your bad manners? Maybe you can just talk to the animals and they’ll commit suicide.”

  The enraged glare he directed at her made her feel a little satisfied. “I told you to shut up. We have an agreement, remember? I don’t whip your ass if you keep your lips sealed together.” He turned his head, regarding his brother. “I’ll be back soon. I’m going to scout while I’m out there to see just how fucked things are.”

  “I’m sure rescue crews will be searching for the plane at first light. They’re going to have to fly out of Anchorage. The smaller airport won’t have helicopters. And with no place to land, the best the planes will be able to do is help with the air-spotting.” Drantos sighed. “The question is, do we leave on our own or wait for help?” He looked at the survivors near the fire. “They’re helpless if we walk out of here on our own. I’m afraid they won’t be found and will die from exposure. Not one of them has survival skills. I asked.”

  “We’ll worry about it later.” Kraven glared at Bat. “I’ll be back.” He turned on his heel to march out into the darkness.

  She seethed inside at his response, especially when he said it in front of her baby sister. And he meant every word. She could easily see that, and she’d just managed to curb a rude response. Though she’d been tempted to point out that he’d said he’d spank her if she mentioned his nuts, which she hadn’t. It was almost a relief when Kraven disappeared from sight.

  Then she immediately felt worry. What if he was hurt out there?

  Bat got Drantos’s attention. “Are you sure it’s safe for him to be traipsing around the woods at night? We didn’t find a flashlight, or anything to use as a weapon. Aren’t there wild animals around here that we should be worried about? The fire is here, not out there. He won’t be able to see them but I’m sure the same can’t be said for anything that might attack him.”

&nbs