Page 9 of No Going Back

“I got here as quickly as I could. I’m sorry it took so long. I assume we need to get you out of here quickly and quietly.”

She nodded again but still didn’t look at him.

“I’ve got a dog here. He’s a rescue and kind of a giant, but he’s friendly.”

Branna gulped in one last breath of air and lifted her head. “Thank you.”

She barely opened her eyes, and he realized she was adjusting to the bright light after being in the dark for so long. He took his sunglasses off and slipped them on her. “Better?”

Another nod. Sean could still feel Branna shaking as she clung to him, but she looked around for the dog. When she spotted Jabba sitting patiently at their side, she laughed softly. “Hey there. Aren’t you a handsome boy?”

She offered her hand and let him sniff. After a second, he licked her instead, making her chuckle again.

“His name’s Jabba and he’s a softie. Okay, I brought you a shirt to toss over your clothes and a ball cap.” To hide all that gorgeous silky red hair. He managed not to say that part out loud. Charlie had told Sean once that the name Branna meant a beauty with hair as dark as a raven. While her hair didn’t match, she was a beauty.

Branna finally loosened her grip on him, and he got his first look at her. Even with the sunglasses on, she couldn’t hide her exhaustion. Her hair had once been in a ponytail, but most had fallen out of the band. He took out the shirt and pulled it over her head. Because she was so tiny, it almost hit her knees.

With quick hand movements, she tied one end in a knot at her hip. His shirt had never looked so good. He liked seeing her in it a little too much, so he pulled out the cap as well. She bundled up her hair and shoved it under the hat.

Her hands were still shaking. She looked about as starved as the dog had been when Sean found him. He should have thought to bring food. “We’ll get you some food soon. For now, let’s get the hell out of Dodge, and then you can tell me what’s going on.”

Branna nodded and didn’t protest when Sean tucked her under his arm. “If we see anyone, it should look like we were making out in here.”

She looked around at the disgusting bathroom. “You’re such a romantic.”

They were laughing as they headed into the hallway.

* * *

Branna wanted to run as far and as fast as she could. Instead, she hooked her arm around Sean and walked along with him, trying to ignore how good it felt to be this close to him. It only took him two steps to realize her ankle was bugging her.

He kept them moving but shifted his grip to her waist so he could lift some of her weight as they walked. “Are you okay? Should I carry you?”

She snorted a laugh. “Yeah, that won’t draw anyone’s attention at all. I’m good. Just a twist, and it’s almost healed.”

His soft grunt told her he didn’t believe her, but he’d go along with it for now. He handed her Jabba’s leash, and they moved from the dim hallway up the stairs and into the sunshine.

The bright light had her eyelids slamming shut again. Sean leaned down in what probably looked like a kiss on her head. “Close your eyes. I won’t let you fall. I’m parked just down the block. Two minutes, and we’ll be in the truck.”

She nodded, wondering when she’d become a bobblehead, but kept walking. After a few moments, she opened her eyes to slits and hoped she’d adjust soon. Bright lights would be the least of their problems if one of Prince’s guys recognized her.

Keeping his head close to hers, Sean whispered again. “Who should I be looking out for?”

Shoot. She should have taken a minute to explain at least some of the events that had led her to their fort. “Main guy is Prince Hawley. Light brown skin. Wears fancy clothes that can’t disguise his thugness or his creep factor.”

Sean chuckled. “Thugness? Body size?”

“Tall. Well, not as tall as you. Or as muscular. Walks with a strut. Never alone. Always has at least two of his herd with him.”

Another chuckle. “Herd? Love it. Almost there. It’s the old red truck ahead.”

Jabba bounced along, leading the way. Neither of their families had ever owned a dog. This wasn’t the neighborhood for them. But they’d all loved animals, and knowing they couldn’t have one hadn’t stopped any of them from asking for them.

“Got a group showing some interest across the street. Here we are. I’m going to lift you in.”

Branna forced herself not to look across the street. The last thing she wanted was Prince’s group seeing her face.

Sean lifted her into the truck, and Jabba jumped in at her feet. Sean leaned into her and hooked up her seatbelt. “Keep your head down after I do this. Maybe play with the dog as if he’s got all your attention.”

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