Page 5 of Shadow

As they emerged into the light, Shadow watched as Camilla blinked several times, her eyes adjusting to the bright building lights.

Rooster stood nearby, flanked by the five other women they had freed, who huddled together in a corner, their faces etched with a mixture of relief and disbelief.

Shadow’s mind wandered back to the moment he had found Camilla, isolated from the others, kept apart as if she were a special prisoner.

The thought made his blood boil with anger. Why had she been singled out? What made her different from the rest? The questions swirled in his mind, unanswered and unsettling.

“What’s this commotion I heard?” came Priest’s voice, breaking through the silence.

Shadow turned to see Priest and three other MC brothers standing before them, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity.

Camilla tensed beside him, her grip tightening on his arm, and he felt a strange surge of protectiveness wash over him.

Shadow just met Camilla today, and yet in that moment, he made a decision. Whatever secrets she held, whatever darkness lurked in her past, he vowed to stand by her side and protect her from harm. She may have been a stranger, but in that moment, she felt like so much more.

“This is an unexpected complication,” Priest remarked, his brow furrowed in consternation as he rubbed his forehead as if nursing a headache.

“We can’t leave them here, Priest. The Reapers would just put them back in their cells,” Shadow argued.

“I agree with Shadow,” Rooster interjected. “I know we’re on a time limit, but—”

“We are,” Priest cut Rooster off abruptly, his tone firm and commanding. “Butcher just made contact. The Reapers’ reinforcements are on their way.”

He remembered Butcher as the one assigned to watch the road leading to the compound.

“Besides, we don’t have transport for these women,” Priest continued, his gaze sweeping over the group of freed captives.

“We can use the Reapers’ vehicles. I spotted two trucks outside the building,” Shadow suggested, his mind already racing with plans to ensure their escape.

The Reapers likely used them for transport, and now they could serve a different purpose—a means to freedom for those who had suffered at their hands.

Camilla clung to him tightly, fear palpable in her trembling body. Shadow felt the urge to pull her close, to offer her some semblance of comfort in the chaos, but he resisted. It wouldn’t be appropriate, not with Priest watching their every move with a keen eye.

“Fine, we don’t have much time. Let’s do this quickly,” Priest said, much to Shadow’s relief.

With a sense of urgency, they sprang into action, knowing their window of opportunity was rapidly closing. They had to move fast if they were to escape the Reapers and bring these women to safety.

As they sorted out the logistics of who would ride in which vehicle, Camilla reached for Shadow’s hand, her grip firm.

“I’m going with you,” she said.

Shadow nodded in silent agreement, feeling a sense of responsibility settling over him.

Minutes later, Rooster pulled up with their truck, now laden with crates of stolen goods.

Observing Camilla’s shiver as they waited, Shadow couldn’t help but feel another surge of concern toward her.

Initially contemplating riding up front with Rooster, Shadow reconsidered, opting instead to join Camilla in the back. He held the back door open for her, allowing her to slide into the seat before him. There was a trust between them, a silent understanding he couldn’t quite explain. Plus, he harbored a curiosity about why the Reapers had singled her out from the others, a question he hoped to find answers to during the journey.

As they began the ride back to Hanging Grove, Camilla leaned into him, her head finding its place on his shoulder.

Shadow couldn’t deny the warmth that blossomed in him at her proximity. He wrapped an arm around her, providing what comfort he could during the ride.

Her story could wait. For now, all that mattered was ensuring her safety and well-being.

Chapter Three

Camilla’s eyes flew open, her heart pounding in her chest as she scanned her surroundings, half-expecting to see Rigs standing above her with that malicious grin plastered across his face.

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