Page 14 of Broken-Hearted

Shit, shit, shit. How the fuck could he be here?

There’s only one thing to do.

I walk away. Past the table of people calling out for me, and through the hatch into the kitchen.

I bypass O’Shane asking me what’s wrong and where I’m going as I dump my apron on a stainless steel counter and sprint out of the kitchen into the back alley.

No sooner have I cleared the alley than someone grabs my wrist, whirling me around.

4

“Ishould’ve known you’d run me down,” I mutter.

I peek over Nathan’s shoulder to confirm only he chased me out of the kitchen and into this alley. The coast is clear. For now. There’s no guarantee it will stay that way.

He frowns down at me, concerned. “What is it? Why’d you take off like that?”

I debate how much I want to tell him.

The answer: as little as possible.

Nathan was only a step behind me, so he couldn’t have smelled Adrian, the Minnesota alpha hellbent on snatching me.

If he knew Adrian was responsible for his attack in Dawley, he would not be asking me what’s wrong. He would be in there, starting a fight and probably get himself killed.

I can’t let that happen.

“I’ve changed my mind about Hardin,” I declare.

He blinks. “You have?”

Nodding firmly, I walk away, back toward the motel. Nathan’s car is in the parking lot, and I have something else I need to do. “I figure what’s the worst that could happen if I check out Hardin?”

“You looked scared.” He matches his pace to mine, a line between his brow as he peers down at me.

“Did I?”

“You did.” The line between his brow deepens. “Something is wrong.”

“Something is not wrong.” I walk faster, and it takes everything I have not to peek over my shoulder to make sure we’re not being followed.

The day is mild, the sky a light blue-gray and my wolf isn’t snarling to warn me danger is looming.

Yet.

But that could change any minute.

I pick up my pace. It can’t hurt to get out of this town a little faster.

“You’re nearly running,” Nathan says.

“No, I’m not. I’m just excited to see everything Hardin has to offer.”

“Hmmm.”

I dart a rapid glance at him.

He’s still matching my pace, visibly concerned as he looks back the way we came. Exactly what I don’t want.

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