Page 26 of Driven Wild By The Grizzly

Well, we would have had mind blowing sex, that’s what. But if I tell Ricky that, he’ll never be able to look me in the eye again.

“He was looking after me, Ricky, can’t you understand that? I was on the bus. The bus broke down and I took a shortcut through the forest, but a tree came down. I think it got struck by lightning, and he was right there, saving me.”

“Right there?” His voice is dripping in sarcasm. “So, he followed you all that way?”

“Yeah, he did, but not in the way you think.”

His lip curls in disgust. “One stalker wasn’t enough for you, Jessica?”

“Ricky stop being such an ass. He saved me from being killed. If he hadn’t been there, I’d be squished right now.”

He has the grace to flinch.

“Then he took me back to his cabin. I had a shower in his real nice, modern bathroom. Nicer than the one we have here. Then he cooked me dinner… And we got to know each other a little better,” I finish, glossing over some of the most pertinent details.

“I hope that’s not a euphemism, Jessica,” he growls.

“Ricky, I’m an adult. Please try to remember that. Ethan is…” I close my eyes. “He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. And we’re in love.”

“Love?” Ricky screeches to a halt in front of our house, and I jerk forward, the seatbelt cutting into my shoulder. He grabs his shotgun off the backseat and stalks inside. Reluctantly, I go after him, my feet sloshing in the mud.

“And what wasthat lie you told me about staying in Brookville?” He rounds on me as soon as we’re inside. “I got that message about a second before I checked your location onfind my phoneand discovered that you’re right in the middle of the freaking forest.”

“I didn’t want you to worry. I knew there wasn’t much coverage and I wouldn’t have many chances to communicate with you. It just seemed simpler.”

“Well, I was worried. I thought something awful had happened to you, Jessica.” His voice breaks. “You’re all I’ve got. Don’t you know that?”

I go still. “And you’re so important to me, Ricky. I’m so grateful for all the sacrifices you’ve made for me.”

A smile flickers on his lips. But then his face hardens again. “And that’s why I’m not going to stand here and watch while you throw your life away on a beast—”

Roaarrr!

An awful sound tears through the air. The grunt of a powerful engine.

Ricky snatches up his shotgun again. “Is that him?” he demands, his eyes wild.

“I-I don’t think so. He didn’t mention owning a motorcycle.”

“Right,” Ricky says drily. “That didn’t crop up in the less-than-twenty-four hours you spent together?”

“Ricky, I don’t think it’s Ethan. I think it’s—”

There’s another roar, and another and another.

Ricky peers through the curtain covering the living room window. “What were that asshole’s colors like?” he demands.

“Kinda burnt orange and turquoise.”

“That fucking prick’s found you. Just like you said he would. But he hasn’t come alone.”

“Let me see.” I run after him. He tries to shove me back, but I sneak under his arm and peek through the curtain, too.

The closest biker pulls off his helmet and my stomach plummets as I take in a familiar narrow face and cleft chin. My psycho ex. Whose right hand is sliding inside his jacket.

“It’s him, and he’s got a gun. They all have.”

My heart jumps into my mouth as six bikers draw their guns and storm toward our flimsy wooden front door.

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