Page 71 of Never Submit

Flora is a constant presence at my side as we head out of the kitchen. I draw in another breath because underneath the stench of old frying oil, there are the familiar scents of life. Of all the time I spent in this place carving out a future for myself.

Working and struggling and saving, all the while the clock ticking down to my birthday.

Maybe the goddess had been right, that my parents were braver than I am because it doesn’t feel like bravery to come here today.

It feels like cowardice.

“Let’s get back,” I murmur to Flora. “And then we can?—”

She pulls me up short, her hand fisted in the back of my shirt, a growl rumbling in her chest.

I glance up sharply when my senses tingle. A hint of a warning and danger have added another layer of scent to the air.

The front door opens and two strangers walk in.

My hackles lift, and I peel my lip back in a snarl. They might not be familiar, but I know their scent.

They belong to Andras. And they’ve found me.

Chapter 16

Ren

Flora’s growl is louder, harsher, rumbling through her hold into me.

It’s in my bones and my blood, and something inside me sharpens. It twists my muscles and tendons, and my eyesight sharpens on the two men. Flora angles herself in front of me as if somehow this delicate, pregnant wolf will take on the world for me.

The two men scent us at once and crowd closer. The silent standoff affects even the most human among them.

I’m only half aware of Carrigan at my elbow, tugging on me. “Ren. Come on.”

“Do you know who they are?” I whisper from the corner of my mouth.

“No, but I know a bad seed when I see one. Let’s get you out the back door. They seem to be focused on you.”

Carrigan isn’t wrong.

I barely tear my gaze away as Flora takes a stand solidly in front of me. Using her slight body to shield me from the two men. “Go,” she urges. “Get out of here now.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” she tosses over her shoulder. “I’m making sure you get out.”

Carrigan might not understand exactly what’s happening, but she saw enough with Dax to know something shitty is about to go down. Danger follows me now. No matter how I might wish it otherwise, it followed me here. Andras followed me here.

I never should have left the penthouse.

How stupid of me, to let my emotions hold the reins this way. I catch a flash of movement on our way out the back door, and my gaze flickers to table five.

Anna is gone.

The table is empty, the food left behind.

My gut clenches. Okay, super suspicious.

“I’m not sure what’s going on, or whether your friend can handle those dudes, but let’s get you out,” Carrigan says in a rush.

Her tone is bright and her accent has deepened, a sure sign she’s gone into management mode. She’s like a pissed-off Paula Dean when she’s stressed, and she always sounds so chipper.

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