Page 56 of Wolf

Damning my head strong sister, I approach Maddox with a silent sigh. Of course, she’s right beside me. I don’t want her to face our parents’ wrath, but I know she’s just as stubborn as Miriam and therefore I have to let her make her own mistakes.

I just wish she could see how miserable I am with mine.

“Hey,” I say, waving lamely.

To his credit, he ignores my awkward greeting and his pretty dark eyes sparkle as he stands and says, “Good to see you, sweetheart.”

Rachel shifts and his gaze moves to her watching our interaction with fascination. He doesn’t ask who she is to my relief and after another awkward pause, I mumble, “You too.”

It’s weird to have my sister whose part of my old world collide with the new which was over before it started but exciting and wonderful at the same time.

When his smile fades, I look around as he says, “Got a message for ya.”

My heart thumps and I swallow. From Wolf?

“Wolf says to stick to your house. No funny business, eh?”

My ridiculously naive euphoria fades and I muster a rigid smile because it’s not Maddox’s fault Wolf is a jerk.

“Got it,” I rasp, and he sighs, dropping a rag to the ground.

“Look, Lilli,” he says. “Wolf isn’t…he doesn’t…”

If I weren’t brooding over Wolf’s need to warn me away,again, I’d find Maddox’s expression of discomfort amusing. As it stands, all I can say is, “I’m not one of his…whatever.”

His eyes flicker but he just nods. Shaking my head, I smooth my hair back into a bun and wince. Mama’s punishments get more and more brutal as her rage grows.

Apparently, she’s confused her Christian duty with corporal punishment because I’m pretty sure Jesus didn’t die on that cross so she could take it out on us.

“What’s that?” Maddox says, leaning forward with a frown.

“What?” I mumble and he points at my neck.

“That.”

“Oh.” Covering my skin, I say, “Nothing. An accident.”

Lies of course, but I’m not about to admit I let my mother beat me. I have some pride. I’m already viewed as a ridiculous,emotional girl who runs to the big bad Wolf every time I’m in danger. Gah.

Of course, this is when Rachel chooses to speak. “Mama punished her.”

“Rae,” I groan.

“For what?” he says, his eyes flashing.

Although I spy the faint hue painting her cheeks, she doesn’t so much as flinch when she says, “Hanging out with people like you.”

Maddox raises a brow and I mentally cringe. I don’t think she meant to use that tone, but she made it sound like he’s the dirt under her shoe, nonetheless.

“Is that so? And who are people like me?”

She pales at his harsh tone, and I touch her arm, but she pulls away. Rachel tends to lash out when she feels backed into a corner which is why I’m not surprised when she sneers, “Murderers. Drug dealers. Scum.”

Wide-eyed, I turn to her, but she shrugs and looks away, her lip quivering. Once again, she’s gone on the offensive and now she regrets it but it’s too late.

“Rae,” I say softly as Maddox steps back and straddles his bike.

“No! Look at him. Look at you. You’re in trouble because of guys like him.”

---