Page 64 of Wolf

“No, she didn’t give me a number,” I say miserably and Rachel nods, gazing over my shoulder. After a moment, she seems to shake herself out of it and says, “You have to go back. To that guy you know.”

The notion sends a tingle down my spine before I mentally shake my head. Really? He as good as said he’s a man whore, and I’m still all fluttery at the thought. Either way, I guess it doesn’t matter. If Miriam is in danger, I have to get a message to her before I skip town. I can’t leave without knowing she’s safe, or as safe as she can be with Mama plotting her death.

“Maybe we should tell Daddy,” Mercy whispers, and I grab her hand. I’d like to be able to turn to the man who should be our hero, but in all reality, he’s nothing more than a hypocrite coated in sin. Besides, he doesn’t seem all that keen on defying Mama.

“We can’t, Mercy Lou,” I say, clearing my throat. “But I’ll find Miriam and tell her. I promise.”

Mercy raises her brilliant blue eyes to mine and my heart shatters at the knowledge staring back at me. She doesn’t sayit, but she knows I’m leaving, not only this place but her. Tears clog my throat, and I reach for her hand, but she pulls away and walks toward the door.

“Mercy,” I whisper, and she pauses. “I love you.”

She doesn’t respond, and with my stomach aching, I watch her leave.

“She’ll understand,” Rachel says, and I shake my head. Will she? “Someday…”

Chapter 18

Lilli

I need to leave but I don’t have much, only the 18-carat gold necklace my parents gave me when I turned thirteen.

Unfortunately, I can’t wait because I don’t know what will happen when Mama and Daddy come home. This doesn’t give me much time, as it is, but maybe they won’t bother looking for me at all.

Examining my emotions, I decide that I don’t care. I know deep down I love my parents despite their faults, and I wish they could do the same.

My body still aches from the lingering bruises courtesy of Mama, but I ignore them. I’m already dressed, and I grab mybag and head for the door, only to pause when Mercy says from down the hall, “I love you, too.”

My heart bleeds at her words and I swing around but she’s already gone. Biting back a sob, I slip through the side door and close it behind me.

All the while, my brain circles with what-ifs. What if I stayed? What if I told the truth?

What if the sheriff does something to Rae? That stops me in my tracks, and I look back.

The house is dark, and I suppress a shiver before turning away. If I’m not here, then he has no reason to care about my family. I’m the threat and if I leave, the danger comes with me.

Before I left, Rachel helped me find a pawn shop. It’s on the other side of town but my only option. I have nothing to spare in terms of money and I’m hoping whatever I get for this necklace will get me somewhere safe while also allowing me to see Miriam one last time.

By the time I reach the pawn shop, it's midnight, and the doors are closed up tight. With a tired sigh, I sit on the bench out front, analyzing everything that could go wrong until I can’t take it anymore.

Eventually, I doze, shivering in the cool air. At some point, I crack a lid, confirming the sun is making its ascent in the sky before I nod off again.

I don’t know how much time passes before the loud thrum of a motorcycle wakes me. Swaying, I glance around, my stomach whooshing before I exhale when I see it’s not Wolf.

I don’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved, but I suspect it should be the latter. I don’t truly know Wolf and the fact that the sheriff is so obsessed with bringing him down should mean something, even if the sheriff isn’t exactly the upstanding citizen he proclaims to be.

The man on the bike does park outside the shop though, and I frown before standing as he approaches. My heart sinks when I spy the familiar Shadow Saints patch on his vest, and I raise my chin when he eyes me with a curious glint.

Of course, I end up in an MC business.

Shoot.

“You buying or selling?” he asks gruffly.

“Um, selling,” I say, and he grunts, “C’mon in.”

Relaxing marginally, I follow him inside. A maze of items—that under ordinary circumstances I might be interested in exploring—fill the space from wall to wall.

Today though, I have no such inclination. If I can make a few bucks from the necklace, I’ll be closer to my goal of getting on the next bus out of town. From there, I have no idea what I’ll do, but it’s a thought for later when I’m not looking over my shoulder.

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