Page 66 of Wolf

“Lilli,” he growls, and I bite back a sob, rubbing the ache in my chest.

Of course, I can’t hold back the tears, and I drop my chin when his eyes widen. Here we go. He’ll think I’m a useless baby and I’m confirming it once again. Still, I’m exhausted and scared, isn't that excuse enough?

“C’mere,” he rasps, pulling me into his arms, where I stand stiffly. His sigh parts my hair and he runs his palm down my back, saying, “What happened, baby girl?”

Shuddering, I open my mouth but only sobs emerge. When he wraps me up and holds me tight, I sag against him, the tension easing from his shoulders when I do.

He strokes my hair gently while I have my freak out and the soothing gesture feels better than it should. Eventually, though, I pull away and say, “I need to leave.”

“Leave?” he asks, grabbing my chin.

“Yes.” I nod for good measure, and he crinkles his brow.

“I’ll take you home.”

Shaking my head, I step back. “No.”

“No?” His confusion is obvious before his eyes darken. “Go where?”

“Anywhere but here?”

Rubbing his hand over his face, he glances over my shoulder and says, “Bro, I need your wheels.”

Behind me stands another MC brother. He looks at me with a curious gleam but nods and says, “Sure, Bro.”

Wolf catches the keys midair and leads me to a sedan parked at the curb. Absently, I wonder as I slide inside if it’s a prerequisite as part of the MC to own not only a bike but a car too.

I’m buckling my belt when the man from the shop emerges and hands Wolf something. They exchange a few words that I can’t hear from inside the car. With a fist bump, Wolf opens the door on the driver’s side before sliding behind the wheel.

I can’t contain my curiosity as I watch the other man go but before I can ask, Wolf holds out his hand and my necklace falls between his fingers. After staring at the glittering gold cross for a minute, I take it and drop it in my lap before closing my eyes. I don’t know what I believe anymore but I know it’s not what my parents have been spouting since my birth and this gift feels like the lie everything else has turned out to be.

Wolf drives the vehicle with a frown, tapping his fingers against the wheel and I open my mouth to ask where we’re going when we pass the bus stop, but close it with a snap.

I have no money and zero resources. I’m also exhausted. I’ll figure out how to make this work tomorrow. For now, I trust the big lug although I probably shouldn’t.

Wolf

I have no idea what happened but Lilli’s tears and the sheer panic in her eyes told me more than words ever could. Why exactly she’s running is a mystery but if this removes her from that bitch’s clutches, I’ll take it.

Her words about leaving altogether didn’t sit well though which is why I ignored the request. We’re still searching for the fucker who told the sheriff about her being at the clubhouse and she’s not safe out there on her own, or so I tell myself as we pull up to the cabin.

Tucked away in the trees, it’s the perfect little place for me when I need to clear my head. I love my brother’s but there are times when I need space, and this is where I land. It’s nothing major but it suits my needs.

I don’t spend all that much time here and I frown when I consider the food situation. Lilli is going to be hungry soon and I don’t usually keep the place stocked with groceries. Why bother when I can eat at the clubhouse?

As I put the vehicle in park, Lilli sits up and says, “Where are we?”

“My place,” I say, and she turns to me with wide eyes. I have no idea what she’s thinking as I lead her through the door.

Her tiny frame trembles under my touch and as much as I’d like to think it’s because she’s aroused, I suspect she’s exhausted.

Inside, it’s small but functional with a couch to the left facing a flat-screen television. Beyond that there’s a kitchen, dividing the space by a bar, covered in various bottles of alcohol.

While I drop my keys in a dish by the door, she steps around me and peers down the hall to the left, but both doors are closed, and I shake my head at her curiosity ignoring the weird kernel of anxiety as I say, “C’mon.”

Leading her to the first door, I open it up and usher her into the bathroom. I’m operating a bit in the dark here, but I know that when I'm all hyped up but tired, a hot shower is just the thing.

The tiny space is sterile with nothing but a single towel hanging from the rack. After turning on the water, I turn to her swaying behind me. God knows what she’s been through to lead her here but to say she’s wrecked would be an understatement.

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