Page 85 of Wolf

“Good. Go.”

My knees tremble as I descend the stairs. At the bottom, two MC brothers glance up from where they’re playing cards but otherwise ignore me.

I pass through the main room and the currently empty bar. My heart is hammering so loud that I don’t know how I hear her when she says, “Hey, where you off to?”

Spinning, I meet Toni’s curious stare. I suspect Wolf still expects her to watch me, but I must get rid of her because, for all I know, the jerk who just paused at the base of the stairs might hurt her.

I quickly look away from him and Toni mutters, “Hand.”

“S’up,” he says, nodding with a lazy smile.

Hand? That’s his actual name? Huh.

Toni’s icy eyes thaw when they turn back to me and I smile and say, “I thought I would go for a walk.”

My spine tingles when Hand brushes past me with a warning look. Acknowledging him with a tiny nod, I wave at Toni.

“Want me to keep you company?” she says, rounding the bar.

Sweat slicks my back. A roaring sound whooshes through my ears, and I grab the door jamb to keep from collapsing.

“Hey? Are you okay?” Toni asks.

“I’m fine,” I snap, and she rears back, her eyes narrowing.

I want so badly to apologize. To tell her the truth but if my bitchy response saves her life so be it. Still, I’m filled with shame after her kindness toward me.

“Okay,” she says and spins on her heel.

Although I’m relieved, my chest is tight as I walk outside. I think we could have been friends, although I may not ever see her again anyway.

As casually as possible, I walk through the outdoor kitchen and beyond the stage. The sun blinds me, and I blame that for the tears that fill my eyes.

I don’t want to die but even worse, I won’t get the chance to say goodbye.

Miriam.

Rachel.

Mercy.

Wolf.

None of them will know that my last thoughts were about them.

Wolf may confuse me to no end, but he also gave me my first taste of freedom. It’s a gift he’ll never understand the value of, but I would have liked to explain it.

As soon as I step into the trees, I shiver. The sun is setting, and the cool breeze raises goosebumps on my skin. The cabin isn’t far off, and I approach slowly, wishing to draw this out for as long as possible. Unfortunately, it’s not long enough.

Hand steps from behind the cabin where Doc examined me not too long ago and waves a gun in my direction.

I wish with all my heart Doc would appear with his twinkling eyes and a really large gun but maybe that’s wrong because he’d be in danger too.

Swallowing the terror rising in my throat, I continue past the cabin while he steps in behind me. It’s quiet but for our footfalls and the occasional chirping from the birds.

The farther I go, the harder it is to avoid nature, clearly abandoned and growing wild. I trip over a root in the ground and steady myself on a tree.

Behind me, Hand grunts but doesn’t comment.

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