Page 110 of Wolf

“Go,” she says again.

Daddy steps around her and opens the closet door. When Mercy emerges, tears on her cheeks, I exhale.

“One week,” Daddy says, and I whip my head up. “One week and she goes back in there.”

With hate burning in my heart, I march to the door and at the threshold, I say, “I’ll make you regret this if it’s the last thing I do.”

I’m outside before they can comment and rage fuels my steps down the street.

Despite what Mama seems to think, I don’t exactly have an in with the Shadow Saints MC. Yes, I know them but I’m not their favorite person these days.

Unfortunately, when they pushed me out the door, I had no time to ask for money. I don’t have a car, and they didn’t offer to drive me. I’m dressed in my long night shirt, and I guess it’s lucky, I slid my feet into my canvas shoes before leaving the bedroom earlier.

With every step I take, I feel a sharp pain in my ribs.

A mile down the road, I lean over and puke, groaning at the pain. Only rage and frustration keep me moving when my body is screaming at me to slow down.

I hate myself for letting Mama hurt me and more so because I had to leave Mercy, but Daddy wasn’t exactly defending us andtwo against one, respected community members at that, meant I didn’t have a choice.

I just hope Daddy keeps his word. My heart aches at Mercy’s fear and it’s this that keeps me going. One foot in front of the other.

Hours pass while I drown in my misery and when the sun blazes high in the sky I pause. Not only is it a struggle to breathe but in the last hour, I’ve felt the slick slide of what I refuse to believe is blood between my thighs.

I need to rest. I’m on the edge of collapse and so thirsty.

I’m on the highway that leads to the clubhouse, but I have no sense of how much further I need to go.

I can’t move any more though and with a groan, I collapse to the grass on the side of the road and stare at the trees beyond.

Under other circumstances, it would be beautiful but right now, all I feel is the aching need to close my eyes.

As soon as my lids flutter closed, blackness consumes me, along with the pain that’s brought tears once more to my eyes.

“Hey, hey, c’mon now. Wake up.” The light tapping against my cheek rouses me and I blink at the shadowy form hovering above.

As soon as my eyes focus though, I mumble, “Giant.”

Just that little action sends a shard of pain through my lungs, and I groan, wrapping my arms over my chest.

“Shh,” he says, leaning away. “Hurry.”

Hurry? Where?

I fall back into the darkness and rouse again when my ribs protest and I cry out.

“What the fuck are you doing?” someone roars, and I open my eyes.

Giant glances down with a grimace and I touch his chest. Am I in his arms?

“Back off,” he growls and Wolf leans over me. Practically nose to nose with Giant, he rasps, “Give her to me.”

“No,” Giant says, and Wolf’s lips pull back in a snarl. “No,” he says again. “She’s hurting. You want to make it worse?”

Wolf bows his head and steps aside. I lean around to keep Wolf in view, his presence comforting before Giant presses me back against his chest. “Shh,” he rumbles before I succumb to the darkness.

The next time I wake, I glance around wildly. Toni leans over my head and adjusts something…a pillow?

“Is she okay?” Miriam says and I look her way. Her worried eyes meet mine before Wolf says, “What’s wrong with her?”

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