Page 59 of Wolf

I wave my hands for good measure, and he growls, “No. I’m not fucking happy. Have you heard anything?”

My heart sinks at his words and I bow my head.

”Yes,” I whisper, and Wolf touches my chin. Hesitantly, I look around knowing there are too many prying eyes. All it takes is one of these people to tell Mama, and I’m in for a world of hurt again.

Seeing my hesitation, Wolf tips his head and I follow him from the booth and around the side of a building. It's not as private as I’d like but it’s better than being out in the open. Plus, I can still see the booth from where I’m standing.

”What’s going on, baby girl?” Wolf rasps.

”Is Miriam, okay?” I ask, biting my lip. I don’t want to expose my fear although there’s no reason to be ashamed of it. Still, Iwant to be strong, like Melanie when it comes to Wolf. I want him to think of me as more, not less.

“So far, everything is fine, but we have her somewhere the pigs can’t find her. Why don’t you tell me what happened?”

“The sheriff came,” I whisper, and he stiffens.

“What? What did he want?”

“He asked about you. He said…he said that he knew I was at your place. His man saw me.”

Wolf's eyes narrow before he runs his hands through his hair. “What else?”

“I didn’t know what else to do. He wanted to know if you were there, at the field that night.”

Biting my lip, I look away because I’m ashamed that I couldn’t stand up to my parents and the sheriff. Now, my actions will have even worse consequences and for what?

A tiny taste of freedom.

“Anything else?” he grunts and I shake my head.

“Stay away from the sheriff,” he says, and I roll my eyes.

“I can’t control whether my parents invite him to dinner!” I snap because I’ve been walking the razor edge of disaster for days and I’m tired.

When his eyes widen and he grabs my arms, I cry out, the bruises hidden beneath my dress throbbing under the touch.

Dropping me quickly, his brow crinkles before he cocks his head and says, “It’s true?”

”What?” From the corner of my eye, I see Mama approaching. I have mere minutes before she starts to get suspicious. As much as I’d like to defy her, I can’t leave. Not yet and I’m tired of the abuse, so tired.

“Did that bitch beat you?” His eyes darken as he glances over his shoulder and a kernel of apprehension slides down my spy.

He won’t do anything, right? Licking my lips, I say, “Wolf—“

He leans in until our mouths are almost touching. Despite the seriousness of the conversation, I have the urge to lean in and feel his soft lips again. He must sense my need because he tips my chin back.

Fire licks through my veins as he runs his thumb over my bottom lip. I can’t contain my whimper and his lips curve into a wicked smile. “So, sweet,” he murmurs before brushing his mouth against mine.

It’s soft, gentle, and over before it starts but I’m still trembling when he steps back. His eyes darken as I touch my lips and he looks away as he rasps, “If she touches you again, I’ll kill her.”

With a gasp, I grab his arm and say, “You can’t. That’s murder.”

Grimly he peels my fingers from his bicep, kisses my palm, and rasps, “Who do you think I am, Lilli?”

Wolf

Lilli’s lucky I didn’t snap that bitch’s neck right then and there. I know what Joker said about the Abernathy’s not being our problem, but it became mine when I heard from Maddox about Lilli’s bruises.

Maybe it’s wrong to use violence to combat it, but I’ve never hurt someone helpless or undeserving and the Abernathy girls are the least deserving of all.

---