Page 120 of Outlaws of Tulsa

I reach the edge of the cleared property and stare into the thick woods, nerves threatening to consume me. I’m more of a city girl than a country one. I prefer shopping malls and restaurants than the great outdoors. Trekking through the woods unprepared and while escaping a captor is going to be trying.

Sucking in a deep breath, I attempt to calm myself. This is easy. It’s just walking. I don’t even have to run because Copper isn’t here. I’ll get a massive head start on him. By the time he can even try to track me, I’ll be long gone to Arkansas to grab the twins. Then, I’ll be a ghost, hiding so far away and under the radar, Koyn and the others will never be able to find us.

I’m imagining the soft, shy smile on Cove’s face when I roll my ankle on a fallen branch, sending me crashing to the still-snowy earth floor. I cry out in surprise and curse the moment I realize I’ve cut my palm open on a sharp branch. The pain is a dull throb at first and then it begins to burn. Blood runs down, dripping into the pure white snow, tainting it.

“Shit,” I complain as I drop my bag to rifle through it.

I locate a black tank top and use it to wrap around my bleeding hand to staunch the flow. Once I’ve tucked in the ends under the fabric and made a makeshift bandage, I snatch my bag up and toss it over my shoulder.

A moan escapes me when I take a step, putting pressure on my rolled ankle. The sound of dogs viciously barking from far away has terror clawing up my throat.

Oh God.

I whimper, limping forward, eager to escape the Dobermans. With each step, tears roll down my cheeks, dripping from my jaw. Sure, the pain hurts, but the image of being mauled by Hansel and Gretel is terrifying beyond my wildest nightmares. I’m frantic as I hobble through the forest, growing dizzy and lightheaded with each step. The barking gets louder as it nears. My ears ring as they rush with blood and my chest hurts with how hard my heart is beating.

I try to remain calm, but when I hear the barking grow nearer, I let out a yelp before breaking into a full-on sprint despite the searing pain in my ankle. Branches whip at my face as I run and I stumble more times than I can count.

The dogs are closer than before, their barking making my skin crawl. I consider climbing a tree when I’m hit with a sudden painful jolt of electricity that makes me collapse to my hands and knees.

The collar.

I’d tried getting it off earlier, but Copper didn’t even leave me with a butter knife. I sort of forgot about it until now.

This will be how I die.

Just like Mom—a product of all my bad decisions literally biting me in the ass.

A gut-wrenching sob pierces the air as I claw at the collar. Another painful jolt has my eyes rolling back in my head. I crawl blindly searching for the perimeter line, hoping I cross it before I pass out.

Jolt after jolt assaults me to the point I begin to puke. Still, I crawl back toward the barking, hating every second of the last moments of my life. When I go more than a few seconds without the electric shock, I collapse, my chest heaving from exertion. Branches crack from nearby followed by a vicious growl.

As soon as I see the blue collar on the Doberman, I begin to black out.

“Don’t bite me, Hansel.”

He runs straight for me, but I pass out before I meet my final fate.

I wake to licking.

On my face and hands.

I’m confused and disoriented. Parts of me are cold and I shiver, but two warm bodies are pressed against me. When I realize it’s Hansel and Gretel licking me, I let out a terrified mewl. Both dogs whimper as though they’re afraid, which confuses me.

Why aren’t they eating me?

Gretel nudges at my hand that hurts like a motherfucker. She whines, sniffing the blood. I tense up, wondering if she’ll bite it. When she doesn’t, I take a chance at petting her. The dog nuzzles me as though she’s happy for the touch.

Every muscle in my body aches from exertion. My ankle throbs fiercely and my hand will need stitches. I’m in dire need of medical attention, but I can’t move. I could scream at myself for being so stupid and careless. I had my chance at escape and it’s gone. I’ll never get Calla and Cove away safely.

Defeat floods through my veins, immobilizing me. The cold snow seeps into my bones, making me sleepy. Either I’m going to die out here from the elements, or I’ll die when Copper gets home. He’s going to want to strangle me. Maybe he’ll decide I’m too much trouble and let Filter or Dragon have me. Both of those men would get their rocks off on torturing me to death. It’s best if I just die now.

Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.

I drift in and out, only waking when one of the dogs whimpers or licks me. If it weren’t for their warmth, I would’ve probably already died. All my fear has taken a back seat. I’m grateful they’ve decided to cuddle me rather than tear me apart limb from limb.

A deep voice calls out from far away. Both dogs tense up and begin barking in response. Traitors. I squeeze my eyes shut, dreading the inevitable. Once again, sleep steals me away, and I only wake when someone curses.

I blink open my eyes to see Copper glaring at me. He’s handsome as ever in his navy and yellow FBI jacket. His hair is messier than usual and frown lines appear between his brows.

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