Page 45 of Savage Truth

RILEY

Everything hurt. I stifled a groan. I couldn’t make a sound. Not yet. Not until I was sure no one was nearby, waiting to capture me or worse.

Cole filled my mind as I huddled there, trying to determine what I should do next. He’d fought to keep Nick away from me when he broke into their home, and I replayed that before turning to how exhilarating fighting with him was—the back-and-forth blackmail had been a thrill. Then there was the way a simple touch from him set my whole body on fire.

He makes me feel safe. He makes mefeel.

I’d always kept my emotions under control. But around him, there was no stopping their violent tsunami. And the more I thought about it, I realized I’d always wanted him and that I…lovedhim. The realization shocked me. We’d begun our relationship with hate. But that was gone. I just wanted him.

If I get out of here alive, I’m telling him everything.

The chill during the night had seeped into my bones. I stood still, listening before attempting to move from behind the fallen trees.

A few birds chirped overhead, and something small scurried through the brush. A rush of air pushed past my numb lips. It was time to move. My head throbbed in tune with my heartbeat, a thundering, steady pulse that echoed behind my eyes. I couldn’t feel my feet or hands, which was partly good, given how mangled they were. At least with little feeling, I would be able to walk.

In agonizing increments, I uncurled from the fetal position I’d had to assume to remain hidden. Minutes later, once I’d managed to wiggle my way out from behind the trees and step out from the makeshift hole, I leaned against the bark, more shaken than I would have liked.

Thready beams of sunlight shot diagonally through the canopy of pines above. The angle of the sun said it was early morning. I stayed there, leaning against the downed tree, acclimating to my surroundings and giving my body a moment to get the blood flowing.

I had no idea where I was or how far I needed to go to find a road or someone who could help. The sound of waves was barely perceptible—I had to have been far enough away from a cliff or beach that it made sense to continue moving in the other direction and down. I had to find civilization.

I pushed myself off the log to stand on my own, swaying for the minute it took to gain enough balance to take a step. Sharp jolts of pain shot from my feet and up my legs, settling in my churning, empty stomach.

This sucks.I took another painful step. Alive was better than dead. I kept moving slowly. If the motel was almost directly below where I was on the mountain, I would run into a road if I went that way—I knew one wound up the hillside. Once I found it, I could walk along the edge. And if Nick or his goons appeared in their shiny black Mercedes, I would dive back into the woods for cover, hopefully before they spotted me.

I wasn’t sure how much time passed as I staggered across pine-needle-strewn ground, in a mostly straight line through the trees. At one point, I picked up a stick long enough to use as a cane. My hand with the dislocated thumb was swollen and mostly useless—good thing my other one wasn’t damaged.

My mind kept wandering. There had been gunshots at the motel. That had to mean cops had been called.Please let Nick be dead or gravely injured. That would have solved so many problems. I couldn’t let my thoughts go to any other horrifying scenario, like Cole finding me and Nick turning the gun on him.

I gagged, the thought too much to handle. I panted and swayed, unsure how much farther I could go. Something sounded off in the distance.Is someone calling for me?A twig snapped, and I blinked back into focus with sheer determination. It had been close. Tightening my grip on the stick, I turned and swung with all my might.

A hoarse yell tore from my throat as the branch made impact with a large form. The strike reverberated from the wood up my hand and then my arm. I stumbled back but steadied myself to hit him again.

“Riley!”

I didn’t know where to look. My vision blinked in and out, and whoever screamed my name sounded simultaneously from behind and in front of me. I wobbled. The stick was gone from my hand.How…?Black spots multiplied, clouding my vision further. Someone grabbed my arm, and I flung myself back with the last of my strength. I didn’t hit the ground but fell into something hard.

Everything whirled out of control until I couldn’t fight anymore and the darkness converged and dragged me under.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

COLE

Riley was close. I could sense her. I whirled when I heard movement.

“Riley!” Ronan grunted, and I caught sight of a branch making contact with the side of his head.

I sprinted, zigzagging through the trees with Phoenix, Damon, and Shane close on my heels. Then I saw a mass of chestnut hair. Dirt and blood. Some fresh, some old. I lunged forward as Ronan reached for her. Confusion and fear clouded her face, and she swatted his hand away, lost her balance, and melted back. I skidded to a stop just as she crumpled into me.

I lifted her with ease, cradling her gently. Ronan growled, crowding me. We’d met only few hours before, after he’d contacted Raelyn with the location where he thought Riley would be. Both he and Dad had argued against her mom coming with us. The only way they could keep her from staying away was by bringing her to the mountain’s base and surrounding her with security. Dad stayed because he and Ronan feared she would slip out somehow and get herself taken by Nick’s associates. There was something else they weren’t saying… I would find out eventually. Secrets rarely stayed buried for long.

Ronan reached for her, but I turned away. “I’ve got her.”

He gripped my shoulder, holding me in place. “Listen, punk. The only reason I’m letting you carry my niece is because you caught her when she was falling.” He dug his fingers into me as he leaned close to my ear. “If you hurt her in the slightest, it’ll be the last time you see her, and you’ll never see me coming.”

I glared over my shoulder. “That won’t happen. Riley means more to me than anything.”

“More than football? Because that’s what you’ll lose, your ability to play.”

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