Page 55 of A Wolf's Wound
“Except that now we don’t have a door,” Hannah says with a shaky smile and April shrugs, also smiling.
“Eh, we’ll put up a beaded curtain.It’ll be very chic,” she says.
“But maybe not the safest,” I say softly, and Hannah nods.
“Ryder’s right.We can’t stay here until we have a new door.Preferably one made of steel with, like, a million locks.”
“Hannah, please stay at the compound tonight,” I say.“April, you’re welcome to come too.And Shadow, of course.”
“I don’t want to leave,” Hannah says, and I’m amazed that she can still be so stubborn after what just happened.
“Hannah…” My eyes dart to April, who throws her hands up and leaves the room, seeing my need for privacy.
“Hasn’t enough happened to convince you that you’re not safe?”I ask in disbelief.“What more are you waiting for, Hannah?Another body to show up?Maybe yours?”
“That’s not fair!”she cries.“I still don’t trust you, Ryder.And you haven’t said how you happened to get here so fast tonight.”
“I was in the woods,” I explain.“Looking for any answers that might explain what the hell is going on.And I had a feeling you were in trouble.”
“Another one of your feelings,” Hannah says sarcastically.
“And I was right.Wasn’t I?”I challenge her.“Youwerein trouble.Think about how badly this could have ended, Hannah.Not just for you and April.”
“What do you mean?”she asks, but then the meaning of my words becomes clear.“Oh.”
He nods.“Your neighbors could be in danger,” I tell her softly.
“If one of them had encountered that creature, they could have gotten attacked.”
“Exactly.”I sigh, relieved that she’s finally taking this seriously.“Hannah, this isn’t just about you anymore.I don’t know if it ever was, honestly.But protecting yourself means also protecting your neighbors.And friends,” I add, thinking of April and Shadow.
Hannah looks stricken, and I can tell she hadn’t thought about that.“I’d feel horrible if someone got hurt because of me.”
“I know.So please stay with my family tonight.We’ll get a new door put in tomorrow and station a team of enforcers at your building twenty-four-seven.I promise it’ll just be for one night.”
I groan.“April!”She comes in, looking exasperated.“Ryder thinks we need to stay elsewhere.”
“He has a point, Hannah,” April says softly.“We can’t stay here tonight.”
“Will you come with me?”Hannah asks her.
“I’d rather stay at my parents’ place tonight.I’d invite you to stay with me, but they’re allergic to raccoons,” she says.“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Hannah says.“Maybe Shadow and I will stay at the clinic.There’s a security system there, and the couch in my office is pretty comfortable.”
“Hannah, please stay with me tonight,” I say.“I won’t be anywhere near you.I promise.It’ll just be a place where you won’t be alone and where I know you’ll be protected.”
“What do you think?”Hannah asks April, looking uncertain.
“I’d feel better knowing you weren’t by yourself.And that you weren’t trying to sleep on a couch.Besides,” April says.“It’s just for one night.”She gives Hannah a hug.“I’m going to go pack.”
“I’ll do another patrol,” the enforcer says.“And call for some backup.”
After he leaves, Hannah turns back toward me, still looking unsure.I stare back at her.“Well, Hannah,” I say.“What’s it going to be?”
Chapter 32
Hannah
