Page 77 of Shelter (The Wanderers 4)

She nodded, glancing at each of them. “I’m fine.”

Braylon cringed as Stuart snapped the bench seat back into position and motioned for everyone else to climb in.

Rush sat in the front with Stuart.

“What happens when we run into other vehicles?” Braylon asked as he and Riggs settled on top of Haley. Storm took the rear bench.

Stuart started up the van and pulled out of the hiding spot. “Nine times out of ten, we slow down, wave at the passing car, and keep going. Occasionally, some asshole will stop us and check to make sure we’re not transporting a woman.”

“Has anyone ever found the hidden compartment?” Storm asked from the rear.

“Not yet.” Stuart looked at Rush and grinned. “I can’t believe you’re here. Start talking.”

* * *

It took Rush over an hour to tell the tale of the last three months, most of that time focusing on the past few weeks.

Rush didn’t leave out much, which didn’t surprise Braylon. Rush was obviously good friends with Stuart and trusted the man.

Stuart’s expression changed as the saga went on, but in the end, he was smiling. “I still can’t believe it. Everyone is so excited about your return. Since you told Maya there were five of you, the council is arranging an apartment with three rooms. We weren’t sure what your relationship to each other might be, so…”

Rush nodded. “That’s perfect. These four have been in a relationship with each other for six months. They’re an established family unit. They’ve never been able to relax and be themselves together though, so they’re going to need some alone time.”

“Rush…” Braylon warned from behind him.

Rush shrugged. “Just stating the facts. The rest of the chips can fall where they might later.”

Stuart glanced at Rush several times, clearly trying to read his friend, brow furrowed, mouth tipped in a partial grin.

That’s right, Braylon thought. He’s one of us. He’s just as much a part of this family as any of us. He’s just stubborn.

They rode in silence for a while. A few times, he and Riggs lifted the seat to check on Haley. She was sleeping peacefully, thank God.

Stuart caught Rush up on everything that had happened at the compound over the course of the day. It seemed that the most shocking thing was the woman, Maya, whom Rush had contacted by walkie-talkie, had been safely nursed back to health from a severe cut to her leg and was now in a relationship with the three doctors Rush had worked with before joining The Wanderers.

Rush seemed beyond pleased with this news and rather shocked. “Maya? You sure we’re talking about the same Maya I know?” he joked.

Stuart laughed. “The one and only. She’s in love I tell you, and I’m so fucking happy for her.”

It took several more hours to get to the compound. They passed other vehicles occasionally, luckily without incident. Stuart stopped once to empty a gas can into the tank, but other than those few interruptions, they kept moving.

“We’re here,” Rush suddenly said over his shoulder.

Braylon glanced around. Seriously? He saw nothing.

Stuart chuckled as he pulled the van off into a thick copse of trees and stopped the engine. “Home sweet home.” He jumped down from the driver’s seat as Braylon opened the sliding door.

Haley blinked up at them when they popped the seat. She looked groggy, but he was pretty sure she’d slept most of the way.

Storm reached in to help her out, holding her against his chest for a few moments before lowering her to her feet. “You steady enough to walk, princess?”

She nodded and looked around. “Where are we?”

“Main compound,” Stuart informed her, pointing toward a clearing.

Rush grinned. “There’s a reason it hasn’t been detected.”

“I see that.” Braylon was pleasantly surprised when Stuart stopped walking, leaned over, and brushed a pile of dirt off a hatch.

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