Page 13 of Shelter (The Wanderers 4)

Would Lorena take her back and accept that she too hadn’t had control over Storm’s actions? Or would she think Haley was soiled and have her returned to the state?

Storm shuddered at the thought of that fate.

No. They couldn’t run yet. They weren’t ready. Not even if it meant Haley possibly got pregnant with another man’s baby.

The thought of her round with the child of a man none of them even knew made Storm grind his teeth together. A knot had formed in his stomach that began last night and wouldn’t likely ever let loose.

Haley was his. Haley was Braylon’s. Haley was Riggs’s. Storm had visions of one day seeing her round with one of their children, but not a stranger’s.

Fuck.

Storm lifted his free hand and set it on top of hers over his wrist, squeezing her fingers, hoping to reassure her he was on her side. He would do everything in his power to make her life easier.

He’d never touched her like this. It was nothing more than a grip of her hand, but it was huge. He hoped he conveyed volumes with his eyes.

“Have you seen him?” she whispered.

He took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes.” Storm had been sent to the basement twice today to bring the man food. He hadn’t spoken to him. Not a word. He’d only exchanged sympathetic glances.

She swallowed. “What does he look like?”

That was easy. He’d been chosen on purpose. “Braylon.”

She nodded slowly. “Of course. How old is he?”

“About my age, I’d guess. Mid to late twenties.”

“This isn’t his fault,” she murmured.

Storm shook his head. “No. It’s not. He’s a victim too.”

Haley closed her eyes and released Storm’s hand. “Thank you.”

He hated her thanking him. He hadn’t done enough to protect her. He hadn’t saved her from this barbaric system. Not yet. Not soon enough.

He should have walked away without hesitating, but he didn’t. He stared at her as she fought to relax, then finally leaned over, smoothed her soft hair back from her forehead, and kissed her temple. “Sleep, princess.”

Maybe that had been a bad idea, but he didn’t regret it. Nor did he regret the way she smiled and sighed before he turned away.

His heart hurt. His chest had been tight for more than a day. He couldn’t do anything to fix this fucking situation before more damage was done, but he vowed he would find a way to get her out of here. Get all of them out of here.

He had to. There were no other options.

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