Page 65 of Shelter (The Wanderers 4)

CHAPTER21

Storm did a lot of pacing that day. Pacing and watching to make sure no one else happened upon them. There was no way he could sleep while they were on the run like this.

Maybe it was in his nature. Or maybe it came from years of being trained as a bodyguard. Hell, his protectiveness could also have stemmed from the last six months of guarding Haley. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Ever. And that meant staying diligent at all times.

As soon as they’d parted from the underground, he’d palmed his gun and tucked it in the back of his jeans. He was even more alert now that they were alone.

Storm hadn’t slept more than a few hours at a time since Haley had moved into the estate. Guarding her was his job, and he took it seriously. He knew he’d impressed Lorena with his diligence, but what Lorena failed to realize was that Storm didn’t stick close to Haley at all times simply out of duty. He did so because he loved her to pieces and didn’t want anything to happen to her.

Hell, the biggest threat to Haley for the past six months had been Lorena herself. Storm didn’t trust the woman around Haley. He didn’t like the vibe he got from her. He didn’t want her filling Haley’s head with any kind of shit. He didn’t even like her breathing the same air as Haley.

The animosity he felt toward Lorena hadn’t always existed. He’d thought she was the best rich white lady he’d ever met when he moved to the estate at age nine. For years she’d seemed kind and gentle. Right up until it was time for Bray to marry.

Something changed in Lorena. She turned into someone entirely different. She was obsessed with getting an heir. Storm was pretty sure she was hoping for ten babies as if the number of offspring were some sort of status symbol.

Storm never would have let that happen. He could kick himself for not realizing what was about to creep up on them—Rush. He’d known the woman was up to something, but he hadn’t once expected her to go to such extremes, especially only six months into the marriage.

It didn’t matter now. What mattered was getting Haley somewhere safe.

Rush had been fiddling with that damn walkie-talkie all morning. It had become a dull noise in the background. Rush kept pushing the button on the side and saying, “Hello? Is anyone there?” Over and over like a broken record.

Storm had begun to think he’d never make contact. It wasn’t dire. They would and could keep moving in the right direction even if they had to walk the entire way to The Wanderers bunker. But he could sense Rush would prefer someone come pick them up.

Storm had to agree. He didn’t like Haley walking for days on end. He knew Rush didn’t want that either.

Suddenly, a crackling noise filled the air and a female voice filled the cabin. “My God. R, is that you?”

Rush stopped pacing and grinned. “M?”

“Fuck me. Are you okay?”

“Yes. Fine. Great. Thank God. What about you?”

“Better than ever. Where are you? I’ll come get you right now.”

“Don’t you dare. Send someone else. I’m at point G.”

“Shit. Way out there.”

“And damn grateful too.”

“Okay. Hang tight. Let me see what I can set up. If no one can go that far, can you come closer?”

“Yes. Of course. And, M, there are five of us. One woman.”

She chuckled. “Of course there are.” She paused. “You’re not…injured?”

“No. I’m healthy as a horse.”

“Such a weird phrase. I’ll get back to you.” The connection ended.

Rush was smiling broader than Storm had yet to see. His shoulders were more relaxed too. “Thank you, God,” he muttered.

“Who was that?”

“Maya. She’s one of our runners.”

“What’s a runner?” Storm asked.

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