Page 43 of 3 Shifters to Break a Curse

I turned down the radio and said, “I need to pee.”

Jared growled. “Hold it.”

“But I have to go really bad,” I said. “And there is a gas station just up the road.”

“Hold it,” he said again, setting his dangerous glare on me.

“I can’t,” I said. “Please. It won’t be but five minutes tops.”

“No.” His word was his final decision.

But I wasn’t giving up. I started to bounce my leg and focus on my breathing. Another few minutes later I said, “Jared, I really have to go. I’m not going to make it.”

He sighed. “Fine. But if you pull anything, it won’t be pretty for you when we get home.”

I nodded. “I won’t.”

At least I knew his plan was to wait for my punishment until we got “home.” And he likely meant back to his place. Because he wouldn’t step foot on Coven ground.

Another couple of minutes later, he pulled into the gas station less than five minutes later, stopping at one of the pumps. I started to hop out of the car when he grabbed me, pulling my attention to him.

I took in his dark, soulless eyes that were as cold as they were black as he said, “Don’t take too long and make me even more angry. You won’t like what I will do to you if you continue to test me.”

I gulped and nodded. My nerves were on edge. Fear flooded my system and I started to second-guess my secret plan.

“Five minutes,” he said. “Long enough to pee, pay for my gas, and grab me some food. Any longer and there will be hell to pay.”

“Okay,” I said. “Can I have some money then?”

“What?” he asked. “You don’t have money on you?”

I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “I left everything of mine at the cabin.”

He growled and dipped into his pocket, pulling out a wad of cash. I took it, muttered a quick thank you, and then climbed out of the car. When I walked through the doors and into the lobby, Cadence saw me and smiled.

“Hey, girl! What brings you by?” she asked. “You’re not leaving already are you?”

“Not if I can help it,” I said and walked to the counter. I pretended to be cheerful, knowing Jared was watching. I flipped through the wad of cash and slid over a couple of twenty-dollar bills. It was at that moment my plan solidified. “I have a request.”

“Lay it on me,” she said.

“That guy out there? He’s my ex. The abusive one. But don’t react. Act like you’re activating the pump for him when I’m done. That should be enough to fill the tank.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked with a smile. Her eyes were filled with worry.

“I need help. I need to hide,” I said, plastering a fake smile for Jared’s sake. “Just long enough for him to go away. I know I don’t have a right to ask you this, but would you mind helping?”

She picked up rather quickly and nodded.

“The bathroom is down the hall.” Then even lower, she added, “Duck low, come around the corner… hide in the office. I’ll cover for you.”

I nodded and headed toward the hall as she activated the pump for Jared. Following her instructions, I ducked inside the hall, turned around toward the counter, and crawled into the office.

Cadence closed the door.

I pulled myself into the chair and saw that Cadence—through the security feed on the three screens in front of me—had moved from the counter to the center of the store, moving small things around, organizing, and facing the shelves. She pulled out her phone and typed out a text then slid it back into her back pocket. As I worked on catching my breath and slowing my heart, I searched the screen with the camera covering the parking lot. Jared peered into the store from around the car.

He could no longer see me and seemed extra agitated, especially for him. I let out a breath through my pursed lips and struggled with not bouncing my knee. I wasn’t so sure of my decision-making suddenly, and I was fearful for Cadence. She was too sweet and kind to have Jared destroy her spirit.

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