Page 19 of Stealthy as a Wolf

The guys hesitated, and Matty peered over at the alpha, as if asking for permission.

Seeing the two men standing next to each other, I was startled to see that Matty was only slightly shorter than Grady. Thankfully, the twins came in around six feet, so I wasn’t completely surrounded by giants. Compared to my five-foot-nine inches, they were only taller by an inch or two.

Grady pursed his lips, then nodded toward the kid. “Those two can go get cleaned up. You,” —he pointed toward twin one— “stay and tell me about the trouble you just got her caught up in.”

The twins exchanged a look, as if silently communicating with each other, and the air filled with a slight hum. A second later, twin two just turned on his heel and walked away.

I sucked in a sharp breath when I saw the damage to his back. It looked like acid had eaten through his flesh, all the way down to the bone in places.

Glancing at the others, I realized they were all in rougher shape than I realized, and some of my ire vanished. Guilt settled in my gut, and I curled my hands into fists to stop the impulse to offer my help. I’d learned basic first aid over the years, but their injuries were probably beyond my abilities, so I bit my lip and said nothing as the men walked out of the room.

Twin one braced himself, squaring his shoulders, his chin rising like a soldier ready to deliver a report. Rage darkened his eyes, a snarl curling his upper lip, and I realized the alpha had put a command in his tone. Though twin one fought it, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the order.

Knowing what it felt like to be ordered around like a slave, I stepped between the two men. “Ignore him. You don’t have to tell us your secrets, but I would appreciate knowing if I need to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. How about we start with something simple? Tell me your name.”

Bright blue eyes locked on me, and his face softened slightly. “I’m Boone. The ugly one is Burke. You’ve already met Matty.” He sighed, then plowed his fingers through his hair. “If you can stay hidden for four days, everything will go back to normal.”

“The Summit,” Grady interrupted, his expression troubled. He scanned Boone, then shook his head. “You’ll never make it, not with your injuries. Especially not with the collar preventing you from shifting, and not with the whole prison system on your ass.”

“We don’t have a choice.” A muscle ticked in Boone’s jaw. “If we don’t make it, a lot of people will die.”

Grady crossed his arms and glared down at the injured man, who wasn’t the least bit intimidated. “And if you don’t make it? What happens to her?”

They spoke like I wasn’t even in the room, and my feet itched to give them each a swift kick to the ’nads. That would get their attention and teach them a lesson about ignoring a woman.

Four days.

I could survive for four days.

But as much as I wanted to slip out the door, my instincts warned me to stay put.

Because while I might’ve been foolish, I wasn’t stupid.

The key to survival meant knowing all the risks.

While being on my own would allow me to easily slip in and out of some situations, I had a feeling this was one of those times I wouldn’t be able to get away unscathed. If I wanted to live—and if I wantedthemto live—I would need to stay and protect them.

Boone’s gaze flicked toward me, the tightening of his jaw betraying him, and I answered Grady’s question through numb lips. “I’m a liability. A loose end. And by coming here, I basically handed each of you a death sentence as well.”

* * *

BURKE

Iwas impatient to leave. The more distance we put between us and town, the better off we’d be. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to grab the kitten and leave, the wolf was right—we were in no condition to fight.

The kid looked like hell, his body in rough shape after years in prison. We both needed a few minutes before we headed out. It was going to be a grueling journey, and we couldn’t do it while injured. It wouldn’t matter if we made it to the Summit if the kid died on the way. “You take the shower first.”

Matty eyed me suspiciously, and I didn’t blame him. While we were hired to break him out of prison and deliver him to the Summit, he couldn’t be sure that we wouldn’t turn around and kill him. I waited for him to say something, protest about leaving the girl, but he obediently turned on the shower and stepped inside.

Not that I was stupid enough to believe the issue was resolved.

The kid was going to be trouble.

Bringing the girl would only complicate things more.

Though the kid would make a fuss if we tried to leave without the girl, our mission was too important to let anything interfere, even if she did come in an enticing package.

We’d just have to make it so she didn’t want to join us.

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