Page 90 of The Piece You Stole

Both wolves disappear from view.

“Thank fuck,” I breathe, my words not quite steady. That’s when I realize my hands aren’t either. No wonder I couldn’t shoot straight.

And then Kade is up, Saige cradled in his arms and sprinting east, toward our meeting place.

I sweep my rifle through the forest one last time. When the only thing that moves is thick, white smoke, I throw my rifle over my shoulder, so it hangs down my back, and reach for the rope I tied to the tree for an easy descent.

I descend so fast my palms burn, but I don’t dare slow. None of us are safe until we’re back at the house.

The instant my feet hit the ground, my handgun jumps into my hand as I weave through the trees, leap over dead wolves, and skirt bushes to catch up to Kade.

Our parking options for an easy escape were so limited that we were forced to settle near the apartments east of the forest. That particular neighborhood is bad enough I have serious doubts Dariel’s car will still be there, but we had to risk it.

While none of us said it out loud, we must have all been thinking about what kind of condition we’d find Saige in, and just how much medical treatment she might need. When we get to the east fence, all Kade needs to do is slash open the fence there, and we’re free and clear. If the car is still there, perfect. If not, I don’t want to think about how we’ll explain my rifle, Kade’s nakedness, and Saige’s unconscious state to any cab we manage to flag down.

From somewhere behind me, a snarl erupts. And then silence.

Dariel is somewhere back there.

Alone.

And we’re just leaving him behind.

Another growl cuts through the silence, and I slow.

“Aden!” Kade’s call, sharp with impatience, rings out.

At first, I don’t see him in the ever-swirling smoke and darkness. Suddenly I do. But it isn’t his face I focus on, it’s the woman in his arms.

Kade got the burning sheet off her, and now I can see her face, I move faster.

She’s so pale as she lies with her head resting against Kade’s heart. Tiny blue veins crisscross her closed eyelids. Bruises cover almost every inch of her body. She has fresh bites on her throat, but it’s the angry, swollen wound high on her left arm that has me seriously concerned. I don’t know what the fuck Rylan did there, but it looks bad. Infected.

“She needs a hospital.” I’m only distantly aware Kade is speaking as I finally reach them.

After tucking my gun into the waistband of my pants, I check her pulse.

Her skin is icy cold, likely due to a combination of shock, blood loss, and whatever hell she’s been through, but she’s still breathing.

She’s still alive.

Right now, Saige needs us more than Dariel does. “Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 22

SAIGE

Arms catch me, tucking me close against a body that doesn’t feel like Rylan or Nathan.

I know this touch, but I can’t remember why.

Am I dead?

Voices swirl around me. Male and…familiar?

“… is he?”

“Don’t… find us.”

---