Page 43 of The Untamed

The thought is alarming, confusing, and annoying.

CJ attempts to get my attention again, making an exaggerated gesture toward the cabin. Tempting, but not with Ryder watching my every move. I purse my lips and give CJ a quick shake of my head, turning him down. For now. He frowns, giving me the saddest puppy dog eyes I’ve ever seen. Not one to be guilted into doing anything, I dart my stare back over to Ryder.

He’s no longer seemingly pissed. Ryder has relaxed, sprawling out his long, muscular jean-clad legs out in front of him and now wears a satisfied smirk. His bright blue eyes twinkle in the afternoon sun. Normally, I don’t look at him with more than typical sibling annoyance, but today I notice what someone like Mya sees in him.

My brother is beautiful.

Tall and strong.

His dark hair is messy—always—but it’s as though he planned it that way. It suits him. My fingers twitch at the thought of running them through the mahogany strands in an attempt to tame them. The stubble along his jaw indicates just how much of a man he’s becoming. It seems like just last year he was boyish and antagonistic and immature. As of late, he’s far from boyish if his big, hard cock has any say so. While he’s still one to push my buttons, it’s not unwelcome. I kind of look forward to our bickering because he challenges me in a way no one else can or will.

“…rotating perimeter watch shifts until we catch those bastards,” Dad says, cutting through my blatant admiration of my brother. “Any questions?”

I blink away the haze I’d skipped off into and look over at my father. He stands between Michael and Owen, arms crossed over his muscular chest, waiting for anyone to speak up.

“I’m going to hunt them down,” Ryder vows. “We leave at dusk?”

“I’ll be ready,” I tell them both. “I’m a good tracker.”

Dad scowls at me. “Were you even listening, sunshine? No women are leaving this area until we catch them. I’ll be damned if I let something happen to you.”

I gape at him in shock. “I’m not a woman. I’m just me. I can help. Dad, you have to let me help!”

“No,” Dad growls with such vehemence the hairs on my arms stand on end. “You’ll look after your siblings where it’s safe.”

“Seriously?” I hiss in disbelief. “You’re not letting me go because I’m a girl? That’s sexist!”

CJ snorts a laugh but then flinches when I glower at him. Mya shoots me a taunting smirk that makes me want to smack it off her face.

“Keep it up,” Dad warns, “and I’ll finish this with my belt.”

Mya smothers a giggle, covering her mouth with her hand. My blood boils at the injustice of it all. Not only is Dad humiliating me in front of everyone, but he’s being incredibly unfair. I know I promised Ronan once upon a time I’d never leave him or our family, but it’s times like these that I’m reminded of why I want to run far, far away from here.

“How are Carter and Kristen doing?” Ronan asks, my savior for wanting to take the attention off me. I could hug him if I weren’t so infuriated. “Are they going to live?”

Michael interjects this time. “Carter is in a lot of pain. We’ve cleaned his wounds and stitched him up, but it’ll be a while yet before he’s out of the woods. It’s important we watch for infection, which could be the real problem.”

“And Kristen?” Ronan urges. “We’re all so worried about her.”

A spike of irritation burns up my spine as Ronan pats Logan’s back. Something about the way he comforts the man has my teeth on edge.

“Kristen,” Dad says with a harsh sigh, “will live. Hers is less physical and more psychological. What she went through…” His features harden. “Let’s just say she’s going to need everyone’s love and support to get her through this.”

Logan buries his face in his palms, devastation consuming him. I can’t imagine the horror of what Kristen went through. She must have been so terrified. Anger ignites in my belly and I’m furious all over again. I should be out there helping with the hunting efforts to bring those psychos down.

“Now that that’s settled,” Dad barks out, “the men going on the hunt can meet me by the gate in just a few. Everyone else can work on supper and getting the children settled for the evening. We’ll dine together and then we’ll be on our way.”

I watch with disgust as everyone who went on the search for Kristen last night stands and then makes their way over to the gate. Everyone except me. It’s so unfair. I’m once again reduced to a cook and babysitter.

Yep, I am so leaving this hell hole the first chance I get.

Dinner was a somber affair. Well, aside from my loud younger siblings making their usual ruckus of course. I was forced to wash dishes alongside Mya, which was torture in and of itself. When I finally managed to slip away, it wasn’t to find CJ to give him a farewell kiss.

It was to be alone with my simmering thoughts.

Darkness has blanketed our homestead and the only light illuminating the area is from the big house and the bonfire where people were once again gathered around after filling their bellies. I make a beeline away from the light and let the shadows swallow me up.

At least in the darkness, no one can see how my chin quivers and tears prickle my eyes. I want to scream and throw a fit until Dad gives in, but deep down I know he won’t. He’ll whip me in front of everyone to make a point if he has to. Not interested in that whatsoever.

---