Because of the severity of the injuries and the trauma they'd survived, the sooner they got away from Vancouver, the better.
While neither of them confessed the whole story to him, he knew what they were dealing with.They wouldn't stand a chance against the state patrol.
"I'm busy tonight."He glanced at Leigh and then back to Annie."Tomorrow, I can take you to the train station.I'll have one of my brothers stay outside the house to make sure nobody comes here.Once I have you on the train, I'll come back and stay with your sister.When it's time for you to come back, we'll do the same routine to make sure you're both protected."
Annie's eyes widened."You'd...that?"
He didn't catch the whole question but nodded anyway.
She turned to Leigh.Her sister's lips pressed into a thin line.Relief didn't show in her face—only worry.
He stood from the chair so that he could see Leigh's face and read her lips.
Annie's sister shook her head, eyes glistening."You don't know..."
Hunter walked across the room, letting them talk it out.He knew better than to step between sisters when fear was already pulling them in opposite directions.They only had each other.They'd need that bond if they were going to get Leigh away from her husband.
His phone buzzed against his thigh.
He pulled it out, thumb swiping across the screen.
Kodiak's text message lit up.
Jason came to the clubhouse in uniform.Asked if Trent Walters was here.Cruz told him he didn't know anyone by that name.He left this time, but I'm sure he'll be back.Just wanted to give you a heads up.
Hunter's jaw tightened at the use of his real name.So, Jason was sniffing around and found out who'd taken the girls.He looked out the window.Once he left the house, they'd lose their protection.They needed someone around twenty-four/seven.
He shot a text back to Kodiak, asking him to come to the house.
The text from Kodiak burned in Hunter's palm long after the screen went dark.Jason.Uniform.Gate.Questions.He slipped the phone into his pocket and lifted his eyes to the room.Annie kneeled near the coffee table, straightening the blanket around Leigh.Leigh sat on the sofa, leaning forward, appearing pale and small.
Annie lifted her hand to get his attention."Is everything okay?"
He shook his head."Your brother-in-law went to the clubhouse and asked about me by name."
Leigh tensed.Annie's eyes widened, shock flickering in her gaze.
"I know he's a cop," Hunter said.
He wanted no drama.Annie had her reasons for keeping that information secret.But he was too far in not to let her know the risk they were all facing.
"Because he's a cop, he can put eyes everywhere.The train station, airport, rentals, and even buses.He can tag faces, names, and locations.If we move the wrong way, he'll be there."
Annie stood, her mouth moving too quickly for him to decipher any words.
Hunter touched her cheek gently."Slow down.I couldn't read you."
She took his hand in both of hers, brought it down to her chest, held it there like something precious, and repeated herself."What are we going to do?"
He looked from her to Leigh, who refused to meet his gaze.He knew that kind of fright—born from fear, sharpened by shame.She was in fight or flight mode and feeling no pain because the need to find somewhere to hide overrode everything else.
"For now," he said."We stay here while I think about our next step."
Annie's chin tipped up a fraction, defiant against the trouble that she couldn't control.
Hunter's mind raced concurrently.He had obligations to the club, with Royalla taking priority.However, he'd stepped in and taken responsibility for the women.Royalla's shipment couldn't be altered, as timelines needed to stay aligned.The crews were already in motion, and the girls had no one to turn to.
He needed to talk to Kodiak, face-to-face.
