Chapter 21
The truck slowed, pullinginto a dark stretch of road where Kodiak's SUV waited.Annie's heart leapt when she saw Hunter step out of the shadows behind the vehicle.He was free.He was here.
She scrambled over Leigh and jumped out of the cab before Baddy had even cut the engine.Her boots hit the gravel, and she ran straight to him.
Hunter caught her and wrapped his arms tightly around her.For a moment, she couldn't breathe.He held her tighter than she craved.She pressed her face against his chest, the steady thump of his heartbeat a welcome relief.
She patted him all over, making sure he was okay, until finally, she held his face in her cupped hands and looked into his eyes, connecting with him.
He kissed her deeply.
Annie pulled back just enough to look at him.His jaw was tight, his eyes sharp, but when they met hers, something eased inside her.
She mouthed, "I thought I lost you."
Hunter shook his head, his hand brushing her cheek.She wasn't sure he could read her lips in the dark, but she needed him to feel the fear she'd gone through.
Kodiak stepped forward, held a flashlight to his face, and spoke in a low but firm voice."We move now.My contact in the 'Couve said Jason put out another APB on you."
Annie's stomach twisted.She wanted to protest, to beg for a moment longer, but she knew better.They couldn't stop.
It wasn't only Leigh's life in danger.Jason was going after Hunter now.
As Hunter guided her back toward the truck, his hand never left hers.She realized something in that moment—something she hadn't dared to admit before.
She wasn't just afraid of Jason anymore.
She was afraid of losing Hunter.
Sliding into the front seat, she sat between him and her sister.Now that Hunter was back, he drove the truck while Baddy was on his motorcycle that another Royalla member had picked up at the gas station earlier, as everyone waited to see what would happen to Hunter.She was grateful for the other members.They rallied around Hunter the moment they heard that the police officer had taken him to the station.They also surrounded her and Leigh, making sure they stayed protected.
The truck headed east this time.Leigh leaned against the door with her forehead pressed against the glass.Ever since the officer took Hunter away, her sister had become quieter.Like her, there was a sense of guilt about what was happening to him.He wouldn't have been involved at all if she had stayed at the house with Leigh instead of running away.
Her stomach gnawed.Not from hunger but from the events since pulling up at her sister's house weeks ago.Now, she'd put others at risk.The whole Royalla Motorcycle Club.
She pressed her hand to her chest, unable to get the sight of Hunter's face as the officer raised his pistol out of her mind.Her chest had nearly split apart when they drove away, leaving him to fend for himself.
Every mile pressed in on her.She had no idea where they were or where they were headed.She no longer cared.Something had snapped inside of her.
She moved closer to Hunter.His shoulder touched hers, and she leaned into him without hesitation.
Her thoughts tangled as the truck rolled on.She should have been focused on Jason, on the danger still pressing close.But all she could think about was Hunter and how he always made sure she stayed safe from the moment he'd rescued her the night Jason tried to run her over.
It wasn't easy for her to let someone take care of her.She was always the one taking care of others.
Several motorcycles raced past them.She looked at Hunter in question.
"We're changing directions," he said.
"Why?"
