Chapter 4
Annie slipped off theHarley like she was made of smoke and headed across the street, scanning the area as fast as she could get away from him.Hunter stayed at the gas station, watching her from the side of the lot.
She never looked back.
He latched the extra helmet onto his motorcycle.The moment she was out of sight, he got on the Harley and rolled away from the gas station.
He wasn't going to leave her at the edge of town until he knew where she planned to go.Last night, she ran away from someone following her.Where was that person now?Was she going back to the person who tried to run her over?
What little she told him didn't jive with how he found her.She told half-truths and refused to tell him the reason why she was running.
He'd hoped that she'd talk to Vein or someone at the clubhouse, but she was scared.Once he got her to the bedroom, exhaustion took over.She never even woke up when he laid her down and covered her up.Dead on her feet, she'd fallen asleep sitting on the edge of the bed.
The streets were quiet in the early morning.Those who worked were done with their commute.School was in session.He kept his speed low, tires gliding over the pavement.He followed her movement.She darted between parked cars and hedges, cutting across a corner lot to the residential area.
He eased back on the throttle.It was a middle-class neighborhood full of single-story homes.Most of them were freshly painted and landscaped, but some were neglected.Neighborhoods like this one can be found throughout Vancouver, surrounded by newer suburbs with stricter regulations.
Annie stopped in front of a ranch-style house with an attached garage.There was no car, no motorcycle, no garbage can in the driveway.There was no sign that anyone was home.
Hunter pulled next to the curb and cut the engine.He watched from behind a parked pickup.
Annie locked her gaze on the house.Her body was no longer tired but tense.She fisted her hands at her side.That was his first sign that everything wasn't right.She argued hard about leaving last night.Why was she upset now that she'd gone where she wanted to go?
Hunter followed her gaze to the house.He didn't like the look of the place.
The curtains were closed on all the windows.He couldn't tell what was behind them.No light.No movement.But something about it felt wrong.
She watched and waited.For what?
Hunter put the bike in neutral and rolled forward until the truck in front of him stopped him from getting closer.It was enough to see her face.She spotted him and immediately started waving him off, frantic gestures slicing through the air.
The hell if he was going to leave until he knew she was home and okay.
She pointed hard toward the street, mouthing something he couldn't catch.Her lips moved too fast, her hands too wild.
Hunter raised a hand, palm out, pumping the air for her to calm.
Then he motioned for her to come to him.She shook her head, glancing at the house and backing away.He looked at the front door.There was nobody there.What was she scared of?
He pointed behind him, making it clear he wanted to talk to her.If she didn't want him here, then she could talk to him around the corner of the block.
She hesitated, then nodded once and walked backward until she hit the sidewalk.Then, she jogged past him.
Hunter circled the block and parked at the far end.He waited, eyes scanning the street.
Annie appeared thirty seconds later, rushing toward him.Her mouth was working fast, words spilling out too quickly for him to catch.
Hunter held up both hands to slow her down.
She kept going, frustration etched into every line of her face.Her hands moved with her words, sharp and angry.She hit her open hand against her palm, emphasizing her words.But, he couldn't hear her.Couldn't read her lips.
Hunter stepped closer, eyes locked on her mouth, trying to catch a word or two.
She was mad.Furious.
But underneath the emotion, there were tears in her eyes.Her chest rose and fell.She couldn't stand still.Was she having a panic attack?
Eventually, she stopped, breathing heavily.
