They’ll catch her.
They’ll take her.
The door opens behind me, and I reach for Fern instinctively.I look back at her, and she’s already bristling.
“What?What is it?”
“They’re looking for you,” I tell her.“Harder than we expected.”
Her eyes narrow.“Convenient.Makes it easier for you to keep me here, doesn’t it?”
A rough growl slips out before I can stop it.“I’m not trying to trap you, Fern.I’m trying to protect you.”
She crosses her arms.“That’s what everyone says right before they take away your choices.”
I step closer slowly, carefully, so she can see I’m not forcing anything.
“I would never do anything to you that you don’t want.Not ever.You can trust me.All I’m trying to do is keep you safe.”
Her gaze flickers, uncertain, conflicted.She doesn’t step back, though, which gives me a small sliver of hope.
A sliver I desperately need.
I inhale deeply and force myself to turn toward the door.“We need to have a meeting.I need to coordinate with the patrol teams.”
Her chin lifts.“And let me guess—you want me to stay put.”
“Yes,” I answer honestly.“Because if you walk beyond these borders, the men who took you will find you before anyone else does.”
She bites her lip, torn between defiance and fear.
“Stay,” I say softly, “just until I get back.”
My bear echoes the plea.Stay.Stay with us.
She gives one terse nod, and my whole body relaxes.I can feel the guys behind me, watching, and I know they’re going to ask me what’s going on with my mate and me.I wish I knew.It feels like we make headway, and then she’s right back to trying to bolt.
“I’ll stay,” she says, dropping her arms to her sides.She doesn’t look happy about it, but I think she knows it’s the only way to keep her safe.
I nod, pulling her in for a quick hug.“Go inside and lock the door,” I say, slipping my phone into her palm.“I’ll be back in a bit.”
She does as I say, and I take a deep breath, waiting until I hear the click of the lock.
Then I turn back to my men.
“The cabin?”Abe asks.
“Call a meeting.We need everyone,” I order.
We all silently head for our cars.I take one last look at the house and pray to every force in the world that she listens.
SEVEN
Fern
The second Jameson leaves,the house feels too quiet.
I pace for a while, touching the edges of furniture like I’m making sure it’s all real.That I’m really here.That I wasn’t dropped into some awful nightmare where my dad is pounding on the door, and the truck is waiting outside.
