Chapter 2
“You forgot to say 10-4 again, Sawyer,” Alex said, before checking the huge passenger-side trailer mirror beside him to make sure his mate was still following them in the motorhome. They’d been on the road for several hours since leaving Ghost’s house in LA, passing the time by chatting back and forth by speaker phone. Much to his surprise, Alex discovered how much more fun it was traveling with someone other than by himself. Being with two mates was overwhelming at times, but he wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“Baby, we’re using our phones, not a CB radio,” Sawyer replied, chuckling. “Glenn, tell him I don’t have to use 10-4.”
“Oh no, you aren’t gettin’ me in the middle of this.” Slowing down, Glenn flipped on his right turn signal. “Hey, Sawyer, we’re getting low on gas…how about you?”
“Yeah, I can use some…there’s only a quarter of a tank left.”
“How much longer is it, wolf mate?” Alex asked Sawyer.
“About four more hours to go,” Sawyer replied.
Taking the next exit, Glenn followed the signs, pulling into a truck stop. Stopping the SUV in front of a gas pump, he scanned the area, looking for anything that might cause concern. Satisfied the coast was clear, and his mates were safe, he relaxed slightly—but only slightly. Since the attack at the campground, his tiger was restless, keeping Glenn on edge constantly.
Unable to identify any of the attackers, he’d postponed the trip to the Blackwood Pack until the very last minute, hoping Riley would turn up something?anything that would fill in the blanks. But time ran out so here they were, on their way to meet his mate’s brothers and cousins. While he wasn’t sure of the welcome he’d get from them, Glenn was pretty sure Dylon wouldn’t be jumping for joy to see him—not that he could blame him after the stunt he’d pulled on him.
Inwardly sighing, Glenn glanced over at Alex. “Wanna get a bite to eat? Truck stops usually have good food.”
Turning away from his tiger mate, Alex peered out the front window, hesitating for a moment. During his trip out west, he avoided all truck stops after what happened at the first one he stopped at. But it was different now, he reminded himself. He wouldn’t have to hope someone would come to his rescue in time anymore, because Sawyer and Glenn would always be with him. “Sure.”
Glenn’s eyes narrowed at the lack of eagerness in Alex’s voice which was a marked difference as to how he’d been since the start of their road trip. “Buttercup…” Interrupted by Sawyer opening Alex’s door, Glenn stopped and, instead, decided to wait.
“Are you hungry?” Alex asked, grinning at Sawyer. “Glenn wants to get something to eat. It’s fine with me but if you wanna get going…”
“Fine with me, too, but let’s fill up so we can move out of the way,” he said, pointing to several trucks waiting in line behind them.”
“On it! Jumping out of the SUV, Alex headed for the gas pump.
Sawyer waited until his mate was on the other side of the vehicle, before asking Glenn, “Is everything all right? Did you hear from Riley?”
“Yeah…no…I mean there isn’t anything from him yet.” Checking his rear view mirror, Glenn saw Alex standing near the rear of the car. Then, looking back at Sawyer, he asked, “Did Alex ever say why he doesn’t like truck stops?”
“No. Why do you ask?”
Shrugging, Glenn murmured, “No reason…just a feeling.”
Glancing around, Sawyer’s eyes landed on several men staring at Alex. “Glenn, look.”
Following his mate’s eyes, Glenn found what had caught Sawyer’s attention. Letting out a low growl, he muttered, “Sons-of-bitches.”
“Yeah, right there with you. How about we find some other place to eat?”
“Go take over from Alex.”
“Righto.” Jogging over to his mate, Sawyer took the nozzle from Alex’s hand. “I’ll finish up here. I need you to find a different restaurant for us.”
“Why?” Alex asked, perplexed. “I thought Glenn wanted to eat here.”
“He did, until he saw that,” he said, tilting his head toward several burly men gawking at them.
“Oh.” Alex’s face grew red, remembering the man who cornered him in the truck stop restroom many months ago giving him the same look. “Uhm…well…ah…good idea.”
Sawyer watched as Alex hurried back to the front, climbing in and slamming the SUV’s door closed, certain there was a backstory to his mate’s reaction. He had his suspicions about what it was, knowing what his brother, Quin, had gone through. Setting those thoughts aside, he finished up, then slapped the side of the SUV before heading back to his motorhome.
Hearing his tiger issue a warning growl, Glenn snapped pictures of the men, sending them to Riley. Turning his attention back to Alex, he found him staring straight ahead, ignoring their presence. “Buttercup…”
Jumping slightly when the noise from Sawyer’s slap reverberated inside the SUV, Alex muttered, “Please, can we just go?”
