“Somewhere your past won’t catch up, hopefully.” Crush gave a wry smile. “We’ll play it by ear.”
Killian nodded and dug around in the glove box until he found the spare magazine. It was full; he slid it into his pocket.
They passed the Twin Buns bakery soon after. Killian watched as it zoomed past, frowning. “Why...?”
“We’ll double back,” Crush said. “I’m making sure we’re not being followed.”
Not for the first time, Killian was thankful that they had bumped into Crush in that parking lot.
Some time later, they pulled up at the bakery, parking in the back so the car wasn’t visible from the highway.
Crush held up one hand when they began to open the doors. “Wait. Let me do a sweep.”
He got out of the car and jogged around the bakery. Then he nodded. Killian tumbled out of the car. Mathlin staggered out next to him, still looking pale.
“That was some crazy crap,” Mathlin said. “Like a roller coaster but with real stakes.”
Killian huffed. “Let’s just hope you don’t get dragged into this, too.”
They followed Crush over to a black SUV, with its open back door and an alpha standing next to it. Crush went up to him and clapped his shoulder. “Mathlin, this is Doc. He isnotkidnapping you.”
“Oh good,” Mathlin said. “I don’t have money for a lawyer.”
Killian buried his face in his hands, snickering.
Doc smiled behind his medical mask, his eyes crinkling. He was big and muscly like Crush, but somehow, Crush was more handsome. Probably because Killian could see his face.
“I’m a doctor,” Doc said. “Does that make a difference?”
“I don’t have money for a doctor, either,” Mathlin announced. “And Killian owes me ice cream.”
“I’ll get you ice cream when I’m done with this crap,” Killian muttered.
To his surprise, Crush pulled a twenty out of his pocket and handed it to Mathlin. “That should cover it.”
“You didn’t have to,” Killian yelped. Mathlin cheered and waved the money above his head.
“We have bigger things to worry about.” Crush gave Doc a two-fingered salute, grasping Killian’s shoulder to turn him away. “C’mon, let’s get you breakfast, and we’ll hit the road.”
“Wait. Killian asked for a few things.” Doc reached into his car and shoved a car seat into Crush’s arms. Then he handed Killian a bag. “Uriel says you don’t have to pay for these.”
Crush raised an eyebrow. “What’s in the bag?”
Killian frowned. “But—”
Doc waved them off. “Get your food. We’re heading out.”
Crush glanced curiously at Killian’s bag. “Want to drop it off at the car?”
Killian chewed his lip and looked around. Twin Buns wasn’t completely isolated; there were a few other shops and restaurants nearby, surrounded by much larger parking lots than the businesses in town.
“I’d rather keep it on me,” Killian said. Just in case.
“Alright.” Crush tucked the car seat into the back seat of his car, then walked with Killian into the bakery.
Inside, Twin Buns was decorated with several wolf- and forest-themed knick-knacks. A mural spanned one wall—of gray wolves running through a forest. Killian wanted to look around more, but his attention locked onto the brightly lit case full of treats. It seemed to have everything—donuts, fritters, croissants, cookies, and even some cakes and scones.
“Crush!” said the alpha behind the counter. “Where have you been, deadbeat brother?”
