Crush snorted. “People don’t usually disclose their nefarious plans until after the fact.”
“Aww damn it!” Killian mumbled. “I want to see your baby pics! Uh. I mean, Naddie wants to see your baby pics! No nefarious plans involved!”
The alpha laughed. “For the record, I was rolling around in a bed of dill. Loved that scent as a pup, still love it now.”
Killian poked around in the spice rack and found a jar of dried dill leaves. “Guess I know what to sprinkle on your pillow.”
“Oh?” Crush’s voice dipped. “Are you going into my bedroom?”
Heat flooded Killian’s face. “No! I’m not! That’s your private sanctuary, where you go to touch yo—Uh. Touch your pillows. And blankets. And bed.”
Crush’s laugh was louder this time. It was accompanied by the sound of plants rustling, Crush walking around in the forest.
Killian brought the shopping cart back to the garage, to retrieve the rest of the groceries and the crushed bakery boxes. They cleaned their shoes and wheels on the way back in; Killian put away the food.
Then he stared warily at the crumpled bakery boxes, afraid of looking inside.
His stomach growled. Scarcely had he touched the lid of one box, when Crush cursed loudly.
Somewhere above the forest, something screeched.
Had Killian’s past caught up with themalready?
Killian swore and tore off his hoodie, dumping it into the cart’s cargo basket. He unstrapped Naddie from his chest and hurriedly left her in the cart too. “Watch Naddie for me, alright? No sudden movements, no crashing into anything, and no wheeling around at high speeds! She’s just a delicate human baby right now.”
The cart flipped its wheels agreeably.
Crush was yelling again. He was in danger.
Killian grabbed two sharp knives, and dashed out of the cabin.
7
FOOT, MEET MOUTH (PART 2)
The moment Killianwas out of the cabin, he suppressed all his sounds.
He should’ve made it a priority to locate Crush’s second gun. The thing was, he hadn’t thought the attacks would be relentless like this. He hadn’t expected to be separated from Crush when danger came knocking again.
He kicked off his shoes and crept through the trees, holding his knives loosely in his fists. Two voices rang through the forest.
“If you’re going to divebomb me, the least you could do is bring some chips!” Crush.
The stranger replied, “I brought you gifts!”
“Like hell toilet paper is a gift!”
An indignant sniff. “Yeah, tell me that when yourun out of TP.You didn’t buy that at the store, did you?”
No, they hadn’t.
Crush must’ve realized it too; he didn’t have a comeback for it.
The words sounded harmless enough that Killian relaxed slightly. He continued to inch forward through the trees, toward the two men facing off with each other. The stranger was shorter and slimmer than Crush, with a head of curly gray hair. The strangest thing about him though, was the bright purple bathrobe he wore. It came with a huge embroidered eggplant on the front, and a huge embroidered peach on the back.
What kind of person showed up wearingthatin the middle of a forest?
Crush didn’t seem to notice Killian. But his visitor did, sharp eyes snapping onto Killian even though Killian was doing his damnedest to stay silent.
