We order, a steak for him, and salmon for me, and the conversation flows as easily as it does at home. But there’s something different about being out, being on an actual date. Every accidental touch feels charged. When he reaches across the table to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, I shiver.
“Cold?” he asks, immediately concerned.
“No.” I catch his hand before he can pull away, threading our fingers together on the tabletop. “Just... affected.”
His eyes darken. “Yeah?”
“Being out with you like this. Like we’re normal people on a normal date.” I trace his knuckles with my free hand. “Like you’re courting me.”
“I am courting you,” he says seriously. “Should have been doing it from the start.”
“We were a little busy with the whole escaping and healing thing,” I remind him.
“Still.” He brings our joined hands to his lips again. “You deserve romance. Flowers. Dates. All of it.”
“I have you,” I say simply. “That’s all I need.”
The food arrives, and it’s delicious. Billy watches with satisfaction as I clean my plate, stealing bites of his steak when he offers. We share a piece of chocolate cake for dessert, Billy insisting I take the last bite.
“I’m stuffed.” I declare, leaning back with a contented sigh.
“Good.” He signals for the check. “You need the calories. You’re still recovering.”
“Okay bossy,” I tease, but warmth spreads through me at his concern.
We leave after a wonderful night, with big smiles on our faces, and Billy’s hand warm on my lower back as he guides me through the door. The night air is crisp, and stars are brilliant overhead. I pause to look up at them, feeling lighter than I have in months.
“Beautiful,” Billy murmurs, but when I glance over, he’s looking at me, not the sky.
That’s when the scent hits.
Bear. But not my bear. Harsher, meaner, and tinged with cigarette smoke and old violence. My body locks up instantly, every muscle seizing as my mind catapults back to the compound. To helplessness. To fear.
“Well, well.” Craig steps out from between two trucks, and he’s not alone. Two other bears flank him, all three radiating menace. Clearly, his displeasure at me going against my father hasn’t eased. And he’s here to make sure I know it. “Fancy seeing you here, Traitor.”
CHAPTER 14
BILLY
My body goes rigid at Craig’s voice, but I keep my focus on Carla. She’s frozen against me, every muscle locked, her breathing already going shallow. The parking lot suddenly feels too exposed, too dangerous.
“Not now, Craig,” I say without looking at him, my hand finding the small of Carla’s back. She’s trembling.
“Not now?” Craig laughs, ugly and mean. “When would be a good time to discuss your betrayal, Billy? When you’re done playing house with the wolves?”
My bear surges forward, wanting to face him, to end this.
But Carla makes a small, wounded sound that cuts through everything. Her fingers clutch at my shirt, and I can feel her slipping away, back to that basement. Not because of Craig’s words, but because of what he represents: bears from Black River, Leon’s men, and her captivity.
“We’re leaving.” I scoop her up without warning, cradling her against my chest. She buries her face in my neck immediately, her whole body shaking.
“Running away again?” Craig calls after me. “Just like you ran from your family? Your responsibilities? Your father’s in prison because of you!”
I stride to my truck, focusing on Carla’s weight in my arms, her rapid breathing against my throat. Nothing else matters. Not Craig. Not his accusations. Just her.
“Can’t even face me like a man,” Craig continues. “The great Billy Lennox, too weak to stand and fight. No wonder Leon was ashamed of you.”
I fumble with the truck door, managing to get it open without putting Carla down.
