“Run fast, wife. I don't want you driving, or alerting anyone, because if you do, then I start shooting, and when I'm done I'm coming for your son.”
His words had stayed with her as she sprinted down the trail in the moonlight. Her sandals slipped and slid, but Macy didn't stop. She’d had to do this for Branna and Jake. They'd saved her, now she had to save them.
Stepping off the trail, she made her way to the rear of their property and didn’t see the man until he was on her. Brian’s fingers fisted in her hair and pulled hard. The vicious tug forced her backward, and she stumbled and fell to the ground.
“Exactly where I want you, but not here. Get up, bitch, and don't make a sound.”
“N-not until you promise me they're safe.” Macy bit back a cry as he pulled her hair hard.
“You don't get to ask me anything. Now get to your feet.”
Doing as he asked, she walked as he prodded her in the back with his gun. Macy prayed Branna and Rose were all right, and hoped that one day she would see her dear friend again.
“Be quiet, your breathing's too loud.”
“I can't, I-I ran here.”
“That's right, you always were a lazy slob.”
“Asshole,” Macy whispered, which earned her another hard tug of her hair.
“Do you think you're strong now, wife? That you can challenge me.”
Macy remembered Brad's words.You're tough, you just need to believe that.
“I am strong.”
“No, you're weak, and I'll show you that soon. Now shut up and walk. We're heading for the lake, but we're going off the trails in case we're seen by one of your friends, then we're taking a boat trip.”
They walked, and Macy used the time to think. If she could disarm him and run, she could get help. But then he'd be free and could go after the McBrides or Billy. No, she had to get to the boat and away from Howling.
She was strangely calm now. Her friends would be safe when they left Howling, and she'd find a way to get away from Brian. She had to; her son needed her, and Brad. She wanted a life with Brad, and she deserved one.
“Faster,” Brian’s whisper was harsh on the still night air. “They'll be looking for you by now.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because Hawker will know I've escaped, and he'll have set someone to watch you. They'll be sending out people to search.”
“Nothing can come of this, Brian. There is no good ending for you.”
“You ruined my life, so I'm ruining yours, and then I'm finding a nice quiet place to hide.”
The air was warm and still; no wind ruffled the leaves as they moved deeper into the trail she had just run down. She heard a car speeding down the road, then loud voices.
“Faster!”
Brian urged her back into a run, and then he forced her into the trees. It was harder going, and dark. Macy made herself stumble several times, and each time he hauled her back to her feet.
“Stop!”
She did as he said and listened.
“The road is just through there; we need to cross then head down to the boathouse.”
The mention of her dad's favorite place made her want to cry, but that wouldn’t help her; only her strength could save her now.
He pushed her out of the trees and across the road and then they were running again.
