Jag’s face turns red, but Wolf doesn’t relent, his arm straining, making Jag suffer.When I take a step forward, Wolf finally relaxes his grip just enough for Jag to suck air.
“Say the word, Buttercup.”Wolf lifts heartless eyes to mine.“Mercy or death?”
“Mercy.”
“Remember this, Stepbro.She’s far more forgiving than I am.”Wolf rolls to his feet and shifts closer to me.“Don’t make me regret letting you keep that pretty eyeball.”
Jag slowly pushes himself up, clutching his broken wrist.Murder simmers in his eyes.His lips curl back, and a pained breath hisses past his teeth.
“You think this is over?You just made the biggest mistake of your life, freak.”
Wolf doesn’t react.Not outwardly.But the tension crackles between them, an unspoken war waging in the silence.Two predators staring each other down, locked in a standoff.
“You work for my shop?”Jag scoops up the rifle.“Guess what happens when you try to kill your boss.”
“You’re still breathing.”A twitch bounces in the corner of Wolf’s eye.“I went easy on you.”
“Consider yourself unemployed.”He turns to me with vitriol in his tone.“He isn’t your hero, Dove.He’s just another hungry wolf in the dark.Wolves don’t save.They hunt.”
“Walk away, Jag.”My blood runs cold.“Before I change my mind.”
I only need to say the word, and Wolf will kill him.I have no doubt.
Nodding slowly, Jag takes a measured step backward.
“Enjoy your victory.It won’t last.”He pivots and strolls into the shadows, leaving behind the promise of retribution.
Wolf remains unmoving, watching his retreat.Only when Jag fully disappears does he roll his shoulders and shake off the fight.
“Told you.”He brushes blood off his knuckles and meets my eyes.“You need me.”
I run.
Where to?Hell if I know.This town’s too small to outrun that fight.
Too small to outrun Wolf.
I don’t trust him.He’s ruthless and unpredictable.A savage beneath the lazy grin.
But he saved me.
And he lost his job in the process.
That complicates things.
Salty ocean air clings to my skin, mixing with a sheen of moisture.Am I sweating?
No, wait.It’s drizzling.
Within minutes, a whispering mist slicks the streets in shimmering reflections of amber and blue, curling around the buildings like smoke.
The world feels hushed, blurred at the edges, and Jag is out there.Watching.Waiting.The thought unsettles me, careening my heart against my ribs.
He won’t let this go.Not after tonight.
My stomach twists with hunger, but I can’t eat until I find a job.
Should be easy.Every town has a mechanic shop.
