Scout’s cursing as he catches up. He has his pistol drawn. Holding it low, but ready. “You need to return to the house.”
“Hopefully this won’t take long.”
He grabs my upper arm to halt me, not hard. No pain, but firm enough to draw me up short.
“It’s not safe out here.”
“But there are guards everywhere and they’re all looking at me from their posts,” I counter.
There are at least ten eyes on me, plus Scout. Plus June, who is now on high alert.
“Please.” I look down at his hand. “Let go.”
He drops his hand and steps closer. “I need you to return to the house. Ryker has to know you’re safe so he can work.”
I huff. “Is that what they’re doing?”
“Yes.”
I glare at him, my heart still galloping. I can’t see the fight from where I’m standing, but I’m certain they aren’t hugging it out right now.
“Please, let me go see if I can…”
“This isn’t your battle.”
I swallow roughly, a shaking sensation in the pit of my stomach that I’ve never felt before.
“But I care about him.”
Scout shifts on his feet. He glances around. Tips his chin at one of the guards.
When he looks at me again he shakes his head. “Ryker’s probably going to punch me in the face for this.”
He glances at the corner of the house. “Maybe he needs to see you to remember something important. But you are not to move more than two feet away from my side. Copy?”
I’m relieved, but confused. What does Scout mean, Ryker needs to remember something important?
Nerves crawl up and down my body.
“Let’s go,” he clips.
“Thank you.”
I head toward the back of the house, and every step I feel Scout off my right shoulder and June’s fur brushing my other leg.
When we round the corner of the house, my heart stutters. It’s been minutes and they’restillat it.
Scout whistles, an ear-splitting sound that makes me jump and causes June to whine.
Ryker freezes. He and the other man’s heads both whip our direction. Like a switch flipped, their sneers turn to concern.
“Wait here.” It’s Scout’s command. But I don’t need it. I couldn’t unglue my feet from this grass if I had to.
I can’t understand Ryker’s expression as he strides toward me. Scout seems to vanish. June gets right against my leg as he closes the last few feet.
I’m still shaking inside when he steps in front of me, close enough that I have to tip my head back.
“Are you okay?” The same concern on his face is in his tone.
