“Don’t worry, they’ll be done soon,” Alex says in a low, soothing voice. For such a big guy, he’s surprisingly very calm and reassuring, almost gentle. It makes me wonder what else is hiding beneath that intimidating exterior.
“Good. I don’t want to be out here when the zombies come out to play,” I say, not having to work too hard to thread annoyance into mytone. I need to put distance between me and these men, which means channelling my inner cactus.
Alex nods. “Me either, but if something happens, I’ll be here to protect you.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t need you to protect me. I’ve been doing just fine on my own.”
“Sure you have, but it’s always nice to have someone watching your back.”
True. That someone used to be my brother until he married Lauren. Then I had to learn to fight my battles alone. I know he’ll be there if I need him, but Lauren is his priority. I don’t begrudge him that—it makes perfect sense—but I miss having someone who’s there for me and only me.
Oh well. Maybe I’ll have that in the next life.
I say nothing and absently stroke the side of Bean’s neck. The torn knuckles on my right hand are getting stiff and painful from when my attacker slammed my hand into the tarmac. I hope the bastard didn’t break anything. Last thing I need is an injury to make using my bow and knife more difficult.
“What are your animal friends called?” Alex asks, cutting through the awkward silence that’s fallen over us.
I cock an eyebrow at him. “Animal friends?”
He shrugs. “Animal friends. Sidekicks. Family. Fur babies. Whatever you want to call them. What are their names? I know the bird’s called Ketchup, but I can’t remember your dog’s name, and I don’t think you said your horse’s name.”
I know what he’s doing; he’s trying to get me to open up and relax around him. Maybe he thinks if I tell him Harlow and Bean’s names, I’llsuddenly trust these three strangers and want to stay with them. Well, unfortunately for him, I have a mission to complete and I refuse to allow anyone to stand in my way. Not even a huge yet adorable brute like Alex.
But it seems Harlow has other ideas because the traitor leaves my side to sit at Alex’s feet and wags her bum as she begs for pets. The large man grins down at the Australian Sheppard before crouching and stroking her head, which Harlow happily leans in to.
“Now aren’t you just the sweetest puppy,” Alex croons as he scratches behind her ear. He finds an itchy spot that causes Harlow to thump the floor with her back leg and loll her tongue out of the side of her mouth.
I shake my head at the sight.Hussy. At least Bean and Ketchup have an ounce of loyalty.
Alex turns his head and smiles up at me andChrist, there are his dimples. How can a man be so handsome and cute at the same time? Especially one as intimidatingly massive as he is. Hell, I watched him beat the shit out of a guy less than ten minutes ago before…
No, don’t you dare go there, I scold myself as I shove those memories back into their little box. Now isn’t the time, not when IknowI’m going to breakdown and cry like a fucking baby because I just witnessed seven men get shot.
Stop thinking about it!
My sore hand reaches up to grab a fist full of Bean’s mane as I fight to keep myself grounded. The familiar vise tightens around my chest and my heart pounds in my ears. The mare must sense my struggle because she turns her head and nudges me with her muzzle. Either that or she wants food… Yeah, it’s probably food. But I’m still thankful for the distraction as it gives me a chance to rein in my panic before it can sink its claws into me.
“Can you at least tell me the name of this sweet girl?” Alex asks, drawing my attention back to him. He’s still stroking Harlow but the smile on his face has dimmed and there’s a knowing look in his blue eyes, like he can see just how close I am to falling apart.
I hate that; that some stranger I’ve just met sees a part of myself that I’ve kept hidden from almost everyone. Sure Tobias has seen some of my breakdowns, but I’ve hidden most of them from him. And yet this stranger can read me like a book and I’m not sure how I should react to that.
It’s a good thing I’ll be leaving them in the morning.
“Name?” Alex prompts. He’s not going to give up on this, is he?
I sigh. Maybe if I tell him, he’ll stop looking at me like he can see into my soul. “She’s called Harlow, and the pony is Bean.”There. Now leave me alone.
Only he doesn’t.
“How old is Harlow?” he asks. By this point, the traitor has rolled onto her back and is now getting belly rubs.
Jesus, girl, have some fucking respect.
I shake my head. “I think she’s about a year old, but I’m not sure. She was so scrawny when I got her.”
And terrified. She was terrified of everything and everyone. Not that I can blame her, considering that Tobias had to dispatch two zombies to get to her. It makes me a little proud to see her accept pets from Alex so easily. Even if I wish she wouldn’t encourage the guy. But damn if it doesn’t soften the walls around my heart to see the massive man fussing over Harlow while she wiggles on her back.
Hey, no. None of that. Remember the last time you allowed a man to get closeto you?
