“Fuck.” I pull at my hair. “She should be in the Pack. This never should have happened to her.”
“That isn’t up to you or me. She’s a minor. Her father—”
“Is fucking useless. She’s a wolf. She needs a Pack. If she’d been brought into the fold this never would have happened.”
My dad lifts his shoulders and releases a weary exhale. “We don’t know that, but regardless, it’s out of my hands. I can’t very well kidnap the girl.”
“Why the hell not?”
He glares at me and okay, yeah. I know why, but still.
“I was going to speak with her after the attack, but her guardian arrived before I had the chance. Not that it would have done much good even if they hadn’t been there.” He sighs. “She was in shock. She shut down. I can’t say I blame her.” He turns to Des. “Did you two get them all?”
Desmond grinds his teeth. “One got away.”
Fuck.
37
Isabella
It’s Saturday morning. Against my initial hesitations, I decide to go on a run to clear my head. I couldn’t sleep last night. I kept replaying what happened at the diner again and again, visualizing all the ways that things could have gone. It was bad enough, what happened. But it could have been a thousand times worse with the odds stacked against us as they were. Deep down, I know that, and it’s left me shaken.
I wonder how Desmond is doing? Speaking of… I spot a familiar black Escalade as I round the corner of my street, my sneakered feet smacking against the pavement.
I wipe the sweat from my forehead, but I don’t slow down. Not until the car gets close enough for me to spot Desmond through the windshield. I let out a small breath of relief. I was pretty sure it was him, but it helps having the confirmation even though my rational mind knows a vampire wouldn’t be out in broad daylight like this. I haven’t even seen one at school. I know they’re there. But they don’t leave the north hall where all of the windows and doorways have been blackout out and thankfully, I haven’t had any classes in that wing yet.
The Escalade pulls up beside me and slows, keeping pace with my jog as one of the windows rolls down and Rafael hangs an arm out of the passenger side window. My heart stutters in my chest, despite everything that’s happened. I spot Jordy in the backseat. Looks like the gang is all here.
“Isa,” Rafael calls my name. His voice is hard and I instantly bristle at his tone. “Get in the car.”
“Pass,” I tell him, picking up my pace. I swallow, forcing myself not to focus on the sound of his voice. Longing sweeps through me, but I push it aside and keep my eyes trained ahead of me.
“Isa.” There’s a warning in his voice. He’s angry. Does he blame me for what happened last night?Probably. I’m the reason his best friend was hurt.
“Go away, Rafael.”
The Escalade jerks to a stop and Rafael jumps from the car. I squeal when he rushes me and between one second and the next, he has me hoisted over his shoulder and unceremoniously throws me into the backseat beside Jordy before slamming the door and getting back in the front seat.
“Bro, what the fuck?” Jordy snaps. “What happened to playing this cool?”
“Buckle up.” Rafael barks, ignoring him.
I rush to right myself and then press against the door as far away from Jordy as I can get as Des pulls the car back onto the road. My breaths are loud and heavy in the quiet space and I can feel all their eyes on me.
“Let me out.” Adrenaline floods through me and I close my eyes.It’s just the guys.I’m fine. They’re not going to hurt me. Even if Rafael is angry with me, he wouldn’t hurt me.Come on, Isa. Don’t freak out.
It doesn’t matter. Telling myself I’m safe doesn’t stop the panic coursing through my veins. I’m hyperventilating now.
“Isa, it’s okay. We just want to talk.” Jordy unbuckles and slides closer to me and I lose it.
“Let me out. Let me out!” My fingers claw at the door. Finding the handle, I jerk it open. Desmond slams on the brakes just as I throw myself from the car. I slam against the pavement, asphalt scraping against my skin and three sets of doors open and slam shut. Curses fly but I’m already scrambling to my feet, uncaring of the scrapes or bruises I know I have. Blood drips down my forearm and all three guys step toward me.
“Stop! Don’t come any closer.” I hold a hand out toward them, urging them to stay away. My other hand clutches my head as I struggle to get air into my lungs. My head is pounding, an incessant beat growing louder and louder as each second passes. Why does this keep happening? I was fine last night. I … I curse. I had my saber. I had that fucking sword and it made me feel safer. Now all I have is me and I already learned the hard way that me isn’t enough.
“Isa, we won’t come any closer. Breathe. We won’t hurt you. You know that.” Des’s voice cuts through some of my panic. I step back on the pavement until my feet meet grass and I collapse. Pressing my head between my knees I rock back and forth, sucking in air.
“I’m okay. I’m okay. I’m okay.”If I say it enough, it’ll be true.
