He ignores me as the engine roars to life. Flicking on his lights and siren, we tear out of the parking lot, kicking up loose gravel.
Nate drives us down a side street, avoiding the Main Street chaos. The fireworks have ended, but Silo Bay PD is keeping the roads blocked off until we get through.
The radio crackles with codes and orders.
“Tell them to wait for my order,” Nate says over the radio about the neighboring town driving south to meet the van. “We’re only a few minutes out.”
Once we’re around the blockades, he maneuvers us back onto the main drag, escalating his speed. If Elias continues north, it won’t take us long to catch up, especially if he doesn’t think we’re on his tail.
I only hope she isn’t hurt.
From what I could see, the puddle of blood didn’t look too substantial. Nothing to indicate a stab wound or anything more severe.
For all we know, Wren could’ve attacked first and caused him to bleed. It’s what I have to believe. My girl is a fighter. A warrior. She’s been through hell and back; there’s no way she's going with him willingly.
“I take it things between you and Wren are serious?” Nate asks, eyes fixed on the road.
“It’s always been her, Nate,” I tell him honestly.
He exhales slowly. “Don’t fuck it up again. She’s finally home.”
His comment guts me.
I stare out the windshield, glancing down every side road we pass. My muscles are wired tight. “I won’t lose her again.”
I refuse.
This doesn’t get to be how our story ends.
Not like this.
Nate taps the steering wheel. “Let’s get our girl.”
The radio crackling draws my attention as the dispatcher relays the location. We’re within a few miles. My fingers twitch in anticipation as I throw up a silent prayer, begging for her safety. I’ve been trying to give her time and space to adjust to being back in Silo Bay and to us, but after this…I’m not wasting any more time. Wren’s been mine since we were kids, and it’s time I make things official. I’ve had a ring for her since high school; I was ready to make her mine then, before shit hit the fan. Once we started airing out our issues and starting over, I traded in the old ring for something new. The old one felt tainted, and I’m not bringing any bad juju–or whatever–into this new life.
“We get out of this, I’m going to propose.”
“’Bout damn time.”
The SUV goes around a curve, and in the distance, the taillights of a camper van glow.
I’m coming for you, Whiskey.
Chapter 44
Wren
“Whathappenedtoyou?”I ask Elias, voice muffled from the old t-shirt pressed against my bleeding nose. It doesn’t feel broken, but the blood continues to pour.
He drives like nothing’s wrong, like he didn’t punch me in the face and kidnap me. The only tell that he’s panicking is the grip he has on the wheel. His knuckles are nearly white. I observe the man I once knew. A ragged, uneven beard covers his once clean-shaven face. Dark circles line his under-eyes. His skin appears sickly, as if he hasn’t had a warm meal in weeks.
The man sitting to my left is a far cry from the man I left behind.
The finale of the firework show is taking place in my side mirror. In the town I’ve fallen in love with all over again, with people lined along the lake shore, celebrating America and freedom while I’m trapped in a vehicle with a monster I had planned on marrying.
I hope by now Jett realizes I’m gone. I can’t believe how stupid I was to go searching for him alone. Outside, of all places.
“Elias,” I snap, and his shoulders flinch, almost as if he forgot I was bleeding in the seat next to him. “Where are you taking me?”
