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Ian started down the path, and I followed a few steps behind, my gaze on the intruder, watching for any signs of movement. Sawyer fell into step next to me.
I reached over and slid my palm into Sawyer’s and sighed as the pressure in my chest finally lifted. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Sawyer’s jaw worked, and he ran his free hand over his face. “Me too. When I felt your fear…I…”
I squeezed his hand. “It’s okay.”
He laughed hollowly and looked away. “It’s not okay, Sloane. You could have been killed. There could be other men here. I’m supposed to be keeping you one step ahead. That asshole should have never gotten close enough to touch you.”
I threaded my free hand through my hair, grimacing when it got snarled in a nasty tangle. I picked at the knot. “Why do you think your dad isn’t telling you everything? Do you think he suspects you?”
I shivered at the thought. We’d seen what happened to Lincoln. If Sawyer were caught, I feared his punishment would be ten times worse. Sawyer was supposed to be the future alpha.
Sawyer exhaled, his nostrils flaring. “He suspects someone. He doesn’t think Lincoln was acting alone. I’m a likely candidate. He knows how close we are.”
A cold chill zipped down my spine. “What does that mean? Do you think you’re in danger?”
I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I looked at Sawyer.
A tick formed in his jaw, and he narrowed his eyes as he stared straight ahead. “It means I have to be extra careful. My dad is always watching. I’ll have to find a way to get him to focus on someone else.”
I continued to unravel the knot in my hair as tears pricked my eyes. “How are you going to do that?”
Sawyer closed his eyes briefly and then looked at the ground. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll find a way.”
My bottom lip trembled. “Sawyer, you need a plan. If your father catches you—”
“He’ll kill me.”
Five
Sawyer
I paced back and forth over the worn wooden floor of the barn as more of Sloane’s pack filed into the building.
Sloane stood by the door, arms crossed over her chest. She shifted on her feet and stood tall, her gaze never wavering from the man who had attacked her.
More enforcers had arrived, and they were stringing the intruder up with a rope in the rafters so he hung much the same way Lincoln had just a few days ago.
I gritted my teeth at the reminder.It was a necessary action.
Sloane pushed off the wall and disappeared outside. She was gone for only a second before reappearing, grasping a man’s arm, her fingers digging into his sweater.
He must be her father. The resemblance was uncanny. She leaned in, putting her mouth close to his ear, and said something.
His gaze snapped in my direction. She must’ve told him I was here. If he could see me, he’d be looking right at me.
I stopped pacing and stood up straight, my mouth drying. Would her father ever approve of me?What about Lincoln? Or were we doomed from the get-go because of our father?
I shook the thought away. Now wasn’t the time.
Sloane’s dad wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her to the center of the room so she was standing in front of the intruder hanging from the rafters. He was awake now, but his mouth was clenched shut, and he refused to look at anyone.
Sloane’s dad put himself protectively in front of her. “You have the audacity to attack my daughter on my pack’s land. I want to know why.”
Everyone fell silent as the enforcer looked up, his lips curled and his eyes pinched. “Alpha Dane wants what is his. She was given to Pack Wolf Blood and needs to be returned.”
A growl vibrated in my throat as I stomped forward to stand protectively in front of Sloane as well. Not that it did any good. Nobody could see or hear me, but I hoped to hell that this asshole could feel my presence.
