“We need to get back to the compound,” I gritted rather than answering.
Should have known she wasn’t going to back down with that non-response.
Woman refusing to budge as I tried to tow her toward my bike.
The spikes of her heels might as well have become one with the concrete.
“I asked you a question.”
I swiveled around, ducking in close to her face.
Harvest eyes went wide with surprise.
“That was exactly the reason you need to be secure behind the compound’s walls until we get this sorted.” The words were nothing but shards.
“Was he after me?” There she was again. Indignation pouring out of her demand.
“Don’t know.”
She scoffed out a sound of disbelief and frustration, her expression pinching in the same dissatisfaction.
“So, you’re saying it could have been nothing?” She lowered her voice even further, her brows scrunching together with the clear accusation. “You pulled a gun on someone, and it could have been a regular ol’ citizen of Crimson Creek?”
Exasperation flurried in my chest. “I said I didn’t know, but I’m not willing to take the chance. Now get on my bike.”
“I want to know what’s happening, Silas.” She might have lifted a defiant chin, but the quivering in it told me everything I needed to know.
She was terrified and trying to tap it behind all that ferocity.
“You want me to toss you over my shoulder and carry you to my bike, you just keep right on standing there,” I warned.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she seethed.
“Try me.” I growled it near her face, then I turned and started for my bike, never dropping my guard, even though it likely appeared that I didn’t give two fucks.
The problem was all the fucks I was actually giving.
Way I felt like I might splinter apart as I watched for anything that might be a threat.
That wildfire at my back.
Her flames ten seconds from consuming.
She finally started to clamber up behind me.
Thank fuck.
Because I hadn’t been bullshitting when I warned her I was going to toss her over my shoulder.
It was pretty much the only thing I wanted to do.
I wanted to pick her up and wrap myself around her and protect her from the monsters that loomed.
I knew they were there.
Lurking in the periphery.
I couldn’t stomach it, and it was becoming clear that I’d gotten lost in the wilderness.
