He furrows his brows and advances to meet me.
Dead man walking.
Shadow and Bear scamper off together. I’m not sure where, and at this moment, I can’t say I care.
When Walker gets within arms length, I thrust my hands forward and shove with all my might.
But he doesn’t budge, which angers me more.
I try again.
And again.
No result.
The snarl that rumbles from my chest is purely feral.
Walker, done with being my punching bag, captures my wrists and pulls me close. “What’s wrong?”
“You.” I attempt to slam my fist into his gut, but Walker is stronger than me. Always has been and probably always will be.
I hate that a part of me loves that right now.
Walker shakes his head. “You’re not making sense.”
“Were you following me?” I shout.
Walker’s brows squish together. “Why would I follow you?”
“You tell me.” I rip my hands out of his grasp. I know the only reason I’m successful is because he let me.
Instead of yelling again, I throw the cigarette butts at him. They hit his chest and fall to the ground. He bends and picks one up.
He holds it between us. “What is this? Are you trying to tell me that you’re smoking?”
“Those are yours, you prick. I know you were trying to spook me. Probably trying to teach me a lesson for going on a walk without a buddy.” My hands tighten into fists at my sides.
“I don’t smoke clove cigarettes.” Walker raises a brow.
The dread from earlier returns with a vengeance. “If…if those aren’t…”
Walker turns his head and lets out a piercing whistle, gaining the attention of everyone in the immediate area. “Hey! Does anyone here smoke clove cigarettes?”
Santiago and Levi make a face expressing their disgust. Javier and Jack shake their heads in denial.
The rush of my increasing pulse makes it feel like I’m underwater, muffling voices and noises.
“Santi, check with the crew,” Walker directs, descending into sheriff mode.
My vision is on the verge of going black when large, calloused hands frame my face. “Baby Girl, look at me and breathe.”
Blinking, I try to force Walker’s face to come into focus. “What?”
He bends, bringing our noses closer. “Baby Girl, I need you to talk to me.”
The contact grounds me back to this moment with Walker.
Swallowing, I nod, gathering my thoughts and words.
