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Ellen’s wolf sagged, panting heavily. Jessa stood at her side, helping her stay upright as they moved around the house to the truck parked in back. Dante helped Ellen into the truck bed, then said, “I’ll help Gentry set the charges,” before closing the passenger door and nodding at her.
Jessa smiled as Finn’s hand clasped hers. She closed her eyes, drawing slow breaths. The worst was over. She was safe. They were safe. She opened her eyes as the truck rolled to a stop—and she stared in horror.
The flames were moving quickly, eating up the grass and shrubs that ran the length of the house. But what drew her attention, what she couldn’t look away from. Bodies. Not wolves. Men and women—or what was left of them. She pushed open the passenger door and vomited violently. Her head was spinning, her heart racing, and her stomach. She placed a hand against her stomach.
“You okay?” Finn’s voice.
> She stared at him, seeing the blood and grime that covered his naked body for the first time. She nodded, shock finally kicking in. “I will be,” her voice was soft. “How long have I been gone? And my family? Oscar?”
“Three days.” His hand tightened around hers. “Everyone’s safe. Everyone wants you home.” His gaze falling to her stomach.
She loved the look on his face. She was his, irrefutably. Cyrus’s words were an empty threat, one meant to make her doubt this man—her mate. No, she wasn’t a wolf but their bond was sealed by the mark on her body. She trusted him. She reached for him, needing his touch. His fingers laced with hers as he slid into the truck beside her. He pressed a kiss to her temple, breathing her deep.
“Place is gonna blow. How about we cut this reunion short and get the fuck out of here?” Gentry asked, sliding into the truck. Dante tapped the back window, giving the thumbs up sign.
Finn nodded and threw the truck in gear.
His strength seeped into her. She sank against his side. His hand clasped hers, the press of his thigh against hers easing the terror of the last hour, somewhat. But she’d never forget. Never. Mal. She swallowed, not wanting to think about what they’d done to him. He’d come to save her. And died because of it. How could she live with that?
“Who’s the wolf?” Gentry asked.
“Ellen. Her name is Ellen,” Jessa said. “She’s a good guy.” At least, that’s what Jessa wanted to believe. She wasn’t sure what had motivated Ellen’s actions but, she didn’t care. They wanted to same thing: Jessa and her baby to live. And that was enough.
“You okay?” Gentry asked. “You’re lookin’ a little pale.”
She nodded again. “Rough couple of days.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” Gentry laughed the sort of laugh that bordered on unstable.
She understood. The morning was a surreal nightmare. But the sounds, smells, images, were vividly etched into her brain. Her hands covered his, desperate for his touch.
“You’re cold.” Finn was worried.
She nodded, shivering in earnest. “Shock,” she managed, unable to stop the chatter of her teeth.
A deafening explosion shook the ground as the corn-field and house turned into a raging inferno.
“Should take care of it,” Gentry said, staring out the rear window at his handiwork. “Fire. Propane tanks blow. Unfortunate accident all around.”
Jessa looked at the rearview window, the profile of two large wolves sitting, ears perked and staring at the flames, an oddly comforting view. She drew in a deep, unsteady breath, and lay her head back on the seat.
Finn reached across, pulling her closer so her head could fall onto his shoulder. His hand was shaking against her thigh, his breath harsh against her temple. And Jessa couldn’t breathe. Her relief was so overwhelming, it choked her. Now was not the time to fall apart, but hot tears filled her eyes.
The shrill phone chirp made them all jump.
“Gentry here,” he answered the phone. “No, no, plans changed.” He sighed. “Mr. Dean,” he said, handing Finn the phone.
“Yes?” One word, exhausted on every level. “Jessa’s alive. We lost Mal.”
The silence of the truck cab thickened, forcing tears onto her cheeks.
“Tomorrow.” He paused. “We need sleep.” He broke off. “I need time alone with Jessa.”
They drove on for more than an hour, the mid-morning sun weak in the winter sky. “Smells like snow,” Finn said as they pulled into a small town off the highway.
Gentry tossed Finn a bag. “I’ll get some rooms.”
“I don’t want her left alone,” Finn said, nodding at Ellen in the truck bed.
