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The Hunters were getting bolder and out of control talking to women in Madeline’s town. We hadn’t been able to shut them down. I wanted to avoid a full-blown war if I could, so I needed to stay level-headed. But I was going out of mind with worry for the community. More so for her.
“Where we headed, Prez?”
We?
I could’ve ordered Track to stay put, and he would’ve obeyed. I didn’t need help handling Madeline, but there were four Hunters at the armory. Who knew how many more lurking about. It’d be reckless to go into Winters alone. I might have a short fuse and an erratic personality—up one minute, down the next—but I sure as fuck wasn’t reckless.
“Walmart.” I pulled out of the gated parking lot.
The roads were clear. Track and I flew down the back roads going 70 MPH. Deer were grazing in the fields. One could’ve darted out in front of us, but I wouldn’t go any slower. The thought of Madeline being afraid compelled me to haul ass.
It was twenty to eleven when we met up with AJ on the side of the building. The boy looked nervous.
“Gimme an update,” I shouted, without preamble.
“She’s peeked out the double doors twice. Parked on the wrong side. Must’ve forgotten the doors on the right are locked after ten. She’d have to cross the parking lot to get to her car from the left side.”
“Shit,” I muttered. “Seen any Hunters?”
“No. You want me to go in and escort her out?”
“Fuck no. She doesn’t know you.” I inhaled a deep breath. Just the idea of seeing Madeline again had my stomach in knots. “I’ll be back.”
The store was mostly empty. Employees stocked the shelves, working in the freezer section. I casually strutted through the main walkway, dialing into the sounds around me.
My heart practically jumped into my throat when I heard her laugh. I slowed my steps and followed her melodic giggles to the card aisle. A smile stretched across my face.
She had on a sundress and western boots—white ones this time. The girl sure loved her boots. She rocked them too. Her skin looked tanner, no doubt the result of her laying out in the sun earlier today, in a goddamn bikini. I was furious about it too, but I couldn’t deal with that. Not right then. I had other pressing matters.
Her back was to me as I approached. I wanted to wrap my arms around her. My hands ached to touch her, and my lips tingled with need.
“How’s it going?” I stuck my thumbs in my pockets to keep from touching her. I needed to play it cool.
She spun around, bug-eyed, and dropped the card she’d been reading. “Storm!” She stepped back, bumping into the card display.
“Hey, you okay?” I capped her shoulder to steady her.
She cleared her throat, pulling out of my grasp. “Yeah, fine. You just startled me. You shouldn’t sneak up on people. It’s creepy.” She picked up the card she dropped and returned it to its spot.
“You seem jittery.” My eyes roamed over her beautiful face, down her tempting, lithe body. Fuck. I desperately wanted to touch her.
“Your assessment is wrong.” She pressed her lips thin. I couldn’t help but smirk. She was putting on a good show, acting tough and in control. I knew better, but wouldn’t steal her thunder.
“Okay. Well… Good to see you.” I turned around and took a step, faking indifference.
“Storm, wait.” Her voice rose an octave higher than usual, sounding frantic.
“Yeah?” I peered over my shoulder.
“Are you… Um… leaving right now?”
I nodded.
“Can you maybe, walk me out?”
I turned around to face her. “Everything okay, Angel?” I furrowed my brow, hating how her hands trembled at her sides.
She sighed, like she was lowering her guard. “No. I think someone’s following me.” Her eyes teared up.
