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How did Hammer expect them to get out of this situation?
“How did you know they were coming?” The words slipped from her involuntarily. She didn’t think that Hammer wanted to be questioned right then. But damn it, the words were out.
And it was probably for the best. Charlie needed information to survive. She couldn’t function without knowing exactly the situation they were in.
“I woke up and heard them scoping out the hotel,” he said gruffly. He winced, stumbling slightly over some large rocks.
They were headed downhill.
“The hotel manager wasn’t giving them anything. But they knew we were there. I figured it was best to get out of Dodge, so to speak.”
“And how do you expect us to get out of this situation? We’re in the middle of nowhere right now,” Charlie pressed on. If there was something she could do to help, she would do it.
But she didn’t know if Hammer even had a plan.
“I haven’t been in these parts before.” He stopped walking and turned to her. He seemed truly sincere for the first time since they had met. “But I have a map with trails, caves, and other old knowledge we can use to get out of here.”
After a few moments, Charlie nodded.
“You’ll just have to trust me,” he said more softly. Then he started walking again. Charlie fell into step next to him easily.
They walked for several miles before Charlie realized she was hungry. As if he sensed this, Hammer slowed and rifled through his bag. He pulled out two granola bars and handed one to Charlie.
He also pulled out a bottle of water.
“We’ll have to share this. But, if need be, we can drink from the streams here.”
She nodded, exhaling with relief. Her hunger pangs disappeared quickly, but the small snack wasn’t sustainable.
“How do you know this country?” she asked after they had walked another few miles.
“I’m from here.” Hammer shrugged. He led her through some undergrowth. “I grew up here, for the most part.”
“Oh! Do you still have family here?” Charlie asked. She didn’t miss Hammer’s sharp inhale or the way his shoulders tightened.
“They’re all dead.” His voice didn’t encourage any further conversation.
And Charlie knew it would be dangerous to push him.
Dangerous for both of them.
TEN
HAMMER
He could have kicked himself.
They had been walking for several miles now. The wilderness was becoming denser the farther they walked. The silence was glaring.
He had brushed Charlie’s suggestion off brusquely, hastily. Her hurt feelings were palpable. He wasn’t sure if it was because they were mates. Maybe her feelings were simply that obvious.
Charlie was just being friendly and caring.
And he was pushing her further and further away. But what else could he do?He couldn’t afford to like her.
But even though he could never like her, he could admire her grit. Her tenacity. She was flexible and adaptive and seemed willing to jump into danger. She was fearless, and Hammer couldn’t help feeling a sense of absurd pride. Somehow, the fates had chosen the perfect mate for him. Even though they would never be together.
He walked ahead of her, a long, sharpened tree branch in hand. She carried an alcohol-soaked cloth that could be set alight at any minute.
