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Turning my attention solely to Noelle, I roll her to her back and shine the light over her, seeing that it looks like she’d hit her head on something. Relief flows through my veins, and I scoop her into my arms. I need to let the others know I’ve got her, but I’m not about to call out and possibly scare the damn coyote.
Holding her in my arms, I balance her with one while quickly pulling my phone out of my pocket and dialing Viper’s number.
“Yeah?” he answers.
“Got her,” I inform him. “Heading back to the clubhouse now.”
“She okay?”
“Looks to be, but I’ll know more later.”
“Okay, see you there. I’ll let Mateo know.”
“Appreciate it.” Disconnecting, I shove the phone back in my pocket, glance at the damn coyote to see him still there, and start back the way I came.
I can’t believe she’d gotten this far earlier. She had to have been running faster than I even knew she could. Then again, when you’re scared and fearing for your life, you run like hell.
About fifteen minutes into the walk back, the noise of four-wheelers can be heard, and Noelle stirs in my arms, moaning.
“Easy, baby, I’ve got you.” I kiss the top of her head and tighten my arms around her.
“Beckham,” she whispers a sigh and slumps farther into me.
The lights of the four-wheelers break through the darkness surrounding me, and I stop as one of them pulls up.
“Come on,” Coyote yells over the noise. “Let’s get her home.”
Nodding, I move to the back of the thing and jump on the rack. “Take it easy heading back,” I tell him.
Noelle slowly lifts her head and looks at me with tears shimmering in her eyes. “I knew you’d come for me,” she whispers, her lips chattering.
“Yeah, baby,” I tell her, holding her tight while Coyote maneuvers the four-wheeler through the woods, heading back to the safety of the clubhouse. I gotta say it’s ironic that Coyote is the one who came for us when it was a damn coyote that stood watch over her.Maybe I should talk to Raven, see if she knows anything about the animal and why it would be out there just standing guard over Noelle the way it did.
CHAPTER26
NOELLE
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Tinsley asks for the umpteenth time since we got back to the clubhouse. All of the ol’ ladies hover around me, worry marring each of their expressions. “You don’t need anything?”
I take a sip of the hot tea Harlow brought me and set the mug down, keeping both my hands wrapped around it. “I swear, I’m fine,” I answer, giving her and the others a reassuring smile. Or what I hope is one, at least.
“Come on, let’s give her a bit of air to breathe,” Rachel says. “We all need a bit of rest right about now.”
I nod appreciatively and glance over to where Cyprus is talking with Viper and the others, his eyes glued in my direction. Since finding me, he hasn’t let me out of his sight.
Slowly, all of the ol’ ladies head in different directions, and Cyprus takes the opportunity to come back to my side. Without a word, the man lifts me into his arms and carries me from the main room of the clubhouse to his room. Using his foot, he kicks the door closed, reaches out, and quickly locks it without missing a stride in moving us across the room to his bed.
Cyprus sets me on my feet and strips the blanket and clean clothes. Only when we’re both naked and under the covers does he finally speak.
“You okay?” he asks, running his fingers along my spine.
“I’m okay,” I answer him and press a kiss to his chest as I wiggle closer.
I think if I can go the rest of my life without hearing that question again, I’d scream a hallelujah. Granted, that’s only wishful thinking. It’s a simple question that everyone uses. Even me.
I get everyone is worried about me. I ran off into the woods to get away, and it turns out I didn’t have to run that hard.
Not long after Cyprus got me back to the clubhouse and I was able to change into dry, warm clothes, two other members walked inside and announced to Stoney that they got Hector and put him somewhere called the Pocket. I don’t know what that is, but I’m grateful they got him all the same.
