Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Could just be wet from the rain,” Wild says, playing Devil’s advocate.
“Nah,” Rowdy grunts. “They’re close. I can feel it. We need to break for camp.”
“I’m not sleeping by a pile of shit,” Wild argues, stepping away from the bomb left behind. “Fuck no.”
Rowdy shoots him an irritated glare, as though he’s still thirteen and an annoying kid.
“Hey,” I say to my brother, ignoring Wild’s outburst. “We’re close. Why stop now? We should keep going.”
Rowdy shakes his head. “No, man. We need to set up our tents, get dry and rest, and put a little food in our stomachs before we try to take on this group. Plus, with it raining and nightfall upon us, they’ll start a fire for warmth. We can scout later by the scent of fire or even sighting it.”
Though he makes a point, I’m not especially eager to give up when we’re so close. But I do know we need to be strategic. Charging into their camp, just the three of us, is a bad idea. We’re heavily outnumbered and won’t stand a chance. No, when we find them, we need to quietly advance on them. Surprise is our best weapon.
I give my brother a nod and follow him a bit farther away from the shit pile to a small clearing just big enough for our tents. The three of us erect our shelter in record time. We devour a quick dinner of nuts and jerky before going our separate ways. Undressing down to my boxers, I slide into my sleeping bag and force myself to nap.
Tonight, we’re bringing them home.
Tonight, I will finally be able to fucking breathe again.
* * *
* * *
The rain beats down on our little caravan, but Michael doesn’t show any signs of stopping. If I’m shivering and can’t feel my fingers, I worry about Declan and Dakota. They’re too little to be trudging through this weather.
Now that most of my hair has been whacked off by that witch, the chilly air bites at the back of my neck. I wish I could punch Mya all over again.
Sadie walks beside Tom ahead of me. We haven’t had a chance to speak properly since the night of the “choosing,” but she’s miserable. I’d been lying when I told CJ I’d rather sleep with Tom. His body odor coupled with his giant form rutting over me would make me gag to death. Luckily, CJ still believes me and gets pissy anytime I look at Tom.
At least he didn’t put the moves on me last night. None of the men drank, so camp was surprisingly quiet and mild. I’d been relieved to have survived another night without CJ’s touch.
Looking past Sadie, Tom, and his kids, I can see Destiny walking beside Mya. I seriously hope she’s not punishing my sister because of me. From my vantage point, it appears they’re just talking. Or, more accurately, Mya’s running her mouth while Destiny is forced to listen.
Behind me, Jace and CJ carry on a conversation in hushed voices. I know CJ is complaining about me, but I don’t care. I hope he tells Jace I think he has a puny little dick that doesn’t interest me. Maybe Jace’s dick is even more sad and he’ll leave my sister alone. Since she hasn’t been crying and doesn’t seem to be distraught in any way, I don’t think he’s made any physical moves on her either.
It’s only a matter of time, though.
I glance over my shoulder, looking back at Kristen, Ronan, and Logan, who pull up the rear. Ronan’s face is bruised from the other night, but he seems in better spirits ever since I saw him at the creek. There’s a fierce glint in his eyes that gives me hope that he might have a plan.
Please, God, let him have a plan.
A woman ahead cries out, followed by several female shrieks. I can only wish she got eaten by a bear. I quickly retract that thought because my baby brothers are with that group. Everyone slows to a stop.
“Stacey,” Tom grunts to Sadie in explanation. “She sounds hurt.”
Sadie is tense as she tries to see what’s going on. It’s raining, which muffles the sounds of the voices, but we don’t have to wonder for too long. Owen makes his way over to us and offers a grim smile.
“She’s in labor,” Owen says. “We have to break for camp.”
“Are you sure she’s really in labor? Maybe it’s just another ploy to trick a nice, trusting family that she can weasel her way into their home, so she can murder the parents and kidnap all the children,” I blurt out, unable to keep the words from spilling out. “Or, yeah, maybe she’s really having the baby this time.”
Owen shoots me a nasty glare before turning his stare behind me. “Deal with your wife.”