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“No. Not mine.” I don’t like this one bit.
His tongue rolls through his fat bottom lip and he spits a brown string of tobacco on the ground. “See, son. The thing is, this bag says ‘Philips’ on it. The only folks by that name livedhere, but died a while back. So, this came from here.” He tosses the limp pack on the porch before pushing the bill of his cap back on his forehead.
“Okay.” I wish Alpha wasn’t at the lake today.
His thick arms push his jacket back, revealing a holstered gun on his hip as he shoves his hands into his pockets. “How long y’all been here? Pretty sad what happened to the last owners. Wolves got ‘em.” He narrows his dark eyes that flick to the center of the door.
Pretty good bet he knows I have a gun, too.
“Just a little while. Too bad about the Philips. Thanks for stopping by, but I’ve got things to do.” I back out and push the door closed.
Sausage fingers grip the edge before it clicks. “Well, I wasn’t quite done.”
My stomach tightens. I’m tempted to touch his hand to get him to pull away. “What do you want?” The words grit through my clenched teeth.
“Oh, don’t be like that, son. We did you a favor, returning your property. Now we just have a little one of our own.” Brown spittle leaks over his stubble as he pushes his worn boot through the gap.
“I didn’t ask you to return anything. But, I am gonna ask you to leave.” Catching a glimpse of Hope standing in the hall, her eyes wide with fear, puts a rod of iron into my back. “If you don’t go now, you won’t like the consequences.”
His fingers tighten on the door. “We saw her on the game cam. We just need her for a little while. She’ll be brought back fine and dandy.”
What? Shit. They must have put a camera over the trap.
Of course they did. I’m such an idiot. We did the same back at the prison. Eyes everyone outside the walls with regular drone patrols even further.
The noise.
Goddammit. I messed up. I should have known that whine I heard earlier was a drone.
The regret of not leaving at the first sound is like a stone in my guts.
“You can fuck off.” Pulling the hammer back on my gun makes an audible click. Even a regular human without heightened senses would hear it.
“Son, you’re about to make a big mistake. We have some mighty sick people and just need her help for a bit. Think about this. She’s gonna want someone to come back to.” His voice is low and even. Scarily unshaken.
Movement catches my eye. Two small red dots weave on the back of the door next to my head then make circles around the shadow I’m casting.
Snipers.
How is it with all the dogs around us, none of them alerted to the trespassers?
“Mikey. I’ll go.” Tears pour silently down her face.
“No! Go back!” I jut my chin towards the bedroom. “Alpha will be back any time.”
The stubby man’s weight shifts against the door, knocking me off balance slightly. “If it’s your puppies you’re waiting on, they had a big meal this morning. I’m guessing they’re all pretty sleepy about now.” A wet smack from the porch marks more spit landing on my step.
The sickly sweet smell of his breath pushes through the open crack. “You have ten seconds to decide.”
“Not happening.” I’d rather die than lose her.
“Hey, I got away once to find you. I’ll do it again.” She props the shotgun against the wall and walks purposefully to me. Her cool hands rest against my cheeks before she touches her lipsto mine. “I always knew it was fleeting. I’m glad I got a taste of freedom. You made it all worth it.”
My chest locks up. I can’t breathe. “I’m keeping my promise.”
Her fingers tangle in the hairs on the nape of my neck. “I couldn’t go on knowing you’re gone. Please, I’ll be fine.” Her jaw sets, but her chin trembles with her salty tears. “I’ll come back.”
One of the red dots flicker across her temple. It matches the color pressing in on my vision.