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Marcus

“How am I supposed to stay calm when that just happened?” She growls at me. “The line went out, Marcus. He felt like something was off too.”

“I’m worried too, but us freaking out isn’t going to help Kam.”

“I am freaking out because I’m scared, because I care!”

“And I’m not scared?”

“You sure don’t look like it.”

I rush to her, “I am just as scared of losing him as I am for Hunter or…” I take deep breaths, “Anyone else I care about. I’m scared but I can’t let that control my actions, El.

I have to think of the next steps. I have my team there but I am here.

After Hunter’s done with this meeting, we’re going to join them. ”

“What if we are– ”

“Stop! Just stop, Elliott!” I shout louder than I should. I know she’s just scared that Kameron is hurt just like I am, but fuck, I can’t…I can’t afford to believe he’s hurt, or worse.

Her eyes go cold and she takes a step back, “El–” Before I can finish she turns away, walking down the hallway. She has no idea where she’s going and I don’t care what room she occupies, as long it helps her calm the fuck down and I have time to do the same.

***

It's been half an hour since I saw Elliott. The guilt has been building up inside of me, how I talked to her…or more like yelled…screamed? Either way I know it wasn’t right.

I was heated, she was heated. We were scared of what could be happening to Kameron.

It still didn’t give me a right to talk to her like that.

I’m packing my backpack with all the shit I need to distract her for the next hour until Hunter gets here and we can get the fuck back to helping Kameron.

I shrug the backpack on and start looking into every room of the house until I get to my room.

I swing the door open to see Elliott looking out of the large wall to wall windows that lead out to the woods of the property.

It reminds me of the woods at the other house, and it aches knowing we weren’t there right now .

“Hey.” I say, walking up next to her, keeping my eyes on the trees just like she is.

“Hey,” is all she replies.

“I didn’t mean to be a dick, El. I just–” I inhale deeply, “I’m just as worried as you, just as worried as Hunter. I can’t let my mind wonder about what ifs. I have to think clearly to help.”

I see her turn from the corner of my eye, “I get it. I wasn’t trying to freak you out… I’m just freaked out.” Her voice is soft.

I look at her, “I know, I’m sorry.” I watch as her eyes water. She crosses her arms, rubbing her hands against the fabric of her blazer, as if she’s trying to warm herself up.

“I’m sorry too.” She tells me.

“We have like an hour before Hunter arrives, so let’s just try to distract ourselves, yeah?”

“I don’t think–”

“Come on, I have a place I like to go.” I grab her hand and kiss the top of it. “You’ll love it.” She lets me guide her out of the house and into the trees.

“We’re going into the woods? You aren’t going to try to hunt me down again, are you?” She tilts her head at me playfully.

I smile back, “Not unless you want me to, princess.” I give her a wink and she swats my chest. I grab where she just hit, pretending to be injured. A laugh escapes her lips making my mind go blank. My chest erupts with warmth and I crave to make her do it again.

“Take me to this place I’ll love. ” She loops her arm with mine.

She’s making it really hard not to fall for her.