Page 87 of Marks of Rebellion

He scowls. "You don't trust me. You think I can't keep my mouth shut."

"I never said that."

"You don't have to. That's what you believe."

"No, it isn't."

He steps back and crosses his arms. "Then tell me."

My chest tightens, and my heart beats faster.

Hunter quietly says, "I'm tired of all these secrets, Flower. I can't protect you if I don't know what or who I'm protecting you from."

I will myself not to cry, but I can't stop the tears. "That's the problem. You can't protect me. Eventually, this will all end, and I will be back in some sort of prison."

"Stop saying that."

"But it's the truth. I feel it. It's unstoppable. There's too many of them. No one can prevent what is going to happen."

"Tell me."

My stomach twists. "I can't."

"Vanessa, this isn't a request," Hunter growls, and I step back, but there's nowhere to go. I'm directly against the Jeep.

He reaches for me.

I recoil, turning my head and throwing my hands in front of my face.

He puts his hand on my shoulder. "Flower, I didn't mean—"

I cringe again. My body bursts into anxiety-filled tremors, and I gasp for air.

"Hunter!" Ryker's voice barks, and I wince.

Hunter steps back with his hands in the air and eyes wide. Hurt fills his face, but I can't replace my trepidation.

Julieta slides between us. "Vanessa, come sit with me." She opens the back door and guides me in.

"Julieta, get out," Hunter demands.

"No," she quietly says. "Give her a break."

"Julieta—"

"Hunter, get in the front," Ryker instructs. "We aren't that far from Tinker's."

The blood in my ears is loud. I put my head between my knees to try and find some air.

Julieta rubs my back and gently states, "It's only for a few minutes."

The sound of doors slamming fills my ears, and the vehicle moves. When we get to Tinker's, I'm in full-out panic attack mode and think I'm dying from a heart attack.

Somehow, I end up on a deck with Julieta. I don't remember how I got there and have no idea how long I've been on it.

It's pitch black outside. The light from the kitchen is on, and I glance inside. Hunter, Ryker, and a bald guy are in there, but all I focus on is Hunter.

He's standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, lost in thought. But his face is directed toward me. I doubt he can see me in the darkness of the night, but a new panic develops.