Page 30 of Married into the Mob

“But no more underground bunkers.”

“Agreed.”

“Bodyguards?”

“Nope. Anyone who accompanied us would also be banished.”

“Is there electricity?”

“There should be.” The cabin was pretty basic and small. Only one bed, but I could sleep on the sofa. Uncle Arnie only visited a couple of times a year. It was up in the mountains, and even though the weather in the city was warm, it’d be cold and picture-postcard perfect.

“Okay. Fourteen days. Two weeks. A fortnight. No longer.”

“Scout’s honor, but now I need you to promise me something.”

“What’s that?” He hefted one of the shopping bags over his arm.

“I need your ideas on how to solve what has happened and put an end to it.” He’d be missing a heap of information becauseI couldn’t tell him we were shifters, but he was smart and could ferret out details about relationships and objectives.

“Agreed. We’ll be super-secret squirrels together.”

Flint had called the bodyguards off, as technically I’d been expelled from the pack. We were on our own.

Growing up I’d sometimes dreamed of running off to live my own life, free from pack and family rules. But the crushing pain I’d experienced, imagining my life not being tethered to anything or anyone, put a damper on those fanciful ideas.

Now I was faced with the reality, and I didn’t like it one bit.

Odell was coming with me, the man I’d mated and married. But his feelings toward me were only a smidge above hatred. Not exactly a recommendation for a happy, fulfilled life.

Armed with the groceries, we lugged the food down the fire escape stairs. I wanted as few people as possible to witness our escape.

I took one last look at my surroundings, knowing I was headed to obscurity.

And so was Odell.

TWELVE

ODELL

“Are we supposed to be sneaking out?” My panicked voice was louder than I’d intended. But I was panting, having a heavy shopping bag over each shoulder, though Hunter carried three times as many as I did.

The old depilated fire escape squeaked with every step. The city council were failing in their duty allowing this decrepit piece of metal be the escape route in the event of a fire.

“We were,” Hunter whisper-hissed, “but if any of Draven’s guys are nearby, we will have alerted them.”

He saidwe,so he was including himself, but he might have been being polite and usedweinstead ofme. It was probably me.

Hunter scanned the alley where the older model sedan was parked, missing one hubcap and with a dent in the driver’s door I hadn’t noticed earlier.

“I forgot it was such a damned antique,” Hunter’s exasperated voice bounced off the abandoned buildings on either side of the alley.

“Now who’s talking at the top of their voice?” What a pair!

Hunter gave me a shame-faced look and mouthed, “Sorry.” He retrieved the keys from his pocket and opened the trunk. Imade a face at the dirt and oil-stained rags, and we shoved the bags in the back seat which was a smidgen cleaner and also contained two bags of clothes.

“From my brother.”

Piling into the car, Hunter yanked the old seat belt across his chest and put the key in the ignition.