Page 243 of Soul So Dark

“Unless you want to file a report,” Wesley smirks at me.

“What now?” I clip, wanting to clear this up and get the hell out of here as soon as possible.

“Raf’s right,” Brantley tucks his gun back in its holster, “Garrison won’t lead them to his backyard. I’d just as soon leave this dude here and let Canaan sort it out, but that’s notthe Rhoden way,” he says with a hint of irritation.

“You don’t want to go against the big man?” Aiden grins.

Brantley shoots him a pointed look. “Listen,I’llbe the big man one day, andI’lldecide who gets left on the side of the road for the crows. Until then, I’ll bide my time and play maid to keep the peace.”

“But you’re such a cute maid,” Aiden snickers.

Brantley points his finger at him and shoots him a warning look.

Just from what I’ve seen so far, the notion of any Rhoden keeping the peace sounds ridiculous, but I need to focus on getting Dallas out of here. I have no choice but to trust them.

I follow Aiden out of the barn and back through the woods, Brantley and Wesley trailing behind with their weapons drawn. The black Suburban is still idling in front of the house, just where we left it.

Aiden jerks open the back door and motions for us to get inside. “We’ll take your truck and Dallas’s car and meet you back at your place after we’re done here.”

I don’t argue, handing him my keys before setting Dallas on the seat and sliding in after her. Aiden shuts the door and rounds the front of the SUV to the driver’s side window. Now that I’m inside, I see the driver is a woman with long hair, her profile obscured by the darkness and a camo hat. I listen to them speak in hushed tones, only able to make out a few words here and there while I cradle Dallas across my lap.

“Throw it in back.” The woman nods to the ax Aiden’s still holding. “I’ll take care of it.”

The cargo door opens behind me and Brantley and Wesley start unloading large storage totes secured with locks. Less than 60 seconds later, they’re heading back into the woods with them. I glance behind me and watch as Aiden grabs an empty tote and tosses the bloody ax inside before snapping the lid back on and slamming the door.

Without a word, the woman flips on the headlights and starts driving the Suburban across the yard, back through the tunnel of trees. I let out a breath when we finally turn onto the county road, headed back toward the city. I look down at Dallas, tucked against my bare chest, her fingers still grasping my shoulder. Fortunately, her breathing has slowed and her muscles are more relaxed now. I take a deep breath of relief and glance around the cabin, but suddenly do a double-take when my eyes gloss over the rearview mirror.

Two sharp, vibrant eyes stare back at me with such intensity that I can’t look away. And even as I stare back at her, her expression remains unchanged. My concentration is interrupted by Dallas stirring in my arms. She lifts her head and looks up at me with a faint smile.

“How did you find me?”

“My mom told me where to find you.”

Her eyes round in astonishment. “What?”

“Well, at least where you dropped your necklace…” I smile, “with the tracker attached to the back.”

Dallas lets out a haggard breath and settles back into me. “Austin—” Her voice catches. “He did something. But I don’t want to talk about it. Not yet.”

“You don’t have to. Not until you’re ready,” I say into her hair. “You’re my everything, Dal. I’ll always take care of you. And the only person I’ll ever go to war again for is you.”

“But—”

“No.” There are no buts, no ifs, no questions, no caveats. “Remember what I told you,” I say firmly, so each word etches deep in her mind. “I was your first—mind, body, and soul—and I’ll be your last. Nothing else in between matters.”

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Dallas

“She’s going to connect the dots and call the police on you,” Alex chuckles from the other side of the closet.

“She will not!” I snap over my shoulder as I survey my shoes, trying to decide on the perfect pair.

Nothing flashy, because tonight I have to be strategic; fitted white top, simple jeans, and chunky sandals. I need everyone to pay attention to what I’m saying, not what I’m wearing.

“No? She managed to survive your brother. You don’t think she developed some intuition and self-preservation skills since then?”

“Brett doesn’t have to worry aboutme.And, besides, Colson’s medicated now.”