Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Faintly, I heard the small engines of the side-by-sides as they made their way to us. The lights weren’t far, and I waved my flashlight in the air like a beacon. That was when I noticed Sword wasn’t doing the same.
“Sword? You good?”
“Yeah. All good. Is Chloe hurt?”
“Not that I can tell. But I’d bet my ass she’s got hypothermia.”
“Need to get her warmed up and in dry clothes.” Sword sounded strained, but I could only take care of one person at a time. Sword could look after himself a few minutes longer.
“The brothers are almost here. Just hang on a little longer.” I wasn’t sure if I was talking to Chloe or Sword. I was pretty sure the other man had injured himself, but I had no idea what he’d done.
It wasn’t long before the ATVs pulled up beside us. Three men jumped out of one, two the other.
“She good?” That was Scout. He was a new addition to the club, but a man I knew from ExFil. He was solid as a rock under fire and a deadly hunter.
“I think so. Freezing. I’ll get her to the vehicle. Go check on Sword. I think he’s hurt.”
I stood with Chloe’s slight weight in my arms. Carrying her to the vehicle, I talked to her as soothingly as I could. She still looked up at me, blinking the icy rain away. Her face was pale, and her lips had a bluish tinge to them. She wasn’t shivering.
“We gotta get her to the clubhouse. Fast.” Thankfully, the guys had packed several blankets in the back seat of one side-by-side. I set Chloe down and snagged one, wrapping it around her shoulders.
“We need to move quickly.” Cliff, Cain’s adopted son, snagged another blanket. I assumed it was for Sword. “The temperature’s still dropping. The ATV’s not fully enclosed, and we gotta move. Wind’s gonna be brutal.”
I nodded once, taking his meaning. “Go see what’s goin’ on with Sword. I’ll get her out of her wet clothes and call the second we’re ready.” Cliff nodded, then left us. “I’m sorry, honey. But I’ve gotta get you out of these wet clothes. You’re cold enough as it is. It’s gonna get worse when we pull out of here.” She just looked up at me, still keeping her eyes on me. I got the feeling I was her anchor, but that might have been wishful thinking.
Chloe didn’t stop me when I pulled off her wet shirt and bra, tossing the wet garments into the back of the vehicle. I wrapped the wool blanket around her shoulders before pulling her to her feet to pull her pants down her legs. I sat her back on the seat while I finished, also tossing them to the back. Her shoes and socks followed before I wrapped her head to toe in blankets and pulled her into my lap, calling out to Cliff we were ready.
When he got to the driver’s side, Cliff pulled out one last blanket and tucked it around both of us. “Hang on to her. Once we get clear of the woods and on the road, we’re gonna fuckin’ move.”
“Just get us back to the compound. I’ll take care of Chloe. Sword OK?”
“Not sure. He can’t move his arms. My money’s on torn biceps, but that’ll be up to Mama to determine.”
“He lifted that limb so I could get Chloe out. Had to hold it longer than he should have because her foot was stuck.”
“Yeah? Well, he definitely did his part.” He glanced at Chloe as he started the ATV. “Hope she appreciates it.”
My gaze snapped to Cliff. “She doesn’t owe him anything, Cliff. It’s his fault she ran in the first fuckin’ place. If he injured himself helpin’ her, it’s just payback for how he injured her.” My tone was harsh. Angry. I didn’t want Sword hurt, but Goddamnit, I didn’t want anyone judging Chloe for this. If it was anyone’s fault, it was mine for leaving her alone too long. I should have known she wouldn’t want to stay in the same building with Sword, and I didn’t blame her.
“Just making an observation, Deadeye. He’s really fuckin’ hurt. And he did it for her. He’s still asking if she’s OK.”
“I get it. I’ll make sure she knows he saved her.”
Cliff sighed but took off through the woods. The way was hard going until we finally made it to the road. Then Cliff hauled ass, pushing the side-by-side as hard as it would go until we reached the compound. And home.
Chapter Four
Chloe
The ride back to the clubhouse was a blur. I didn’t want to go but was grateful I wasn’t dead, so I didn’t protest. Well, that and I was chilled to the bone. I was numb with cold and so drained I could barely stay awake. I’d have dozed off if Deadeye hadn’t constantly demanded I look up at him or answer some stupid question like what day it was or what my name was. Anything to keep me talking to him when all I wanted to do was sleep.