Adark laugh barks out of my chest before the impulse can be smothered.Thesound scrapes rusty against my throat.Ihaven't genuinely laughed in years.
"Goahead and try,"Ichallenge, yanking the heavy metal door open. "Loganrejects the banking system.Heburies gold in the yard like a pirate."
Sheblinks rapidly. "You'rejoking."
"WelcometoPineValley."
Usheringher out into the dim hallway,Ifollow closely behind.Myeyes stay locked on the sway of her hips.Everynerve in my body continues humming from the phantom weight of her ass against my lap.
Thewoman walks straight into a lion's den convinced she plays the part of the prey.
Shefails to realize the raw spark inside her possesses enough power to burn the entire forest to ash.
Mine.
Thevicious claim echoes through my skull with every heavy step down the steel stairs.Ifollow her down into the darkness of the clubhouse, fully prepared to bare my teeth at any bastard who dares to look at what belonged to me.
3
KAILA
Afrantic rhythm beats against my ribs.Irefuse to let these imposing men see me sweat.
Daniel’spalm presses a heavy heat into the small of my back, marching me down the metal staircase of the clubhouse.Theair down here sits thick in my lungs.Itsmells like old leather and stale beer.Gunoil coats the back of my throat.
"Keepyour head up,"Danielmurmurs.Hisvoice sends a low rumble vibrating straight down my spine. "Don'tlook at theProspects.Lookat me."
"I’mnot a golden retriever,Daniel,"Iwhisper back.Myeyes stay glued to his broad shoulder anyway. "Idon’t need the 'heel' command."
Hisgrip tightens on my waist.Danielpulls me flush against his side as we pass a group of men playing pool in the main common area.Theclick-clackof billiard balls stops.Silencesweeps across the room.Heavystares drag across my skin, raising the hairs on my arms.
I’vespent the last eight months living in the dark, existing only in code and shadows.Beingthis visible feels like having my epidermis peeled off.
"Eyesfront,"Danielgrowls to the room at large.
Thepool players look away.Danielwears his rank like a heavy cloak.Theman who kidnapped me doubles as royalty in this kingdom of grit and gears.
Westop in front of double oak doors carved with a skull sporting a cracked halo.
"TheChapel,"Danielsays, his thumb tracing a heavy line over my hip bone. "Loganis inside.He’sgoing to ask questions.Youanswer them.Don'tlie, and for the love ofGod,Kaila, don't try to hack his phone while he’s talking to you."
Ismooth down the front of my oversized hoodie. "Ionly hack people who annoy me."
"That'swhatI'mafraid of."Danielpushes the doors open.
Amassive table slab cut from a single redwood tree dominates the room.Thewalls are lined with topographical and satellite maps.Atthe head of the table sits a man makingDaniellook almost approachable.
LoganGunnar.Irecognize him from the encrypted filesI’vebeen monitoring.Thepixels didn't do him justice.Darkhair frames black eyes, and his utter stillness triggers every flight instinctIpossess.
Twoother men flank him.Austinleans back in a chair, whileShanesits with clenched fists, looking ready to punch through the drywall.
"Tracker,"Logansays.Hisvoice grinds like gravel on concrete.Hefixes his stare directly on me. "Youbrought a stray into theChapel."
"She'snot a stray,"Danielreplies, his tone flat.Heguides me to a chair but remains standing behind me.Hisbody forms a solid wall of heat against my back. "She'sthe leak.She'salso the patch."
"Thegirl in the cabin,"Austinremarks, tilting his head. "TheoneCostais hunting."
"Kaila,"Iannounce.Thesyllables leave my throat with surprising force. "Myname isKaila."