Chapter 8
EIGHT
JUNIE
I stand by the window in Wyatt’s cabin, watching the morning light stretch across the snow-covered ground.
My heart’s beating faster than it has in days.
Not from fear this time, but from something closer to hope.
We might actually find Caleb today. The address Piper gave us feels like a real lead, the first solid one I’ve had since this nightmare began.
If he’s there, if there’s even the smallest chance, then maybe this mess can finally end.
Maybe I won’t have to tell anyone the full truth about why I’m really here.
Like why those men are holding my brother and blackmailing me.
I just want it all to be over. I want my brother back safe.
I want to stop looking over my shoulder every second.
I want to breathe without this weight crushing my chest.
I turn away from the window and adjust the sweater Wyatt gave me.
It’s warm and clean and smells like pine and clean soap.
My leg’s still sore, but I can put weight on it now without the crutches if I’m careful.
I test it with a few small steps across the room.
It holds. The pain’s there, but it’s manageable. I can do this. I have to do this.
Wyatt’s in the kitchen, packing a small bag with water, snacks, and a first aid kit.
He moves with quiet efficiency, his broad shoulders tense but controlled.
I watch him for a moment, the way his muscles shift under his shirt, the way his jaw tightens when he’s focused.
He’s so strong. So steady. Last night keeps playing in my head.
The way he kissed me. The way his hands felt on my body.
The way he made me come apart with just his fingers and his voice.
My cheeks heat up just thinking about it.
I shouldn’t be having these feelings. I haven’t known him that long.
Can love happen this quickly? We haven’t even had sex yet.
I push the thoughts away. This isn’t helpful.
I can’t have these feelings. Not with everything that’s going on.
Not with the secret I’m still keeping from him.
But I can’t help it. Wyatt makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.
He looks up and catches me watching him. His eyes darken for a second, that intense look that makes my stomach flutter. “You ready?”
I nod, trying to push down the nerves. “I’m ready. I just hope he’s there. I just want my brother back.”
Wyatt crosses the room and stops in front of me. He cups my face with one big, warm hand, his thumb brushing my cheek. “We’ll find him. Or we’ll find out where he is. I promise. We’re not stopping until we do.”
His words settle something inside me. I lean into his touch for a moment, letting myself believe him.
Then we head out together. The mountain air is cold, but the sun shines bright on the snow.
Wyatt stays close as we walk to the truck, his hand on my lower back, ready to catch me if my leg gives out.
He helps me into the passenger seat and buckles me in with careful hands.
The simple act makes my heart squeeze. No one has ever taken care of me like this.
We pass by the main lodge on the way out. Silas and Harlan are standing on the porch, talking quietly. They see us and wave. Wyatt parks and helps me out of the truck. I limp over on my good leg, Wyatt staying close beside me.
Silas looks at Wyatt with a serious expression. “You sure you should go alone? We can send backup. This could be dangerous.”
Wyatt shakes his head. “It’s only a scouting mission. We’re not going to talk to anyone or do anything without coming back and relaying the info to the team first. We’ll stay at a distance. Observe. That’s all.”
Harlan crosses his arms. “Still feels risky. You don’t know what you’re walking into.”
Wyatt’s voice is calm but firm. “I know. But Junie needs answers. I’m not sending her out there alone. I’ll keep her safe. We’ll be back before dark.”
Silas studies him for a moment, then nods. “Be careful. Check in every hour. If anything feels off, you turn around and come home.”
Wyatt agrees. We say our goodbyes and head back to the truck.
As we drive away, I glance in the rearview mirror and see Silas and Harlan watching us go.
They look worried. I feel a pang of guilt again.
I’m putting all of them at risk. But I have to do this.
For Caleb. For the family I have started to care about here at Haven 7.
The drive to the address takes about forty minutes.
Wyatt keeps one hand on the wheel and the other on my thigh, his thumb stroking gently.
The road winds through thick forest, the snow sparkling under the sun.
I watch the trees pass by, my mind racing with hope and fear.
What if Caleb is there? What if he’s okay?
What if he’s not? What if this is the end of this nightmare?
Wyatt seems to sense my nerves. “We’re just looking. We won’t do anything reckless. If he’s there, we’ll come back and get the team. We’ll do this the right way.”
I nod, but inside I know the truth. If I see any sign that my brother is in that house, I won’t stop at anything to rescue him.
I owe him. He protected me our whole lives.
He took the brunt of our father’s anger when we were kids.
He made sure I had food and clothes even when he went without.
He’s the only family I have left. I can’t leave him there. Not if I have a chance to save him.
We park a good distance away, hidden behind a thick stand of trees. Wyatt kills the engine and turns to me. “Stay here. I’ll scout first.”
I shake my head. “I’m coming with you. He’s my brother. I need to see.”
He looks like he wants to argue, but he sees the determination in my eyes. He sighs and nods. “Stay behind me. Stay quiet. If anything feels off, we turn around immediately. Got it?”
I nod.
We move through the woods together. Wyatt’s silent and careful, his steps barely making a sound.
I try to follow his lead, but my leg makes it harder.
He stays close, helping me over uneven ground.
The house comes into view through the trees.
It’s large and isolated, surrounded by a high fence.
There’re a few vehicles parked out front. No obvious movement.
We stop behind a thick tree and watch for a long time. Wyatt scans the property with binoculars. I strain my eyes, hoping to see any sign of Caleb. My heart pounds. This could be it. This could be the end of the search. Or it could be another dead end.
We stay there for what feels like hours, observing. Wyatt points out details I would’ve missed. A security camera. A fresh tire track. A shadow moving behind a window. He’s patient. Methodical. I’m grateful he’s with me. I don’t think I could do this alone.
After a while, he lowers the binoculars. “We’ve seen enough for now. We go back and tell the team. We don’t go in alone.”
I nod, but inside I’m already planning. If I see my brother, I won’t wait.
We head back to the truck together. The drive home is quiet, but my mind is loud with possibilities. I look at Wyatt and feel a rush of gratitude and something deeper. Something that feels a lot like love. But it’s too soon for that, right? Right?