Chapter Six
Stormy
B oredom is going to kill me.
I’ve searched the house from top to bottom to no avail. Copper keeps his office locked tight, but other than that, I’ve had free rein. He was even kind enough to let the dogs out this morning when he left for work. I caught glimpses of them playing like puppies in the quickly melting snow. It would have been cute if they weren’t so terrifying.
Being around Hansel and Gretel makes me think about Calla and Cove, my twin siblings who are in college now. I haven’t seen them or spoken to them since I joined the Royal Bastards undercover. It was too risky. Now, I’ve probably jeopardized them even more by blowing my cover. Copper may be easy to get along with, but Koyn is a fucking tool. And smart as hell. He’ll have my entire life stripped apart before I know it.
I need to get the hell out of here.
If I can get to Fayetteville where the twins attend the University of Arkansas, maybe I can convince them to take off with me. We can go into hiding together. I’ll take care of them like I always did growing up. They’ll be safe. I can keep them safe if I can just get to them.
The dogs bark at something outside, making the hairs on my neck prickle. It’s because of them I haven’t just waltzed out the front door. Copper makes it seem as though they’re harmless, but I’ve seen what vicious dogs can do when in multiples. Hansel and Gretel have sharp teeth and are solid muscle. Between the two of them, they could take me down and kill me like those dogs killed Mom.
A tremble of fear ripples down my spine. I try to ignore it, but my hands won’t stop shaking. If I have any hope of getting out of here, I need to put my big girl panties on and just leave.
I suck in a deep, calming breath.
I have to do this.
Just like all those years ago, I snatched the twins up and got them to safety so those dogs didn’t kill them too. And, like then, their safety is what prevails over my fear.
I have to protect my siblings.
Quickly, I assess my outfit in the mirror. I threw on my warmest outfit—black skinny jeans, black riding boots, and an OU hoodie I stole from Bermuda’s closet once while putting away his laundry. It still smells like him, which makes me tear up.
He’s a bad guy like the rest of them.
Try telling my heart that.
Bermuda, of all the guys, really was like a brother to me. He reminded me of Cove in so many ways. Wore his heart on his sleeve but loved intensely. I know Bermuda loved me right back. It sickens me knowing he hates me now.
I swipe at the stupid tears forming and grab my bag. It’s bulky and I wish it were a backpack instead, but I can’t worry about that now. I need my stuff and I need to get the hell out of here now. After pulling the hood over my head, I make my way to the front door, peeking out the side window.
It’s eerily quiet.
The dogs are off somewhere rather than horsing around in the front yard.
It’s now or never.
Slowly, I creak open the door. The alarm panel on the door doesn’t beep because it’s been shut off. I already tried to access the police earlier, but Copper had been two steps ahead of me, deactivating the alarm completely. Slowly, I creep out the front door and onto the porch. The afternoon sun has melted most of the snow. It’s muddy as hell and I cringe knowing I’m going to ruin my boots.
Focus, girl.
I take ginger steps down the slick steps on the front porch, craning my head to listen for any threatening sounds. When I hear nothing, I sweep my gaze over the yard, trying to make sense of which direction I should go. The lake wraps around two sides of his property. It leaves the long driveway or the woods. Since I have no idea when Copper will return, I decide to take my chances in the woods.
Despite the sun being out and the snow melting, my body temperature drops quickly since I’m underdressed. I couldn’t find a jacket or a coat. The one I’d worn the night before was missing and Copper’s bedroom was also locked, so I couldn’t steal one of his. Bermuda’s hoodie is the only thing keeping me warm.
I reach the edge of the cleared property and stare into the thick woods, nerves threatening to consume me. I’m more of a city girl than a country one. I prefer shopping malls and restaurants than the great outdoors. Trekking through the woods unprepared and while escaping a captor is going to be trying.
Sucking in a deep breath, I attempt to calm myself. This is easy. It’s just walking. I don’t even have to run because Copper isn’t here. I’ll get a massive head start on him. By the time he can even try to track me, I’ll be long gone to Arkansas to grab the twins. Then, I’ll be a ghost, hiding so far away and under the radar, Koyn and the others will never be able to find us.
I’m imagining the soft, shy smile on Cove’s face when I roll my ankle on a fallen branch, sending me crashing to the still-snowy earth floor. I cry out in surprise and curse the moment I realize I’ve cut my palm open on a sharp branch. The pain is a dull throb at first and then it begins to burn. Blood runs down, dripping into the pure white snow, tainting it.
“Shit,” I complain as I drop my bag to rifle through it.
I locate a black tank top and use it to wrap around my bleeding hand to staunch the flow. Once I’ve tucked in the ends under the fabric and made a makeshift bandage, I snatch my bag up and toss it over my shoulder.
A moan escapes me when I take a step, putting pressure on my rolled ankle. The sound of dogs viciously barking from far away has terror clawing up my throat.
Oh God.
I whimper, limping forward, eager to escape the Dobermans. With each step, tears roll down my cheeks, dripping from my jaw. Sure, the pain hurts, but the image of being mauled by Hansel and Gretel is terrifying beyond my wildest nightmares. I’m frantic as I hobble through the forest, growing dizzy and lightheaded with each step. The barking gets louder as it nears. My ears ring as they rush with blood and my chest hurts with how hard my heart is beating.
I try to remain calm, but when I hear the barking grow nearer, I let out a yelp before breaking into a full-on sprint despite the searing pain in my ankle. Branches whip at my face as I run and I stumble more times than I can count.
The dogs are closer than before, their barking making my skin crawl. I consider climbing a tree when I’m hit with a sudden painful jolt of electricity that makes me collapse to my hands and knees.
The collar.
I’d tried getting it off earlier, but Copper didn’t even leave me with a butter knife. I sort of forgot about it until now.
This will be how I die.
Just like Mom—a product of all my bad decisions literally biting me in the ass.
A gut-wrenching sob pierces the air as I claw at the collar. Another painful jolt has my eyes rolling back in my head. I crawl blindly searching for the perimeter line, hoping I cross it before I pass out.
Jolt after jolt assaults me to the point I begin to puke. Still, I crawl back toward the barking, hating every second of the last moments of my life. When I go more than a few seconds without the electric shock, I collapse, my chest heaving from exertion. Branches crack from nearby followed by a vicious growl.
As soon as I see the blue collar on the Doberman, I begin to black out.
“Don’t bite me, Hansel.”
He runs straight for me, but I pass out before I meet my final fate.
I wake to licking.
On my face and hands.
I’m confused and disoriented. Parts of me are cold and I shiver, but two warm bodies are pressed against me. When I realize it’s Hansel and Gretel licking me, I let out a terrified mewl. Both dogs whimper as though they’re afraid, which confuses me.
Why aren’t they eating me?
Gretel nudges at my hand that hurts like a motherfucker. She whines, sniffing the blood. I tense up, wondering if she’ll bite it. When she doesn’t, I take a chance at petting her. The dog nuzzles me as though she’s happy for the touch.
Every muscle in my body aches from exertion. My ankle throbs fiercely and my hand will need stitches. I’m in dire need of medical attention, but I can’t move. I could scream at myself for being so stupid and careless. I had my chance at escape and it’s gone. I’ll never get Calla and Cove away safely.
Defeat floods through my veins, immobilizing me. The cold snow seeps into my bones, making me sleepy. Either I’m going to die out here from the elements, or I’ll die when Copper gets home. He’s going to want to strangle me. Maybe he’ll decide I’m too much trouble and let Filter or Dragon have me. Both of those men would get their rocks off on torturing me to death. It’s best if I just die now.
Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.
I drift in and out, only waking when one of the dogs whimpers or licks me. If it weren’t for their warmth, I would’ve probably already died. All my fear has taken a back seat. I’m grateful they’ve decided to cuddle me rather than tear me apart limb from limb.
A deep voice calls out from far away. Both dogs tense up and begin barking in response. Traitors. I squeeze my eyes shut, dreading the inevitable. Once again, sleep steals me away, and I only wake when someone curses.
I blink open my eyes to see Copper glaring at me. He’s handsome as ever in his navy and yellow FBI jacket. His hair is messier than usual and frown lines appear between his brows.
“They didn’t eat me,” I whisper.
Copper grunts. “No. They didn’t.”
I’d expected screaming or for him to lash out at me. Instead, he stares at me like I’ve disappointed him. Of all the things he could have done, this is the worst. I burst into tears, which makes the dogs whine.
“Enough of that,” Copper mutters. “I can’t deal with you crying.”
This only makes me cry harder.
I’ve failed.
The Royal Bastards. My siblings. The FBI.
And especially myself.