Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
K ile frowned at hearing Sadie’s question. He also looked at the young girl, waiting for the answer. His body was tense, ready for battle because if that son of a bitch did this to her, Kile would go to the ends of the earth to find the bastard.
“Watch out,” Phil said, rushing toward the girl and nudging Sadie out of the way.
Reaching down to help Sadie to her feet, he was surprised when she pushed back at Phil, putting herself in front of the girl, her eyes narrowed in mistrust.
“I’m here to help,” Phil replied, sounding somewhat annoyed. “And I can’t do that with you in the way.”
“Sadie, it’s okay,” Gemma said, her voice understanding and calm. “Phil will help her.”
Kile watched as Sadie looked at the girl, who stared up at him. He gave her a nod before she looked away back to Sadie. “It’s okay, Sadie. Just don’t leave me.”
“I won’t,” Sadie promised before slowly backing out of the way. Kile felt her body shake, and his anger at her fear overwhelmed him. What exactly had she and Lily been subjected to?
His gaze met Eric’s, who was frowning. He had a feeling his brother was thinking the same thing. They needed answers for the safety of everyone at the Sanctuary. He needed answers for himself because he’d be damned if anyone hurt this woman. His wolf growled restlessly inside him in total agreement.
“Sadie?” Lily’s voice drew his attention as she rushed forward. “What’s going on?”
Before Sadie could answer, Lily spotted the young girl. Her hand flew to her mouth, and a cry escaped her lips. “No!” She shook her head, and Kile saw the moment terror overcame her. “What did he do to her? Did he find us? Sadie, is he here? We were supposed to be safe here.” Lily’s questions came out in a garbled cry.
Sadie headed her way. “Lily, I don’t—” She stopped when Alex took Lily in his arms, and she curled into him, her body shaking as sobs escaped her.
“No one is going to touch you, Lily,” Alex growled, sounding more animal than human. “I swear it.”
Kile watched as Sadie wrapped her arms around herself and then turned away from them. Their eyes met briefly, and he saw the unshed tears of defeat in her eyes before she looked away. He started to go to her to reassure her that she was safe but stopped when Phil called out to him.
“We have to get her up to Lance’s.” Phil stood with a frown. “I need a sterile place to get this arrow out. Thankfully, it’s not deep, but infection is already starting to set in. She doesn’t want anyone else but you to carry her.”
Nodding, Kile passed Sadie, who looked lost. “You’re coming with us,” he said, not caring if it sounded like a demand. He didn’t want her unprotected. Kile remained standing in front of her, staring down until she nodded. Only then did he turn toward the young girl, Char.
“You are going to have to be careful picking her up,” Phil told him, then looked at Char. “We have to move you. Kile will be as gentle as he can, but it will cause you pain.”
Char licked her dry lips as she nodded. “I trust him, and I’m already in pain.” She then looked up at Sadie. “Don’t leave me.”
“I won’t,” Sadie promised, stepping closer as Kile bent toward Char.
“Tell me if I hurt you.” He said, keeping his voice calm, but inside, he wanted to kill whoever did this to her. If he found out that it was that bastard, Colton, the fucker would never be able to outrun the rage he was feeling right now. His wolf clawed to be free, but Kile controlled the beast as well as his emotions. He knew Char, being a shifter, would be able to feel it, and right now, she just needed to focus on herself and nothing else.
Kile picked her up as carefully as he could. He stood still, watching her closely. He could see the pain on her face, but the brave girl never uttered a sound. She just laid her head on his chest and then reached out a hand, which Sadie took immediately.
“I got blood on your shirt.” She whispered as they exited the enclosure, following Gemma to one of the trucks.
“I have another one,” he teased with a gentle smile. Once they reached the truck, Eric had put a ramp so he could walk up it into the back. The less he bent his body while holding Char, the better. Thankfully, Lance’s place was right up the hill.
Eric helped Sadie into the back before removing the ramp into the back of the truck. Cole jumped into the back, standing next to Kile to help steady him and Char during the short ride.
“Sit down, Sadie. I don’t want you falling.” Kile looked down at Sadie, who stood on his other side, ready to brace him.
“I’m fine.” She said quickly, looking away from him and back to the young girl. “Char, what happened?”
“They found out I helped you and Lily,” Char whispered, her head against Kile’s bare chest. “I lied and told them I didn’t, but they didn’t believe me.”
“They?” Sadie frowned. “You mean Colton?”
Char sniffed, wiping her eyes, then moaned at the pain that simple movement caused her. “No one believed me.”
“That’s enough.” Kile frowned down at Char when she began to shiver in pain. “You can talk after Phil gets that arrow out of her back.”
“Colton told Sebastian you had taken Lily, and I helped.” Char ignored Kile and continued.
“Brace yourself.” Kile looked down at Sadie as the truck started to come to a stop. He began to walk toward the end of the truck bed, but Char reached out, grabbing Sadie's arm stopping him. He cursed at the cry of pain the movement caused her.
“Sebastian put a bounty on you, Sadie,” Char said, her voice weak and shaky. “I’ve been searching everywhere to find you. To warn you.”
“How much?” Kile growled, his gaze shooting to Cole and then back at Char.
“Fifty-thousand,” Char said, then winced.
Things just got more complicated. Kile frowned, hearing Cole’s whisper, “Fuck.” Cole had arrived just as they were pulling out. He had jumped in the truck while Larry gave him the details quietly.
“Lily is not Colton’s mate,” Sadie said, but there wasn’t fire in her voice. It was more of defeat and fear that sent Kile’s fury into overdrive.
“Your brother is Alpha?” The question came from Cole.
“Yes,” Char’s voice was sounding weaker. “As is Colton. I became friends with Lily. She is too good for Colton. He is cruel to women. Lily is too sweet. She never would have survived.”
“Did your brothers do this to you?” Kile tried to keep the rage out of his voice but knew he had failed miserably.
“His men by his orders.” Char groaned when he began to move. “Colton found out it was me that helped Sadie get Lily out and he told Sebastian. They wanted me to tell them where Sadie and Lily were, but I didn’t know. I didn’t want to know. When they finally figured I was telling the truth, my brother ordered his men to ensure I regretted going against the pack and banished me. We talked about this place, Lily and I, so I started searching. She called it the Sanctuary. I figured this was where she and Sadie were.”
“We will discuss this more after you are taken care of.” Kile continued down the ramp. His gaze met Cole’s, who looked as angry as he was. If the bastard did this to his sister, who knew what was in store for Sadie and Lily?
“But—” Char tried to say but cried out when Kile moved her in his arms.
“Char, we will talk more, but first, we need to remove that arrow from your back. We aren’t going anywhere,” Kile replied, not budging on discussing it further.
“Don’t let her out of your sight,” Char whispered against his chest, her eyes rising to meet his. “Promise me. Colton is nothing compared to Sebastian and he wants Sadie in a bad way.”
“I promise,” Kile replied, following Phil into Lance Cutter’s house and then up the steps to a bedroom where the bed had been stripped and covered in white sheets.
“Lay her on her stomach,” Phil ordered as he stretched surgical gloves over his hands.
Once Char was placed on the bed, Phil kicked everyone out except a woman who was assisting him and Gemma. Kile turned to walk out but stopped in front of Sadie. As she stared at Char, the fear on her face tugged at his heart. She had just been told there was a bounty out for her, and she looked more worried about Char.
“Come on,” He gently turned her toward the door, leading her out with his hand on her lower back. “She’s in good hands.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Sadie asked once he shut the door. Before he could answer, Lance walked toward them.
“I have some coffee and drinks downstairs.” He offered, his eyes staying on Sadie. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Lance Cutter.” He reached out his hand toward Sadie, and Kile seriously thought about breaking it but refrained. Holy shit, he needed to get a grip.
“Sadie, " she responded, not giving him her last name or a smile, which made him happy.
“We’ll be there,” Kile said politely as possible, dismissing him. Lance liked women, all women, and was a total flirt. Right now, they were neighborly, and he wanted to keep it that way, so getting rid of him was the best thing Kile could do right now. He’d hate to punch the neighbor in the face for flirting with Sadie.
Once he was gone, Kile looked at her, pleased she was staring up at him instead of looking Lance’s way. His wolf growled in pleasure also.
“She’s going to be fine,” Kile answered the question she asked before Lance interrupted them. “If I didn’t trust Phil, she wouldn’t be in there.”
“Thank you,” She whispered, biting her lower lip and glancing away.
“And so will you be,” Kile added, wanting her to know she was safe with them. With him. “You and Lily will be safe here.”
Her chin trembled as she nodded but didn’t respond. She wouldn’t meet his gaze, and he knew right then she was going to run. As soon as she knew Char would be okay and Lily was taken care of, she would run, sacrificing herself to keep the two safe. That was her plan, and he knew it, but he had different plans for her, and soon she would learn to trust him. No way he was going to let her go now.