Page 18 of Wolf Betrayed

My dad put his hands on both mine and Mikey’s shoulders and looked between the two of us before settling his gaze on Mikey. “It’s just the three of us now, boys. I don’t care what happens to Lincoln once I get the information.”

Mikey whooped and did a fist bump in the air. “Does that mean I can finish him?”

My dad shook his head and chuckled. “I’ll let you do what you wish once we have everything we need. I’ll need to check the information over and make sure it’s all there first.” The smile slipped from his face, and he held up a finger. “Don’t do anything before then. We still need him alive for now.”

I swore under my breath and then ground my teeth together.

My actions didn’t go unnoticed.

My dad looked at me and lifted his brow. “Does that bother you, Sawyer?”

“No.” My reply was immediate, and I was proud of myself for keeping my tone even when all I could see was red blurring my vision.

“Good.” My dad sounded pleased for the moment.

I still had him fooled, or at least I hoped I did.

Mikey moved back toward Lincoln and squatted next to him. “You get a small reprieve, but I’ll be back, and I’ll be ready to make you talk.”

He smacked a fisted hand into his open palm.

Mikey stood up, twisted on his heel, and then sauntered out of the barn.

My dad watched him go, only shaking his head slightly once Mikey had disappeared into the night.

I met my dad’s eyes. “I’m worried about Mikey.”

My dad didn’t say anything for a long moment.

Then he scrubbed a hand over his chin and looked away. “We will need men like him. So long as he knows we are in charge, I’m not worried about it.” He gave my shoulder a squeeze and then turned for the door. “Come on. We have planning to do. Our next attack will be swift and final.”

Six

Sawyer

I shut the door to my bedroom and closed my eyes as I sagged against the wood. It was well after three in the morning. My dad had kept me out all night strategizing and thinking of our next move. He’d been right in saying it would be swift and final.

I shuddered at what he wanted to do.

Every muscle in my body was on edge. My head pounded with an ache that felt like it would never go away. All I could think about was my brother lying on that barn floor, and what might happen to Sloane if I failed.

I stood to lose everything. I had to stay strong and keep my emotions in check. My father trusted me. He told me every idea he had, right down to the gruesome details.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and opened my eyes. My room was dark, the only light coming from the moon as it shone in from the far window. I kicked my shoes off and headed for the bathroom, then stripped and turned on the water as hot as I could get it.

I stepped under the steamy stream and let the water pelt me, wishing I could wash away everything.

All I could see was Lincoln beaten and bloody or Sloane about to be attacked. If I hadn’t been there earlier…

I didn’t even want to think like that.

I smacked my hands on the tile hard enough for it to sting. I gritted my teeth so hard that I was afraid I might crack them. This situation was getting out of control. I needed a plan fast.

The world around me began to spin. A roaring sound filled my ears. But all I heard was white noise until she spoke.

“Sawyer?”

I spun around. Sloane stood just outside the shower, looking like an angel.

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