Page 42 of Anton

“He was only trying to help us,” she cried softly.

I quickly pulled her to me, wrapping my arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

“I know, honey. And I promise you, we’ll end the guys involved in this hunt—and that psycho bitch—before we’re done,” I vowed, looking straight into her eyes.

Her watery gaze met mine, and she nodded, determination hardening her expression as she straightened her back. “Then we need to get to the village. Let’s go.” She grabbed my hand and started walking.

We couldn’t be far now, but continuing along the track was too risky. A longer route would be more draining, but it might keep us out of range of the hunters and their bloody guns.

“We need to leave the track,” I said as we walked. “We’ll head this way for now, but soon we’ll need to go deeper intothe forest.” As we moved, I deliberately laid several false trails, kicking up leaves and disturbing the dirt to mislead anyone who might follow.

When I’d done all I could to buy us time, I turned to her. “Okay, honey. It’s time to run again.”

Marcie didn’t hesitate, sticking close as she matched my every step. We disappeared into the trees, moving quickly. After about ten minutes, I slowed, knowing she wouldn’t last much longer without a break.

As the sun sank lower, the storm I’d noticed earlier crept closer, heavy clouds building on the horizon. It looked like it was going to be a bad one. Glancing at the sky, I calculated our next move before directing us back towards the dirt track.

“I’m pretty sure the village is near,” I said. “But I don’t think we’ll make it before nightfall—or before that storm hits. We should find shelter, wait it out, and get to the village in the morning.”

Marcie nodded, too tired to do anything else. My poor Little Miss Sassy was about ready to collapse. Rage simmered beneath the surface—I wanted to kill every one of those bastards who’d put her through this. But that could wait. Right now, I needed to get my woman out of the approaching storm.

“Let’s check those out,” I said, nodding towards a cluster of old, abandoned farm buildings up ahead.

Most were ruins, but one looked promising. Its sagging roof and weathered stone walls offered little comfort, but it was far enough from the track to be safe. Surrounded as it was by solid walls, it would shield us from the storm and allow for a small fire.

In the distance, faint lights glowed through the dusk—likely a working farm. But I couldn’t risk heading there. I wouldn’t put anyone else in the same peril as us, or worse, get them killed. Heading into a village for help was one thing, but heading out toa secluded farm, where a family could be put in danger, was not something I would do.

“This’ll work,” I said, leaning against the doorway and scanning the interior. It must have been used by a farmhand at some point. A small wooden-framed double bed stood against one wall, covered with a couple of shabby blankets that had seen better days. A little stove sat in the corner, rusted but intact. It wasn’t much, but it was better than I’d hoped.

With a relieved huff, Marcie sat onto the dusty bed, her shoulders slumping as exhaustion etched itself into every line of her body.

“I’ll go collect some wood for a fire,” I said, wanting to use the excuse to familiarise myself with the area in case we needed to get away quickly. I suspected that the storm would force the hunters to take cover and that we’d have peace until it was over at least, but it paid to know our best escape routes anyway.

Marcie nodded my way before forcing herself to her feet.

“Rest,” I told her, but she shook her head.

“I’ll help sort the place out first, then we can both rest,” she replied, before grabbing the dusty sheets, ripping them off the bed and heading outside to shake them. Respect filled me for the woman who never complained and simply got on with things no matter how difficult. She was amazing. In fact, she was so like me I didn’t understand how I hadn’t seen it before. We were the perfect match.

As I gathered enough firewood to last the night, all I could think about was that bed. That one bed. Would Marcie let me share it with her?

We’d slept together the night before, but that had been for body heat. I’d kept my distance, determined to do the right thing, and it had been torture. Now, after finally admitting to myself just how deep my feelings for her ran, I wasn’t sure I could restrain myself again.

My cock twitched. I wanted her. If yesterday’s sass and today’s kiss were any indication, she wanted me too. But did she really?

Doubt crept in. I’d rejected her so many times, and before we were kidnapped, we’d been arguing. She’d even been planning to date someone else. Was this just a distraction for her? Had I already lost her before I’d even realised how much I cared?

No. I forced the thoughts to a grinding halt. Marcie was mine.

I had a lot of making up to do after spurning her and friend-zoning her for so long, but she was mine. And I was hers. Somehow, I’d find a way to make this work.

My stomach churned at the thought of possible heartbreak, but like Marcie and Mrs Hargrove said, life was for living. I had to let go of the past and focus on the present. Even a few moments with Marcie in my arms would be worth a lifetime of pain. It was a risk, but one I had finally realised, I was willing to take.

As I returned to our little dilapidated sanctuary for the night, one question plagued me: should I throw caution to the wind, ignore my worries, and live in the moment right now? Or should I wait until this whole shitshow was over first?

What would my Little Miss Sassy do?

She’d jump me the second she had the chance. Smirking, I decided to follow her lead.

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