Page 23 of Living Without

People should have known to steer clear of me. Only they never took the hint—strangers, yes, but my brothers and their families, no. Mrs Cliff and Malinda were like hovering mother hens, questioning me if I’d showered, slept, or eaten. They didn’t care if I yelled and threatened; they ignored it and went on to get a brother to force me into my room to rest and shower, or force a plateful of food on me. At least that was the case when I came back into the compound to see if anything new had been discovered.

Three days seemed like a lifetime.

Whenever the sun rose on a new day, I cursed it. It meant we’d failed to find her once again.

My attention went to Dodge as he walked into the common room. He had some mail in his hands, already opening them. I flicked a gaze to my food and used my fork to push it around. Really I needed to toss it aside and get back out on the road.

My chest ached. I didn’t know where to go for answers. I’d been everywhere and got goddamn nothing.

“Fuck,” was snarled. My head jerked up to see Dodge grip something in his hands. “Low, Josie, Malinda. Get the kids out, now.” I could see Low wanting to argue, but after a stiff shake of her man’s head, she did as he’d asked. All three women paled as they rounded up the kids and left. Dodge’s eyes flashed to Josh, Nary’s brother. “You also, kid.”

He stood from the couch and shook his head, his jaw tight. “No.”

“Josh,” Stoke warned.

Josh spun to his step-dad and glared. “You already said I couldn’t do the first ride out. I’m not missin’ out on anything else.”

Stoke went to him, his hands landing on Josh’s shoulders. “You’ve just turned eighteen. When you’re fully a part of Hawks, you get to know all. But if it’s something Dodge doesn’t think you should see, then you leave.”

“Jesus,” Josh clipped out. “She’s my sister.” He spun to Dodge. “Is it about her?”

My stomach dropped to my feet. My hands fisted before I picked up the plate and threw it to the table. Dodge wouldn’t want Josh out if it wasn’t about Nary.

Christ.

Fuck.

“Out, Josh,” Talon ordered.

“But—”

“Out!” Talon barked. “As your president, you either listen now or you’re no longer a prospect. Hear me?”

Josh mumbled a few things under his breath but quickly stalked out the door. What I should have been doing, instead of watching Josh, was keepin’ an eye on Dodge. I felt heat at my back. I looked over my shoulder to find Beast and Dallas there. My eyes went to Stoke to see he had Killer and Griz with him.

Shit.Fuck me, it was bad.

Bad enough Dodge got our brothers to be close when we’d lose it.

Motherfuckin’ hell.

Quickly, I stood and bolted for Dodge.

“Wait,” he ordered loudly. With the paper still in his hand, he pointed it up in the air and away from me. With a quick, hard tap to his stomach, he hunched over and I grabbed the paper.

My eyes went to it.

I stumbled back. “No,” I bit off harshly. My free hand went to my hair and ripped at it. “Fuck!” I slammed my eyes shut, my head going back, eyes then opening to the ceiling. “Fuck!”

Behind me, I heard Stoke arguing with Killer and Griz to let him go. Then everything faded. My knees hit the floor. I crumpled the photo in my hand before my hands slapped to the ground. There, I dry-heaved.

They’d touched her.

Put their hands on her.

Her eyes… Christ, her eyes, scared and yet fierce with anger.

Someone landed beside me and snatched the photo from my hand. “What. The. Fuck!” was snarled. “No, fuck me. Not my girl. Not Nary. Jesus. Fuck!” Stoke rambled. I glanced up to see tears in his eyes. Killer was next to him, taking the photo away. The whole room soon erupted in cursing, complaints, and threats.

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