Page 48 of Reclaimed

“Step away from her,” he demands.

My heart slams against my ribs as I stare him down. “Like hell I will.”

She eases away from me, and I have half a mind to reach out and grab her hand. I need her closer so I can protect her until Jude gets here. I can’t… I can’t let anything happen to her.

“What happened to you?” Frankie speaks, her voice distorted like she’s underwater. I watch her from the corner of my eye, keeping any large movements to a minimum.

A conversation takes place in a bubble. Their mouths move, but the words don’t reach my ears. Even the sound of the growling dogs has gone quiet.

I shift closer to Frankie and catch her eye. Run, I urge silently. A certain death sentence for me, but a possible escape for her. That’s all that matters. Keeping her safe for Jude.

She shakes her head.

I pinch the back of her shirt and touch her hand, pushing the leashes into her palm. She needs to take the dogs so I can fight back. They’ll protect her when I no longer can.

I blink, readying myself for what’s to come when the scene changes. Frankie’s gone and the man is pointing the barrel at my head.

“Aiden!” A scream, but isn’t Frankie’s voice. It’s Isla’s.

Then the gun goes off.

I boltupright in the dark. My shoulders heave beneath the strain of heavy breaths.

A dream. Fuck, it was just a dream.

I groan and cover my face with my hands.

I knew I wasn’t sleeping well at Isla’s, but I haven’t ever had a dream like that. Even in the nights that followed the incident. The attack itself isn’t what’s haunted me, but the inadequacy of my life that it brought into stark clarity lingers like a stubborn storm cloud.

This… I don’t know what this is, but I know I don’t fucking like it. I haul my legs over the edge of my mattress and sit on the side with my head in my hands.

Frankie is safe. Isla’s safe. My family’s safe. I’m safe.

It was only a dream.

The red numbers of my alarm clock glow in the dark.9:27. I slept the entire evening away. Digging my phone from the front pocket of my jeans, I check for messages. A few in the group chat between my brothers checking in and switching places, but nothing urgent.

The idea of keeping someone safe again,two someones, must be fucking with my psyche. It’s the only way I can explain what just happened.

I spend some time freshening up and repacking my bag for Isla’s before I hit the road. After an expedited grocery shop, I pull up outside of Isla’s at ten on the dot.

Jack’s black SUV idles along the curb two houses before Isla’s. His headlights cut through the darkness of the road in front of him. I park behind him and exit, leaving my groceries on the backseat.

His window is already rolled down by the time I reach him.

“Nice night,” he comments, a small smirk on his face.

“Quiet, I hope?” I tuck my hands into the front pockets of my jeans and lean against his door. My gaze fixates on the road in front of us, staring into the nothing beyond the yellow beams.

“Not a peep.” He turns his attention toward Isla’s house.

“Do the girls know you’ve been out here?”

“Nope. Jude dropped a van-load of them off and circled the block until they were all in the house. They’re supposed to be riding home with me and Whitney, so my presence is expected.”

“I’m surprised you guys pulled that off.”

“There’s not much we take more seriously than keeping an eye on our women.” He turns his face to me. “I suspect you know something about that.”

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