Page 29 of Bear Hunt

The way Bear calls me Baby Girl pulls at something deep inside me, every single time. It’s a good something, but it’s also difficult to pinpoint or describe. The fact that he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life is minimal compared to the way he makes me feel.

Loved. Cherished. Beautiful. Brave.

Safe.

I have never felt those things before, not even with my own mom. I know she loved me, but not enough to protect me.

A gentle knock on my door pulls me from my thoughts and I climb out of bed, curious as to who it is. I thought everyone was already asleep, seeing as it’s just past midnight.

“Hey, buddy.” I smile at Paxton when I find him on the other side of the door in his PJs, but his worried frown doesn’t budge. “Is everything okay? Are you okay?”

His frown deepens. “That biker who likes you is outside, just sitting there playing on his phone. Do you want me to tell him to go away?”

There are so many things about what Paxton just said that make my heart flutter. The biker who likes me… does he though? Or is he just being kind? The fact that his mom ran a home like this one makes kindness seem like the most logical explanation. Although, even that usually comes with a cost, but I haven’t quite figured out Bear’s price yet.

Next, the fact that this twelve-year-old boy is ready to protect me and the other women in this house by confronting a man who could squash him with his thumb… well, that’s bravery like I’ve never known.

“No, thank you, sweetie. He’ll get cold and bored, then he’ll be gone by morning.” I didn’t realize Bear was being literal when he said he was gonna be right here, outside, waiting in case I want anything, but I guess he was.

It won’t last for long, I’m sure. It’s the beginning of December and not exactly warm out.

“Okay, but if he makes you uncomfortable, just shout and I’ll tell him to leave.” This young boy is far too wise for his years. It’s obvious he’s been forced to grow up more quickly than he should have.

I give him a light smile and ruffle his hair. At least now he and his mom are safe here, he has the opportunity to be a kid, and he should be for as long as possible.

“You’re the best. Now go to bed. It’s Thursday tomorrow, don’t you have school?”

“Nah, I’m gonna start after the holidays in the new year. Maribel helped us fill out all the forms today. G’night, ‘Thena.”

“Night, Pax.”

His little frown is long gone as he turns and heads back to the room he shares with his mom.

I release a contented sigh, closing the door and heading back to bed.

For the first time, literally ever, I know what happiness is.

But it won’t last. I can’t keep what I feel like could be a beautiful life here because if one person can find me as quickly as they did, then it won’t take long for them to send another.

They’re too dangerous for me to stick around for long. The people here have been nothing but friendly, and I can’t be the reason any of them get hurt trying to protect me. Once I have my new ID, I’ll use the last of my cash to pay for the truck repair and leave. I’ll have to find some way to make money, but I have to keep moving.

Is this going to be my life? Forever on the run?

I pull the sheets up to my chin, rolling onto my side, and remember the way Bear punched that guy in the clubhouse earlier. It sent a shiver rolling up my spine with the way he protected my honor, because I know that’s what it was. I heard the guy’s taunts right before Bear turned around and practically knocked him out. It wasn’t what he did that scared me, though, it was the way it made me feel.

There’s something inside of me that thinks he could be enough. He could keep me safe from them. But his soul is far too kind for me to put that on him.

A couple more days… that’s how long I have until the truck is ready, and Mac assured me that my ID would be ready tomorrow. Two more days in this place I can’t call home, but I so desperately want to.

I can see what it would be like, to be cared for by Bear, to have friends like Mac and little Paxton… just until Friday.

It’s a bittersweet thought, but I didn’t run away to live a life of more misery. I can allow myself this one small pleasure for this short time I have left.

It won’t be anything like how it was withhimbecause I have no expectations this time.

“You can take the grilled cheese, I’ll take the coffee, okay?” I put five mugs full of coffee on one of the trays Maribel has, one for each of the bikers sitting outside the house, while Paxton uses another tray for the huge plate of sandwiches.

It was Paxton who actually taught me how to make it because I had no idea. I’ve never been allowed to cook anything before, let alone prepare anything like this. Maribel is spending time with one of the other women in the house and Paxton’s mom has started her new job at Lucy’s coffee shop part time. She was due to work alternative hours to me… but that’s a non-starter for me right now.

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