Page 41 of Axe-ing for Trouble
She threw a weary expression over her shoulder. “Don’t exaggerate.”
Eye twitching, I caught up to her and grasped her good arm, pulling her to a stop. “Exaggerate? You’re the one who got shot at.”
She rolled her eyes. Actually rolled them at me.
Annoyance flared hot in my veins, making my head pound harder. Why was she not getting this?
“That was a week ago. These kinds of idiots have short attention spans.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and followed after her as she picked up the pace.
“Bikers have been poking around town,” I said to her back. “Asking questions about you. The FBI is here too. Trust me, there’s a lot of heat right now. You have got to be careful.”
It made my stomach roll, how unafraid she was.
Without slowing, I took off my glasses and cleaned them with my T-shirt.
Mila spun around and glowered at me. Ripley stood between us, looking back and forth, confused.
“Why were you out there?” I asked again, trying to keep my tone even.
“Because I’m stuck in the house.” She threw her good arm up. “It’s a nice house, and I’m grateful that you’ve let me stay here, but I’m going stir-crazy.”
The movement caught my eye, highlighting the small backpack she’d slung across her chest as to not disturb her sling. Eyes narrowed, I slowly surveyed her, noticing the headlamp that hung around her neck like a necklace.
Something was off here.
“There are plenty of trails close to the house. Why did you come this far? Why would you venture onto public land where you could be seen?”
She shifted, her attention flitting away, a clear sign that she was hiding something.
All the suspicion my brothers had brought up rose in my chest.
Was she playing me? What was really going on here?
“I need the truth, Mila,” I said softly. “I don’t appreciate being lied to.”
She said nothing. Her eyes were on me again. Staring me down. She had one hell of a poker face, but I wouldn’t put my family in danger for her if she couldn’t tell me the truth.
“What are you doing out here? Tell me. I won’t ask again.”
Her eyes fluttered closed and her body deflated. “I’m out here searching for my phone.”
I frowned. “What?”
“When I fled, I stuck my phone in my bra, along with my ID and cash.” She sucked in a harsh breath and let it out again. “I used it to record the secret meeting that took place at a poker game. The big bosses were there, and they were planning something significant.”
I took a step closer, wanting to reach out and touch her, soothe the anxiety radiating from her.
“I took it with me when I ran, but I lost it along the way.” Head lowered, she wrapped her good arm around herself. “It’s all I’ve got, Jude. It was supposed to be the smoking gun. With it, I could have finished this once and for all. But I fucked up.” Her shoulders rose and fell as she breathed, face still averted. Eventually, she straightened and looked at me. “While you’re at work, I come out here and look for it.”
“But your search area—”
“Is massive. I jog, and Ripley comes with me.” She gestured to the backpack. “I bring food and water and then jog back and shower before you come home from work.”
“You’re not supposed to jog. You’re supposed to be healing.”
“I take it as easy as I can, but this is too important.”
