Page 9 of Taken By The Wolves
“A little.”
Finn returns with two small pills and a glass of water. I eye them warily. They’re not in a packet. No label. No branding. Just two anonymous white tablets.
“I can’t take those,” I say.
Nixon looks at me, head tilted slightly. “Why not?”
“I’m allergic,” I say smoothly.
“They’re over-the-counter painkillers,” Finn adds. “Nothing strong.”
“I get reactions,” I lie, shaking my head. “Hives. Swollen throat. That kind of thing.”
They don’t argue, but Nixon doesn’t look convinced. He readjusts the ice pack against my ankle, his hand lingering longer than it needs to.
“I think I should call the police,” I say. “I don’t know what happened to the guy in the woods, but if he’s still out there, he could hurt someone else.”
Nixon’s hand adjusts the ice pack to curve around my ankle. “You can leave that to us,” he says. “We know the sheriff in town. We’ll let him know what happened.”
“I should make a statement,” I insist.
“We’ll see what the sheriff says. Right now, you’ve had a shock. No need to stress more.”
Finn sits across from me, his eyes searching mine. I don’t think he fully understands why Nixon brought me here. I’m not sureIknow. But it’s clear he’s not about to questionhim in front of me.
Before I can press the issue further, Reed reappears at the top of the stairs, one hand sweeping out like an actor on stage.
“Your castle awaits,” he says, voice rich with theatrical flair. “M’lady.
4
SCARLET
There’s no way out.
The realization settles over me like a fog, creeping in without warning, curling around every thought. I’ve asked. I’ve argued. I’ve struggled. I’ve been reassured by three strangers with the kind of beauty that should come with a warning label. They insist they’re only trying to help me.
But I don’t know them. And I don’t know what else to do.
“We’ll help you up,” Nixon says, his hand already reaching for me. I shuffle forward on the couch, clutching my purse like a lifeline. Before I can rise on my own, he tugs me upright and sweeps me off my feet again, effortless and unbothered.
“Showing off your manly strength,” Finn calls out from the hallway.
“How do you think she got here in the first place?” Nixon’s voice is flat, but there’s something sharp beneath it.
Up the stairs we go to a room tucked at the back of thecabin, and for a second, I forget everything.
It’s beautiful.
The soft glow of a bedside lamp warms the wood-paneled walls, casting golden shadows on the hand-carved furniture. The bed is large, made from thick beams of polished walnut or oak, the headboard smooth and gleaming beneath my fingertips. Everything smells faintly of lavender and pine. If my motel room looked anything like this, I wouldn’t have dreaded staying there for a night.
Well... I guess that’s no longer a problem.
“I’ve left you a towel,” Reed says, stepping into the doorway. “The sheets are clean, the bathroom is down the hall, and there’s a crutch in the corner if you need it.” He points to a gray metal contraption that stands waiting to assist me.
“Thanks,” I say. “I need that.”
“Not really,” Finn says from behind me. “You have Nixon to carry you around. I’m sure he’d be happy to escort you to the bathroom, too.”
