Page 21 of The Predator
The knot I’d had in my stomach for the last eleven days loosened for the moment as a flutter worked its way in. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Layla’s face when she laid eyes on me.
9
LAYLA
The bright afternoon sun beat through the windshield as Jordyn sped down the wide-open country road with minimal traffic. My brain rifled through everything in my life and what decision to make. Jordyn and Rianne knew what they wanted to do, but I couldn’t decide. I wanted to be a cop, but first, I had to find out what was wrong with me.
I was tempted to tell Jordyn to head east to Massachusetts right that second. But it wasn’t our truck, and as much as I would have liked to continue to piss off my uncle Jack, it was time I confronted him once and for all.
I kicked my feet up on the faded vinyl dashboard. “I’ve decided what I’m going to do first.”
Jordyn gave me a sidelong glance. “What? Call Sam? You should before we get to the ranch.”
I loved my sister dearly, but if she persisted in shoving Sam down my throat, I would jump out of the truck while it was moving.
“No,” I snapped. “I have questions for Uncle Jack, and it’s time he and I have a come-to-Jesus meeting.”
She flinched, her big brown eyes lingering on me before she turned her attention back to the road. “Are you sure about that?”
I drummed my fingers on my leg. “One hundred percent. It’s time. There’s been over two years of tension in this family since Dad died, and I want answers.”
“Like why they didn’t hunt Dad’s killer?”
I rested my head against the seat. “That and who the lady Dad had been dating was.”And why did my uncle hate me so much?
She glanced in the rearview. “I think we’re being followed.”
I popped forward. “What?” I checked over my shoulder then the side mirror.
“That gray sedan has been behind us since we left the restaurant.”
I wouldn’t put it past Uncle Jack to have someone watching us, especially after reading Sam’s text. “Maybe that dude at the restaurant was hired by Jack to keep an eye on us.”
I should’ve been paying more attention when we left, but I had my nose buried in Sam’s text, debating whether to respond to him.
She slowed to a four-way stop. “Let’s find out.”
The driver in the vehicle stayed about four car lengths behind us.
She turned right, which wasn’t the way to the ranch. “Maybe I should’ve gone left. The only thing down this road is an old, abandoned sawmill. We might be trapped. What if Vera breaks her deal with the military vamps?” She made a U-turn. “If we want to confirm our suspicions, then let’s do it in a more public place.” Her knuckles were white against the steering wheel.
I wasn’t as spooked as she was—I was irate. But I could understand why a sheen of sweat formed on her face. She’d been through hell with Sasquatch. And in my opinion, a wolf shifter was far scarier than a vampire.
No sooner than she pressed on the gas, the gray sedan came toward us.
“Slow down. I want to see who we’re dealing with,” I said.
She stiffened, easing up on the accelerator as we approached.
I turned my head slowly as both vehicles were side by side for a mere second.
The man from the restaurant grinned at us.
I wagged my forefinger to the side of the road. “Pull over. Let’s see what he wants.”
“Are you nuts?” she squeaked.
“Jordyn, the guy looks harmless. Maybe he’s a lawyer and wants to serve us papers. Maybe Dad had some unfinished business.”
