Page 49 of Auctioned to the Lumberjacks (Auctioned)

I nod, but I'm still not sure. I have a bad feeling that Jack's personal craving for revenge is lurking behind this plan, as though he can quench his pain by focusing on Carter and his treatment of Skye. Where Nathan has a wife and child to keep him on the straight and narrow, Jack isn't anchored. And with his stepfather's death coming out of the blue, I have a feeling that he's focusing on this as a way of avenging the past when he had no control.

Through Skye, he's attempting to cut out old tissue.

All I can do is listen and support the guy I love as if he was my brother.

And work with him to protect our woman from harm.

"Get what you need. We're heading off-site for now. Ron Maggs has agreed to it. I went to see him this morning. The others have got this, and we've got family troubles that need our attention. Priorities. It's all about priorities. And you need to get in touch with the Outlaws. Get Bones to give me a call." My stomach flips, and I'm not sure if it's fear or excitement, but I get the sense that something has been set in motion, and it's only going to speed up from this point towards a conclusion that will make us or break us.

Despite it only being early afternoon, the light outside is dim, and gray clouds gather overhead with an accompanying wind that makes the trees rustle and creak. I walk next to Jack fromthe truck, eyes scanning the left and right. Jack keeps his hands in his pockets and his eyes firmly forward.

Looking over my shoulder, I can't shake the feeling that we're being watched.

It's just paranoia, but I haven't had to watch my back since I left the streets, and it is not something that I want to have to do again.

Supporting Jack is the only way to get our way of life back.

At the cabin, I ensure every bolt is firmly in place before removing my coat and boots. West is making up the fire out of necessity; the air has a bite to it, and we want to keep Skye warm and safe. His gun rests against the mantelpiece like a guard standing to attention.

Jack slumps silently into the armchair, watching West work, his long legs sprawled out before him. He clutches his rifle between his meaty hands, ready for anything, even in a relaxed pose.

Skye is fast asleep on the sofa, a blanket pulled up to her chin, but a tight expression etched onto her pale face. She’s not finding rest even when sleeping.

"Bill called this morning." Jack cuts the silence, and West snaps his head around.

"Bill? He finally came good?"

Jack smirks, and West heads to the cabinet for the Jack Daniels.

I’m about to pull up a chair when there is a muffled tapping at the door.

I'm the only one who seems to notice, and moments later, the sound rises to a knock, and we are all alerted. It is accompanied by a sense of urgency.

Even Skye sits up suddenly, her blanket falling to the floor.

She looks exposed and vulnerable, dressed in nothing but a plaid shirt; one of West's.

West strides forward, but I’m already ahead of him. I move towards the front door with West at my shoulder. Jack stands and moves slowly behind us, the click of his gun cutting the air.

Sliding back the bolts and pulling open the door more confidently than I feel, I recognize the woman standing on our porch, framed by the gray light behind her.

It is the woman from the other night. The one from the photo that got Skye all riled up. Shona? That's it.

She looks much younger out of the bar setting, wide-eyed, almost feline.

The blue woolen hat she's wearing sits low as if she’s trying to disguise herself as well as defend herself from the elements. Shadows under her eyes tell of sleepless nights. She has the same haunted look that Skye had the first night we met her.

Damn this Carter guy. What the hell does he do to these women?

Her eyes dart from side to side, and she jerks her neck to glance behind her as if she may have been followed.

The tension radiating from her is tangible, and I instinctively stand aside to allow her in and slam and bolt the door immediately behind her.

She shuffles hastily into the main body of the cabin, taking in West's and my mighty bulk before freezing on the spot when she sets eyes on Skye.

Skye's expression is a mixture of shock, anger, relief, and something else. Confusion maybe?

Jack approaches, and for a moment, the only sound is the pulsing in my ears.

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