Page 29 of All's Fair in Love & Wrath

“Sienna, open the fucking door!” I rush out of bed, bringing my gun with me and unlock the several locks on the door. Maddox rushes in, pushing it closed behind him. It’s two in the morning, and I thought he was going to be out all night tonight, so I’m surprised to see him.

“Cain is tearing the fucking town apart looking for you. We need to go.”

“Go where? Why does he want me so bad, Maddox?”

“Obsession, Enna. Or vengeance. Both of those things will make men do insane things. And when there’s no moralityor soul, there are no lines they won’t cross. I need to keep you safe. So pack your shit. We need to move.”

“Again. We need to move again.”

“I’m not getting into specifics with you. I’m trying to keep you safe. That’s all that matters to me.”

“I don’t want to keep running, Mad. I can’t do this for the rest of my life.”

“It’s just until we take out Cain, you know that.”

“That may never happen. He may get to you first. Or me. And then what?”

“You think I don’t know that? Why do you think we’re doing this? Moving you from place to place every few days, all the changes, and sacrificing? It’s to keep you safe. You’re all that matters to me.”

“Lincoln and Gage matter to you too.”

“They agree with me. You come first. I couldn’t, we couldn’t.” Maddox runs his palm over the longer scruff at his face. His eyes look everywhere but me. It’s been like that for years. The three men in my life who mean more to me than anything can’t bear to look at me. Because all they see is damage. Their faults. Their failure. “We wouldn’t survive knowing he had his hands on you again, Enna.”

“I won’t go back to him alive.”

“Don’t fucking talk like that,” he snaps.

“I won’t. I’d rather be dead than survive another minute with him.”

“You will do whatever the fuck you need to do to survive, do you understand me? Now pack your shit so we can get out of here. Lincoln and Gage are outside waiting. He’s not just sniffing around anymore; he’s hunting and taking collateral.”

“Where are we going?”

“I’ve got a plan to get you out of Autumn Bay; the Hell’sHeathens have agreed to take you under their protection. You’re going to Amberwood.”

What? He’s sending me away? They agreed to that? I can’t leave him.

“What about you?”

“I’m not going with you. I’m staying here with Lincoln and Gage. You’ll be safe there, I promise.”

“You are not about to send me into another clubhouse. We don’t even know them! Are you serious? Maddox!”

“I don’t have a choice, Sienna! I’ve run out of options! What do you want from me?”

“To not ship me away! Are you serious? What if they’re just like him? I’ll be completely alone there, with no protection!” I feel like I’m on a sinking ship with no life vest, and everyone around me is watching from their lifeboats. Maddox takes the gun from my shaky hand, clearing the chamber.

“You’re packing this, and you’re going to use it if you need to. Aim and shoot.”

“Please don’t do this, Maddox,” I beg as he shoves the rest of my clothes that aren’t already packed into the duffel bag. He adds the charger and my very limited number of toiletries, then he’s zipping it up, grabbing my wrist and pulling me out of the little cabin.

Just as he said, Gage and Lincoln are outside waiting for us. Gage gives me a sympathetic look, his lips turning down in a frown as the four of us walk quickly to their blacked-out SUV.

“Maddox . . .” I try one more time before he yanks open the back door and tosses my bag inside. I roll my eyes, climbing in, Gage following me. Maddox and Lincoln get in the front, and my brother quickly peels out of the clearing, his tires spinning and picking up dirt and rocks as he goes.

We drive for an hour, the side of my head resting against the glass window, watching as the large trees whiz past us. It’spractically pitch-black outside, the clouds covering much of the moon and stars.

Our SUV slows, and nerves start to take over. My heart sinks into my stomach as I see a van pulled off to the side of the road with its lights on. Maddox pulls in front of it, slowing to a stop. I can’t believe this is happening. I dig my fingernails into the seat and stay frozen as my brother steps out of the car, Lincoln following him from the passenger side. Gage places his hand over mine, giving it a quick squeeze.