“No. She doesn’t want help. Let her figure it the fuck out.”
Wolf glowered, lip twitching. He liked to rescue damsels in distress. Hell, Jill always needed help with something.
“I mean it,” I said in a warning tone. “Don’t you dare fucking help her.”
Wolf was as soft as a teddy bear, despite being a scary-looking giant. “She can’t get her footing.”
“Not our problem.”
“Don’t be like this.”
“Don’t be like what?” I got in his face.
“Mean and brutal. It isn’t you.”
“When it comes to her”—I thumbed behind me—“it is me.”
He, of all people, knew the story behind my breakup with Aspen.
Wolf shook his head. I could tell he was about to defy me when the corner of his lip curled.
“Thank you so much, Hollywood.” Aspen’s saccharine voice raked down my spine. The fucking prospect helped her.
“No problem, babe.”
Babe?
I whirled around to face her. “Your room is the second door on the left. Go get some sleep.”
She pushed her hip out, setting her hands on them. “I think you, Mr. Grumpy Pants, need the sleep. I slept most of the way.” She went around me toward the kitchen, removing her coat.
Hollywood chuckled, eyes twinkling—the same as Wolf.
I followed Aspen when I heard cabinet doors opening and closing. “What are you doing?”
She ignored me, continuing her inspection of the tiny kitchen. When I didn’t move from my spot, she turned around. “Go to bed, Zach. You’re exhausted.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not. We’re stuck here together. Not by choice.” She bit her bottom lip, drawing my gaze to it. Fuck. “Go crash for a while. I’m going to make some breakfast.” And just like that, she went to the fridge and pulled out ingredients.
18
Aspen
My situation wasn’t so bleak. Or so I tried to convince myself as I whipped up a batch of pancake batter. It took me an hour to organize the kitchen, so I could work more efficiently. Food was mixed with dishes. No rhyme or reason for anything. A clear sign a man had just put canned goods and other ingredients in any old place.
All the alcohol, a dozen bottles or so, were in one place above the stove. The important stuff, right?
Jill and Wolf slept, Hollywood sat on the sofa reviewing maps, and the other guy was out front keeping watch. Zach had stomped away like a child when I told him to go to bed.
Finally, I had some quiet and alone time.
So much had happened over the last eleven days; I’d hardly had time to process a damn thing. My escape from Casso’s iron grip had been beyond stressful. If he captured me, it would be my worst nightmare come true. He wouldn’t be kind or gentle the way he’d been knowing I was pregnant.
Waspregnant.
I sort of wished Hero and Tara hadn’t found me. If I’d frozen to death, I’d be in a better place, out of Casso’s reach. I wouldn’t be his prisoner again. His pet. The solitude and abuse would destroy me. I wouldn’t go back.