For the last several hours, Hollywood and I patrolled the area surrounding the cabin. I’d needed this break. Fresh air in my lungs, just me and nature…
And Hollywood.
I didn’t care he was with me. He kept asking thoughtful questions about how and where to escape should Casso’s goons find this place. What to do to protect Aspen if it was only him available.
Yeah, that last question twisted me up inside. The very thought of Campbell getting his hands on Aspen made me turn murderous.
“How long do you think we’ll be out here?”
I looked sidelong at Hollywood. “I have no idea.”
“How will we know when the coast is clear to return home?”
“Storm’s dad will send someone out.”
“Do you trust him? Storm’s dad, I mean.”
His question gave me pause. I turned to face him. “Storm trusts him. What’s with all the questions?”
Hollywood shoved his hands into his coat pockets, staring out into the vista. “I’m not sure. Gut feeling, maybe.”
I scrubbed my hand over my cheek. The cabin was off the grid and remote. I couldn’t imagine Campbell finding us out here. That didn’t mean I wasn’t worried.
If Casso wanted to, he’d take out his fury on the club. Many people were at risk in Bastion Township, so Sheriff Hendricks had been put on alert. The Fallen Soldiers MC in Iowa were heading up to Minnesota today.
Storm was preparing for war. I should’ve been there to fight with him, as I had when we were Marines.
“She’s gorgeous, y’know? Sweet too. While she was in the kitchen, she cleaned as she went. Sort of reminded me of my mom before she died. I remembered her telling me, always clean up, so you’re not overwhelmed by the mess. Aspen did just that.” He sighed like there was more he wanted to say.
“Spit it out, prospect.”
“I’m just worried for her. I know I don’t know anything about her. Or your history with her—”
“My history with her?” I snapped.
“Come on, Boxer. Everyone in the club knows she’s Snow. You have her name tattooed on your chest. That’s huge.” He kicked around a rock with the toe of his boot.
“So?”
“So, if anything happened to her because I didn’t protect her, I’d feel like shit. To be honest, I’m worried about my own life.”
I snorted. “You should be. So don’t fuck up.”
His eyes went wide.
I laughed. “Don’t worry, Hollywood, you won’t screw up.” I clapped my hand on his shoulder as we headed back to the cabin.
“I hope you’re right. So why’d you dump her?”
“I didn’t. She dumped me.” I gritted my teeth, hating to admit the truth.
“Seriously? I find that hard to believe.”
“Why, because I’m the perfect specimen of male hotness?” I puffed out my chest.
He snickered. “Sure, Box. But seriously, Aspen doesn’t seem to have a malicious bone in her body. I don’t think she could dump a guy, much less kill a fly.”
I stopped hard. “Look, I’m not gonna have this talk with you. She ghosted me. She didn’t verbally tell me shit. Don’t let her beauty fool you. Even the prettiest woman can be a malicious bitch.”