Caged Wolf (Wolves of Willow Bend Book 2) by Heather Long Read Free Book Online Page B

he brought her fingers to his face. The bristles of his unshaven cheek rasped her skin. “Did you hit your head?”
    It took a moment for his question to sink in. His skin was warm, the bristles rough, and the puffs of his breath tickled along her wrist as she gave into the urge to explore. “What?”
    “Did you hit your head?” He cupped her face, and stared into her eyes, his gaze searching and intent.
    “No, at least—I don’t think so. Are you really here? Am I really here?” How insane did she sound? “I mean…I’ve had episodes. Is this an episode or did your people really kidnap me?” Okay, maybe she sounded really crazy. She bit her lip. “Linc was there—and a man named Owen and some woman. I’d never seen the others before. I tried to run, but she caught me and covered my mouth and I think I passed out.” She swallowed hard, silencing the rush of information escaping.  
    “It’s not an episode. You are here,” he said, sliding his hands down to rest on her shoulders. “I’m sorry they scared you.”
    “They didn’t.” Not totally a lie. She’d scared herself more than they did except— “A.J. that man said he wanted to put you on trial again. Why? I found a way to save you…why do they want to punish you again?”
    “It’s not important.” After a light squeeze, he withdrew his touch and backed away a step. The haunting darkness in his eyes drew her attention over and over. No matter where she tried to redirect her gaze, she couldn’t stop staring at him. He looked like hell.
    I should have gotten him out sooner. “I should have spoken up, told them the truth.” He’d endured hell because of her. “It was my fault.”
    “No.” He closed the distance once more. “I told you to stay silent. You did what you were supposed to do.”
    “You didn’t—” But she couldn’t finish the sentence because he’d placed a finger against her lips.
    “Not a word.” His voice softened, lowering to an almost intimate level, but she couldn’t mistake the order for anything else. “The woods have ears.”
    Ears?
    Dragging her attention from him, she scanned the area. They were alone or…were they? Fear pumped fresh adrenaline into her system and she started to shake.
    “Shh,” A.J. whispered against her hair. Oh, he was holding her. She wrapped her arms around him. He’d always seemed so much larger than life and, even desperately thin and haggard, he encased her in strength. “They won’t hurt you. No one is going to hurt you.”
    The world spun out of control and she danced on the precipice like a madwoman. “No, I can’t be here.” She struggled, pulling away from him. Not that it was much a fight. He released her immediately. “I’m supposed to be on the road to Arizona. I’ll get my car, get in my car and go. They’re expecting me at the facility there. It will be good for me. Yes. Good.”
    Don’t look at him. Don’t talk to him. Don’t even begin to entertain the possibilities being close to him aroused in her. She needed to go, to escape.
    “I’m starting over there. Nathanial helped me find a great place, I can get treatment, and I can have an apartment and a safe environment. They won’t let me wander off or disappear. It will be good. I’m going to get a job and I’m going to reclaim my life.” Yes. Exactly what she needed to do. Except…where was her car? She looked around the clearing hosting the cabin. The building itself was larger than she’d first imagined, two stories and home to a gorgeous, homey porch right down to the rocking chairs.
    “Arizona?”
    “Yes, the Grand Canyon State. Open land, beautiful temperatures. Hot summers, but you know summer should be hot and new. It’s all new.” She trembled. Where was her car? “Where’s my car? It should be here. I drove myself…or they drove me, someone had to get me here. Maybe a bus station? Though I’m not sure where my purse is.” Raking her fingers through her hair, she fisted it and