Okay, in hindsight, my plan to hit the hills was not a very good one. Dani and I have been running or a good hour. I’m not sure how long it could take a person to walk fifteen miles but I’m pretty sure we’ve done it. We’re currently sitting on a log trying to catch our breath.

When we first started, I thought I heard Tiny chasing after us, but it’s been silent since. I’m praying the fucker had died from his stab wound, but I’m not that hopeful. It seems my luck is not that great.

I’m freezing. Dani didn’t have a jacket and while she offered me her shirt, I figured I had more meat on my bones and could withstand the cold longer. I’m starting to think that was a fucked up idea. I’m so cold and tired at this point that I’m numb.

“Shit, Nic, I’m sorry. It’s just Dragon was so crazy the other night with Skull and then I saw those photos. I was worried about you! You have to understand...”

Dani’s been crying and I totally understand what she’s saying. Dani has a history that very few know about. But, I can’t lie and say I’m not pissed too.

“It’s okay Dani, let’s just concentrate on getting out of this mess,” I mutter, getting up to continue walking, leaving her to follow me.

“You’re mad,” she says, as we start trudging through the briars and trees.

“You shouldn’t have tried to set me up. You didn’t even know that man! You put both of us in danger without thinking!”

“He hasn’t been like that before today. I swear it, Nic.”

“Oh wow, so he was like great for a whole freaking day or two and just turned psycho, nutty, crazy the last fucking hour?” I bite back.

Okay, I might be a little more upset than I first estimated.

“That’s not fair! You haven’t known Dragon that long either, and it’s clear he’s a little unhinged. Didn’t you pay attention to those photos?”

“I did, but what I know that you don’t Dani, is that Dragon is good to me and he’s a good man. There are things going on at his club. I don’t understand it all and we haven’t talked about it, but I know there was a woman raped and beaten. I know she’s in bad shape and it was Dragon’s own man that did it. So, Dragon made sure the man couldn’t hurt another woman. I trust Dragon enough to believe that whatever he did, there’s a reason!”

“It still doesn’t make it right!” Dani argued.

“I heard the boys talking Dani. The victim was a sweet and innocent woman that they all thought a lot of. She was beaten unconscious and raped! I don’t care what you think is right. If that had been you, I would have wanted Dragon to get revenge too!”

That causes Dani to think for a minute. I can see it on her face. I knew it would. What I wasn’t counting on is the stubbornness that comes across her face. She won’t allow doubts to set in at this point. She’s convinced Dragon is the bad guy—even after the scene at the house.

“You’re freaking whacked. You’re so wrapped up in Dragon you can’t see he’s not a good guy! You do not need to be mixed up in this shit Nic.”

“What is your problem?” I yell, turning on her, just as a briar swipes me across the face, cutting my cheek. Which is just another in a long line of mistakes I’m making. I should be letting her ass lead so she’d hit the briars first. She at least has a long sleeved shirt on!

“I’ll tell you what my problem is! You were supposed to sleep with him and have some fun! Not just agree to move into his clubhouse and become his personal bitch! You have no idea what you’re getting into with a man like him! Men like him can destroy you, Nic!”

It hits me then what is really wrong with Dani. I should have guessed it earlier but it just didn’t click into place. I take a deep breath, my anger leaving me.

“Dani, Dragon isn’t Michael.”

“Michael didn’t seem like Michael in the beginning either, Nic. Even you have to admit that. Hell, you liked him!”

“I did and you’re right. I know Michael fucked you up in a big way. I get that Dani, but you’re reacting in all the wrong ways here. You have got to quit letting the past control your future. Michael is gone. You got away.”

“Some scars don’t heal,” she grumbles and pushes past me.

I sigh. There’s not much more I can say. Dani has every right to feel like she does. In her shoes, I can’t say I wouldn’t feel the same.

“Dani, Dragon protects me. He’d never hurt me.”

“Save it, Nic. I saw the look in his eyes. I’m all too familiar with that look and with the excuses women make.”

I let it go. It doesn’t matter what I tell her about Dragon. She’s not going to listen. Besides, I have bigger worries.

“Hold up, I know we’ve passed this damn rock before,” I observe, turning around to stare at a huge boulder that looks like one we would have used as a big slide growing up.

“Fuck!” Dani growls. “I told you going into the hills was a bad idea! Son of a bitch!”

Now I clearly realize that Dani doesn’t deal well with panic. Good to know. I wish I had known that earlier!

“Calm down. We’ll just turn right and start going that way to head towards the road. Surely we can get our bearings then,” I rationalize.

“I thought you said the road was too dangerous!”

“For God’s sake, you’re not listening to me about anything else, why listen to that!?!?” I huff, pushing in front of her. I start walking to the right. She could follow or not at this point.