The first thing we did was drop Evan off with his brother. He had been missing for weeks, and while I didn’t know what his animal was, I knew he’d be safe in the custody of his three hundred pounds of muscle big brother, who had tackled him in a bear hug.
I waited in the car with Skye, who hadn’t spoken a word since we left Delgado’s mansion. She stared listlessly out the window to my left, so I scooted next to her and let her know everything was all right.
As soon as we approached the Weston house, Reno got out ahead of us to speak with Austin.
“If anyone can smooth things over, it’s Reno,” Wheeler said.
“Is he in trouble?”
Wheeler shut off the engine and rolled up his window. “He’s a PI; it’s his job to be in trouble. But this involved me, so yeah, he’s probably going to hear it from Austin for not having kept him in the loop.”
“This wasn’t just a personal vendetta,” I reminded him. “If Austin wants a good reason why you two snuck out of the house on a mission, then make sure you put that little baby in his arms and let him hold her for a few minutes until he figures it out.” I angrily pushed the front seat forward.
Wheeler got out of the car and helped Skye to her feet, hooking his arm around her waist and letting her lean against him for support. She looked so frail it worried me. Had Delgado fed her, or was his plan to starve them into submission?
We approached the front porch at a slow gait, allowing Reno enough time to fill Austin in on what we’d been up to. I knew in just a matter of moments my presence would no longer be welcome here.
Izzy appeared at the front door in her long Pink Floyd T-shirt, holding Lola in her arms. Lola was asleep on her shoulder, and when Izzy caught sight of Wheeler and Skye, she gave her a gentle shake.
Lola opened her eyes and rubbed them. Izzy whispered something in her ear and pointed at Skye. The moment that baby caught sight of her mother, she kicked her legs wildly to get down.
“Mommy! Mommy!”
Skye broke from Wheeler’s grasp and rushed up the porch steps with newfound energy. When she reached the top, she fell on her knees and wrapped her arms around that baby so tight I thought she’d never let go.
Lola sobbed, still crying out her name.
“Shhh, baby. Mommy’s got you.” She kissed her several times on the cheek, and I stood in awe of mother and child reunited.
It could have gone another way. That baby might have never known the fate of her mother, who would have eventually lost her life in a cage fight. I wiped a tear from my cheek, the rest of the pack also misty-eyed. Izzy laced her fingers together in a prayerlike gesture, resting them beneath her chin. Jericho rubbed her shoulders from behind, coaxing her back inside.
Just as soon as they were out of sight, Reno stepped out with a small bag and tossed it down to Wheeler. “Put this in the blue truck.”
“For what?” Wheeler cocked his head and tested the weight of the bag.
Reno squatted in front of Skye and softened his voice. “There’s a pack up in Colorado—a good pack. They take in Shifters who need protection. I go way back with the Packmaster; he’s a good man I’d trust with my life. I’ve sent several men, women, and children to his homestead. It’s well protected.”
“Colorado?” she asked with uncertainty.
“It’s temporary. You’ll stay with him for as long as you need, and then he’ll start helping you relocate. If you want, there are packs out there who take in other animals. He’ll set you up with a new identity and job in any city you want. The property is secluded and no one knows it exists. It’s a safe haven. You up for it?”
“Is this necessary?”
“Delgado is still out there, and I’m guessing you don’t have any family to take you in. I’m not going to sugarcoat it and tell you everything is fine. When Delgado finds out what we’ve done, he’ll be on the hunt. You’re better off starting over. If you stay here, I can’t guarantee your safety. He won’t think twice about coming after your daughter to teach you a lesson; that’s how men like them think.”
She picked up Lola and rose to her feet. “No one is going to touch my baby.”
Lola had her arms wrapped around Skye’s neck and was playing with her long hair from behind. It made me smile to see her flipping it about, making ripples in the straight waves of silk. Her cheeks were still wet, but her eyes were filled with joy.
“We leave tonight, and it has to be with the clothes on your back. We can’t risk going to your home to pick up anything. If there’s something sentimental you really want, I can search the place at a later time and hold on to it for you. I packed a few things for your little girl. Izzy added a few extra toys and a pink blanket. That okay?”
Skye nodded, tears shining in her eyes as she stepped into him for a hug she couldn’t even give because her arms were full.