Brown stared at the ground, the streak of bright red blood, and nodded.
It was enough. Finn spun on his heel and ran back up the stairs. All that mattered was Oscar and Jessa. Seeing them, smelling them…hearing the thrum of the blood in their veins and the beat of their hearts would calm him. And so would getting them to safety.
…
Jessa stared down at Oscar, the lids of his blue eyes growing heavier as he finished off his warm bottle. His little body relaxed, the latch on the bottle easing, as he drifted off to sleep. She smiled, stroking her finger along the soft curve of his cheek.
She envied Oscar. He had no idea what was going on. As long as he had someone there to take care of him, he was content. He didn’t know anything about danger or fear. Or have to worry about anything beyond baby-things. He’d grow up thinking it was normal for men to turn into animals, to act like animals—with instincts to hunt and kill.
She sniffed, the tears she’d held at bay overwhelming her. She lifted Oscar up, propped his tiny body against her shoulder, and patted. When he burped, she almost burst into tears. She loved this baby. So much. She’d no idea just how much until today. And while any rational person would be packing up and leaving, she couldn’t do it.
“Jessa?” Finn’s voice was soft, anguished.
She shook her head, refusing to look at him. That would only make things worse. He was the other reason she couldn’t leave. The hold he had on her refused to budge. Until she figured out what to do about it, she’d cling to Oscar and try not to fall apart.
“Take the laundry, divide it up,” Finn’s voice was tight, clipped. “All of this stays.”
“The scent trail needs to be covered,” a voice Jessa didn’t know.
She opened her eyes, regarding Finn and the redhead at his side.
“You think soiled diapers and dirty clothes will throw them off?” the man asked.
Finn rubbed a hand over his face. “What else can I fucking do, Hollis?”
The man, Hollis, shook his head. “I don’t think they’ll come back right away.”
“That’s why we’re leaving,” Finn said, looking at her. “We have to go, Jessa.”
“Let me take her,” Hollis said.
She froze, glancing at Hollis then at Finn and the look on his face. Fury. “No.” His one word said it all.
“Oscar?” Hollis was exasperated.
“No,” he repeated.
“Now you’re going all territorial?” Hollis shook his head. “Think, Finn.”
Finn spoke clearly. “I’m not letting either one out of my sight.”
Hollis nodded, stepping back. “Fine. Take them. I’ll do what I can here and meet you later.”
Finn clapped the man on the shoulder. “Thank you.”
Hollis’s grin was tight. “What choice do I have?”
Finn’s jaw clenched, his hand sliding from Hollis’s shoulder.
Jessa waited, watching Finn’s shoulders droop when they were left alone. “Who was that?” she asked.
His blue eyes found her. “Hollis. One of my oldest friends.”
Exhaustion weighed her down. “Where are we going?”
“Someplace safe,” he said, crossing to her.
She stared up at him. “When are we leaving?”