Starlee's Heart (The Wayward Sons 1)

“I definitely want some pie.”

We’re walking toward the Wayward Sun when I hear the sound of glass breaking and a surprised cry.

“What the fuck?”

Charlie stands in the middle of the street with blood dripping down his face. A broken bottle is on the ground. George runs to his brother and everything slows as I look up at Jordan, who has an evil smirk on his face.

Dexter slips from my grip, lunging past George and Charlie.

“Jake!” I shout, knowing he’s the only line of defense. His blue eyes flit around, overwhelmed with the scene. Jordan lifts another bottle between his fingers and throws it our way. It misses, shattering on the pavement, and then there’s a switch flipped in his eyes. Gone is the mean smirk. Now there’s just rage. He charges right at Dexter, barreling him to the ground. His fists move fast and hard, punching Jordan in the face. The difference this time is Jordan is massive and easily throws Dexter off his body. They both scramble to their feet. Blood drips down Dexter’s knuckles and from Jordan’s lip.

They lunge for one another again, bodies hard on impact.

“Help!” I scream. “Help!!”

Lights flip on in the cottages and businesses. Sierra appears in the yard. She spots the blood and Charlie on the ground and runs over.

Two guys from Epic, including Tom, appear, who is already speaking on his phone. “Stop!” he shouts as Jake drags Jordan off Dexter. “Break it up! I called 911, the police and an ambulance are on the way.”

Two of the guys from Jordan’s cottage rush out and see their friend. “Jordan. Stop. What the hell?”

They don’t seem happy but also not surprised. When they get him secured, I run over to Dexter.

“You okay?”

He nods, looking dazed. “I didn’t want to.”

“I know.”

Sierra runs over. “Starlee, I need you to get him out of here.”

“What?” There’s so much commotion.

“I’ll take care of Charlie. Get Dexter out of here. Tell him to go to the cabin.” She presses something in my hand. A key. “Don’t come back until tomorrow.”

“What about Leelee?” I glance up at the house. The lights are still off. She probably never woke.

“I’ll take care of it.” Sierra’s face turns into a silent plea. “He can’t be out here when the sheriff comes. You know that.”

I nod, finally getting it. I walk over to Dexter and help him off the ground. “Come on,” I say to him. He doesn’t argue and I lead him away from the crowd to the car. Everyone is so focused on Charlie’s injury and keeping Jordan contained, I don’t think they notice.

We hop in and I find the keys in the ignition. “Sierra said to go to the cabin. You know how to get there?” I ask.

He nods. “Head south.”

Neither of us speak on the way down the mountain. Not when the ambulance passes or the sheriff’s truck. I know he’s working to calm down—to reconcile the fact he left Charlie. When he reaches for me, running his hand along my thigh and squeezing, I lower my hand to his and hold on.

“Turn right up here,” he says once we’ve passed through June Lake. I take a road we’ve never been on before. It’s incredibly dark and hard to imagine anyone lives out here. “There’s a dirt road about a half a mile away. Just drive slow so we don’t miss it.”

I slow the Jeep to a crawl and although it feels like we could’ve walked faster, the headlights reveal a small, flat dirt road and I turn. It’s only a few minutes longer before a structure appears in the distance and when I reach the wood-plank cabin, I stop the car.

“This is it?” I ask, looking out the window. There are big windows and a massive stone chimney.

“Yep. Leave on the lights, okay?”

I hand him the key and he opens his door, walking up the set of stairs. I wait until he turns on the lights and then shut off the car. He meets me back at the base of the stairs.

“What is this place?”