The Pack (The Pack 1)

“You can do this,” I whispered, fear making my voice hollow. “You have to do this.”

The truck tried to swerve around me once more and I jerked the wheel, but this time an oncoming car had me darting back to my lane. The truck saw it a second later and was forced to get behind me once again.

For a brief second, I contemplated the idea they were crazy drivers and just wanted to pass me, but a glance in the rearview mirror revealed one of the guys balancing out the window of the truck, a rifle in his hand. The sight pushed my foot to the floor as I gave the car more gas. The sign for the motel appeared and I could have cried. I was going so fast I was terrified I’d spin out of control when I attempted the turn, but I couldn’t slow down. If I did, they’d overtake me.

I waited until the last second to jerk the wheel and for a moment, I could swear the car was airborne, but with a jolt, I fishtailed into the driveway. I was grateful the entrance was empty as the heavy car skidded into the other lane before I could straighten it. I slowed as I entered the parking lot. The sound of squealing brakes pierced the air, and I hunched over the wheel knowing they were coming back around.

I had no idea how I would make it inside before they caught up to me and if it would do any good if I did. I came to a stop right in front of the manager’s office, terrified if I went inside they’d hurt my dad.

Just then, the office door opened and a man stepped out.

A giant of a man.

For a split second I thought it was Dominic, but then realized there was no way he could have made it here before me.

The rumble of the pickup truck that had followed me caused my fists to clench as I waited for the guys in the truck to jump out after me. The man who’d come out of dad’s office stepped in front of my car, a terrifying expression on his face, and while I knew it wasn’t Dominic, I knew they had to be related.

The terror drained from me as I watched him stand there fiercely, his gaze locked on the truck that had followed me. His face was older, but there was no mistaking that protective stance and those distinctive eyes.

I could see Dominic had come by it honestly, because the man standing next to the car was as intimidating as hell, and as I glanced out my window, I watched the truck peel out of the parking lot. I wanted to believe it was because they wouldn’t start something in front of witnesses, but as the man’s eyes flickered to mine, I knew the real reason they had run away was staring straight at me.

He tilted his head toward me respectfully before walking away, and my gaze followed him until he disappeared into the edge of the forest surrounding the motel. It was only then, I managed to get out of the car, walking on shaky legs as the adrenaline dissipated.

I made my way inside the office to find Dad on the phone. He gave me a smile and I forced a matching one to my face. I debated telling him what happened, but I didn’t want to frighten him. Or explain all of the weirdness going on, an annoying little voice chimed in.

I headed for the janitor closet to get my cart, not even bothering to change out of my school clothes. I wanted to get the rooms cleaned as quickly as possible and then lock myself in my room. Apparently, those guys hadn’t given up and I no longer felt safe anymore.

“We had a visitor today,” Dad said, poking at an unidentifiable lump on his plate. My heart started to hammer as I thought of the large man who’d managed to scare off my pursuers with nothing more than his presence.

“You did?” I squeaked, before clearing my throat and informing him, “It’s a piece of chicken, Dad.” He gave me a bright smile even as I poked at my own plate doubtfully. “At least I think it is.” The frozen dinners had become a staple since neither of us knew how to cook, but sometimes it was difficult to tell what we were eating. For a moment, I recalled the dinners we used to have, before reminding myself of their cost.

“Yeah, a guy named Hank Navarre.” My chest eased when he didn’t say Hanley, even though I still wasn’t sure if that was a name of a person or group. “He and his family own all the land surrounding us,” Dad continued and I perked up. “He just wanted to stop by and welcome us to the neighborhood.”