Lycan It

Chapter Six

Janine lay curled in the corner of the cave with her back to the entrance just as Raze had instructed her to do. She pretended to shiver every so often, and listened as he talked to a man that had brought them food.

“What’s wrong with the bitch?”

She recognized the voice as that of the dark-haired kid who appeared to be no older than nineteen or twenty named Ricky who normally escorted them to the lake.

“She’s sick.” Raze’s voice was laced with disgust just as he’d warned her it would be.

“She gonna die?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care.” Raze snorted. “She’s only good for one thing to me.”

Ricky laughed. “Yeah. I wish I could have had a go at that one. She’s curvy and womanly, unlike a lot of the sticks brought up here for us.”

Janine winced. Nothing like being called fat.

“Damon told me to take your chain off.”

“About fucking time. My neck’s starting to chafe.”

There was some rustling, followed by the rattle of the chain hitting the floor of the cave.

“He had to be sure you wouldn’t run again. You know, Raze. I’ve always liked you. You’ve always been different, but if you run again, he’s going to kill you. You know that, right? There ain’t no second chances here. Hell, there’s rarely a first chance. Don’t be stupid again.”

“Why in the hell would I want to leave? I just had a stupid moment of weakness just like we all do on occasion. I know my place is here now.

Always was, always will be.”

Janine shivered for real after Raze’s statement. She’d rather be dead than spend the rest of her life here.

“Here’s your food. Let me know if you need anything else. Oh, here’s a clean change of clothes too.”

She listened to Ricky’s retreating footsteps before risking a glance over her shoulder. Raze was crouching, holding a big bowl in his hand, his head bowed, and his back expanding with each deep breath.

“What’s wrong?” Janine whispered.

Raze’s head snapped up and he turned to look at her. His eyes held that eerie glow to them once again. “Nothing.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “Seems like it’s not nothing to me.”

She watched him as he stood and came to sit beside her, so close he nearly touched her back. She didn’t miss the way he always placed himself between her and everyone else at all times. Even when he’d been talking to Ricky, she didn’t have to look to know that Ricky would have to peer around him to see her. He protected her the best way he could without drawing attention to the fact that he was doing so.

“Here.” He handed her an apple. “Eat something.” He sighed. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just real tired of playing the meek, obedient dog to Damon.”

“After tonight, it will all be over.” She tried to reassure him, even though she had doubts of them ever escaping.

“No. After tonight, we will be running for our lives until Damon is dead.”

She turned to him. “You were serious when you said you will never be free of him unless he’s dead? He will never stop coming after you. But, what you didn’t mention is, he’ll be after both of us. Won’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my God! I can never go back home.” She sat up. “Wait. If he finds out who I am, he will use my sister to get to me, won’t he? I have to find a way to protect her.”

“Settle down, Janine. First of all, where is your ID?”

She frowned. “In my car.”

“Did Damon get in your car?”

“Not that I know of. No. I don’t think there was time. I believe he watched me and waited to grab me as I came out of the restroom. I don’t think there was a reason for him to get into my car.”

“Did you tell him your name?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“He has no way of knowing who you are then. You’re sister will be safe, and once we are free, you can call her and check on her for your peace of mind.”

“She’s all I’ve got left, Raze. She has to be safe.”

“Hey, it’ll be all right. How about we talk about something else?” He glanced down at her leg. “Why do you limp?”

“Car accident a couple years back. My parents were killed, my sister barely got a scratch, and I got a shattered leg.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories for you.”

“No. It’s okay. It was really hard, still is really hard at times, but I’m coping.” She took another bite of the crispy apple.

“What do you do for a living?”

“I have a cupcake business that I run out of my house.” She smiled before taking another bite.

“Cupcake?” He grinned.

She smiled. “Yeah. I’m a good cook and an even better baker, and I love doing it.”

“Well, just so happens that I have a sweet tooth. When I get you out of here, I expect to sample some of your cupcakes.” He wiggled his eyebrows and she giggled.

“If you get me out of here, you can have whatever you want.”

He swooped down and took her mouth in a slow, scorching kiss. “I’ll hold you to that, Janine—what’s your last name?”

“Denton.”

“Janine Denton.” He grinned a wide, toothy grin. “I like it.”

“What’s your last name?”

“Jackson.”

“Raze?” She whispered.

“Yeah?”

“I still don’t think you’re going to be able to carry me out. I mean, I know you could probably pick me up and all because you’re a pretty big guy, but if they chase us… There’s no way. I’m too—”

“Do not say what I think you are going to say.” He traced her cheek with his fingers. “For one, you are beautiful and curvy and sexy. Two, I guarantee you that I will have no problem carrying you, even if that means running while doing so.”

She snorted, and watched as he set the bowl down and crouched over her. She gasped when he scooped her up as if she weighed nothing.

“Do you believe me now?” he whispered.

“I said that I didn’t doubt you could pick me up, although I do have to admit, you did it easier than I thought you’d be able to. I’m just worried about the running with me part.”

“Don’t. And don’t doubt that I meant exactly what I said about you being sexy and beautiful either.”

“I’ve never been called beautiful. Cute, adorable, sweet, yes. Beautiful?

No.” Her breath caught when he placed his lips over hers in a feather light, scorching kiss.

“Now you have.” His lips still touched hers as he spoke the words.

He deepened the kiss, and her arms tightened around his neck. She’d never met a man that made her burn like Raze. She could simply look at him and get hot and bothered, and the way he touched. Oh, he knew just where and how to touch her to make every cell in her body awaken to him, call for him, beg for him.

Raze broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “Nightfall will be coming soon. I’ll ask to take you to the lake at dusk. I doubt anyone will be watching us too closely since Damon had my chain removed. I want you to act like you are feeling better, but not entirely well.” She nodded, and he set her down. They ate their food in silence and waited.