Gentry (Wolves of Winter's Edge Book 1)(52)

“I’m serious. I’m a foot taller than you and quieter. That could pass as more mature in some circles, Trouble. No one is going to care that you’re robbing the cradle.”

She swatted him, and he winced like it hurt so she wouldn’t feel weak.

“Oh, this is my favorite song,” she said, turning up the radio.

He arched his eyebrow and tried not to laugh. “It’s a condom commercial. See? I’m more mature.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she murmured, her cute little chin lifted in the air as she pulled a pair of pink mittens onto her hands. The color matched her rosy cheeks. She belted out the entire jingle to the condom commercial. He loved everything about her.

“Are you happy?” he asked suddenly. Her answer mattered to him a terrifying amount.

Blaire slid her hand into his and rested it on his thigh. “I’m happy with you. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be moving on with my life, with my friends and family, and with my job. I’m not happy that you’re taking on this crazy town by yourself. When we left, Roman and Asher didn’t look like they were coming. Asher was packing his car up to leave, and Roman was sitting on the porch in his underwear drinking what I’m pretty sure was my last bottle of red wine. He wasn’t even using a cup. And he didn’t smile at me when I waved. He looked angry.”

So, she had seen that bit. Apparently, Asher had convinced his youngest brother not to get involved. Fucking annoying how they always banded together, and Gentry was always the odd-brother out, but what could he do about it?

“I don’t want you to do this alone,” Blaire finished quietly. “Maybe we should call Odine.”

“Not until I know her intentions. I don’t like her interest in you, or whatever fate she thinks is in store for me, and I don’t like that she is manipulating us into place for some agenda she doesn’t feel like sharing. I’m out on Odine. It’s a bad idea to trust a witch, Trouble. Always remember it. That’s a sure-fire way to breathe your last breath sooner. And her burning your hair? I don’t want her anywhere near you.”

“Why is it so dark out here?” Blaire asked, right as his instincts were wondering the same thing.

Gentry was halfway to town, dark woods on either side of the road, but there were usually bright streetlights leading the way toward Main Street. Gentry leaned forward, looked up at the dark light on the left, and narrowed his eyes at the shattered glass and bulb. “What the fuck is going on?” he murmured. “Those were fine yesterday.”

A howl lifted on the breeze, and Gentry slammed on the brakes as a shadowy figure appeared out of the woods and threw something across the road. The strip of nails glistened in the moonlight right before the truck skidded sideways over them.

The popping of the tires was loud, and he reached across to Blaire, held her in place as the truck went up on two wheels. Her scream filled his head and did something awful to Wolf.

The truck went up on two wheels and rolled. “Hold on!” he yelled as they crashed and landed upside down. Everything slowed. Maybe it was shock or denial that caused time to drag, but Gentry was thrown forward against his seatbelt, and there was such terror in Blaire’s eyes as the windows shattered inward. He watched her lips as she screamed, and everywhere tiny fragments of glass rained. And then time resumed as the truck rocked upside down and settled.

Another howl filled the air, and another. These weren’t his brothers’ voices that called him to war this time. This was Tim, Nelda, and even Mila. This was the Bone-Rippers promising pain. Fury blasted through his veins as he cradled Blaire’s head from where it was resting on the roof of the car, right on top of glass. Blood was streaming from a cut on her forehead, and her wide, frightened eyes were locked on him. She was panting so fast she would pass out soon if he didn’t settle her. Out of the broken front windshield, Gentry could see Rhett stride from the woods in nothing but a pair of jeans, a ripped-up T-shirt, and unlaced combat boots, like he was ready for the Change. He stalked toward the truck, a feral smile stretching his face as he stepped over a lane of snow.

Fuck. Gentry strained his hand against the roof of the car to give himself room to unbuckle. He had to get Blaire out of here. She was a sitting duck strapped to his truck like this, and there was smoke coming from the engine. The buckle clicked, and he hit the ground hard. There wasn’t enough room to move easily, but he had desperation pushing him.

“It’s okay, baby,” he murmured. “I’m gonna get you out of here.”