Melinda waved her off. “Of course not. Be careful. That roadblock is a real bitch,” she teased.
Sharon rolled her eyes. If that asshole Sandhouse stopped her again, there was a good chance she would get out of the car and read him the riot act.
After another round of goodbyes, Sharon leaned over the frail older woman who was the matriarch of this clan and squeezed her gently.
Mimi’s slow smile and gentle eyes made Sharon halt for a moment. She shuddered entirely after she stepped outside. Her insides were a quivering mess of sensations. Peace mixed with dread. Relief mixed with foreboding. She made her way to Melinda’s silver sports car and climbed inside.
For a moment she simply stared out the windshield, seeing nothing. She closed her eyes and reached out to her mates. “Cooper? Jackson?”
“I’m here, baby. Still at the epicenter. You okay? How was your day with the women in my family?”
“Good, I guess. Weird. Very weird. Mimi is much better after spending the day shifted. I just…”
“What? Is she okay?”
“Yeah…”
Jackson was present. She could feel him even though he hadn’t interrupted.
“Are you still at the station?” she asked him.
“Yes. But I could leave. Do you want to meet me back at the condo?”
“Sounds good. I’m so tired. It will take me about forty minutes to get there.” Sharon started the car as she communicated with her mates.
“If you’re too tired, don’t drive right now, Sharon,” Jackson added. “I can come get you.”
“No. It’s not that kind of tired. I’m mentally exhausted. I won’t fall asleep at the wheel or anything. Besides, I can always reach out to you if I get sleepy.”
“You’re sure?” Cooper asked. “Why don’t you let Jackson come to you?”
“Nah. Such a waste of time. Melinda loaned me her car. I just have to get through the roadblock at the edge of the reservation, and I’ll be home free.” She giggled into their heads.
Jackson spoke again. “Yeah. Sorry about that. Both sheriffs thought the best way to reach the most number of people was to stop them on the main stretch of road and keep them informed. It’s working. Do you have any idea how many people don’t watch the news or listen to it even in their cars? Shocking.”
“I’ll see you soon. I’m already on my way.”
“Be careful, love.” Jackson sounded sappy even in her head.
It warmed her heart. Her body itself was shivering from stress and cold, but inside she felt the love from both her mates.
“See you guys as soon as I can get away,” Cooper added.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sharon rolled her eyes as she approached the roadblock for the second time that day. Luckily, this time when she slowed and then came to a stop, the deputy leaned down to speak to her with a smile. “Hey, Sharon. You know what’s going on.”
“Sure do. Thanks for keeping the rest of the citizens informed.”
He patted her roof and stepped back. “Have a nice day.”
As she rolled the window back up, another deputy caught her eye. She didn’t know him, but he stared at her as if he would prefer to shoot ten rounds into her chest than have to face her.
A chill raced down her spine as she jerked her gaze from him and kept driving.
Still a little freaked out from the glare, she wasn’t paying close attention to the road when two minutes later there was a loud piercing sound, and her windshield shattered. She had to grip the steering wheel with both hands to keep from careening off the pavement.
As she rolled to a stop along the side of the stretch of highway, she was further shocked when her door was wrenched open. Before she had a chance to lift her face or take stock of what was happening, something was thrust over her nose and mouth.
Her eyes widened. She knew she was fucked. She also knew she could do nothing about it. The world went dark…
»»•««
Jackson’s skin crawled. He lifted his gaze to scan the crowded room of the sheriff’s office, frowning. Nothing seemed out of sorts. And yet, he had the weirdest feeling.
“Jackson?” Cooper communicated. “What’s going on? I just got the strangest vibe.”
“No idea. I did too. Sharon?” Several seconds ticked by. Nothing.
“Sharon!” Cooper repeated. “Fuck.”
“What the…?” Jackson had no idea what to do. He ran from the room and out the front door as if the parking lot would have answers.
It did not.
Someone came up behind him. “Jackson? What’s the matter? Is it Cooper?”
Jackson spun around to find Trace behind him. “No. It’s Sharon.”