Hunting Sawyer

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I didn’t take another minute to think. I flung the truck door open and gathered Tucker into my arms, shaky fingers fumbling with the car seat buckles. He started wiggling, but I tossed the nearest bag over my shoulder and went flying back into this mystery man’s grasp. He ushered Tucker and I into the backseat and climbed in right behind me, wrapping his arm behind my shoulders and placing his free hand against Tucker’s back, keeping my son safely pressed against me.

His counterpart in the driver’s seat took off like a bat out of hell and we tore through the dirt path, sending up a cloud of dust in our wake. I could hear engines revving and a general commotion behind us, but when I tried to look back to take in the danger approaching, the man tilted my face forward, away from whatever we were leaving behind. His touch was firm but gentle, and while his brow was pinched in concern- his piercing eyes held a tenderness there.

“I’m Dash, by the way..” He almost grinned amidst the chaos and my heart threatened to stop in my chest. Tucker wiggled again, trying to wake and attempting to make out where we were.

“Moxie. And this is ….Joe…” I gave him a slight smile and returned my attention ahead.

I felt him chuckle lightly, smile, then shake his head. As if he knew I was lying. But I had to be smarter this time. I don’t know what it is about these mysterious men finding me and getting me all swept up in a complete loss of control – but Tucker couldn’t be risked.

Blake was all mystery and clearly, I made a huge mistake by trusting him. Was I making a mistake now by trusting this new stranger?

The Jeep was flying down the dirt road, the trees beginning to thin out.

“Where are we going?” Tucker asked, my toddler son’s excitement beaming through his doe-like eyes. His knee was practically bouncing against mine, something he had never done before.

“Home.” Was all the gorgeous Dash answered with a finality in his tone, and his gaze finally broke from me as he looked out ahead of us where I could make out the tops of buildings amidst the forest in the distance.

I almost jumped out of my skin when my cell phone rang in my back pocket. I fumbled, hesitating when it read PRIVATE CALLER in bold letters. But it could be Tessa….or Nadine…

Dash’s undivided attention was back on me, watching my every move like the sexiest hawk battling his own obsession.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and clicked the answer button, putting the phone to my ear.

“Hello?” I choked out, my throat dry and scratchy.

“Hey, Baby.” Blake’s evil voice bounced around in my brain as I felt all color leave my face and fear fill every crevice of my body.

“Blake—” The wind left my lungs. “How did you…?” I couldn’t even finish my statement.

“I’ll always find you, Baby. It’s so lovely to hear your voice after so long.” I didn’t even realize I was shaking until Dash steadied me and Tucker grabbed my face. I wanted to hang up but my body wouldn’t react. I was frozen. “All this time I thought you were dead Sawyer. And to find out you were a sneaky little brat, just hidden away. Tsk tsk tsk….Naughty girl. I’ll have to punish you.” He was attempting sexy humor, but I could hear the malice and murder thick in his tone.

“Leave me alone Blake.” I managed to grit out, my heart pounding against my ribs.

“That’s not possible, Sawyer. You are mine. And that abomination’s time is up. Come home now.” I bit my lip as it threatened to tremble. But I needed to be strong in front of Tucker. I couldn’t show weakness in front of these strangers.

Dash slipped the phone out of my hand and his eyes didn’t leave mine as he growled into the mic with a sense of power and danger I’d only ever seen Blake demonstrate before…

“She is home. She is mine now.” And with that he crushed the phone in his hand until it splintered into bits of metal and dust, falling effortlessly onto the floorboard. Tucker nodded once in respect before he pressed himself up against my chest, tucking his head into the crook of my neck. Calming me with his weight and the way he pet my arm in his little soothing way.

I willed my heart to slow down and my breathing to even out. But the questions were ricocheting around my head at lightning speed.

How did Blake find me?

How did he get my number?

Could he follow me here?

Could he get to Tucker?

What did Dash mean ‘mine’?

What is it with these men trying to claim me?

What does he mean home?

Can we never leave?

How long before Blake and his posse get to us?

Where are we supposed to stay? Eat? Work?

I left everything back in that truck and I am back to square one- back to having nothing. Money, clothes, shoes, toys....all of it. Gone.

But none of it mattered. I just needed Tucker to be safe. I'd go anywhere to keep him safe....