Carl sat there silently debating what to do. He did need help. Getting Casper back from Tobias would be hard just for him alone. They barely escaped the first time and now he was on his own without Casper.
He took a good look at the three men. They were bigger than him and looked stronger too. If it came down to a fight these men would be able to help.
Seth had a lethal look to him that frightened Carl, yet he’d never admit it. His broad shoulders and thick arms looked like he could do some damage to another person’s body. Holden looked just as strong but something about him didn’t scream that he was a violent man. He looked trustworthy and sympathetic. He had been kind to Carl even after he shot his friend.
His eyes slowly moved over to Jake and his heart started to pound in his chest. There was something about Jake that made Carl want to, well, want. The man had a strong and muscular frame and the golden skin tone made him beyond handsome. His eyes shined like stones and his full lips glowed a warm pink. He didn’t think it possible to be attracted to another person after what Tobias had done to him. But as he stared into Jake’s green eyes he wanted to have a future beyond the nightmares that haunted him while awake and asleep.
“Okay but it won’t be easy.” He needed to warn them what they were getting themselves into. “My alpha is ruthless and he doesn’t care who he hurts.”
“We understand.” Jake stood up and held out his hand for Carl to take. “And that’s why we are going with you.”
Carl’s hand shook as he reached out to take Jake’s. When their fingers connected a shock of electricity prickled against his skin and he gripped Jake’s hand tighter, allowing the man to pull him to his feet. Jake smiled down at him and Carl quickly let go and took a step back.
“If there’s anything here you need grab it and let’s get out of here. We’ll head back to my house and get my Jeep.” Seth walked out the front door, leaving it open for them to follow.
Carl looked around the small room and nothing stuck out as something he had to have. They had left everything they owned behind when they escaped but even then that wasn’t much. Tobias had taken all their possessions and destroyed them.
A shiver rippled over his skin at the memories of being held captive. The small jail cells they were forced to live in. Carl had never committed a crime yet he had been forced to live like a criminal. He could still feel the cold steel bars as he gripped them night after night praying for the strength to break free.
“Carl, you all right?” Jake asked. “You’ve gone pale like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m fine.” He blew off Jake’s concern. He didn’t need this man to feel sorry for him. “Let’s go. There’s nothing for me here.”
Carl followed Holden out the door. His body ached all over and he had a slight limp as he walked. He held a hand to his left side as his ribs pulled tight with every step he took.
They walked into the trees with Seth leading the way. The sun broke through the clouds but did little to keep him warm as they walked through the dense forest. Carl pulled his shirt tighter to his body wishing he had a heavier coat to wear.
It seemed like they had been walking forever when they finally came to the back of a much nicer cabin than he and his brother had been living in.
“Let’s get you inside and cleaned up.” Jake gently touched his shoulder. “Are you hungry?”
As if on cue his stomach growled loudly. Carl brought his hands up to cover his stomach, embarrassed by the sound.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Jake smiled as he walked past him. “I’m starving too. In the rush to get back to you I totally skipped breakfast.”
He was taken by the man’s omission and stared up at him. “Why did you want to get back to me? I shot you. Don’t you hate me?” Carl asked.
Jake spun around and grabbed him by the shoulders. “I could never hate you. You were afraid and did what you thought was best to protect you and your brother. I would have done the same thing.”
Carl couldn’t move. His was held captivated by Jake’s handsome face and his words. The man didn’t blame him or hate him. “Thank you,” was all Carl could say.
A small grin turned up the corners of Jake’s lips, easing the stress lines around his mouth. Jake wrapped an arm around Carl’s shoulders and guided him into the cabin. Holden stood at the small stove making something that smelt delicious. His stomach rumbled again and Jake nudged his shoulder and laughed.
“Sit.” Seth pulled out a chair at the table and Carl sat down. Taking orders was something Carl had grown used to over the years. He didn’t think Seth would take a whip to his back if he refused but best not to find out. “Your face looks better. That eye isn’t as swollen.”
On the walk over he hadn’t noticed when he was able to start seeing out his right eye. He had too many other things running through this mind to notice. Besides worrying about his brother he couldn’t concentrate with Jake so close to him. On the hike over he kept stealing glances at the man. Every now and again rays of sunlight would bounce off of Jake’s hair creating a halo-type effect. Carl’s fingers itched to tunnel through the thick, silky locks.
Jake caught him looking and grinned at him. Carl was surprise to see the man blush. A pretty pink brightened Jake’s cheeks
