Feral Seduction (Feral Protectors 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

She paused. “No, that’s too nice of a way of putting it. He’s a drunk. He was drinking and driving when he killed her.”
    “Did he die too? In the accident?” Stryde asked.
    “No.” She laughed bitterly. “The doctor said that the alcohol loosened up his muscles. He’d left a trail of destruction from the bar to the intersection in the middle of town where he hit Annabelle.”
    “So he’s in jail?”
    “Yep. At midday and with the town square full, over thirty people witnessed the accident. The trial was over before it began and my father ended up getting four years in state prison.”
    “Only four years?” Stryde blurted.
    She hung her head. “Yeah, can you believe that? He killed someone and that’s his punishment. Everyone in Joshua Village, my hometown, was outraged. They said it wasn’t enough time. And I hate to say it, but I agree.”
    “Was it his first drunk driving accident?”
    “No. He’d had others, but he’d never killed anyone before. I guess it was only a matter of time. I should have done something. I should have figured out a way to stop him.”
    “You aren’t responsible for someone else’s actions. If he was stupid enough to drive while drunk, it’s on him, not you.”
    She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. The guilt eating away at her soul never seemed to lessen. She should have done something. The dead woman’s blood was on her hands too. She’d never stop regretting Annabelle’s death. She was just as responsible as him.
    “I could have found a way to stop it. I just needed to try harder. I gave up too soon.”
    Stryde scooted closer to her. “Look at me.”
    She sniffed and looked up. His gentle gray eyes shimmered with pity. She hated that look. She’d endured the glares and gossip of the other townspeople and figured it was just part of her punishment. But she couldn’t stand the other looks, the looks of pity.
    “Anyway, that’s why her father’s after me. He wants revenge. He left a voicemail on my phone the night before last and said he was coming for vengeance.”
    “Did you go to the police?” Stryde asked.
    A logical idea, but the police would never believe her. One of the cops had even told her that poisoned fruit didn’t fall far from the tree. “I can’t exactly do that.”
    “Why?”
    “They won’t believe me. Anyway, I’m headed into Full Moon Bay to see my uncle. He’s the sheriff and—”
    Stryde’s head snapped up. “Sheriff Watkins is your uncle?”
    “Yes, do you know him?”
    Stryde smirked. “I had a bit of a run-in with him a few months back. He told me in no uncertain terms that if I ever showed my face in his town again, he’d put a bullet in my head. Nice guy, that sheriff.”
    “That doesn’t sound like my uncle at all.”
    “You’re his niece. It might be different for you. Hopefully he’ll believe you and be able to protect you.”
    “I need to get to him as soon as possible. Can you help me?”
    Stryde nodded. “I can get you to the edge of town, but you’re on your own from there. I don’t want a shotgun shoved in my face.”
    “Thank you. Do you think the guy’s still out there? Waiting?”
    “If he’s really as hell-bent on revenge as you say he is, then yes. He won’t give up that easily.”
    “If he’s still out there, how am I going to get to town?”
    Stryde said, “We’ll wait until nightfall. Then I’ll take you to the edge of the forest.”
    She leaned across the furs and grabbed his hand. As she squeezed it, she said, “Thank you. I don’t know how I can repay you for your kindness.”
    As his gaze raked over her body, heat churned in her core. His smoky eyes darkened and for a moment, she could have sworn they twinkled with desire.
     

Chapter 4
     
    Stryde disentangled his hand from hers. Her soft, feminine skin felt too good. He needed to squash the surge of desire building in his body before he embarrassed himself. “I don’t think you got a wink of sleep last night. You