Loving the Devil Dog

Chapter Five: Alpha Dominance

SABRINA

Maddox left me alone in his room, out of some kind of oddly chivalrous respect for my privacy, and is apparently sleeping elsewhere, wherever the rest of them are sleeping. I haven't exactly scoped out the whole of the safe house.

But as the hours tick on, I start to realize that that was a terrible idea.

For both of us.

Without him here to distract me, or keep me from doing something incredibly stupid, my brain is spiraling around all the things he and the Devil Dogs might be planning.

I feel like I just willingly let him lead me into a viper's den, and they're just storing me here until they're ready to put me through whatever fate they put my brother through.

How many people have they caught out in the desert? How many of those missing people on the fliers at the gas station are buried here?

Cold terror sits heavily in my belly, and I know that I need to get the hell out of here.

I try the doorknob, but finding it locked only confirms my suspicions that I really am being held captive here, like an animal in a cage.

Well, it's not the first time I've needed to pick a lock, so fortunately I have plenty of bobby pins in my hair that will do the job nicely.

I'm quick with my hands and steady enough to get the job done. I let out a sigh of relief when I feel everything click into place.

"Oh thank fuck," I whisper.

My relief doesn't last long though.

As soon as I open the door, I'm treated to Maddox's irritatingly handsome face staring down at me with a disapproving glare, his arms crossed over his chest.

I'm not sure if he's trying to look intimidating or if that's just the way he is.

"Going somewhere?" he asks.

His voice sounds dry and scratchy, as though he's trying not to sound like he's just woken up, but I was so quiet. How the hell did he hear me?

"Yeah," I admit nonchalantly. "I'm having second thoughts about staying here."

"Is that right?" He looks down at me incredulously.

I shoot him an audacious glare. "It is."

"I already told you that I don't want you seeing the immediate area outside the safe house," he grunts. "What part of that makes you think I'm just going to let you walk out that door?"

I scoff at him. "So what, you're keeping me prisoner, then?"

"Don't be fucking dramatic." He pinches the bridge of his nose, as though I'm starting to give him a headache. I contemplate using that slight opening to shove past him and run, but I know for a fact that there's a huge chance he would catch me, and then I'd really be up shit creek without a paddle. "I told you I'd shelter you until you get the part for your van—just like you begged me too, let's not forget."

"Sure, thanks," I spit. "But if I'm not allowed to leave, then you literally are holding me prisoner."

"You seemed fucking willing to put the blindfold on, what's with your sudden attitude?" He lowers his voice, but even though he's not yelling, I can hear the rising irritation. "You're more trouble than you're worth."

Too bad for him, I'm irritated too.

Irritated and scared is a bad combo for me, and it never fails to make me lash out.