Even though his eyes were busy watching the road and the woods that ran alongside, he seemed more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. Maybe it was because he was heading home.
“Many of the men and women farm the land, growing as many of the vegetables and fruits as they can. What we can’t grow ourselves, we buy or barter for. Meat is no problem, as all of us are skilled hunters and the woods are teeming with game.”
He tensed as a convoy of several large trucks came toward them, but he relaxed again when they passed by in a flurry of wind and dust. Maybe they were heading to Chicago, she thought wistfully. For a brief moment, Alex wished she was going with them. She turned her head and watched them until they disappeared into the distance, sighing when they vanished from sight.
Joshua gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze. “We also have skilled artisans—potters, carvers, woodworkers, sculptors, jewelry-makers and others. Our goods are sold in stores all across the country.”
“Really.” In spite of her melancholy, Alex found herself very interested. “I’ve always been curious about wood carving and pottery making.”
“The others will teach you anything you wish to learn.”
“They will?”
“Of course they will.” She could hear the surprise in his voice. “It is our way, Alex. We are a pack and all members work together to ensure the pack’s survival. Many of them would be honored to teach James LeVeau’s daughter.”
Alex absorbed what he’d said, mulling it over in her mind. Maybe her new life wouldn’t be so bad if she had the opportunity to learn some things that she’d always wanted to. Then she remembered something else her father had mentioned. “Won’t some of them dislike me because of my mixed blood?” She didn’t want to use the words half-breed or tainted.
Joshua growled. It started low in his chest and grew until it practically filled the cab of the truck. When he glanced over at her, she could swear his eyes were glowing. “Anyone who treats you with anything but the utmost respect will answer to me.”
She nodded her head, feeling a trickle of sweat rolling down her back. Fury rolled off him in waves and she had to fight her impulse to pull away from him. Then her sense of humor came to her rescue. “Does that include you too?”
He appeared startled and then the corners of his mouth kicked up and the heat in his eyes switched from anger to passion in a blink. “I’m excluded from that because I’ll always treat you with respect. Whatever I do is for your safety and well-being. You won’t always like it.”
Alex glared at him, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t think for one minute I’m going to allow you or anyone else to dictate my life.” There was no time like the present to get that idea right out of his head. She was her own boss. Just because she was attracted to him didn’t mean she’d let him take over her entire life.
His fingers squeezed hers and then they were gone. Joshua swore as he grasped the wheel with both hands and jammed his foot down on the gas pedal. Instinctively, she knew he wasn’t angry at what she’d said. He wasn’t the type of man who would let a little thing like her disavowal get in his way. No, he’d just go ahead and do whatever he felt was right and let the chips fall where they may. She was going to have her hands full with him.
He swore again. The low, even tone of his voice was more frightening than if he’d been yelling.
“What is it?”
“Behind us.”
She swiveled around and found a dark green truck gaining on them. “Maybe they’re just in a hurry.” She didn’t believe that any more than Joshua did.
“Open the glove box, Alex. There should be some sort of weapon there.”
Ignoring the request, she took the time to check her knives and gun before she opened the glove box. It was empty except for a large handgun. She removed it, taking the time to make certain it was loaded before handing it to him. He shook his head as he laid the weapon on the seat beside him.
“Put your head in your lap and stay down.”
“I can shoot.”
“Damn it, Alex. I can’t do this if I have to worry about you.” His yell startled her. A vein throbbed on the side of his head and she could see a small tic just beneath his eye.
“All right. All right,” she groused as she lowered her head, placing it on her lap. She kept her grip firm around the butt of her gun. “I’m doing this under protest.”
“Duly noted.” His voice was grim, but she thought she detected a note of pride in his voice. She couldn’t be sure though. The only view she had at the moment was of what was left of the stained and ripped black carpet that covered the floor.
“I could shoot while you drive,” she muttered, still not happy with this arrangement. If she thought she could help, then she’d damn well sit up and take her chances. She felt like an idiot, cowering while he continued to drive. Even worse, she hated not knowing what was going on. “Where are they?”
“Almost alongside us. Their vehicle’s got more power than ours. We can’t outrun them. This wouldn’t have happened if we’d gotten the car yesterday.”
She could hear the disgust in his voice and knew that, once again, he was blaming himself for this. Really, the man took way too much on himself. “It’s not your fault, Joshua. You’re not responsible for everything or everyone around you. You can’t know everything.”
His lips pursed into a grim line. “Don’t tell anyone else that.”
“Joshua—”
“Hold on.” He cut her off.
She could hear the roar of a powerful engine moving up alongside them. Joshua slammed on the brakes and the truck went into a skid. Tires squealed. Rubber burned. Alex’s entire body jerked and she tried to brace herself. The muscles in both Joshua’s arms strained as he struggled to keep them on the road. When he had the truck back under control, he pressed down on the gas pedal once again. Now they were behind the other vehicle. Holding the steering wheel with his right hand, he grasped the handgun with his left and held it out the window, firing off a series of quick shots.
Alex peeked over the dashboard, her fingers digging into the seat to help her keep her balance. She was just in time to see the dark green truck go into a skid and roll into the ditch, finally landing upright at the bottom.
They didn’t slow down.
As they passed, a man was already dragging himself out of the front seat. Blood was dripping from his forehead, but his hands were steady as he fired off several shots with the rifle he held.
“Get down,” Joshua roared. This time, she didn’t think, just ducked. The window behind her shattered and shards of glass exploded into the air around her. She covered her head with her hands, protecting herself as best as she could.
Two more shots echoed. Alex knew that the rifle had a much farther range than either of their guns. A tire exploded and the truck lurched. “Hang on,” Joshua shouted.
Alex braced one hand on the dashboard. The other still had a death grip on her gun. The truck pulled to one side as Joshua wrestled to keep it under control. It skidded off onto the soft dirt shoulder and the world tilted around Alex. Her stomach lurched as the vehicle rolled. Alex was jerked forward, then back, smashing her head against the side window. The seatbelt bit into her shoulder and chest, keeping her from flying through the windshield as the truck flipped over again. They weren’t as lucky as the men in the other truck had been. When they finally came to a halt, Alex was hanging upside down.
Shocked, she hung there, trying to get her bearings. Her mouth was dry. She opened her mouth to speak, swallowed and then tried again. “Joshua?” she croaked.
She turned her head slowly, biting her lip to keep from crying out when she caught sight of him. He was hanging upside down like she was, blood dripping down the side of his face. His eyes popped open as she watched him. He blinked twice, then immediately turned to face her. “Are you all right?” His voice was little more than a rough rasp.