“Outside pack territory,” Liam said, turning to Elaine, “be careful who you talk to. Lots of rogues out here that don’t follow any sort of pack law.”
“Murder is still illegal outside of packs, Liam. I’m not that worried about it,” Elaine said, stepping out of the car to stretch her legs. Liam turned the vehicle off and followed suit.
“Still. Just keep your head down, and don’t draw attention…” he trailed off, not wanting to actually freak her out. So he took a breath. “Why don’t you go get us some snacks? Maybe a drink.”
“Sure,” Elaine said, reaching through the window to grab her purse. “Anything in particular?”
“Something with sparkling water,” Liam said.
“Never took you for a bubbles sort of guy,” Elaine teased.
Liam smiled with a shrug. “Guess I’m just a mystery you’ll have to continue unraveling.”
She rolled her eyes with amusement as she turned to go inside the station. It was run–down and smelled of old cigarettes and beer and looked just clean enough to pass inspection.
She walked down the aisles, grabbing a few bags of chips and some candy before crossing toward the drinks.
It was just as she was checking out when someone else walked in. She looked up.
Her jaw dropped.
None other than Walter came in, with nothing but a bundle of crumpled bills in his hand. He noticed Elaine and froze.
“Elaine.”
“Walter.”
She didn’t call him Dad anymore. He wasn’t exactly any sort of father of hers, at least not one she wanted to recognize.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Going on a trip….what are you doing?”
“Getting gas and groceries,” Walter muttered, motioning outside to where he had a van parked in front of the station. Liam must not have noticed. Ruth was sitting in the front seat of the van, looking over her nails and oblivious to her surroundings.
Elaine looked back at Walter. “You two seem suited for van life,” she said, bringing out her card to hand to the cashier who rang her up.
“Not really,” he muttered. “Look, Elaine…about what happened…”
“I don’t want to–”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
<-10


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