Page 25 of Hell Yes

Jesse shook his head. “Too risky right now. They have too many crew here. We gotta stay hidden for a bit. Xander, any service on your cell?”

Xander pulled out his phone. “Nope. Nothing. Must have a jammer out here.”

“We were telling you guys what was happening, but no one responded,” Val insisted.

Xander nodded. “That confirms it. Let’s move. Colt and Golan are probably on their way.”

Jesse led them into the woods, using his cell flashlight to guide them. They were heading northeast. There was a back road he remembered seeing on the map. If they could make it that far, they might have service by then.

Walking as quickly, but quietly as they could, they headed deep into the forest, the pitch-black darkness suffocating. The occasional call of an owl and the crunch of the leaves and branches under their feet were the only sounds heard. The farther they walked, the quieter it became.

Jesse felt pretty sure that they’d gotten a decent head start on their escape. But they wouldn’t have forever. As soon as the Krypt realized they were gone, they’d be sending out members to search.

“I hope to fuck you know where you’re going,” Xander whispered as he walked up behind him.

He was so close Jesse could feel his body heat. And at night, in the country, the temperature was dropping fast. He figured they’d have maybe five or six hours in the dark until sunrise.

“I’m doing my best. Remember the unmarked road on the map? That’s what I’m aiming for.”

“Lead the way. I trust you,” Xander replied and Jesse nearly tripped.

Jesse stopped and turned to Sage and Val, holding up the cell again so he could see their faces. “You okay to keep walking?”

Sage gave him the finger and Val a glare that could cut glass.

“The further we get away from that place, the better,” Val whispered. “I’m cold but I’ll survive.”

Jesse took off his leather jacket and handed it to Val. “Put this on, then. Let’s keep going.”

Xander did the same and gave his jacket to Sage. Then, Jesse whirled around and got his bearings again.

It wasn’t the first time he’d been lost in the woods. And he always found his way out.

CHAPTER 9

XANDER

Xander would never admit to anyone, but tonight was a mindfuck.

Getting caught by the Krypt was not an experience he wanted to repeat. If they hadn’t escaped, they would have been done for. This rival crew would’ve tortured them for information. After all, that’s what the Hellraisers did.

And watching Jesse take charge like that? Not to mention, Val, quiet but holding on, despite the mess they were in. It made his heart race with the kind of adrenaline that made his blood run hot. And thank fuck, too, because it was freezing as fuck out here in the dark.

He pulled out his phone again but still, no signal. And they’d been walking for almost an hour. Surely they were far enough away by now? And near the back road that Jesse was aiming for.

“How much longer do you think until we reach a road?”

Jesse didn’t pause, his stride strong and sure. Xander’s eyes locked on his ass and fuck, this was not the time to be thinking with his dick. Bad enough that Val was walking beside him, and he could feel her arm brush against his.

“At least another hour.”

It was gonna be a long fucking night. They continued for another twenty minutes, Val now walking alongside Jesse. Xander focused on the man and woman in front of him, admiring the way the two moved. So sure and strong, despite what had happened tonight. Val especially. It was a wonder she wasn’t hysterical by now.

Suddenly, a sharp elbow hit him in the ribs.

“Ow.”

“Pay attention,” Sage whispered and rolled her eyes at him.