Taken

by Gwendolyn Casey

  I’m not sure why but I glanced at Rem. He was still wearing his cool mask, but it was less severe.

  I bit my lip and looked at the ground, trying to remember everything Lionel said. It was all jumbled, but I know there was more. The problem was that I had been talking over him, trying to find out about Dad and then he was shoving me in my car.

  Wait. He mentioned a town?

  “He did say something about Winter Lake or Water Lake, I think. Something about a chicken farm. Does that mean anything?”

  Greyson rubbed absently at his lips and then looked at the vice president. I glanced over, and Rem was still staring at me, his eyes intense and focused. They felt like a heat lamp on my face.

  After another few moments, Greyson finally responded. “Well, unfortunately, the decision to protect you is not just up to me. By taking you in, we can be inviting retaliation or even war from another club. Your monetary offer is helpful, but it is not enough to persuade me to put my club members in danger.”

  He stood up and came around his desk, so I stood as well.

  “We were going to call a meeting of the club, and we will vote. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

  “I understand. I will respect whatever decision the club makes.” He went to leave the room, and then I remembered. “Um, is it all right if I wait here in the meantime?” I asked.

  “Of course, you sit tight. I’ll send the kid in with some food.”

  “Thank you so much, Mr. Carpenter,” I said, ready to cry because he was being so nice.

  Greyson brushed past me out the door, and I turned to watch Rem follow. I gave him a tight smile, but he didn’t return it as he closed the door behind him.

  I sat down again and slumped over so my head was between my knees. I wondered where I would go if they decided to turn me away.

  End of sample chapter

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