Lone Wolfe Protector
punctuated every now and then by two others.
    Slowly, she peeked around the corner to see Zane, Koda, and Ara standing there. Ara covering her mouth, Koda with one hand flattened against Zane’s chest. The men looked volatile. But something about Zane’s posture, something about the look on his face, made Maggie question being in his vicinity.
    Before she could turn back around, he spotted her.
    “Well, well, look who’s here,” he said.
    “Stop it, Zane,” Ara said.
    “Where do you think you’re going?” he continued, his voice dripping with animosity. “You should be hearing this, too. Since it’s probably your fault in the first place.”
    “ Zane ,” Koda growled.
    Leaning into Koda’s stiffened arm, Zane glared at her. His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, like he hadn’t slept all night. “No. She should know. Or are we making sure she’s sheltered from all of this, Koda?”
    “Shut up.”
    Maggie swallowed hard before finding the courage to speak. “What happened?”
    “Candi was attacked this morning. She’s in the hospital.” Ara walked over and put an arm around Maggie’s shoulders. “Don’t pay attention to him. This isn’t your fault.”
    “Like hell it isn’t,” Zane snapped. “Everyone knows how this fucking town operates. Someone saw Candi talking to Nancy Drew over here and decided to shut her up.”
    “That’s an awfully big assumption,” Koda said.
    Zane turned on him. “Why don’t you just admit you’re protecting her? You said yourself she has no business here. You said it just a few days ago. What happened between then and now to make you change your mind?”
    His black gaze settled on Maggie. “Never mind,” he said. “I can guess what happened.”
    Her face burned as if someone were holding a torch to it.
    “Zane,” Koda said, “if you don’t shut your mouth right now, I’m going to shut it for you.”
    “Don’t bother.” Zane shoved his brother’s hand away and stalked past. “I’ll kill whoever it was,” he said over his shoulder. “Watch me.”
    And then he was gone.
    Ara leaned against the table. “Sweet Jesus.”
    “It’s okay,” Koda said. “We’ll get whoever did this. He’s not going to kill anyone.”
    Shaking her head, Ara stared at him. “What’s happening around here, Koda?”
    “I don’t know. But we’re going to find out.”
    The room spun, dizziness making Maggie’s stomach lurch, and she braced a hand on the wall. I don’t know. But we’re going to find out. They were the same words spoken by Alan McCay, the state trooper, the night Aimee disappeared.
    I don’t know…
    And they were just as scary today as they’d been a year ago. Maybe even more so. Was it her fault all these horrible events had been set in motion? Maybe Zane had a point. Maybe she was bad luck to the people of Wolfe Creek. Maybe wherever she went, pain and misery followed. After all, the road trip had been her idea. She had convinced Aimee to come along…
    “I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes stinging. “I’m so sorry.”
    Koda looked up. He didn’t touch her, but she could tell he wanted to. The thought of being wrapped in his arms was all consuming. He was a virtual stranger. But she wanted his comfort. Needed it.
    His face was compassionate, his words soft. “This isn’t your fault. Do you understand?”
    She nodded, doubtful.
    “I need to see her,” Ara said, fidgeting with the tablecloth. “But I can’t go until tonight. We have guests coming, and I can’t leave until they’re checked in.”
    “That’s okay. I’m going this afternoon,” Koda said. “She wasn’t conscious earlier, but I have to go back and ask her some questions. I’ll make sure she’s all right. Then I can drive you tonight if you want.”
    “Jim can take me. But can you tell her I’ll be there soon?” The older woman looked close to losing it, which broke Maggie’s heart. She thought of the rugged caretaker, and the fact that he was the one Ara wanted to

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