Greyson looked over at Indianna, who had fallen asleep. The book was half-open on her lap, and her head was resting against the window.
He smiled and poked Indianna's side.
"Go away," she grumbled.
Greyson poked her again.
"What?" she yawned, looking at him with tired eyes. "Is it your mission to deprive your mate of sleep?"
"Only when we're in the bedroom," Greyson smirked. "I was bored and lonely, so I woke you."
Indianna rubbed her eyes.
"Thanks a lot."
"Anytime, sugar," Greyson smiled and placed a hand on Indianna's leg as he drove.
"How long did I sleep for?" Indianna wondered as she pulled her hair out of its ponytail and smoothed out the knots.
"About an hour and a half," Greyson shrugged. "We have about three more hours to go."
"Great. I can sleep more," Indianna grinned.
"Nope. I'll keep waking you," Greyson said. "You're keeping me company."
"You're a real pain in the ass, you know that?" Indianna said.
Greyson chuckled.
"Thanks, sugar."
Indianna rolled her eyes and checked her phone when she saw a text message. She opened it, assuming it was from Brooke.
It wasn't.
Greyson felt the bond between him and Indianna grow cold, and his head snapped towards her.
"What?" he demanded. "What's wrong?"
Indianna swallowed as she looked down at the screen. She hadn't thought he would manage to get her number again after she had been given a new phone.
But he had.
Greyson snatched the phone from Indianna's grasp. His entire body stiffened as he read the text.
He cursed loudly and threw the phone onto the dashboard. He immediately looked out of the windows for any sign of Rogue, but the only people around were their pack members.
Greyson alerted Kal, Ace and the other pack members following them, telling them to stay on watch.
Rogue could be watching their every move.
"Indie," Greyson said and took Indianna's hands in one of his. She was shaking. "Indie, look at me."
Indianna continued staring down at her lap.
"I just want him to leave me the hell alone!" she suddenly yelled and kicked the car door in frustration. "I want him gone from my life!"
She slammed her hands angrily against the seat.
"What the fuck does he want from me?"
Greyson slammed on the brakes. He knew he should continue driving, especially with the risk that Rogue was nearby, but he needed to calm Indianna.
She was losing control, hitting anything within reach and completely panicking.
"Stop it!" Greyson said sternly.
He grabbed Indianna's wrists and turned her towards him.
"Indianna, calm down and look at me!"
Indianna froze and looked at Greyson. Her tense body suddenly went limp, and she burst into tears.
"Greyson, I'm scared," she whimpered.
Greyson swore quietly and wrapped his arms around his shaking mate, resting his chin on her head.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, sugar," Greyson whispered. "He isn't going to touch you."
Indianna sobbed into Greyson's chest. Being near him calmed her, but she was still terrified.
After a few minutes, she pulled away and reached for her phone.
"Indie, no—"
She snatched the phone from the dashboard before Greyson could stop her and read the text.
It's a delightful day for a road trip.
-R
Indianna let out a shaky breath and went to turn off her phone, but another message arrived.
Her heart jumped into her throat, but she forced herself to open it.
I'm sure Daddy wishes you a happy birthday. From hell.
-R
More tears slipped down Indianna's cheek.
I wonder what body part of your dear friend Cassie I can send for this special occasion?
-R
"Stop it!" Indianna screamed.
She threw the phone out of Greyson's open window.
She broke down in tears again, and Greyson unbuckled his seat belt. He was out of the car in a second and made his way around to Indianna.
"Make it stop!" she begged as Greyson opened her door and unclipped her seat belt. "What did I do to deserve this? Make it fucking stop!"
Indianna put her head in her hands. Her body shook violently as she cried, yelling curses at Rogue.
Greyson had never seen Indianna sound so angry and terrified at the same time.
"Sugar, come here," Greyson said.
Indianna yelled and shoved him away.
"Leave me alone! Fuck off!"
She hit his chest when he grabbed her and lifted her into his arms.
"G-Greyson!" she cried.
Soon, her sentences became incoherent. Her sobs drowned out the swear words and profanities.
She weakly hit Greyson's chest, and Kal rushed over to them. He opened the back door of the car, and Greyson climbed in, gently placing Indianna beside him.
He kept his arms securely around her, holding her close and keeping her from lashing out or hurting herself.
Kal got into the driver's seat, and by the time he started driving, Indianna had gone limp. She sobbed silently against Greyson.
No words of comfort were needed. All Indianna needed was Greyson's touch and presence.
He soothingly ran his fingers through her hair and kissed the top of her head. Her breakdown had exhausted her, and soon she was sleeping soundly, snuggled against Greyson.
Greyson had never wanted to kill someone so badly in his life.
Somehow, some way, he vowed that he would kill Rogue.
For Indianna.