Read Online Quarantine by Dakota Rebel - Free Book Online Page B

had.
    “You could stay,” Dean said, staring down at his plate.
    “I couldn’t,” I said sadly. “He’ll come for me, and I can’t let him find me.”
    “We can protect you here.” Jasen took my hand in his. “This is a whole town of animals to keep you safe.”
    “It’s not their place to do that. It’s not your place, either. This is my fight.”
    “But you’re not fighting,” Nate said softly. “You’re running.”
    “That’s her choice,” Dean said with a sideways glance at the bartender. “We aren’t going to pressure you, Jo. But if you do leave, I hope you’ll come back through and see us sometimes.”
    “Why does it feel like you’re saying goodbye already?” I asked suspiciously. “Last time, I checked we’re going to be here for a few more days.”
    “Yes, but as we plan to spend tonight fucking your brains out and tomorrow eating everything in sight, then shifting when the sun goes down, there may not be a lot of time for heartwarming farewells,” Jasen said with a shrug.
    I realized suddenly that I loved these men. Nate and Jasen had quickly become like my best friends. I’d never had much experience with friendship before. Even in college, I’d been a loner, keeping to myself as much as possible. Since spending the last six months on the run, anyone I might have had close to a friend had lost touch. But these guys had filled a gap for me that I hadn’t even realized was there.
    And then there was Dean. I looked over at him, studying his strong jaw, his broad shoulders, his large hands that were clasped on the table in front of him. I loved him, too, but the ache in my heart at the thought of leaving told me that there might be something more than friendship behind my feelings. He’d claimed he cared about me, that he had fallen for me. Did he mean that or was it all spit out in the heat of the moment?
    Maybe it had something to do with the Were part of me. Did animals form bonds more quickly than humans? It was far too soon for me to have such warm and, pardon the pun, fuzzy feelings for these guys.
    “This is stupid,” I said, clapping a hand over my mouth as I realized I’d spoken aloud.
    “What’s that sweetness?” Nate asked, winking at me as if he knew my thoughts.
    “How can they keep us here when we tested negative for Anthrax?” I was trying to cover my ass and hoped they’d buy it.
    “I don’t know,” Jasen said, shaking his head in disgust. “But obviously, they’ve discovered the lycanthropy in our blood. Hey Doc, do you think they know what it means?”
    “I’m not sure,” Dean said with a sigh. “Even if they do, they can’t keep us in here forever. The government has regulations they have to follow when it comes to Weres.”
    “Really?” I asked in surprise. “The government knows about us?”
    “Sure. They’ve managed to keep it quiet. Like aliens, it’s safer if Jon Q Public thinks we’re a myth.”
    “Aliens are real?” Nate stared at Dean, shock plain on his face. “How the hell do you know that?”
    “I don’t, you idiot,” Dean said, slapping Nate upside his head. “I was kidding. My point is that if they don’t let us out of here by Monday, I’m making a phone call.”
    “To who?” Jasen asked incredulously. “Oh, please tell me you have the President on speed dial. I have so much I want to say to that man.”
    Dean rolled his eyes. “I have the card from that FBI agent who came through last year. The one who was working with the forestry service to get Jericho Falls protected from outsiders. I keep it in my wallet.”
    “Then why haven’t you called to get us out of here?” I asked, frustrated that he’d had a get-out-of-jail-free card this whole time and had chosen not to use it.
    “Well one, we couldn’t leave until everyone was sure that the Anthrax thing wasn’t real. And now, I think we’re safer in here. As long as we’re quarantined, that bastard who attacked you can’t get in.”
    “Leaving me here