Chapter 17 Continued

“Took off down the path as fast as their legs would carry them,” Ava explains. 

"No good, Ava," I grunt, hands trembling as I try to steady my breathing. 

"Tell me about it," she replies, “One of them was taking pictures.”

“God damn it!” I spit, kicking the ground, thinking how I’ve messed everything up. 

 "We need to get back to the cabin and figure this out," Ava says, and she’s right. We need to think and think fast. 

"Let's go," I reply. 

We make it back to the cabin. I’m glad to close the door behind this mess. But I have a feeling a door won’t hold back the can of worms I have opened. 

Ava's eyes blaze with fear and fury as she slams the cabin door shut behind us. "What the fuck was that, Breaker?"

I hurriedly pull on my pants, all too aware of how vulnerable we are right now. "I-I'm sorry, Ava. I just... I lost control. I thought you were in danger."

"Lost control?" She scoffs, throwing me my shirt. "You would have killed that guy!"

"I know, I know." I run a hand through my hair, frustration gnawing at me. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just... I couldn't bear the thought of you getting hurt."

She pauses, her anger seemingly tempered by my admission. However, it doesn't last long, as she resumes rummaging through the drawers for clothes. "Well, your protective instincts have officially landed us in deep shit."

"Do you not think I know that," I mutter absently, pulling on my socks. As much as I want to argue, I can't deny the truth in her words. The weight of the consequences bears down on me, making it difficult to breathe.

"Okay, what now?" Ava asks, her face pale and drawn. As soon as those kids get back to their car, that photo will be all over the web.”

I rub my temples, trying to push away the headache building behind my eyes. "We need to find a way to contain this. To make sure that picture doesn't spread."

"How the hell do we do that?" Ava asks.

I wish I had an answer to that question, but right now, I don’t. 

"Morning," Ellis shouts as he enters the cabin, supplies under his arm and a big smile plastered on his face. "Well, what have you kids been up to?"

Ava looks at me. And I look at Ellis.