  Jacob&#39;s Perspective
  On the afternoon of the third day, when I spotted the two familiar, mud-spattered SUVs coming down the highway from the edge of the woods, their headlights flashing three times as arranged, I damn near got choked up.
  They&#39;d actually come. All of them.
  Xavier was the first out, his massive frame making the chassis bounce. He strode over and punched my shoulder with a grin. &quot;Well, look what the cat dragged in. Our little stray pup. Looks like you got into a scrap with a raccoon.&quot; He was referring to the cuts and scrapes on my neck and hands.
  Adrian was more reserved with a nod, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the surroundings. The twins, Jim and Joe, were already poking around our wrecked Chevy like a pair of curious hounds, whistling low. &quot;Whoa, man. This thing got gutted. You two walked away from this?&quot;
  Finally, Lily stepped o

  Jacob&#39;s Perspective
  The oppressive silence after our failure didn&#39;t last long. Our group&#39;s skills might be a mixed bag, but our ability to band together and focus in a desperate situation? That, we had mastered.
  We gathered in the clearing between the two SUVs, using the headlights like a primitive campfire, brainstorming how to crack this hard nut.
  &quot;A frontal assault is out. We don&#39;t have the numbers or the firepower,&quot; Lily said, sketching a crude outline of the factory in the dirt with a stick. &quot;And the backdoor approach just slammed in our faces and bolted itself shut.&quot;
  &quot;So, we split up. Good old diversion,&quot; Xavier summarized, arms crossed, his voice a low rumble.
  A plan began to take shape. Lily, Xavier, Adrian, and the twins would &quot;pay another visit&quot; to the slaughterhouse at first light. This time, it wasn&#39;t a p

  Jacob&#39;s Perspective
  Damn it. I&#39;m a goddamn fool.
  Last night was a rusty nail driven into my skull. I&#39;d been too impatient, drunk on that feeling of having her back and the longing I&#39;d bottled up for so long. I forgot the wounds in her heart were still raw. When she pushed me away, the struggle and pain in her eyes hurt worse than any bullet I&#39;d ever taken.
  So, I apologized. Then I got the hell out of there and took a cold shower, trying to drown the stupid thoughts and the physical restlessness. Slept like shit. I could feel her lying rigid and still on her side of the bed too.
  When morning finally came, the sun was already high. My stomach felt hollow enough to swallow a whole deer. Celena&nbsp;went out quietly and came back with a paper bag full of burgers, fries, and two icy Cokes. We sat on the edge of the bed and ate in silence. The greasy food filled t

Jacob&#39;s Perspective
  On the afternoon of the third day, when I spotted the two familiar, mud-spattered SUVs coming down the highway from the edge of the woods, their headlights flashing three times as arranged, I damn near got choked up.
  They&#39;d actually come. All of them.
  Xavier was the first out, his massive frame making the chassis bounce. He strode over and punched my shoulder with a grin. &quot;Well, look what the cat dragged in. Our little stray pup. Looks like you got into a scrap with a raccoon.&quot; He was referring to the cuts and scrapes on my neck and hands.
  Adrian was more reserved with a nod, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the surroundings. The twins, Jim and Joe, were already poking around our wrecked Chevy like a pair of curious hounds, whistling low. &quot;Whoa, man. This thing got gutted. You two walked away from this?&quot;
  Finally, Lily stepped out. Dressed in practical cargo pants and boots, her hair in a tight ponytail, she looked me over 

Chapter 228