“If you don’t behave, I will have to spank you.”
“Really, you and what army?” I feel his hand come down firmly on my bum. It’s playful and not painful in any way.
“Behave. Dash is coming,” he whispers in my ear before he sets me down just as I see Dash approaching.
“So how do you like our little piece of heaven?” Dash asks as he stops before me.
“I haven’t seen much of it yet, but from what I have seen, it is really peaceful,” I answer, which has him smiling as he looks up at the trees that surround us.
“Yeah, nothing beats the peace we find here.”
“Were you looking for us, or were you just bored?” Hunter asks rudely, which has me elbowing him in the ribs. “What?”
Dash grins boyishly. “I found him,” he answers with a raised brow, “but now I’m contemplating if I should tell you.” I can see that he’s clearly teasing Hunter. One thing I have come to realize about these men is the closeness between them, but for some reason, I feel Hunter tensing behind me as his arms that are still around my waist tighten. Looking up at him, I see his set features, which tells me that whatever Dash is talking about must be something about one of those characters Hunter spoke about.
“Where?” Hunter asks.
“You won’t believe this, but just a couple miles out of town.”
“Son of a bitch.”
“Is it one of those mean characters you were talking about?” I ask as I stroke his hand with my thumb.
“Yes, babe, he’s one of those mean motherfuckers who deserves everything he’s going to get.” I see a frown on Dash’s face as he looks at Hunter, and then he nods as if some kind of communication passed between the two of them that I’m not aware of.
“Well, I have the information all back at the house once you’re ready,” he says before turning and taking his leave.
“Aren’t you pleased about what he had to say?” I ask as I sense Hunter’s anger.
“On the contrary, I’m very pleased,” he says.
“Well, doesn’t look like it,” I mutter as I turn in his arms to face him.
“Looks can be deceiving. I just didn’t expect it,” he says as he takes my hand and starts making his way back towards the house. “I have a meeting tonight with the others. Will you be okay for an hour or so?”
“Is it going to be dangerous?” Now that I know what they do, the thought of it being Hunter who is shot has a knot tightening in my stomach.
“No, babe, it’s just an update meeting where King keeps us updated on new cases and we report back on what’s been happening with our cases.” I must be honest with myself, I’m worried that one day Hunter will become like Jason. Even though I feel a connection with Hunter that I have never felt before with anyone, and I can see how protective and gentle he is with me, there is a niggling part at the back of my mind that tells me to be wary, because all good things come to an end.
I hate the fact that Jason has made me this suspicious, this wary of everyone, and it’s unfair on Hunter, but it isn’t something I can just switch on and off. “What’s wrong?” Hunter asks, his thumb coming up to stroke my cheek as he looks deep into my eyes.
“This is just new to me,” I state, and he frowns but then nods and places his arm around my shoulder as we start making our way back to the house. When I’m with Hunter, I feel protected and cared for, something I haven’t felt in a long time. Today, he brought me closer to my family, something that I sometimes despaired I’d never have again.
Knowing that my mom and brother are fine has my heart filling with joy. Mom says that she hasn’t seen Jason in a long time, which is a good thing. I hope he forgets all about my family. My greatest fear was always that he would do something to them, which I know he is more than capable of doing, but it seems like he has now stayed away.
After talking to them and now knowing what I know, I believe that I am finally safe, safe from the horror of my past, and maybe I can start looking at the future with no fear, a future with this man beside me who has brought me so much in such a short time. I haven’t been here long enough to know the others that well, but they have all taken me in as if I’m part of their group, making me welcome and at home, something I haven’t had in a long time.
These last three years, I have been so lonely. No family and no friends to call because when I became Jason’s girlfriend, he drove all my friends away, but finally, I have a slither of hope that I will finally find that happiness that I have so craved. I’m scared to get my hopes dashed once again, but I know that if I don’t take a chance, I will never know.
HUNTER 11
I leave Dakota in our room and come down to our meeting. As I enter the room, I see Hawk is already here, sitting in his seat around the solid oak table that was made from one of the trees out in the woods.
“Hey, bro,” Hawk greets, placing his phone he had been looking at on the table. “Goliath texted me to let me know that Fang was shot. You know who did it?”
“Hades,” I reply, which has him scowling.
“Motherfuckers,” he mutters just as Frost walks in with Gunner.