Of course, Dad was former military—special forces no less—but even they couldn’t catch that son of a bitch. They’d taught him the skills he was using to make our lives hell, but even they couldn’t stop him.
My heart pumped up another notch, and heat steamed through my face as the anger began to simmer. Visions of him hurting Mom flashed, and I clenched my fists, desperately needing to pound something.
I hammered my thigh, and the impact shook me back into reality.Calm down.
“You okay?” Angelina asked.
“Good.”
“You know how you can read people? Well, there’s something you should know. I can too, but it’s more like I canhearpeople.” She took a breath. “And I know you’re lying.”
* * *
Angelina
I settled against the little wall that the railing was affixed to and let out a long sigh. The tension in Hunter’s voice, the pain—he was lying to me about what happened to his mom. Problem was, should I ask about it? He might ask about me and why I was a shut-in.
And that wasnotokay.
“What makes you think I’m lying?”
“I heard it in your voice. And if I had to guess, you’re sitting on the floor, hands fisted, and you just punched…your thigh maybe? It wasn’t your other hand because that didn’t sound like a slap. Am I right?”
Silence.
Yep. I’d totally nailed it. There was some serious rage jading his voice, too, but I kept that to myself. I knew rage with the best of them, but he was massive. His rage might look a lot more…violent than mine.
“That’s okay. You don’t have to tell me. I have my share of secrets, and you’ve never pressed me. Just know that you can tell me if you want.”
I didn’t think he was going to say anything since it was quiet for so long, but I finally heard a small voice say, “Thanks.”
“We’re a pair, aren’t we?”
“Yes, we are.” He let out a long breath that sounded almost like a tired sigh. He must have a little baggage he was carrying around, too. “How are you doing over there?”
“Great, actually. I’m leaning against the railing!” I couldn’t believe it myself.
These past few weeks with him were nothing short of miraculous. I got energized just talking to him. Even during our study dates, when we weren’t even talking, I felt a connection through the airwaves. Heck, even through the brick walls separating my house from his.
“Great job, Lina. You’re doing great.”
It was because of him. I was sure of it. “Thanks. Hey, I have a question.” Since I was feeling so bold. “Why are you doing this with me?”
“Sitting on the patio?”
“That and…well, everything. The candy, video chat movie nights, talking through my door…all of it.”
“Do I need a reason?”
“Everyone has a reason.” And sometimes, it was wicked and dark. Psychotic and sadistic.
“Maybe it’s not a bad reason, though.”
“I’m not sold on that.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“No. I meant—not that you’ve got bad reasons—ugh.” Sometimes my mouth said the words wrong. “You…how come you’re with me on your nights off work? You could be out with a normal woman. You’ve got to have them lined up at the door.”