“He showed up at the office a few minutes ago,” Aria explained.
“By yourself? It’s already getting dark.”
“It’s not a big deal. I called an Uber.”
“So, your brother knows you’re here?” Byte asked, already knowing the answer.
“Um, no, not exactly.”
“Where does he think you are?” Aria asked.
“At home. He went to go pick up dinner.”
“And you thought leaving while he was gone was smart?” Aria, the mother, asked.
“I left a note,” Kyle sullenly answered. He knew it was wrong, but Hunter wouldn’t ever let him return to see Byte.
“It’s all right, Aria. I’ll take him home. You go see that kid of yours and give her a hug from me.”
Aria nodded and left the two to sort out how best to handle Hunter when he discovered his brother was missing.
Byte hoped she was ready for the rage he was sure to have.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Byte pulled into the driveway of a beautiful new house in a well-maintained neighborhood, most likely with nice, unsuspecting families living nearby. Just one more thing that emphasized the difference between her life and Hunter’s.
Not that it mattered,she internally told herself.
He hated her, and she’d do good to remember that. She also wasn’t a fan of the uptight do-gooder.
She hadn’t removed her helmet before a very angry man towered over her.
“Back up, Jack,” Byte demanded.
“Can you not help yourself from kidnapping people?” Hunter growled.
Byte had no problem standing up for herself, and word sparring was her favorite, but when Hunter grabbed her by her upper arm, reflex took over and she slapped him.
Stunned, Hunter dropped his hand and covered his cheek instead.
“Don’t you ever touch me again!” Byte demanded.
Unable to reconcile his actions, he backed away, giving her space.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“You didn’t hurt me,” she bit out. “And saying your sorry doesn’t absolve you. They’re just words, excuses for bad behavior. If you must know, your brother showed up at my place. I didn’t kidnap him.”
“Jeez, Hunter, back off. I left you a note.”
Taken aback, he turned his attention to his brother. “What? Where?”
“By my computer… where I was when you left.”
“Why would I look for a note when I believed you were taken? It’s not unreasonable considering what has been going on this week,” Hunter said. He then turned his attention to Byte. “And you drove my brother on this death trap?”
“It’s not dangerous. It’s vehicle drivers that are dangerous.”