Chapter 11

11

W ith shaky hands, I take the frame she holds out. I've never seen a photo of myself at this age.

I have short, thick, dark hair and a yellowish complexion.

"You had a little jaundice when you were born. You were such a quiet little thing. I hardly heard you make a peep." She stands beside me, gushing over my photo and recalling memories I've only ever dreamed about hearing.

"How old was I when you took me away?" I glance up at her.

Her hand comes to her mouth, and tears fill her eyes. Moving her hand away, she opens her mouth to speak but seems to stop herself. I don't push, giving her a moment.

That moment feels like forever.

"You were about six months ol —" She chokes on her last word as tears take over.

Hunter steps up beside her and wraps his arm around May's shoulders. "I think we should eat and maybe talk about these things later."

I pinch my lips together, forming a thin line. "Later?" I huff, placing the frame back on the shelf, then turn to face them. May's tears have settled, and Hunter still stands beside her. It appears Landon is still missing. "How much later do you expect me to wait? Your family got to stay together while mine was torn away from each other. Who knows what kind of upbringing the rest of my sisters had." I take a breath in an attempt to calm myself down.

May steps forward. "I am sorry. I'm sorry you missed out on growing up with family. You have no idea how much it has eaten me up for the last twenty-six years."

I want to be angry.

I want to cry.

I want to lash out and throw all my anger at her.

My head drops. I can't, though. "Do you mind if I take some food to my room? I think I'd like to be alone right now."

May nods. "I'll bring you something shortly, dear."

I walk around them, heading straight for the bedroom.

I stand in front of a large sliding door leading onto a deck. Darkness has coated the world, and the moonlight shines through the trees surrounding the property. The blackness is slowly seeping into my soul. I have so many unanswered questions and so much pain from being left behind.

For all they knew, I could have been good in the underworld. I could have been an asset. But now, I'll never know. I've been left with years of abandonment issues and a grandmother who now wants to be a part of my life.

"This entire situation is messed up," I whisper to myself.

There's a light knock on the door.

"Come in," I call out over my shoulder.

The door opens, but I don't turn around. In the reflection on the glass, I watch Hunter enter and place a tray with a plate of food, some bread, and a glass of water on a large trunk at the end of the bed. Then he stands, staring at me.

"What do you want?" I snap, turning to face him.

He pushes his hands into his pockets. I notice he has taken off the suit and is now wearing beige dress pants, which fit nicely in all the right places, and a white fitted T-shirt, accentuating firm biceps and a body that looks to be chiseled to perfection.

My body temperature rises as I drink in his appearance.

"You were rude before."

I jerk my head back in shock, and my eyes narrow. " I was rude?" I point my finger into my chest. "Okay, says you who had me kidnapped and brought here. Now that's rude and illegal ."

He doesn't move, only stares at me before saying, "I did what I thought was right. Do you want to die?"

His question is like a punch to the stomach. Of course, I don't want to die. Does anyone? "It's none of your concern what happens to me. It's taken twenty-six years for any of you people to come after me, and the night you show up, my world tipped on its axis, and I blame you," I yell and stab a finger in his direction.

"Well, I'm sorry for considering your life." His voice is so calm, and I find it irritates me more.

"My life?" I yell. "From what you've told me, it's not my life . You apparently have some claim over me. Isn't that right? You're only here for me." Anger sears through me with each word I say.

Hunter steps closer, but I stay by the door and raise my hand. "Stop. Don't come near me. I might gouge your eyes out. That's how you're making me feel right now."

He pauses his advance, his eyes narrowing as though he's contemplating if I'd actually do it.

A tense silence fills the space between us, and I glance around the room, not wanting to look Hunter in the eyes. When I do, it's like they swallow my frustration, and all I want is for him to kiss me. It's as though he's fire and I'm ice. We don't match. He melts away the hardness that coats my stale heart, warming it in every way possible.

A kiss.

A touch.

A smile.

Those are the things he knows have control over me.

Hunter stands in front of me, but I keep my eyes averted and step back against the cold glass. His near presence has my heart rate spiking and my breath quickening. His hand comes up to my chin, and he tries to tilt my head toward him. "Look at me, Little Red."

He's so close that his breath tickles my exposed neck. My stomach swims with excitement and nervousness.

Damn you, Hunter.

"No," I say breathlessly, my chest rising with each inhale.

Hunter bends his head and plants a featherlight kiss on the nape of my neck, and I release a heavy breath. My body comes to attention, aware of every move Hunter makes. I keep my hands planted on my thighs, even though the desire to reach out and rake my fingers through his hair is intense.

I must resist.

He's learning my weakness— him .

His warm lips move slowly up my neck. "You can't resist me. I know you want me, Little Red."

My head drops back, allowing him access to my flesh. He's right. I want his lips all over me. My body aches for his touch.

Hunter's hands take my face, his hold firm yet gentle. He sweeps his thumb next to my mouth, and reluctantly, my eyes find his.

Desire and want echo in them.

"Hunter, I can't keep playing this game."

He leans over and crushes his warm lips to mine, swallowing everything I want to say. Hunter presses his body against me, and I have to push down the groan threatening to break free.

I want him so badly. Every part of me calls for his touch.

"Hunter..." I whisper between kisses.

"Don't," he warns breathlessly.

As much as I want to stay angry at him, I can't. He plays me like a fiddle, and in a single moment, he can take all the frustration surging through my veins and turn it into desire and craving—a need for me to have him.

His hands leave my face, trailing down my body to the hem of my shirt. In one swift move, he lifts it over my head. Then he quickly wraps his arms around my tiny frame, pulling me tightly against him, his mouth devouring mine.

"The bed, Hunter," I say against his lips, and he pauses, then releases me.

He wipes a hand over his face, breathing out a sigh.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

His head comes up, and in a split second, I know he's pushing me away.

His brows furrow as though something is causing him great pain. "I'm sorry, Aelina. I shouldn't push myself on you. As much as I want you, it's clear you may not want me in the same way. The feelings you thing you feel for me aren't real."

Anger warms my face. "How do you know what I'm feeling isn't the real thing? You don't know me," I accuse, my voice trembling.

Tears threaten to fall.

How can he do this to me?

"Exactly. I don't know you, and you don't know me..." He pauses. I watch his face, the muscles in his jaw tensing and releasing. "I'm the son of someone who wants to cause you and your family harm. I'm a killer. I'm only here because you were promised to me."

Each word slices right through my heart, leaving it split into pieces.

Without another word or so much as a glance back, he turns and walks toward the door, only briefly stopping with his hand on the handle.

"Fine! Walk away," I scream.