Chapter 21

21

I mpatiently, I wait on the porch for Hunter to return with the things I'd asked for. I rub my neck and play with my hair, trying to keep myself busy.

Hunter steps through the door. "Are you ready?"

I swallow. "Yeah, I think so. I'm not sure how to be ready for something like this."

He stands in front of me and leans over, placing a light kiss on my lips. Butterflies take flight in my stomach. "I'm here for you," he whispers and takes my hand, guiding me off the porch.

We walk in silence for about five minutes and come upon a part of the land fenced off with eight headstones inside the perimeter. Some look really old. In stark contrast, there's a fresh mound of dirt—an unmarked grave.

Miles.

Chills roll over my skin. Goose bumps follow, and I can't hide the shiver that runs through me.

There's a bench outside the fence where Hunter walks us to, and I sit. When he doesn't join me, I ask, "Are you going to sit?"

He shakes his head. "No. This is something you need to do, and when you're ready, I'll be back there." He points to a grouping of trees in a small clearing and a bench seat. Then he hands me the envelope and pictures, my stomach instantly twisting in knots.

"Okay," I reply.

He kisses my cheek and leaves me to my thoughts. I take a moment and look over the headstones. Nash's has freshly picked bright yellow and black sunflowers resting on it.

I think May must have put them there , and a lump forms in my throat. She's lost so much. How does she stay so strong in the face of all this death?

"Why couldn't you be here to teach me to trust? I trusted you," I whisper to Nash's headstone. Tears form in my eyes, and I take the envelope, carefully opening it. My hands shake as I unfold the white piece of paper.

Dearest Lina,

If you're reading this instead of seeing my gorgeous face, then obviously, something has happened. I'm sorry I can't be with you to walk you through this hard stage of discovering who your family is and what's yet to come.

When I found you in that diner, I thought I was looking at a younger version of our mother. I do hope you get to meet her because she is amazing. Hunter knows how to find her, and when the time is right, he'll bring her to you. I kept her safe from our father since he thought she was behind all his daughters disappearing. He was raised by a strong woman and didn't see what she was doing. Good one, Granny.

You have to know that what our grandmothers did was for your own good. They didn't want you to grow up in a world that could easily have killed you before you'd had the chance to live. Hell, look at me. Most likely, dead. I'm sorry I couldn't keep you protected from the horrors of our family life. You have a chance to make it better than what it is. You and Hunter. I'm sure if Hunter had a sister, I would have been married off to her, and you then would have been safe. Instead, they had a family of boys. Lucky them.

Now, I'm sure you've got a million questions. Don't be afraid to ask May or Hunter. They'll help you. Hunter will keep you safe. I trust him with my life.

I know you've had a hard life. I know the foster homes were not kind to you and that living under a bridge wasn't ideal, but you are so strong. You have the strength needed for this, even if you don't think you do.

I love you, Little Red. That name came from me, by the way. You came home from the hospital in a red outfit, wrapped in a beautiful red blanket that Granny made you. I was two, and Granny read me Little Red Riding Hood, and from then on, I called you Little Red, and so did Hunter. We were and still are really good friends.

Trust Hunter. Trust Granny, and know that I love you. I'm so thankful I got to meet and get to know you, even if only a little. Promise me that when you and Hunter take over, you'll find your sisters and keep them safe. They're amazing women—exactly like their big sister.

I better stop writing before I start crying. Remember, I love you.

Forever in your heart,

Nash

PS. I'm sure Dad is hot on your tail. He may seem nasty and angry, but he's really not that bad. He's had everything taken away from him. He was a great father. I will tell you to be careful because he does tend to lash out. Just give him a moment to be angry and remember he only wants to be on top again like he once was.

I carefully fold the letter and place it back into the envelope. My gaze comes to a halt on Nash's headstone again. A breeze whips past me, and there's a coolness on my cheeks from the tears that continue to fall. My heart is full yet heavy. Even Nash wants me to trust Hunter and find my sisters. I'm not about to look for them until I know it's safe for them to know me.

And who knows how long that will be?

My good arm wraps around me with a sudden bout of coolness, sending chills up my spine. I have no idea what I'm going to do.

"How are you?"

I turn my head. My eyes feel puffy as I stare at Hunter's. He truly is what I would call perfect, so much so that it hurts my heart.

I nod solemnly and turn back to the resting place of my family. Hunter sits beside me, and as he does, he wraps his arm around my shoulders. I shuffle closer to him, wanting his comfort and warmth. His hand rubs up and down my arm, like he read my mind.

"I know what everyone expects me to do. I'm just not sure I'm ready or that I can even do this." I clear the thickness coating my throat.

"You keep saying that. If you really wanted, I could teach you to defend yourself and..." he takes a deep breath, "... and I could teach you how to handle a gun."

My stomach clenches. I don't move. "Is that really the best thing? What if I shoot the wrong person? An innocent person? Shooting anyone scares the hell out of me." My breaths come faster.

"Hey, you're jumping ahead, and you don't need to. It would be a precaution because you'd mostly have a bodyguard with you."

"I'm not sure how I feel about others putting their lives on the line for me." The idea doesn't sit right. If I thought I was scared about using a gun, the mere thought of someone else's life being cut short because of me rattles me to my core.

"What did Nash say?" he asks.

"Here. You can read it." I hand the letter to him.

"Oh, I don't want—"

"It's okay. I want you to read it since it appears we're in this together."

"Are you sure?" I turn toward him, his face all kinds of tender and handsome. His hand comes up, brushing some hair away from my face. "You really are beautiful."

My chest tightens, and I offer him a weak smile, placing my hand on his leg.

While Hunter reads the letter, I take in the scenery. The burial family plot is over to the side of the barn and house. This property is massive and full of greenery and life. This home, the entire property, has been built with love. Beautiful gardens full of roses, sunflowers, and little daisies surround the family graves.

I make a mental note to come often and place flowers on Nash's grave. Perhaps one day, when I can find forgiveness, I can do the same for Miles' as well.

"I remember Nash referred to you as Little Red. It was so fitting. It's just a name that seems to have stuck." Hunter laughs and rubs his hand across his face as he finishes reading the letter. Then he folds it up and hands it back. "He really was a good guy, and he is speaking the truth about your father. He is an angry man because he lost a lot after he didn't keep his promise to my family, but know that anger is a powerful motivator."

"But he seemed so dangerous when I saw him outside my apartment. It was as if he'd love to kill me."

Hunter takes my hand. "No, I don't think he'd hurt you. He would, however, have taken you to my father. Then, of course, my father would probably kill you to exact vengeance for what happened. And knowing my father, he would kill yours after."

I pull back a little. His words aren't harsh, but they hold such power, and I hate how spiteful this world is.

"I think I know what I need to do," I finally say after a moment of pondering.

"What's that?"

"You and I have to come together and change the way this underworld is run. I want to have a voice for those who are growing up like me. Even if that's not what you do, it's something I want."

Hunter beams, then leans over and presses his lips to mine. When he pulls back, he says, "Your eyes are about to be opened to all opportunities, and I'm here to help you, just like you're there to support me. We can do this. Together."