Chapter 23

23

"A re you ready?" Hunter asks. "Now, make sure your arms are locked into position."

I hold a gun, somewhat steady.

Hunter has been teaching me to defend myself for the last four weeks. He felt it was time I learned, considering the line of work I'm about to be thrown into.

I do as he says. "Is this right?" I question, looking to him for guidance. This isn't the first time he's talked me through this.

I've even had Landon help me when Hunter has had to go back into the city. But I think I'd prefer Landon to be looking after Hunter. Who knows what his father is capable of? If he could turn my family on me, then I'm sure he could turn his family on his son.

"Yes. Now, when you're ready, you know what to do," Hunter says.

Looking straight ahead, I line my shot up with the paper we have attached to the tree along the forest border. My arms are locked straight, and my chest thrums with excitement.

I squeeze the trigger, and the shot rings out. I want to shut my eyes in reaction to the loud bang that follows, but Hunter told me never to close them when shooting and to keep my eye on the target. The vibration from the shot runs along my arms. Adrenaline burns in my veins. It's such a thrill.

"That was good. You hit the mark that time. Looks like Landon has been a good teacher."

"He has." I smile and point the gun down, turning to face Hunter and handing it over.

"For someone with his skills, I'd expect him to be a good teacher," Hunter says dryly.

Landon is not much of a talker. He just instructs and expects perfection. "What skills?" I ask curiously.

Hunter looks up from where he was putting the gun away in its case. "I guess you should know. He's an excellent marksman, great with any kind of gun or blade, and could easily kill you with his bare hands."

I open my mouth to speak, but for a moment, nothing comes out. Then, I finally find my voice. "Assassin, that's right."

Hunter shrugs. "Yeah."

I don't know why it catches me off-guard, as he's already insinuated what he does, but still, my eyes bug out. I think just hearing it again confirms it is a shock to the system. I mean, who wouldn't be jarred by this after they have literally taken shooting lessons from the man?

I laugh nervously. Landon is Hunter's hitman, who has probably killed so many people he's lost count.

Hunter shrugs again, then stalks toward me. "Once you get to know him, you'll see that he's a big softy. Though, don't ever let him hear you say that," he says, whispering the last part.

Softy or not, Landon's glares could scare even the bravest person. I'd hate to get on his bad side.

Hunter's arm wraps around my waist and pulls me against his chest. His woodsy scent wraps around my senses, and my eyes fall upon his lips. I watch the smile stretch across his face.

He knows what his touch does to me, and my arms automatically latch themselves around his waist.

"That's enough lessons for today, I think." His voice is low and wanting, causing my stomach to twist.

"Do you have something else in mind?" I rock my body against him.

"You have no idea how much I'd love to devour you right here in this paddock, but I don't think May will approve." He chuckles, lowering his head, his mouth an inch away from mine. "There's nothing stopping me from taking your lips right now, though."

My breath hitches as his mouth smashes against mine. I pull him tighter against me. He moves his arms under my butt and lifts me with ease. I wrap my legs around him, the heat between us building.

He holds me close but doesn't move. The safety I feel in his arms is a new experience for me. The way he's so tender and caring, how could I not fall for him?

He pulls back after a moment, and I can't help the sigh that escapes my lips. I tilt my head to meet his heated gaze, which tells me he wants nothing more than to finish what we've just started. It's still really hard for me to believe this is happening. I never thought I'd ever find love. I actually have a family, even if half have passed away, my future father-in-law wants to kill me, and I have sisters I didn't even know existed.

Then there's Hunter with his hard exterior. He has dangerous, unwavering power over people and, even more so, me. The way my body completely submits to him is unnerving. Of course, I want him, even though I can't shake the restless feeling I have when it comes to why he sought me out.

"Where did you go right now? You were looking at me, then your focus changed."

I unwrap myself from him. The weight is heavy on my chest. "I'm concerned about the whole situation."

Hunter becomes still, his focus all on me. "You mean us?"

"What? No. Not us, well maybe a little, but more so your family. I know the time is approaching for me when I'm going to come face-to-face with your father. What if he doesn't accept anything and purely wants me dead to spite my family?" My heart hammers against my chest as anxiety over what will become of me slams home.

Hunter steps closer to me, and his hand cups my cheek. I close my eyes, drinking in this moment. When he says nothing, I open them, and right away, I know I'm staring into the soul of a killer—someone fierce and unwavering.

My head draws back. He comes closer until our bodies are pressing against each other. The heat between us is an inferno I'm not sure I can tame. "He wouldn't dare lay a finger on you in a harmful way, or he would be a dead man. You are mine, Little Red, and anyone who wants to harm you will have to get through me." The vein in his neck pops out, and I swallow, waiting to see if he'll say more. The anger radiating from his face tells me he means every word he's said. "You are mine ."

A tiny bit of peace washes over me. The way he speaks is powerful and smashes fully into my chest. Someone clears their throat behind me, breaking the moment.

I whip around. Landon .

"Sorry to interrupt. You're needed. It's important." His eyes drop to me, and I immediately know it's about me.

"What is it?" I ask.

"You don't have to worry about it. We'll take care of it." Landon brushes aside my question.

I step toward him. "No. If I'm going to be a part of this world, then I have a right to know what's going on." I glance over at Hunter, who hasn't moved. "No more secrets. All in or nothing." I purse my lips and raise my eyebrows in a go-ahead-and-try-me way. I'm through with all the hidden agendas.

Hunter gives Landon a short nod, and I shift my gaze back to Landon. His furrowed brow tells me something is wrong.

Clearing his throat, he says, "They found Miriam..." He pauses, then his dark stare falls on me, and Hunter curses. "Your mother."

My unease is back in full swing.

My head flicks between them, my mouth open. I'm not sure what to say.

"Are you sure?" Hunter asks all business now.

Landon nods. "Yes. Levi just messaged me. Ezra has been looking for her without us knowing. I think it's your father's doing. I guess perhaps to see which of his sons are loyal to him."

Landon looks ready for action—a man I wouldn't want to come face-to-face with in a dark alley.

"Damn, he got into Ezra's head. That's going to be a problem."

I'm utterly confused. I raise my hand like a little schoolkid. "Uh...who are Levi and Ezra?"

"My younger brothers," Hunter answers, and his words are strained.

Obviously, there's some conflict. "I'm guessing they are not good brothers by the way you answered."

Hunter looks at me. "Levi is my youngest brother. He can see the trouble my father causes and doesn't want any part in it. Ezra, on the other hand, has been trying to show that he'll obey anything my father says. My father has done a number on him."

"And they now have my mother. What's the point of that?" I shift my gaze back to Landon, hoping for an answer.

"Leverage. They will release her to us only if you come." He points to me, and it feels like there's a target drawn squarely on my chest.

"Well, we have to go get her." My arms wave around with urgency. I start to walk toward the house but quickly realize they aren't following. "Um...hello? We have to go help my mother."

Hunter hangs his head, and I catch his shoulders drop and rise again. "We can't go right away."

I stomp back to him. "Why not? I'm ready. Well, not really, but I will be."

Hunter is shaking his head. "No, it's not that. It's..." He stops, and his eyes go past me to Landon. I turn to him and catch him shaking his head.

"What's going on?" I stomp my foot. I want answers.

Nothing.

They've become silent.

"So much for no more secrets. You can sleep somewhere else tonight," I growl out.