Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)
Two of my men had just parted to let me through when I heard, “Wait.”
My chest felt like it had caved from all the relief rushing in. I let none of it show as I paused at the circle’s edge and turned to face her. “Yes, Hunter?”
“I-I can work for you.”
Now, why did this sound familiar? “I’m sorry, Vengeance. All positions have been filled.”
“You wouldn’t have to pay me,” she rushed to add. “Just let me be with Coby.” Remembering at the last moment to play the part, I turned to go without a word, adding to Hunter’s desperation. “She’ll never forgive you!”
“She’ll never know,” I returned. But she could, my paranoia warned.
“Coby is smarter than you think,” Hunter argued. “She’s smarter than you and me. She’ll figure it out.”
I barked a laugh so loud it startled the birds in the trees. They flew from their perch, where they had no doubt been watching the drama unfold. I was still laughing when I turned to face Hunter. “You mean the same way she figured out that her brother sold her to me?”
Hunter balked. “What?” I just held her gaze. Hunter eventually saw the truth in my eyes and swore. “That grimy piece of shit!” Her eyes were wild as she started to pace, seemingly forgetting about the guns pointed at her. “I should have killed him a long time ago,” she mumbled. I couldn’t agree more. I didn’t realize I’d fallen into a trance watching her prowl like a caged lioness until she suddenly whirled on me. “Well?”
I blinked. “Well, what?”
Hunter’s gaze narrowed as she shifted her weight to one leg. “What are you planning to do about it?”
“I’m going to kill him, of course. When I’m ready.”
Her eyes widened—with surprise or glee, I didn’t know. Maybe both. “I can help you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“You will if you want Coby to forgive you after.”
I paused to consider that and felt Abel’s agitation the moment I did. I already knew he thought killing Hunter was the safest move, and this was coming from a man who despised offing women. That was how far Hunter had pushed us. “I don’t need to convince her,” I decided after a while. “She’ll do what I say and think what I tell her.”
It was Hunter’s turn to howl obnoxiously.
“Oh, my God.” She cackled as she bent and braced one hand on her knee while wiping a tear from her eye with the other. It took everything in me not to smile along with her. “Forget not being ready to die. I just want to live so I can be there when you tell her that.”
Losing the battle, my lips turned up at the corner as I watched her.
The shadows in her eyes had cleared a little, and in that moment, Hunter looked younger. Supple. Pliable.
Mine.
Fuck.
Done with this game, I reached for my coat pocket. There was no going back now. A decision had been made. I pulled free the rope I’d hidden inside and started toward Hunter.
Abel swore.
Noticing, Hunter rose to her full height and eyed me warily as she backed away.
“Turn around and put your arms behind your back.” I paused when she shook her head. “Or die, Hunter. Those are your choices.”
She stopped backing away, but her stubborn ass still felt the need to make me wait as she considered whether or not to obey after bargaining beautifully for her life just moments ago.
The tension coiling around my muscles and my patience eased when Hunter slowly turned and stayed still for me while I used the rope to tie her wrists. I didn’t miss the raw skin that was already there, and if I could, I’d kill the men who brought her to me a second time.
Once she was bound, Abel gave the signal, and my men all lowered their guns. I pulled the knot to check that it was secure and then used the rope to yank her into me until her back was flush with my chest.
“Don’t make me regret this,” I quietly warned in her ear. Her jasmine scent was earthy, whereas Coby’s was sweet. I wanted to bathe in them both, but I knew better than to say so.
Hunter turned her head and flashed a smile filled with the promise of violence. “Not even a little?”
I didn’t respond as I pulled free the other item I was hiding in my pocket. “Open your mouth.” She didn’t hesitate this time, probably to tell me to fuck off, so I quickly shoved the red ball between her lips and then quickly buckled the black leather straps behind her head before she could get over her shock of being gagged. “Keeping testing me, and I’ll spank that ass black and blue,” I warned.
Hunter’s eyes widened.
Smirking, I gently turned her around. And then, to her surprise and mine, I bent and lifted her over my shoulder.