Page 30 of The Huntress and Her Hound

However, as I slide my phone into my pocket, a sense of dread settles in on my shoulders, similar to the unease I felt last night. And maybe, if I wasn’t so used to feeling like the world is caving in on me, I might be concerned.

‘Let them chase you. Whoever they are.’

I roll my eyes at the voice this time. Even if someone is toying with me, there’s only one person who remotely has an idea of what I’m up to—and if it’s him, well... then let the games begin. I can handle Jude.

‘No, you can’t. He makes you feel weak in the knees. He reminds you of the way Dr. Nile made you feel.’

“Just shut up,” I mutter as I pull on a black turtleneck, my stomach lurching at the name. I focus instead on my shirt as I tug it down. It’s fitted and thin, but it’s enough to cover the bruises. Paired with my black leggings, only a slip of my midriff shows, and I’ll be stuck in this get up around Henry.

‘Unless Jude runs his big fucking mouth.’

“He doesn’t have a big mouth,” I snap as I rip the bedroom door open. Cash jumps up from his bed and darts for the opening, ready to be taken down to the pet park already. The smell of coffee and some kind of food wafts through the apartment, slamming into my lungs. I can’t decide if I like it or not. It means there are people who are not me in this apartment. And while I once found my brother’s presence comforting, it’s now unnerving.

“Morning...” Henry gives me a funny look as I enter the kitchen and grab for the leash. “You look...”

“Trying new things with my makeup. Don’t be an asshole,” I level with him, raising a brow and daring him to make a snide remark about how I look.

“It’s bold.” He smirks and then lifts his coffee cup to his lips. “Whatever floats your boat though.”

“So glad you’re supportive.” I motion for Cash to sit, and I snap the leash onto his collar.

“Is there a reason you dress like it’s winter in the summer?”

He is really testing my patience this morning.

“I guess Oregon never wore off.” My fingers tremble against the leather leash as I hear footsteps entering the kitchen from behind me. He knows what I look like naked.

‘No, he doesn’t,’ the voice scoffs in my head. ‘He didn’t even look at you.’

“Morning, you two,” Jude says, his voice groggy in a way that’s yet again, almost endearing.

‘You’re the one who wants him to see you naked.’

White knuckling the leash, I turn to face Jude. My stomach flips at the sight of him in a pair of light wash jeans and white Rolling Stones T-shirt. “How did you sleep?”

His eyes drop to my jaw, where I’ve carefully concealed the dark marks. “I’ve probably slept better.” He then looks back up, meeting my gaze. “I had a lot on my mind.”

Something crumbles in my chest at the way he unravels me, but I find the much-needed distraction as Cash tugs me toward the front door. “Me, too,” I manage to mutter as I spin around, ignoring the look on Henry’s face. I can’t tell if he’s just intrigued by my dog’s brute strength or the exchange between Jude and me.

“I’ll go with you,” Jude says. “I could use the air.”

“Not much air out there, just suffocating heat,” Henry chuckles from behind me. I tear at the door handle, halfway tempted to try and outrun Jude. However, by the time I make it to the elevator, he’s already there, smashing the button for us.

“Why are you coming with me?” I snap up at him, finding his eyes once again on my face.

“I’m not done talking about last night, Cher.”

I shake my head, wanting to reach out and bite him for acting like he gets to drive the conversation. “That’s not even my real fucking name.”

“Wow, okay,” he replies flatly. “You want me to call you Layla Murphy then? Would that make you happy?”

My heart stumbles. Of course, he knows my birth name. “Just go away.”

He looms over me as we start downward. “You’re not getting rid of me, Layla.”

“I said, don’t call me that.” I burn into his gaze with my own, swallowing the shakiness that washes over me. “Layla is dead.”

“I think Cher is, too,” he shoots back at me, his tone borderline threatening. “I’m starting to wonder who is actually in there. You’re not who your brother thinks you are.”

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