Page 31 of The Huntress and Her Hound

“And you’re a nosy bastard, aren’t you?” I snort back at him, ripping my gaze away and folding my arms across my chest.

“How long did it take you to cover that up?” His fingers brush over the makeup covered spot on my jaw. It’s such a gentle touch, I could cry—but instead, I freeze, stiffening against him.

“Why do you even care?”

“Why do you go home with men who rough you up?”

I’m nearing the point of explosion, and as the doors slide open, I barrel forward, startling Cash. He picks up into an excited jog, bouncing along beside me as I race for the pet park.

I hate you, Jude. I’ve changed my mind. We cannot be friends.

He falls in step beside me. “So just tell me who did this, and I’ll leave you alone.”

I ignore him until I’m out in the desert air and unclipping the leash from Cash’s collar. Only then do I turn to him. “Why do you want to know this now? You all but ran out of the bathroom last night.” The accusation in my tone is bitter and sharp, but I don’t hold back. I want Jude to know I dislike his existence.

Jude’s Adam’s apple bobs. “You were taking a shower, and your mouth needed to heal.” The mention reminds me of the ache on the inside of my cheek—and the fact Jude offered aid without any questions asked... Well, until now, that is. “Just tell me who did it. What was his name?”

“I don’t want you exacting some kind of stupid revenge with my brother.” I turn my attention to Cash, bounding across the play yard with a Border Collie mix. For a protection dog, he makes friends fast.

“I don’t want to involve your brother,” Jude’s voice is low, almost too low to actually hear—and it intrigues me more than I want to admit. “I’ll fuck up this guy’s life for you. I don’t even have to touch him. I don’t have to tell your brother. I’ll take care of it.”

Except he’s already dead.

I continue to watch Cash, like his offer means nothing to me. “I don’t need a man looking out for me.”

“The state you were in last night has me begging to differ.”

I grit my teeth at the way he toys with degradation. I can’t tell if he’s doing it to get a rise out of me—or if he means it.

‘He means it,’ the voice pops in.

Oh shut up, I hiss back internally.

“You know, if you don’t tell me, I’ll still figure it out.” Jude’s nonchalant tone is suddenly very unsettling, creeping up my spine like a spider beneath my clothes.

“Do you have my number?” I turn to him, my mind drawn back to the message on my phone earlier. I could see Jude playing games with me. It would make sense for a hacker.

His face contorts in confusion. “Well, yeah. Henry gave it to me as a just-in-case.”

“Did you text me this morning?” My moment of borderline friendly conversation has him narrowing his gaze at me.

“No,” he snorts. “If I wanted to talk to you, I’d just knock on your door.”

“Unless you didn’t want my brother to know what you were saying.” I don’t know why I let that slip in a sultry tone, but Jude’s face flashes with an emotion that lights up my...pussy.

I nearly panic at the arousal. I never grow aroused under the male gaze—or any gaze at that. It has my stomach suddenly churning and my mind flashing with images of stripping Jude down to nothing.

And then giving him what I wish he wanted from me.

“You good?” Jude gives me a weird look.

I clear my throat and look away, my fingers brushing my cheeks and the heat flushing them. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’ve never wanted anyone. Ever. I mean, I had crushes before...

‘And you think Jude will be any different? If he slept with you, it’d be pity only.’

My heart drops, and I cling to the leash with a renewed somberness—the kind that gripped me after everything happened. After I began harboring the darkest secrets.

“Cher...” A light touch brushes my arm.

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