Page 43 of The Huntress and Her Hound

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I wait for Jude and Henry to leave before I move. I have no idea what either of them are in—other than spotting the tux my brother had. I’ll have to feel it out, keep my distance if that’s what I need to do, or get closer...if that’s what I want to do.

My eyes slide over my black leather shorts with a matching corset on the top. A sheer black long sleeve top is over it to distort my tattoos, but I know it’s a risk in and of itself. However, it only fuels my adrenaline for the night ahead.

I pull my hair up into a high ponytail and place the rabbit mask over my face. My lips are painted black to match. My thigh high boots cover more skin, though it doesn’t prevent me from having sex appeal.

‘He’ll recognize you, and you know it.’

I smirk at myself in the mirror, and then grab my small cross body purse. I only have one small baggy inside of it, and it’s just a backup plan. Tonight, I am whoever I want to be...

Which means I don’t have to be broken.

My phone pings with the notification of my Uber arriving. I roll my shoulders once more and then give Cash a pet on the head. “Wish me luck, boy.”

He lets out a huff.

“I’d take you if I could, but I think that might be a dead giveaway.” I give him one last smile as I exit, leaving the door open for him to prowl around the apartment as much as he wants to. My boots click as I make my way to the elevator and then to the BMW parked alongside the curb. I slide into the backseat, mask still in place.

The driver, a young woman, doesn’t ask for details, and I don’t offer any up. However, the silence allows my brain to run rampant—and I don’t like that.

Maybe this is too risky.

What if Henry recognizes me?

He’ll be too hyper-focused on his target.

Who is his target? Maybe I should’ve asked.

Stop overthinking it. I can get what I want tonight.

‘You’ll be just like him, little girl.’

Bile rises in my throat at the mention. Not tonight. Please. I don’t want to be that girl. With that small prayer, my head stops buzzing, and the car pulls up outside of the building. I thank the driver and climb out, already seeing women in bikinis and lingerie with masks heading into the building.

‘No one would pick you over them.’

I glance down at my body, a lump growing in my throat.

‘You’re just his disgusting leftovers.’

Shaking my head, I push past the women, pulling up my VIP ticket. They mutter curses at me, but I ignore them. They’ll get their turn at the door and be let in solely because they’re beautiful. But they’re not on the same mission as me. I can’t stop thinking about the options that he’s got for the evening.

‘You have plenty of options. Someone will be desperate and horny.’

And then I’ll drop them in a dark room.

Smiling at that, I flash my pass to the men at the door. They give me the thumbs up and let me in. It pays to have connections like Sarah, who’s close to the owner of the bar. As I step through, I’m met with blacklights, heavy sex-synth beats, and a lot of people.

How the fuck am I supposed to find him? I know how these parties work, and there are plenty of rooms for activities—and finding Jude might mean finding Henry, too. I slide through the crowd, eyes peeled for a guy Jude’s height. I don’t know what he’s wearing, and I start beating myself up for not paying attention.

Where are you?

The dance floor is devoid of anyone who even comes close, and as I catch sight of the bar, I immediately recognize the tux I saw on the hanger, paired with a Scream mask.

Cute, Henry. Really fucking cute.

But the harder I look, I don’t see Jude. Did he not come? Is he hidden away doing surveillance? My heart thumps in my chest. I’m here to experiment. To be with someone in way that doesn’t involve murdering them. Well, at least try to, anyway.

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