Page 55 of The Huntress and Her Hound

“No,” Henry snaps. “I just know how you eat—which is not much, ever.”

I sigh. “To be honest, I forgot about it until she just texted me.” I sound so believable, it makes my stomach lurch. I’ve become such a good liar, that I don’t know what the truth is either sometimes.

“Well, have fun,” Henry eyes me. “And Uber home. I hate seeing you walking home in the middle of the night.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I blow him off as I step out into the hallway, taking a deep breath. The door closes behind me, bumping my ass. I have no idea how Jude is going to manage to pull this off—though he’s obviously been pulling more off than just seeing me with all his late-night trips...

Unless he’s the one stalking me.

I mean, there are texting apps. He could easily conceal his number, and he was searching all the men I’ve been with since he got here. He’s a hacker, for heaven’s sake. He could be watching me right now, and I wouldn’t even know it.

Should I confront him?

I chew on the thought as I head for the elevator, taking my sweet time. I had intended to spend this night toying with Jude, but now I can’t help but wonder if he is the one toying with me. His demeanor did change quickly in the room when I refused to share my location—and the stalker didn’t show up until Jude got here. But if he’s the one trying to threaten me, then I’m definitely sure tonight is a good idea.

My phone buzzes as I ride down to the ground floor, and I pull it out of my purse, my heart skipping a beat.

Unknown: Where are you off to? Can I come?

I curl my lip, picturing Jude on the other side, fucking with me. He knows I’m going out tonight, and he knows who I’m going with. However, I also know that it’s bad juju to reply to someone who’s stalking you, and there is a chance it’s not Jude.

Which would be absolutely terrifying.

Inwardly shuddering at the thought, I step out of the elevator, not sure exactly what to do with myself. I glance over toward the pet park, missing the alone time I used to have with my dog—and just in general. And speaking of all this...

I still need to talk to Liam.

I frown, glancing around the lobby as I open up my phone. I pull up his contact and send him a quick text.

Me: Meet for lunch tomorrow?

Liam: I thought you’d never fucking ask. 11:30 at the usual?

Me: Sure

As I close out, a hand lands on my shoulder and I spin around, ready to throw a fucking punch. Jude grins at me like a kid.

“I made it out in eight minutes.”

I laugh, but it feels wrong in the moment. I still can’t get the image of Jude typing out those awful texts to me. Would he do it? Would he do it to try and push me to him?

“You seem tense,” Jude mentions as he grabs my hand and leads me out of the lobby and into the street. “Henry’s not going to notice.”

“What does he think you’re doing?” I ask, deciding not to press the stalker issue right now. “My brother’s not an idiot.”

“No, he’s definitely not, but I told him I was going to talk with a couple of real estate agents before house hunting this week.” Jude’s hand in mine feels strikingly comfortable and natural, but my brother’s words and common-sense hang in my mind. Of course, even if Jude is a psychopath, he can just...join the club.

“Yeah, I’d like to be out of that apartment,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. “It would be nice to have a yard instead of a stupid pet park.”

He nods, and then eyes me. “But it doesn’t bother you that your brother is buying the house for you?”

I raise my brows, though I’m unsurprised by the judgment. “I don’t want my brother buying me a house, but that’s what he does. On my wages, I’d live in the fucking ghetto—and there’s no way he’d let that happen.”

Jude blows out a sharp breath. “Yeah, I guess.”

“It is what it is,” I snap, dropping his hand. “I hate the way he takes care of me, but I don’t know what I’d do if he didn’t.”

“You could find someone else—”

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