Page 9 of The Huntress and Her Hound

Henry opens my front door for me, and Cash and I step out into the hallway. I take a breath, and glance back over my shoulder. My eyes bore into the back of Jude’s head.

I don’t like him.

Henry’s chuckle grabs my attention as the door closes. “He’s a different breed.”

“What?” I turn to my brother, my brows furrowing.

“Jude.” He shrugs his shoulders beneath his black T-shirt. “He’s kind of strange. I’ve never met anyone else like him.”

“He seems nice,” I lie, keeping a smile on my face as we head for the elevator. “I just thought he was quiet—like he keeps to himself.”

“You know, that’s kind of true.” He gestures for us to step into the elevator. My phone buzzes in my jean shorts, but I ignore it. “I don’t really know all that much about him. Well, I mean, I know the basics. He knows the basics about me, too, but guys don’t tell it all to each other.”

“Hmm,” I say, pressing the ground floor button. I have no desire to discuss male antics, and the fact they make my core burn with the desire to hunt causes me pause. I’ve changed a lot since Henry last saw me. I kept my demons on a leash back then, and they only tortured me in my dreams, taunting and teasing me with my own personal hellish memories.

But now, I quiet them by letting them out to play.

Can Henry see that?

I run my black fingernails down the back of Cash’s head, drawing some sort of calmness by just touching him. He’s the only man I ever intend to let in on my secrets.

“Jude asked me earlier if you had a job here,” Henry comments as the elevator doors slide open on the ground floor. “I told him you didn’t, but we haven’t talked about it.”

“I have a job,” I confirm as I lead the way to the fenced area in the back of the complex. “I started a few months ago at a bar off the strip.”

“A bar?” Henry doesn’t hide his concern. “Why? You don’t need to be working in a bar, Cher. If that’s the case, I’d rather you not work at all.”

But it’s how I get invited to parties.

“I enjoy it,” I say easily. I’ve practiced this speech. “It’s a VIP rooftop bar, and it’s not like I have to wear a swimsuit or something. I just make drinks and stay behind the counter.”

“Yeah, but that means you have to go home late—”

“This is the city that never sleeps,” I cut him off as I let Cash off the leash. He knows better than to attack or bother any of the other dogs. “I get off at two, and I always Uber right back home—unless I go out with friends.”

Or wherever else.

“Friends?” Henry looks shocked as the sweat beads up across his forehead. “You haven’t mentioned any friends to me.”

“You haven’t exactly been calling me all that much,” I snap at him as he pulls out a cigarette and lights it under the cover of the moon. Even in the dark, it’s warm, but it’s Vegas, and as much as I hate the heat, it’s worth the prime selection of prey.

“I call just as much as always.”

“No, you don’t.” I shake my head and divert my gaze to my black toenails poking out of my sandals.

“I do,” my brother starts to argue. “Lydia doesn’t take up all my time. I still keep up with you.”

“I never made this about your wife.” I actually like Lydia, and she’s still one of my favorite authors to read. Though, I have to admit I started skipping the sex scenes after considering the idea that my brother might be a part of her inspiration.

“You’ve been cold since we got here,” Henry says, his voice now coming out with a similar edge as mine. “If you didn’t want us to come and stay, you should’ve just said so.”

“No, I...” My voice trails off. “I’m glad you’re here. I am. I’m sorry.”

Henry studies my face for an uncomfortable length of time. “Is something going on then? I know everything with Lydia put a wedge between us, but I thought we were cool.”

“We are cool,” I say earnestly. “I’m just tired this evening.”

“I’m sorry. We can be invisible in your house, if needed. I promise.” He shoots me one of his grins, and I can’t help but laugh.

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