Page 156 of Oathbreaker

Even when we were being chased and shot at, he had a cool calmness that was impressive. While I was a mess, he was able to figure out the next steps and bring us home to safety.

But now, as I take in the fine sheen of sweat on his forehead and the way his chest rises and falls with rapid bellows, I know the truth. Hunter Brigham is frightened. Not of death. But of losing the people he loves.

And it all makes sense because that’s the only thing he’s ever feared.

“No,” I say.

More silence. His eyes slide shut. “No?” He opens his eyes again.

“No. I won’t stay locked in this house. Not unless you tell me what’s going on.”

Not another word from Hunter. He’s stoic, icing me out.

“I have therapy and doctor’s appointments, and I-I can’t be h-held prisoner. It’s too much like— It’s too much like Adam, and I….”

I stop talking when I feel the first tear land on my chest. Even through my weary plea, Hunter is unmoved.

“I’ll do whatever is needed to protect you, Sunbeam, even if you don’t like it.”

The only kink in his resolve is the slight feathering of the muscle at his jaw.

“Hunter…” I don’t realize I’m stepping away from him until the backs of my legs hit the bed.

“I get that you’re mad at me, so I’ll give you space.”

And with that, he’s gone. The final word of our argument is the whirr of the lock sliding home.

THIRTY-ONE

HUNTER

It didn’t take long for Misha to summon Leo and me, probably annoyed that we didn’t let his guys take any of the evidence gathered on Isla Cara.

I only got a day with Winter and August before I had to deal with this fuckery. This fuckery being discovering my father’s corpse, being chased and shot at on the highway, and fighting with Winter.

Although I’m not sure our disagreement can be classified as a fight. After all, I made a decision that’s in the best interest of our family. Winter continues to present unreasonable alternatives.

I lift a crate, wedging it next to its twin in the bulletproof Suburban. In all, we recovered only a few items from Isla Cara. Cabinets full of papers, disks, and tapes are packed in ten neat, medium-sized boxes.

“When you come back, I would like to show you the latest video from the RC helicopters national convention,” August says once I re-enter the foyer. The SUV idles in the circle drive with Leo in the passenger seat.

“Of course,” I tell him. “Any reason why you want me to watch?”

August rocks and makes a rapid throat-clearing sound. “I would like to work toward going next year. Competing, maybe.” He drops his tablet so it thunks against his hip as it hangs from the strap.

August has an unnatural talent at RC helicopters. Not only is he a wiz at flying them, he’s also innovative at the retrofitting he comes up with.

“Whatever you want, I’ll help you achieve it.” It’s quick, but a smile flashes across his face.

“Okay.” With that simple reply, August runs back toward his game room.

I lift my gaze to the top of the stairs, wishing I could summon the other person I really want to see without having to seek her out.

I’m trying to keep everyone safe the best way I know how…and it fucks with my head that I don’t know much.

I stand in the foyer long enough for Leo to lay on the horn. Looking over my shoulder to where he leans out the window from the passenger seat, I give him the middle finger through the open entryway.

“Hurry the fuck up,” Leo snipes.

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