Page 21 of The Rise

Hunter

“You’ve never been,” I say softly as I see the way her eyes light up when we pull in.

“No. Not ever.” Fuck, that’s the saddest shit I’ve ever heard. I climb out and walk around opening her door for her. Lana slides out, and I can see the light in her eyes. It makes me want to take away all the bad and only show her good, but that isn’t who I am.

I start walking, and she follows me as we meet up with the others. I introduce Lana again, and Tamsyn grabs Lana’s hand and drags her along with her and Angel. She looks at me over her shoulder to see if it’s okay and I give her a nod.

“What is all this?” Ry asks, motioning to her.

“What is what?”

“You and Lana?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Don’t fucking stand there and lie to us of all people, Hunter.” Shit, he’s right. I can’t just lie to them, but I don’t know what this is. I don’t know what we are. Hell, we just met each other. I scrub my hand over my face as I look at the guys.

“I like her.”

“And?”

“And what? That’s it, asshole. I like her,” I snap a little. Silas laughs, but Rylan doesn’t.

“You know what you’re getting into with her? You know who she is?”

“She told me what I needed to know.”

“Which is?”

“She’s an enemy,” I tell them. Silas blows out a breath, but it’s Rylan who snaps.

“And you don’t fucking think that’s an issue?” he roars at me when Silas rests his hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

“No. I cut the tracker out of her arm,” I tell them with pride.

“You did what?”

“You don’t see her arm? Who the hell do you think did that?”

“You just cut it out?” Rylan asks.

“Yeah. Buried it on the beach. If the assholes come looking, they’re not going to find shit,” I tell him.

“You don’t think they pinged your location before that?” I shrug.

“They may have, but once they see this is where the tracker is staying, they’ll think that’s where she is.”

“That’s smart,” Silas adds as we walk the fair grounds.

“I have it all under control,” I assure them, trying to reassure them even though I’m not so sure myself. “Listen, she was a victim of this shit when she was a kid. I didn’t want to tell you because it’s not my place but she wants out.”

“And you’re sure about this?” Rylan asks this time. I nod my head once more.

“Yeah. I’ve seen the scars.”

“Hunter’s fucking the enemy,” Silas laughs. I reach over and shove him over a step, but he keeps laughing anyway.

“She’s not the enemy. Not anymore.”

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