Page 42 of The Hunt of Night

“I’d rather I didn’t give a shit, but here I am,” he says, lifting his hands in defeat.

“No one asked you to.” I sink my teeth into my tongue, hating that I just did it again. It’s hard. He instantly makes me defensive, and I’m madder than mad right now with him.

“I’m well aware. Now. Can we get to the groveling part? This silent treatment is causing us nothing but issues.”

“You? Grovel?” I mock, lifting my hand to my chest, but all he does is shrug.

“I don’t know how, but for you, I’m willing to try just about anything.” His words hang in the air like a sunkissed promise, making my stomach clench.

“Why?” I breathe, revealing my intrigue more than I should.

“Why?” he repeats, just as Pearl appears with two plates. Two. That woman knew.Dammit, Pearl.

“Is there an echo in here, Pearl? I’ve never noticed it before,” I smart as Pearl purses her lips, hiding a knowing smile, but the moment she glances at Raiden, her features soften.

“Be nice to him. I don’t know what he’s done, but he’s been glum this past week,” she explains, placing our plates in front of us, and I scoff.

“He put my family in danger,” I blurt, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

“Ah, dammit, Raiden,” Pearl hisses, shaking her head. “I know what they mean to her. There’s no way I can save you from her wrath,” she states, lifting her hands in surrender before backing away without another word.

“I’ll take her wrath. It’s better than her silence,” he hollers, loud enough so the other customers can hear, and I glare at him.

“You want my wrath?” I growl, my frustration rushing to the surface.

“Hit me.”

I feel the sting against my palm as I connect with his cheek before I even realize I’m moving.

“Not literally,” he grunts, placing his palm over the reddening spot as I quickly retreat. “Do you feel better?” he asks, rubbing at it as I roll my lips.

“No, your jaw is made of steel,” I mutter, curling my fingers together in my lap.

“Thanks,” he says with a smirk, preening as though it’s a compliment.

With my eyes narrowed, I sigh, focusing on the food in front of me instead of the devilish vampire intruding upon my brooding.

“Carry on being mad at me,” he murmurs, and I shake my head.

“This isn’t a joke, you know.”

“I’m well aware.”

“Are you though?” I stab my fork in his direction, avoiding actually making any contact as he takes a mouthful of his food.

“I fucked up. Royally. I had no idea I was being followed, otherwise I would have never allowed any of that to happen. I wouldn’t have risked your snarky sister or your father either.”

My head rears back. “Snarky sister?” I bite. No, he fucking didn’t just say that.

“Don’t give me that look. I’m half certain she’s got a sharper tongue than you.” He gives me a pointed look and it, along with his words, instantly deflates my anger.

“That’s accurate.” I agree, stuffing my face with food before I can say something half nice.

Raiden scrubs at his neck nervously, looking down at his plate like it may hold all of the answers. I can’t help but watch him. The slight mess to the front of his hair, the pinch at his eyes, the twitch to his fingers. It’s all…not the usual Raiden. When he finally glances back at me, I expect him to call me out for catching me staring so intently, but instead, a dam seems to break, and his eyes soften so painfully that my heart lodges in my throat.

“You’re making me…”

I wait, and I wait, and I wait, but this man does not continue his sentence. “I’m making you what?” I rasp, desperate to know what else rests on the tip of his tongue.

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