Page 34 of Hunter

“I tried to keep him off you, but he wouldn’t let go.” A woman sat on the edge of the bed, a cloth in her hands and a bandana pushing back strawberry-blonde hair. It fell around her shoulders like straight silk. Her pale face and silver eyes were beautiful. She looked no older than thirty-five, but her eyes gave her away. They had seen a lot in her years.

“Where …?”

“You’re at the clubhouse. This is Hunter’s room.”

I slowly looked around the simple room. One big double bed, a window, a wardrobe, two side tables, and a lamp. There wasn’t much. Then again, I doubted he needed much, other than his own deadly weapon stored in those jeans of his to do the nasty things he used this room for.

My musing came to an end as the woman spoke again.

“You were found unconscious in the playground about half a block from here. One of the kids was heading home, and Pretty walked him back. They spotted you on the ground. I checked you over. You look like you passed out from dehydration. Hit your head pretty badly.”

“The playground?” I murmured, scraping through my memories as I soothed my hand over Adair’s short curls. He buried his nose into the fabric, no doubt rubbing snot all over the bed sheets. The curls sprung and twirled around my finger before I released it, watching it curl up again, just like his father’s. Father …

“Noble!” I burst up from the bed, wrapping my arms around Adair to stop him from falling. My head swam as I struggled to stay upright and almost toppled off the bed.

Adair let go and scrambled back as I pushed him from me, staggering up to my feet.

“Wait!” the woman said, but I wouldn’t. Not for anyone.

I rushed forward, swinging the door open. His name fluttered past my lips repeatedly as I went into a hallway and ran left then right and left again as the hallways swerved and turned.

My foot caught when a step appeared from nowhere, and I went down with a sharp cry. My head throbbed harder, whether from the lack of oxygen or my fall, I didn’t know. I tried to push up to my feet, but the more I pushed, the more I felt like I was lowering, as if I couldn’t tell up from down.

“Mallory!” a voice snapped as hands came around my biceps.

I struggled, but the arms held on and turned me until my back was pressed against the wall. The strong scent of aftershave and beer swarmed around me as Hunter towered over me, boxing me in.

He knelt and pressed his hands to my cheeks. “Mallory, calm down.” His voice was soothing and deep.

My chest rose and fell. I was faintly aware of my head lolling into Hunter’s big, calloused hands.

“Calm down,” he repeated.

My heart fluttered, and my tunneled world began to open, as did my mouth.

“Noble,” I said. “Noble was here.”

Hunter stiffened. Time seemed to slow as he scanned my face, trying to detect any lies. For a moment, I thought he believed me. I was wrong.

“No, he wasn’t.” He shook his head. “You must have been dreaming. You passed out. You were—”

“I know what I was!” I argued. “I also know what happened.”

“Mallory …” Hunter growled with warning.

“He was there. Before I was knocked out, when I was in the truck, I saw him go past. He was wearing this black hoodie, and I chased after him. That’s when I saw him at the playground. That’s when I was knocked out. Which, by the way, hurt like hell. But …” I stopped, looking at him. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Hunter’s eyes were sad as he shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, dropping his head and pressing it against mine. The warmth of his skin and the tightness of his brow radiated into mine. I struggled to turn my face away, but Hunter held it still against his.

“No!” I snapped. “No!” I became brutally aware that my voice had turned into sobs and tears were running down my face. Why wouldn’t he believe me? “I saw him, Hunter. It was him. I wouldn’t mistake it!”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” another voice said.

Both Hunter and I looked up to see the biggest man I had ever seen. The soft Russian of his voice, the deep amber-colored eyes, and short silver-brown hair made him seem so wise. Even he looked at me with pity.

“No,” I whispered. “I saw him. I swear!”

“Mallory,” Hunter whispered. I could see the pain in his eyes, hear the pain in his voice, but it was nothing compared to the agony in his next words. “Noble’s dead.”

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