Page 118 of Hunting Pretty

“I remember,” I continued, “you used to bully me.”

His jaw worked as he clenched it.

“But…” I traced my fingers along his jaw and it relaxed. It thrilled me being able to soften him with just a touch. “…you also protected me. Like you’re protecting me now, right?”

He nodded.

I traced my fingers across his face, tracing his brutal features.

He closed his eyes as he leaned into my touch, his dark lashes so long they almost reached his high cheekbones.

God, he was so beautiful.

Even more beautiful than when we were young.

It didn’t matter what I had done to make him hate me then. He cared for me now. He’d always cared.

I knew then that I could never turn him in.

No matter what he did.

He was protecting me the best way he knew how. Even if it meant doing it in ways that most people wouldn’t understand.

He opened his eyes, and our gazes locked with an intensity that made my breath catch. “You have to stop investigating Liath’s disappearance,” he said, his voice low, but it hit like a warning.

I stiffened, a chill running down my spine. “What? Why?”

“It’s too dangerous,” he murmured, his eyes hardening with something I couldn’t quite place. Fear? Anger?

“Then help me,” I whispered, reaching for his hand, my fingers wrapping around his. His grip was strong, steady, and I squeezed it, pleading. “Tell me what I’m in danger from.”

His jaw tightened, a deep scowl settling on his face. “I don’t know. But they are powerful, they are dangerous, and they won’t stop coming for you if you don’t stop digging.”

His words echoed in my mind like a dark promise.

I was right. Something twisted and shadowy that had ensnared all three girls. A conspiracy, one that I had only just begun to scratch the surface of.

I was so close. I could feel it, the answers just out of reach, like puzzle pieces falling into place with every step I took. The threads were starting to unravel, the secrets finally coming to the light. That’s why they sent someone after me last night—to scare me off, to make sure I didn’t get too close to whatever it was they were hiding.

They knew I was on the verge of finding out the truth. And that terrified them.

“Scáth,” I said, excitement in my voice. “I’m so close to uncovering everything. Ican’tstop now.”

He shook his head, frustration lacing his every word. “I can’t keep watching you put yourself in danger, Ava,” he said, his voice cracking with anguish, the raw emotion in it cutting deeper than I expected.

But his words only fueled the fire burning inside me. I pulled back slightly, my jaw tightening.

“You can’t stop me.” My voice was low, but firm, myresolve solidifying with every passing second. “I’ll be fine. I’ll start carrying a taser.”

His eyes darkened, his scowl deepening. “Ava…”

“No.” I cut him off, straightening my spine. “You’re not going to scare me into giving up. Not now. Not when I’m this close.”

My heart raced, but I wasn’t backing down. Not from this. Not from him.

He’d tried punishing me, threatening me, tormenting me, and none of it worked. There was nothing he could do or say to stop me.

He leaned in, close enough that his breath ghosted across my lips, and for a split second, I thought he was going to kiss me. My heart pounded, the air between us heavy with unspoken words.

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