Page 85 of When He Hunts

After a moment, Tyler said, “She’ll stay safe.”

Ronan’s breath released. When had he started to hold it? “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I’m pretty sure I’m helping you to make one of the worst mistakes of your life. That woman…she loves you, doesn’t she?”

The pain knifed into his chest again. “Worst mistake of her life,” he said, tossing those words back at Tyler. “She’ll be much better off when I vanish. And when I make all the threats to her vanish.” He wanted to look back. To glance back at her one more time. But if he glanced back and she happened to be looking his way…

Would he be able to go?

Why the fuck was he not moving already? Why did it feel like his feet were glued to the spot? Was he sinking in the sand or something?

“Do you love her?” Tyler asked him. Words so soft that the sound of the waves rushing to the shore almost hid them.

Ronan didn’t speak. He took a lunging, slightly staggering step forward. Then another one. Another one and he…

Nodded.

Ronan wasn’ton the beach.

Luna had just seen the most amazing sea turtle. It had been graceful and gorgeous, and it had darted right beneath her. She’d been so excited, and she broke the surface because, okay, Ronanhadto come into the water. He’d love to see all the beauty with her.

Except, this time, when she broke the surface and turned eagerly toward him, Ronan wasn’t there.

The other guy was still there. Tyler. The man who’d nearly scared the soul right out of her body the previous night. He was lounging in a chaise and sipping out of a giant pineapple. He waved to Luna.

Her gaze drifted to the left. To the right.

No sign of Ronan.

Maybe he’d just gone back to their bungalow.

Or gone to get one of those fancy pineapple drinks for himself.

The woman appeared—hadn’t her name been Esme? She took the empty chaise that had belonged to Ronan. She spoke with her husband.

Luna pulled off her mask. Headed toward shallower water. Kept going forward until her feet touched the sand beneath the waves. She hadn’t bothered with the flippers that were offered at the snorkeling booth. Maybe she should have used them, but?—

Esme’s face had just flashed with anger. Now she was looking back toward Luna.

Only the anger was gone. Wait. Did she looksad?

Luna hurried forward. As she burst onto the shore, water rolled down her body. The mask and snorkel banged into her thigh. “Where is Ronan?”

Esme and Tyler looked at each other. Then Esme peered at Luna once more.

No, no, no. Why was that pity on Esme’s face?

Luna stopped right in front of them. The day didn’t feel so warm or beautiful any longer. She sucked in a breath. She could feel her wet hair sticking to the side of her face. Sand covered her feet. She shoved away the sticking hair even as she kept a grip on the mask and snorkel. “Where is my husband?”

But she knew, the giant aching in her heart told her the truth even before Tyler softly answered, “Gone.”

Chapter Twenty

Ronan could not just begone.

Luna shook her head. No, no way. He would not just leave. “No.”

Esme tilted back her head. She wore an oversized straw hat. One that somehow managed to look stylish and elegant on her. Her big sunglasses perched on the edge of her delicate nose as she stared up at Luna.

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