Page 87 of When He Hunts

“Then you’ll be coming back?” A pushy question from the man who now apparently wanted to be his new best friend.

I won’t be coming back. I won’t be seeing Luna again.Because he couldn’t see her and walk away a second time. That would be too hard.

Her father fucking left her, and I just did, too.

How did you destroy someone’s love? By breaking the person’s heart into a thousand pieces. “Of course,” Ronan finally replied because an answer was needed. “Not like I’d leave my wife.”

“If I left mine…” The man leaned conspiratorially toward Ronan. Harris—Harris Croft had been the name on the card he’d given Ronan. “If I left my Monique, she’d skin me alive.” He shuddered. “Then, since we don’t have a prenup, she’d take every dime I possess and have me begging her to take me back. That woman is a shark.” An exhale. “I love her so.”

“Um. Fantastic for you.”

Harris eased back. “Guess you feel the same way about your wife, huh? Some women are just worth everything.”

“My wife is definitely worth everything to me.” He realized the statement was one hundred percent true as soon as the words left his mouth. Luna was worth everything. He would do anything for her. Even walk away.

“Did you, ah, get a chance to talk with her about my offer?”

The offer of a dream job for her. “You know what? Maybe she will take you up on that offer soon.” Once she didn’t fear being killed every moment, she could live. “Stay tuned on that one.” He’d be sure and give Gray the man’s number and name. Maybe Luna could contact him when everything was over.

Harris clapped. “That’s great news! That’s?—”

They hit a particularly hard wave. Harris bounced. He also grabbed out for the bar that Ronan had been holding.

“Steady,” Ronan warned him.

He realized that Harris was looking at his left wrist. Ronan hadn’t put on his watch, the big watch that could mostly shield his tattoo. He’d been in too much of a hurry to leave. The dark snake was on full display.

Ronan’s other hand came up and gripped Harris’s shoulder. Harris flinched.

“You good?” Ronan asked him.

Harris nodded and hurriedly let go of the bar. “I-I didn’t expect such rough water.”

“A storm is coming,” Ronan told him as he released the other man.

Harris turned his head to look at the darkening clouds. “I want to be back with Monique this evening. Got to hurry so I can get on the return boat.”

“Um.”

“You doing the same? Hurrying back?”

The boat bounced again. Harder. Ronan didn’t answer Harris’s question.

“That’s, ah, some tattoo.” Harris swallowed. Looked a little green. “You must really like snakes.”

“Fucking love them.” Enough chatting with the guy. He looked toward the little island. Only he could barely see it now. “Snakes are my damn favorite.”

The bungalow was empty.More than that, it felt cold. Silent. The candles had all been removed. The rose petals cleaned up. No more champagne chilled beside the bed. In fact, the bed had been neatly made. The housekeeping staff had clearly buzzed in and out, setting everything back to order.

Ronan’s clothes still hung in the small closet.

She touched one of his shirts.

Gone. He left.

There was a knock at the door. She’d expected the knock to come. Not like Esme and Tyler were going to leave her on her own, despite her pleas for some privacy. She released the shirt. Squared her shoulders. And headed for the door.

Her steps seemed to echo in the little bungalow. Why did it hurt so much, knowing that he’d left? She’d understood that they didn’t have forever. He’d never said he loved her.

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