Page 35 of Cursed by Death

I didn’t like the sound of him being challenged all the time. “Challenges are just until someone submits, right?”

“Not always,” Hunter told me. “They can also be to the death but our Prince doesn’t kill them. He just teaches them a much-needed lesson. However, I highly doubt that if someone beats him they’d let him live.”

That sounded terrifying. If Rally were smart he’d kill every single one of the people who challenged him. I bet it would make for a lot less people challenging him.

“I’m gonna go and put these groceries away really quick,” Hunter said. “I’ll leave you two here for a little bit of girl talk.”

As soon as he was gone I turned to Ginger. “So, when are you moving in?”

“It’ll take me a couple of days to pack and then we’re moving in. I love it here already.”

I grinned at her, happy with her answer. “Excellent news. I’m so glad you like it. Now, tell me, are you going to be there tomorrow?”

“I wish, but I have no one to babysit. I’d love to be there for Rally though, to support him.”

“Are children not welcome at these things?” I asked her curiously. I mean, it would make perfect sense to me if they weren’t but I thought I’d ask just to be sure. “Because of the violence?”

Surprising me, she shook her head, no. “No, people will bring kids, some of them anyway. And, besides, Trey’s too young to know what’s going on. We’re shifters and we learn from a very young age how things work between us. And more people feel comfortable with bringing their kids because Rally doesn’t kill anyone.”

Okay, so none of that’s really bad to hear. What was I missing here? “So, you’re not going, why exactly then? You said you didn’t have a babysitter and then said children were welcome. What gives?”

She sighed heavily and I almost wished I hadn’t asked. Almost. “A lot of people look at me with pity and I don’t like the way that feels. But, you know there are quite a bit more males than there are females, right?”

Actually, I hadn’t known that. It made sense when I thought about it because there had been more men at the funeral than there had been women. At the time I hadn’t thought about it, though.

“Ooookayyyy,” I said, drawing out the word. “And?”

“And I don’t have a man anymore. And I don’t want one either.”

Ahh.

It clicked in my head like a lightbulb turning on.

I definitely wouldn’t be asking Hunter about his little would be crush on her anytime soon.

“If you come with me I will make sure people leave you alone,” I promised her.

Hunter was suddenly back in the kitchen. “I’ll go with you girls and make sure no one bothers either of you.”

Damn.

I’d forgotten about his hearing. He’d probably heard most of our conversation, if not all of it.

I nodded at him. It had been decided. Not that I needed a man to back me up. I didn’t tell him that because I didn’t want to hurt his precious male ego when he was just looking out for me.

Ginger reluctantly agreed, but she still looked uncertain.

When they left I pulled Hunter aside and gave him some cash. He agreed to pick up a stroller and another car seat, I doubted Ginger had spares.

They agreed to meet me back here tomorrow and we said our goodbyes.

I watched Ginger drive off in her Jeep and I couldn’t help but smile.

Chapter 18

Idressed in black leather pants, my combat boots, and a black long-sleeved shirt. I had my knife sheaths on my wrists, and my knife tucked into my right boot.

I planned on leaving my gun in the car because I didn’t think it would be smart to wear my holster over my shirt and the shirt was too tight to wear it underneath and have it not be noticed. I felt like if I had it out in plain sight it might make people uncomfortable and that was the last thing I needed.

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