Page 37 of V for Vindictive

I couldn’t ascertain at first whether or not Sloan figured out what happened between us because the Brit’s smile never wavered.

Phillip didn’t attempt to hide anything and only offered the other Hunter his usual devious smirk. “Your timing is as impeccable as always, mate,” the shameless Hunter commented offhandedly, then slung the rest of our luggage over his shoulder.

Sloan’s eyes strayed over to me for a half-beat before he grinned at Phillip. “I’d say sorry, but we both know I’m not.”

Snickering, the Austrian clapped the other Hunter on the shoulder before heading out of the room and down the stairs. I struggled to say something, anything that might explain what happened, but the Brit merely offered me his gentlest smile yet.

“Don’t worry, love. You’ve done nothing worth that look on your face. You don’t owe me anything, and I’m not angry.”

I don’t fucking deserve this beautiful and unbelievably sweet man.

“Just focus on the task at hand, yeah?” was all he said before escorting me out the door.

Trailing beside Sloan, I struggled to get my head back on the mission and not how close I’d come to ripping off the Austrian’s clothes and boning him right then and there, even with Sloan just around the corner. I was guilt-ridden, but I wasn’t confident I wouldn’t do it again if given the chance. Which meant I really was heartless and broken.

Kate would be proud though, no doubt.

As I slowly made my way to our parked car, Phillip’s words replayed in my head. I repeated the Austrian’s words over and over, recognizing a couple he’d said in his native tongue but blanking on their meaning.

We’d tossed our phones when we got to the hotel and planned to grab a burner phone on the way to the facility to use for the mission, so Google translate would have to wait.

I really need to learn German.

Chapter 14

A Familiar Rhythm

Palming my face, I recovered from one of the most intensely awkward drives since my life became a literal shit show. Or maybe since I was born. Who knows when evidently my memories were changed on occasion—or maybe more than Grams let on—and it was very likely I didn’t remember the worst awkward moment of my life.

She’s a jerk, but I miss her.

With a great huff, I peeled off my jacket and haphazardly flung it onto a nearby chair. I took one look at our room for the night and already knew it was going to be a long one.

Not counting that I had to share it with a man I’d only just smooched the fucking face off of, but Sloan was out rendezvousing with Eddie to pin down details for tomorrow’s stroll through enemy territory. Which meant the two of us would bealonefor long enough to make me anxious.

I couldn’t trust myself around the devastatingly alluring Hunter, and it was almost certainly going to lead to the forbidden huffy-puffy if I didn’t orchestrate some sort of diabolical get out of jail free card, or find a way to knock myself out for the rest of the evening.

Too bad alcohol doesn’t work for me the way it should.

“You look like you’re planning your escape,” Phillip murmured with a husky laugh, somehow already in front of me.

I couldn’t even call myself a Hunter anymore.

Shit.

I audibly gasped and attempted to get away. But instead of evading his advances, my knee went right into the arm of an in-room chair. I might be an uber powerful Hunter capable of striking down some of the fiercest foes in existence, but even I cried out the second my kneecap connected with nothing but wood. It hurt like a bitch!

Fuck you, chair. Why are you even in here?

Silently, I cursed whoever thought this ridiculously tiny motel room in the middle of nowhere needed an out-of-place piece of furniture. I mean, there wasn’t even a desk for the wooden chair to make any sense.

I heard the familiar husk of the Austrian’s laugh before Phillip rounded on me, then unceremoniously dropped down to a knee, putting my no-no zone right in front of his annoyingly handsome face.

Oh, yeah. That’s going to end up in a fantasy or dream sometime soon. Most definitely.

“What the actual fuck, Phil—”

No doubt, my face showed how outright crazy I thought the other Hunter was when he bent forward and kissed where I’d struck my knee. “Poor lass. So out of sorts that you need your prince charming to kiss your boo-boo all better,” the sexy Austrian said before effortlessly dodging the knee I’d aimed at his face.

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