Page 72 of Hunt

“Someone else,” I responded vaguely. I wouldn’t give her a slice of pie when she’s giving nothing.

“Why are you so interested in her?” she asked again, sounding like a broken record.

“I told you. Now, tell me why you keep sticking your nose into my business,” I persisted, but she wasn’t budging, and I lost patience with her. “I’m done with you.”

I stepped out and slammed the door behind me, automatically locking. Then I walked past her down the hall and didn’t look back. But her curiosity kept plaguing me, and as I trotted down the stairs, I messaged Danny Lam.

Me: The pic of the girl in glasses that I gave you. Have u figured out who she is yet?

Ignoring the looks I was getting from the dorm mates in the building as I walked past, I swung open the exit and walked out into the sunshine with the camera device in my pocket. If that annoying chick wanted to snitch to Riley that I was inside her dorm room, then fine. Good. I honestly didn’t care anymore. It was time to drop the disguises and the pretense anyway.

My phone beeped, but it wasn’t who I hoped it would be; in fact, it was much worse.

Mom: It was so great to see you the other day. Please come and visit more often. It’s only a short flight.

My finger tapped on my phone as I considered what to say to her, but instead of messaging my mom back, I found Riley’s new number that Ronan gave me after she bought a new phone.

Me: Want to catch up for a coffee?

I needed to hear it from her lips that she was my foster sister despite the orders Mikky gave us to use her as mule to find out who was betraying us within the club and therefore we had to keep playing along with her bullshit. But I had had enough of the games and wanted to hear her say it, and there was only one way to achieve my objective: to ask her to her face.

Are you Annika? No. Don’t ask. Demand that she tell me she was Annika, and I won’t move until she does. Maybe I should lock her up in a room and not let her leave until she removes her disguise and confesses.

Riley: So good to hear from u??Class finishes in 30mins.

Me: Give me the location and I’ll meet you there.

Me: Please.

I had to woo her with manners, or else she might change her mind. I had to think of a place where I could take her, where she couldn’t escape or squirm out of the conversation. I’d drive her to a café, then ask her as she drank the coffee I bought for her, and if she wanted to escape, she’d have to take the bus back to her dorm, where I’d be waiting for her.

If she were smart, she’d tell me the truth.

I waited in the halls outside her classroom, and my heart crumbled at that smile as she pushed her glasses back onto her face, with flowing brunette hair. Her face cast in disappointment until I returned a smile. My smile was fake, but so was she.

“I was worried you were angry with me,” she said, smiling broadly as we climbed into the Stang.

“No. Why would I be angry with you?” I had every reason to be angry with her, fake ass Riley. But again, it was about creating a relaxed atmosphere so she wouldn’t freak out.

“Ronan. Me and Ronan together,” she said sweetly, gazing out the window.

“I’m not upset about that,” I told her honestly. “I mean, if you were fucking someone outside of the family, I would have a problem. But Ronan is a good man. We can share you.”

She chuckled, and I grew annoyed at how weak I became with every smile, laughter, and touch. I was pathetic. No other girl did that to me—only Annika. That’s how I knew it was her.

The question was on the tip of my tongue as I drove to the café, and I couldn’t wait any longer. We were alone in a confined space that we couldn’t escape from, unless I stopped the car. This was the perfect opportunity.

“So, are you going to tell me your little secret?” I proclaimed, trying not to sound accusatory, but it came out that way anyway.

“What do you mean?” she proposed as her forehead was wrinkled in worry lines, making her look undeniably cute. So it was better that I kept my eyes off her, as it was too easy to fall under her spell.

“Who are you really?” I pressed, annoyed that I had to spell it out.

“Who am I really? What’s the matter with you these days?” she shrilled, clenching her fists. “You were always obsessive and weird, but lately, you’ve been worse than normal.”

I opened my mouth to ask her bluntly if she was Annika, but she continued to rant at me, “Anyway, who are you to ask stupid questions about who I am when you were running after me in a mask and gave me a fake name. Rourke. Why Rourke? But no, instead of telling who you were, you used a fake name.”

I didn’t expect her to go off like this, but I should’ve been prepared, because she was right. I did to her what she did to me. I was no different, except that she fabricated a story to imprison Mikky. Yeah, let’s not forget that.

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