Page 13 of Hunter

He handed over the equipment with a nod, then turned to leave, pausing when he spotted my girl. A barely there smirk formed on his mouth, like he suddenly understood why I wanted to do the job myself.

“You’re so fucked when the guys hear about this,” he gibed, his smirk growing.

He wasn’t wrong. I’d given my brothers plenty of shit when they’d found their old ladies. I was sure they’d use every opportunity to return the favor.

“Fuck off,” I grunted.

He laughed as he climbed back into his SUV before repeating, “So fucked.” Then he was gone.

Marcy disappeared back inside after a minute, trusting me to take care of this.

“I guess I’d better get back to work,” Sadie said reluctantly as she trudged toward the door.

“Go work, sunshine. Let you know when I’m done.”

“Okay,” she replied softly, giving me a sweet smile before following her boss.

I installed the camera they were expecting—just one, right above the entrance. It covered the sidewalk, the parking lot, and part of the road.

Then I added three more. One angled toward the back door. One near the alley. And the last one—smaller and more discreet—just inside, tucked in the upper corner of the front window.

They were all connected to my phone, feeding into an app I controlled. Now I’d be able to see Sadie anytime she was at work.

She wandered back out just as I was putting my tools back into a bag Midnight had brought with the supplies.

“You really didn’t have to do this.” Her voice carried the same sugary warmth that had wrecked me in the first place. “I mean…we’re just a bakery, not exactly a target for robberies or anything like that.”

I looked at her. Really looked. And nearly smiled when she squirmed and red stained her cheeks.

“You’re notjustanything,” I told her. My voice came out rougher than I meant it to, but I didn’t bother hiding the hunger and possession I was plagued with.

She blinked, her blue eyes a little hazy and lips parted slightly.

The desire to bite her plush bottom lip was riding me hard, and I had to cough to cover my groan.

I put my hand out and muttered, “Your phone.”

She dug it out of the front pocket of her apron and placed it in my open palm. I quickly added my contact information, then gave it back.

“Anything else happens, you call me,” I instructed. “No matter how small you think it might be.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her fingers brushing mine as she took back her cell. She was so fucking soft. And warm. It felt like just touching her gave me a fever.

Pink bloomed on her cheeks, and she chewed her bottom lip for a moment before asking, “Do you want mine too?”

“Already have it, sunshine,” I admitted gruffly. It was time I started easing her into her future.

To my astonishment, she didn’t look scared. She also didn’t ask how, and I didn’t volunteer the information.

Then she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before placing her hand on my biceps and using it for balance as she went up on her toes to brush a kiss over my cheek.

“I hope I see you again soon,” she whispered.

“Count on it, sunshine,” I replied, smiling when she blushed again.

Then she was gone. And I was left feeling cold…bereft. As if I’d lost something precious. I opened the app on my phone and watched her helping customers at the counter for way longer than I should have.

But the window was still nagging at me, triggering my protective instincts.

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