Page 37 of Hunter

My eyes tracked Sadie for a few minutes before I focused on my email and saw a message from someone I’d met while teaching a few seminars at Quantico. He owned a security firm and hoped I’d teach a series of workshops at a retreat for his employees.

I wasn’t opposed to the idea, but when I saw the location for the event, I grinned.

Maui.

Thoughts of a hut on a private beach with my woman in a skimpy bikini—or better yet, naked—filled my head. I shot a reply to my friend, telling him I’d check my schedule but was definitely interested.

I managed to finish a few more tasks while watching Sadie. She fascinated me; even just the simple act of maneuvering around the shop kept my attention glued on her. Her movements were fluid and unintentionally sensual, and whenever she smiled at someone, my chest burned with jealousy. It wasn’t rational, but nor would it ever change, so I didn’t bother trying.

After we’d been there a couple of hours, my gut suddenly tightened when the bell over the door jingled. Glancing up, I scowled when I saw that little punk Austin saunter into the place with a cocky smile that said he thought he was God’s gift to women.

He must have felt my eyes on him because his head turned, and when he spotted me, his smile slipped and his steps faltered. But then he straightened his shoulders and turned away, once again headed to the counter.

Our gazes hadn’t clashed for long, but it was enough for me to see a spark of anger. And something a little darker. The kid set off all kinds of alarm bells inside me, but right then, I had no tangible reason. Still, I monitored him closely, especially when he came to a stop in front of Sadie and greeted her with a cocky smirk.

“Good morning, Sadie.”

His voice was higher than it should be for a twenty-year-old guy, and it grated on my nerves.

“Um, hey, Austin,” Sadie replied, her gaze darting nervously over to me before returning to him.

“You know what I like,” he murmured, his tone suggestive.

Sadie’s cheeks heated, but not from desire. Her feet shuffled uncomfortably, and her sky-blue orbs darkened with annoyance.

I moved my chair back, but I didn’t get up yet, waiting to see where the interaction went before possibly causing a scene.

“Sure. Almond latte and blueberry scone.”

What kind of man ate shit like that?

“I’m glad you haven’t had anything else breaking around here. But if you’re ever worried about it, let me know, and I’ll take a look. Maybe fix it before it breaks.”

Time to put this fucker in his place.

I pushed to my feet and started toward them while Sadie went to the espresso machine to work on his order.

“Actually,” she said conversationally, “the prep table was wonky this morning, but Wesley fixed it.”

Austin’s whole body tensed, and he shot a look my way that had those alarm bells blaring like a fire truck.

He tried to hide his anger and resentment but did a piss-poor job of it.

My eyes narrowed in warning, and he huffed, turning back to Sadie and practically snatching his food from her before stomping out the door. His lack of attention almost sent him barreling straight into Midnight and Phoenix.

I nodded at my brothers, and while Phoenix continued to peruse the glass cases of food, Midnight made a beeline for me.

“Got news,” he muttered as he dropped onto the chair opposite me.

I was surprised to hear that because he’d called me the day after Sadie received the note and told me there’d been no prints on it, leaving us with a dead end in that direction.

“Deviant find something?” It was unlikely that he would have told Midnight before me, but it was the only explanation for his news that I could think of.

“Yeah, but I only know because I gave him the lead.”

I waited impatiently for him to elaborate, tapping my fingers on the table.

“Thinking back on the situation after I didn’t find anything on the note, it occurred to me that it got into the mailbox somehow. They’d been meticulous with the paper, but had they been as careful with the metal box? So I came by yesterday and dusted it. Got five hits.”

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