Page 95 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

Hook easily dodges the violet-eyed Hunter’s punch before he slams his fist into his throat. He goes down just as the twins appear beside him.

But Hook is ready for them as he grabs one of their wrists and twists. I wince, hearing the crack as the one twin drops to the ground, howling in pain. The other slashes out at Hook, but he easily dodges it before performing some fast-twirling kick that ends up with the Hunter knocked out on the ground.

Hook glances up, his eyes widening to something behind me.

“Down,” he shouts.

I quickly crouch down just as I hear something fly above me. Turning around I find the leader of the Hunters on the ground with a large dagger in his neck. His eyes are still open but they’re completely empty with no sign of life.

I straighten up as Hook and Cash move toward me.

Cash glances at the Hunters with a frown. “You could have left us one to play with.”

Hook gives him a glare before glancing back at me. “They nearly had you, Tink.” The look in his eyes morphs from panic to fear.

I take a step toward him. “I know, but—”

Ryland comes up beside us. “We found a group of Fae with the girl.”

“Are they okay?” I ask, hoping that they’re all safe.

I feel Hook tense up at my question but ignore his strange behavior to focus on Ryland.

“The two males are a bit banged up but it’s nothing a healer can’t fix. The others will be fine with some food and rest.” Ryland gives Hook a look before heading over to the injured Hunters.

I nod my thanks and breathe a sigh of relief before turning to Hook. Expecting a look of relief or happiness, instead I find his expression unreadable, and a dark look in his eyes.

CHAPTER25

“We’ll talk about this later.”

It was all Hook said to me before he told Cash to bring me back to the island. That was two days ago, and since then, he’s done everything to avoid me.

But I’d had enough of his stubborn attitude. He can’t just shut me out when he’s angry with me. I’d rather him shout at me and reveal what’s wrong than have this silence.

After searching in every room of the house—or what feels like it—I find him in the gym, trying to beat another heavy bag into submission.

The minute I enter the room, he freezes, the muscles in his inked back bunching up as he stares ahead.

“Tink… not now.” I hear the threat and underlying strain in his voice but ignore it and walk straight up beside him needing an answer, needing something more than the silence I’ve endured these past couple of days.

“How long are you planning to keep this up?” How long does he plan to make me suffer for a mistake that was out of both of our hands?

Hook opens his mouth to say something but shakes his head, stopping himself before going back to punching the bag, pummeling it like his life depends on it.

“Hook!” My voice is sharp, letting him know that I wasn’t going to give up anytime soon.

Clenching his jaw, he slams his fist into the bag making it swing backward with the impact before turning to me.

“What would you have done if I hadn’t shown up? How far were you willing to put your life at risk?” His dark eyes spark, demanding a reply. One I’m sure he already knows the answer to.

“I would have fought,” I tell him, and in truth I would have. Until the very last moment. Just like I have every day of my life.

That girl and her family didn’t deserve to be dragged into this. For whatever reason the Hunters wanted me, and from the looks of it, they were willing to go to great lengths to get me. I couldn’t leave them there when I had the chance to help, no matter how he felt about it.

Violence and fear flashes across his face. “You could have died!” He growls, before turning and striking the bag with a swift punch.

“It was obvious what you were doing.” He grits outs, seething as he slams his fist into the bag again. Blow after blow, he hits the bag, one harder than the next making the fabric stretch and weaken.

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