Page 48 of In The Dark
“I’m guessing your guy uses a different name on social media because he’s been arrested for domestic assault in the past.”
I grab the computer and yank it toward me, gaping at the arrest report on the screen.
There’s a restraining order. A battery charge. Possession of a deadly weapon and another domestic assault case that was apparently settled outside of court. My blood boils as I read through the list.
“Mother fucker,” I hiss. “How the fuck is this guy not locked up?”
I blink, but all I can see is red. Rage like I’ve never experienced before grips me, and I have to do a lap around the kitchen to stop myself from breaking the laptop in half.
“Hunter?” Leo asks.
“I’m going to kill him,” I whisper. “If I find out he ever hurt her, I’ll murder him with my bare hands and smile while I do it.”
“Do you think Max knows?”
“No. If she did, she’d be more freaked out that he’s not totally out of the picture.” I gulp down a deep breath. I can’t stay calm. “Thisis why I put up fucking cameras. I knew this guy was trouble.”
“What are you going to do?” He stands and grabs a cup of water, shoving it my way and forcing me to drink it. “You’re not going to confront the dude, are you? He could be dangerous, Hunt.”
“Everyone I deal with is dangerous, but I’m not going to confront him. Not until I find out everything I can about him. The second he’s near Max again, I’ll make sure he knows I’m watching him. One toe out of line, and I’ll smash his skull in.”
“Christ.” Leo groans. “Why can’t men just fucking behave?”
“Behaving is the bare minimum, and this guy doesn’t even have the decency to do that.” My fingers curl around the cup, and I almost break the glass. “Keeping her safe is my sole purpose for living from here on out.”
“What do you need from me?”
“Nothing.” I look over at him with a wicked smile. “Just know if I go down, I’m going down fucking fighting for my girl.”
SEVENTEEN
HUNTER
I haven’t mentionedanything to Max about who her ex really is. I know I should. I know it’s shitty to keep such big fucking news from her, but I need more information. Substantiated evidence that would hold up in court if he tries anything with her, and I want to keep enjoying her without the worry of someone from her past looming over our heads.
Max is a dream, and for as good as the sex is, just spending time with her is the highlight of my day. She slept over last night and met Leo, the two becoming fast friends while they laughed at the mess I made in an attempt to do homemade spaghetti sauce for dinner.
The three of us shared a bottle of wine with our food and watched a scary movie with the lights on. Max hid her face in my shoulder whenever something popped up on the screen, and I was glad for an excuse to have her in my arms.
I gave her a tour of my room after we said goodnight to Leo, and we stayed up for hours talking about our childhoods and favorite things. She fell asleep wrapped around me, and I’ve had this dopey, stupid smile on my face since she left early this morning. Maybe that’s the reason why I’m back at her housewhile she’s away, busy setting up a third camera at the back door: because I can’t fucking stay away.
“I dare you to try something now, mother fucker,” I grumble, checking to make sure the camera feed is synced with the app. “I will fucking end you.”
With everything working correctly, I grab my toolbox and stroll into their house, stopping to wash my hands. It’s empty and quiet inside with Max at school and Skyler at a yoga class and a doctor’s appointment, and I savor their absences. It means I have a couple of uninterrupted hours here to do whatever I want, and I call Leo after I dry my hands with a hand towel decorated with dancing skeletons.
“What’s up, Hunt?” he pants from the other end of the line. “Are you in jail?”
“Would I be calling you from jail on my cell phone?”
“With you, I’m not sure. You’d probably find a way to charm the cops.”
“I didn’t get arrested.” I laugh at the noise Leo makes. “Why are you grunting and groaning? Are you fucking someone while you’re talking to me?”
“I wish. I’m at the gym and feel like I’m dying. Might stick with my dad bod forever, because lifting weights sucks.”
“You might have a future in erotica audiobook narrating, dude. And for what it’s worth, I like your dad bod.”
“I can always count on you to boost my self-esteem. Hang on.” There’s the click of a couple buttons and a labored breath. “Okay. I’m free from exercise hell. What’s up?”
