Page 57 of Hunter

Instead, the moonlight flashed over, showing me enough of his face to let me know he was angry I had fought back.

I didn’t think. I opened my mouth and screamed, only for it to cut off when he slapped my cheek.

“Shut up, you stupid bitch.”

I tried to blink away the tears. I didn’t want him to see me cry, and a stubborn part of me didn’t want to beg for mercy, but the thoughts running rampant in my head…

I would beg. If it would help, I’d beg.

I closed my eyes when he raised his hand up once more, bracing myself for the impact, only…

It never came.

Cold air whooshed past me from where he had been standing. When I opened my eyes, the man was no longer standing there but several feet away, lying on the ground. Another—bigger—man was on top of him, throwing punches.

My breath caught when the light reflected on his face, and I realized it was Xavier.

I didn’t know how he knew I was here, and I didn’t care because he was here, and I was safe.

I looked at him as tears streamed down my face, and it took me a moment to realize the other man was crying and begging for mercy on the ground.

His hands came up to protect his face from the punches, and I looked out to the mouth of the alley, afraid someone might stop by and investigate.

I didn’t want Xavier to get in trouble because of me, and I didn’t want my parents to know I had run into trouble so soon after disobeying them.

Slowly, I walked over to Xavier.

It didn’t seem like he was aware of what was going on.

He was in a bloodthirsty rage, and I feared I might not get through to him.

Surprisingly though, he stilled as soon as I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Xavier. Please stop.”

I felt his back move up and down from taking a huge breath, and I moved back a step when he suddenly stood up, facing me.

“Shit,” he muttered quietly, holding his hand in front of him as if he were trying to approach a frightened animal. I felt like one. I closed my eyes, and more tears fell.

“Ryleigh, I’m not gonna hurt you, okay?”

I let out a stuttered breath, and all I managed was a slight nod.

I felt his shoulder sag.

“Can I come closer to you?”

At this point, I didn’t think I would feel safe unless he was close by.

How odd.

The man was nothing more than a stranger to me, but I felt safe with him.

Again, I nodded.

He was in front of me before I could take in my next breath.

I opened my eyes and looked up at him, his face hidden in the shadow from the angle.

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