Page 20 of Claimed By the Hunter

Roman nodded. “I think a few of us say something positive over her grave. I know it will be hard, Hunter. But remember, she used to be a nice girl. Her mother’s bitterness poisoned her.”

“Yeah, I know that, and I’ll be there. Just tell me when.”

Roman nodded. “I’ll let you get back to your mate.”

Nico stood. “I’d like to tell you we got the last big job done, so we’ll start on our cabins tomorrow.”

Hunter felt a bit of his anger slide away. Although they tried to give each other privacy, it wasn’t enough. It will be good to have their own place.

“Do you know where you want them?” Nico asked.

“I think we should build three—one for Hunter, you, and Aspen. We’ll do a semicircle. It will be easier to watch all the women.”

“But Aspen and I might not find our mates,” Nico said.

“I’ve got a feeling our mother is pushing them our way,” Roman said.

Hunter grinned. “She’d do anything to see us all settled. It wouldn’t matter that she wasn’t on earth anymore.”

The other two laughed.

“She was the strongest woman I’ve ever known,” Roman said.

“Brenna is probably a close second?” Nico said.

Roman nodded. “Definitely.”

“How about the guys and us start the first two in the morning? Aspen and I won’t need our own for a while, and we’ve got another job on the calendar. If we need to, the crew will work on the third home down the line.”

Roman nodded. “I think that will work.”

Hunter listened as he put fruit, nuts, cheese, crackers, and bottles of water on the tray. “It’s fine by me.”

Nico nodded. “Okay, good. I’ll go tell Aspen, and we’ll make a plan for tomorrow.”

“Night, guys,” Hunter said as he walked away.

He carefully closed the bedroom door so it didn’t slam shut and wake Nicole. He set the tray on the nightstand, slipped back into bed, wrapped his body around hers, and closed his eyes.

Night had fallen when he opened his eyes, and it was pitch black outside. He could tell she was starting to wake. She stretched and then hummed when his hand cupped her breast.

“How are you doing, Mate?” he asked.

She blinked her eyes open and turned to look at him over her shoulder.

“I’m sore but otherwise fine. How are you?” she asked.

“I’m not the one that was attacked,” he said.

“I know, but you were the one that had to deal with your mate being kidnapped and having to kill a longtime friend.”

He hadn’t thought of that. He’d only been worried for her. “Yes, but nothing else matters since I’ve found you and know you’re safe.”

Nicole tilted her head up and kissed his lips. “I love you, Mate.”

A growl of emotion rumbled in his chest. “I love you, too.”

They kissed, but he stopped them from going farther.

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