Page 59 of Moments of Madness (The Hunters)

I watch as Hobs falls to the ground.

Kyson rushes over to me and kisses the top of my head. “I’m sorry, love. So sorry.” He stalks past me and makes his way to Hobs, but he stops on the way, leans down, and closes Nancy’s eyes, softly touching her before he gets back up and keeps walking.

Hobs tries to plead with him, but Kyson shuts him up with a few words. “I can have them, you are correct…” Kyson pauses. “But you hurt what’s mine and killed a friend.” He leans down and kisses the top of Hobs’s head, stands tall, and smiles at him. “Goodnight.” And then his foot lifts, and he brings it down, hard, stomping on Hobs’s head. I look away as the sounds echo through the night, my body tensing and hurting with each stomp.

“Kalilah,” Kenzo says as I fall to the ground, unable to stand any longer, and pass out…cold.

Twenty-Three

Kyson

Dammit!

I didn’t expect to have Kalilah break on me again, but here she is.

Passed out as I fix her leg.

My brothers took the husband back down to the basement as I carried her inside.

“What do you want us to do about Nancy?” Kenzo asks as he stands in the doorway.

Zuko walks in and studies Kalilah.

“Check her stomach,” he says, not making a move to touch her. I lift her shirt and see bruises already starting to form on her torso. Fuck! This woman has taken so many beatings I’m amazed at her strength and veracity. Does she realize how strong she actually is? Not only physically but mentally as well. Her husband is no prize and was lucky to have her, but he never treated Kalilah with the respect she deserves.

Turning around, I say to Kenzo, “Wrap Nancy carefully. I want to bury her.”

He nods.

We don’t usually bury our dead. We have other easier and safer ways of body disposal, but this is a different situation. Nancy was a good soul. Even when she was free from her husband’s clutches, she still found a way to please other people. I’m not sure if I’ll ever replace her. I didn’t even really hire her in the first place. She kind of forced herself into the job and wouldn’t take no for an answer. And to be honest, I’m glad she did because she was a wonderful addition to my life.

“She is going to be in pain,” Zuko says, talking about Kalilah. “I’ll call the doctor.” He heads out the door without another word, and I know where he’s going—back to Alaska’s.

Kalilah’s breathing is soft, and I wonder if she can feel pain right now. I go into the bathroom and grab a small hand towel, then take it out to wrap it around her leg. There is blood all over my bed sheets, both fresh as well as dry. She groans, and I reach for her hand as she slowly starts to stir.

“Stay calm, okay,” I say, and her golden eyes find mine.

“It really hurts,” she whispers.

I wipe her hair from her face. “I know, but the doctor needs to check you before I can give you anything.”

“Alcohol,” she grumbles.

I chuckle and shake my head. “That will thin your blood, and we can’t have that,” I scold gently.

She moves to get comfortable and flinches as she does.

“He did a number on your stomach,” I say with venom in my voice. I can’t help the anger radiating from me. She reaches for my hand, and my eyes find hers.

“I’m still alive.” She smiles.

Fuck! That smile. It hits me right in the stomach every single time, making that fucker flutter.

Her mouth is smeared with dried blood, and her nose looks like it also took a beating. But I don’t say anything because she’s still as beautiful as ever to me.

“I didn’t mean to cause you all this trouble.” Her eyes go wide as she remembers and says, “And Nancy?” Her hands lift and cover her face. “Oh God, Nancy. I’m so sorry.” She starts to cry, and I stand, not sure what to do.

“She was a tough old woman. I’m sure she would have been happy to leave this life defending you. She liked you more than me,” I tell her.

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