Page 21 of Hunted

Those words slashed through him like a scalpel. He berated himself for so many things. At the top of the list was not adequately protecting her and Thomas against Mike. He should have been proactive and hunted the man down. His options for what to do with him once he found him were limited, but surely he could have figured outsomethingto get the man to back down.

The other thought that was beating around in his head was about this relationship he’d started with Leila. What had made him think it would be different, that it would last—unlike all the previous ones in his life? He’d been an idiot since the day Leila and Thomas had walked into his gun range and she’d asked for his help. Stupid for letting them get deeper and deeper into his life and his heart when he damned well knew better. People left. That was exactly why he chose not to get attached. When things got messy or difficult, people bailed. She was already talking about it.

After prepping the chicken breasts, he carried the platter to the patio doors. “I’m going to throw these on the grill.”

Leila only nodded and stood up to join Thomas at the table. She didn’t even look at him. She was pulling away from him already.

Good. Fine. That was what needed to happen. They’d shared one incredible night together. Nothing more. The sooner he got his head out of his ass and remembered that, the better. He neededto keep his heart out of this equation and his head in the game to protect them from her ex.

But as he stepped out into the cooler night air and fired up the gas grill, Clint couldn’t seem to shake off the ache in his chest when he thought about Leila and Thomas walking out of his life forever.

12

Later, after dinner, Leila sat across from Clint at the table and toyed with the dessert in front of her. Usually, she was a girl with a big appetite, but tonight Mike and his stalking had ruined what hunger she’d had. She poked a piece of apple with her fork and swirled it around in a little puddle of cinnamon-flavored goo. Poor Clint. She felt bad for dragging him into all this. Felt bad about messing with his life and his feelings. Felt bad for pretty much everything at this point.

“I’m sorry,” she said at last, sighing.

Clint looked up at her, halting mid-bite, and frowned. “For what?”

She gave a dismissive wave, her fork glinting beneath the light over the table. “For all of this. Mike’s a violent man, and I never should have brought that kind of trouble into your life. I know you faced danger in the military, but it’s different to have it here in your home. You don’t deserve to have any of this mess land on your doorstep.”

He watched her for a few seconds, chewing slowly then swallowing. Clint sat back and narrowed his gaze. “What makes you think I’ve never been in trouble in the civilian world before?”

Now it was her turn to stare at him in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right? You’re like a boy scout compared to Mike. You were a SEAL, a decorated military veteran. You own a business. You help protect people. There’s nothing that sounds like trouble there.”

“I wasn’t always such a good guy though,” he said, toying with his bottle of ale. Next to him, Thomas loudly chomped on his pie. “We don’t know each other that well, but when I was younger, I did my share of bad things.”

“Really?” She raised a brow at him, her tone doubtful. “Sorry. I can’t see it.”

“Ask any of the judges in town who were on the bench back then. They’ll tell you.” Clint shook his head and picked at the label on his bottle. “I was acting out. Teenage rage and rebellion. You know, residual anger about my parents’ deaths and being in the system. I vandalized a bunch of public properties. Almost burnt a house down setting off fireworks inside. The only reason I considered going into the Navy was because the last juvie court judge who sentenced me sat me down and explained it was either that or jail.” He shrugged, the tiny movement tugging at her heart. “I chose the military. Best decision I ever made. It helped me turn my life around. But not everyone’s so lucky. If that judge hadn’t talked to me that day, who knows how I would’ve ended up. I could’ve just as easily gone down the same path your ex did. I’m not condoning what he’s done, but I can understand how it happens.”

“No.” She stood and took her dishes to the sink. “You’re nothing like Mike. Nothing. He’s a selfish, self-centered, hurtful bastard. I won’t believe you’re like him. I can’t.” She turned on the water and rinsed her plates, even as her vision blurred.

Because if you’re like him, then everything I feel for you is wrong. And if I still can’t trust myself and my instincts, even after everything I’ve learned, who can I trust?

Well, shit.

Clint hung his head and stared at the table top. He hadn’t meant to make her cry. He’d only wanted her to know that he wasn’t perfect. No one was. That he’d made mistakes too, but he’d overcome them. At least most of them. Was letting her go without a fight another mistake? Felt like it. What if… what if he could open his heart to her, open his life? That would take a shitload of courage. But putting himself out there was better than dealing with the shitload of regret he’d be left with if he didn’t try.

He exhaled slowly. “You’re right.”

“What?” Leila said, not looking at him as she closed the dishwasher.

“I said you’re right. Other than having issues in my past, I do try to be a better person now.” He rocked back on the rear legs of his chair, a nervous habit he’d picked up in his youth. “The hardest part for me is my temper. I still lose it sometimes, but I can feel when it’s happening and most times, I can stop myself fromblowing up. I’ve never taken that anger out on anyone though, so don’t worry about that.”

“I wasn’t. I know you’d never…” She turned slowly to look at him, and he righted his chair before reaching over to take her hand. There were faint lines of strain at the corners of her mouth and her eyes held shadows of fear. He wanted to do whatever was necessary to bring the light back into her life.

“Listen, honey.” He twined his fingers with hers and tugged her closer. “Like I said, we don’t really know each other that well. But I hope I’ve shown you that I’m a good bet. Dependable, trustworthy, safe. With everything that’s happened to you and Thomas, I don’t expect you to accept me into your life completely, but please give me a chance. I’ll be here for you.” That was as clear as he could make it. He knew instantly from the sad smile on her face that it wasn’t enough.

When she pulled free, it was like a sucker punch to his heart. Leila walked over and picked Thomas up out of his chair. “I need to give him his bath and put him down for the night. See you in the morning.”

Clint watched her walk away, the words begging her to come back to the kitchen teetering on his lips. But he swallowed them down with another swig of ale. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to go after her, to convince her that he was different, that this thing between them could develop into something more, if they both wanted it. But that was the whole point—shedidn’tseem to want it. Not enough to stay.

She already had one foot out the door. Defending himself would only make it worse for both of them.

He’d been right about one thing though. They didn’t really know each other that well.

Perhaps it would be best if they stayed that way. It was just going to take him some time to accept that. He busied himself cleaning up the kitchen. Then, he picked up the toys scattered around the living room, each one of them a reminder of Thomas and his mom. Soon, they’d be out of his life and his house for good.

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