I wrapped my arms around him and pressed a kiss over his bandaged wound. “I promise, Hunt.”
Oscar and another young guard named Craig were driving me back to my childhood home. Mamma and Nonna were desperate to see me in person, even if it was for a quick lunch.
I hated how Hunter’s and my entire lives had been flipped over in an instant. And Ihatedthat this occurred right as Hunter won his championship, the attack putting a damper on the high he was riding. Not to mention, our academic lives. We were putting a stop to attending school for this week. Both of us had already emailed the necessary personnel to let them know we had family emergencies.
I hoped seven days were enough time to catch the culprit.
There wasn’t a single part of me that wanted to drop this semester when we were so close to the finish line, but if that was what it came down to for security purposes…then so be it.
I was trying to remain optimistic for the sake of both our mental, physical, and emotional health, yet there were no leads. Papà and the Remingtons were doing their utmost best to solve this in a timely manner so our lives could resume back to normal.
Though I had enough self-awareness to know that our lives would never be fully normal after this chapter.
Hunter kissed my lips, his warmth radiating off of him and seeping into me. “Come back home to me soon.”
“I will. I promise.”
At least he wouldn’t be alone here. Hannah and Heidi were coming over to visit him in an hour. Plus, many of the Remington guards would remain on the property.
By our feet, Luna meowed. I picked her up. She blinked her big eyes at her daddy, sad at the thought of leaving him for even a short time, and pawed at him.
“You too, Luna,” Hunter said, kissing her head. “And take care of your mommy for me, please.”
She meowed in agreement before going into her carrier.
A knock on the front door let us know my two guards were ready and waiting for us.
“I love you.” Hunter cupped my face. “Be safe, Gabby.”
“I love you,” I returned. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it.”
He pecked my forehead. “I’m counting on it.”
After squeezing Hunter’s hand one final time, I stepped out of the home and headed over to the bulletproof SUV, where Oscar and Craig waited for us.
The backseat door was open and I climbed inside, Luna in tow.
I waved to Hunter before the door closed, the sound akin to the final nail being pounded into a coffin. My exhale was shaky. Through the tinted window, I saw Hunter watching the vehicle and the guards with hawk eyes.
As if trying to tell them silently:Take care of my girls.
I dragged my fingertips down the glass, tracing his silhouette. I was already counting down the minutes before I could see him again.
My bodyguards got in the front and minutes later, we pulled out of the driveway and headed down the deserted road that led to Hunter’s home.
The sky was grey and the air smelled like a hint of petrichor. A rainstorm loomed nearby. I was uneasy and attributed it to the fact that I was parted from Hunter, my safety net, and not at the odd sense of foreboding curling in the car.
I reminded myself that I was armed. A loaded gun sat in my purse, a pocket knife was tucked in the upper-thigh holster hidden underneath my skirt, and I was wearing a gold locket Papà gave me on Friday night, a small tracking chip inside…so if anything went awry, they could find me.
I was okay.
I was going to remain okay.
Luna glanced at me, meowing. My sweet, furry baby. She was uneasy too.
I removed her from the carrier and brought her into my lap. She instantly curled against me and I petted her back, enjoying her soothing purrs.
“I gotta take a leak,” announced Craig to Oscar.
