Chapter 15
The bedroom door wasclosed when Hunter rose from the couch before dawn.He'd taken a shower, downed a cup of coffee, and put all his dirty clothes into a bag to toss into the utility room for one of the women to launder later.He expected to feel lighter after last night, when he had relieved some of the tension with Annie, but the hunger wouldn't go away.
If anything, the ache sharpened.He wanted her again.
Hunter left the room and walked down the hallway to the office.The president sat behind the desk, coffee steaming from the cup in his hand.There were papers spread across the scarred wood.He wasn't sure if Kodiak even went to bed when they finished getting the shipment out.
Hunter knocked once on the doorframe.
Kodiak looked up, then turned fully toward him, speaking slowly and clearly so Hunter could catch every word."What's up?"
Hunter entered the office, sat across from Kodiak, and leaned forward."I should talk to Jason Stevens."
Kodiak's mouth tightened."No."
Hunter's jaw flexed."He needs to be taught a lesson, not to touch women."
"It was his wife."
"Doesn't matter."
"If he wasn't law enforcement," Kodiak continued, lips deliberate, "I'd tell you to handle it.But he's a cop.We lay low."
Hunter focused hard, reading each word.It was always a struggle.Every pause, every shift of Kodiak's mouth mattered.
"The shipment's gone," Kodiak said."The clubhouse is clean.No product, no cash.If they raid us, they'll find nothing.We can hide the girls under the pit."
Hunter leaned back, arms crossed."You think Jason will give up?"
Kodiak shook his head."No.But maybe...he..."
Hunter waved, pointing at his mouth.He'd lost sight of Kodiak's lips.
"Maybe he'll cool off," said Kodiak.
Hunter didn't believe it.Men like Jason never backed away from what they believed belonged to them.Their ego was involved.It had more to do with the thought of possessing someone than seeing the truth behind the relationship.Jason would never stop looking for Leigh or Annie.
Kodiak studied him."In a few days, the heat will be off the club and the shipment.You and Baddy take one of the trucks.Drive the women to Seattle.Quietly.Get them set up somewhere else."
Hunter nodded slowly.It was the right decision, even if it meant waiting.The girls deserved to be free from the terror they had experienced.In Seattle, they could move on with their lives without the constant worry of what they might find when they opened the door.
He stood and left the office.
The hallway was empty.When he got to his room, Alanis was sitting outside the door, tail thumping against the floor.
Hunter crouched, rubbed her ears, and scratched under her chin.
She licked his hand, leaning into him.Alanis never questioned him.Never asked where he'd been.Never forced him to talk.She was a good pup.
He never had a pet while growing up.Even though he'd love one, it would be unfair to get a dog because a pet would depend on him.While he could feed and clean up after a dog, he's not sure he'd be enough for one.Dogs require attention.Alanis seemed to enjoy it when Roma talked.The pup got excited and wagged her tail so fast the momentum nearly knocked her off balance.
He opened the door, and Alanis trotted inside, tail wagging.He let the dog go where she wanted.If Roma missed Alanis, she would know where to find her.
Annie sat on the couch with Leigh.He dipped his chin in greeting, and Alanis padded over to them, nudging Leigh's hand before curling between the two sisters on the couch.
Hunter leaned against the doorframe, watching them.
It was only fair that they knew of his plan.
