He wanted Annie.Needed her.But she was gone.
And he didn't know how to find her.
He couldn't go outside and scream at the top of his lungs for her.Even if she answered, he wouldn't hear her.
The loneliness clawed at him.The silence wrapped around his heart like chains.He thought of her eyes as the patrol cruiser drove past, the way she looked at him—pleading, apologizing, loving.
He squeezed his head.This was all his fault.
Because he was deaf.Because he was useless.Because he couldn't protect her.
Hunter panted for breath.He wanted to scream out in an unfamiliar voice, no matter how loud and ugly he sounded, but he swallowed the pain.
Kodiak's grip finally loosened, but his eyes stayed locked on Hunter's."We'll find them," his mouth formed.
Hunter nodded once, though the weight in his chest continued to crush him.
He was a fighter.A protector.A man who loved louder than anyone.But he couldn't do it alone.He needed the club.Within the circle of Royalla members, there was safety.He could control the clubhouse's environment.
But would Annie be willing to join him in a lifestyle where he could love her?
Chapter 34
The hotel room wasquiet.Leigh had finally drifted off, her body curled on the bed, her face streaked with tears.Annie lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her heart heavy.
She thought about Hunter.
Leaving him behind so that she could help Leigh wasn't in her plans.She'd made a decision based on the circumstances.Her sister had no support, except for Annie.There wasn't time to explain.Since Hunter was deaf, it was unfair to him that she'd gone to help Leigh.
She felt awful.He deserved an explanation.
He never made her feel empty.Whenever he was around, he was giving, attentive, and loving.The way he looked at her, steady and unflinching, as if she were the only thing he wanted in this world.She thought about the way his hand had pulled her back from the fire, even when she wanted to run headfirst into danger.
And she'd left him standing in the street, his eyes locked on hers as the cruiser carried her away.She didn't want to bring any attention to him because the police would've brought him in for questioning.Jason had already set it up to make it look as if Hunter were the criminal, not the victim.
Her chest ached.
