“The hunt,” he says. Oh, yes, the hunt. The thing he’s been avoiding, though we know he is doing them by himself with his wife. “Lilith wants to come.”
“You know that’s not permitted. So, what are you asking me?”
“I don’t want to do it without her.”
“Grow some fucking balls and do what you are meant to do.”
“My balls are the perfect fucking size,” he retorts. “When you love someone like I love her, Arlo, you’ll understand.”
Love? It’s a chemical in the brain that gives us hope for the future. What happens when that chemical runs out?
“The hunt has been going on for generations, Reon. No woman has ever been inducted into the Forsaken Society, and therefore, none has been part of the hunt other than as prey. We all know you hunt with her, and that one time Soren tried to make things right with you, he allowed it. But the other members will not. So, leave it alone.”
His fingers stop tapping, and he locks eyes with me. “You always were the smart one, Arlo,” he says, smiling.
“Thank you.”
“For the smartest, you can also be the dumbest.” He stands. “Now, I’m going home and explaining to my wife she has to attend a girlfriend-only event where she has to try not to stab any members.”
“Warn her the members are handsy,” I tell him.
“Oh, I know. It’s then that I’ll do the stabbing.” He winks and then turns for the door. “See you this weekend, Arlo. And I trust that in the company of everyone, you will also look out for my wife.”
“I like her more than I like you,” I call after him.
“You meant that as a jab, but I actually have more respect for you saying it. You would be a fool to think I’m nicer than my wife, even if she is a little crazy.” We both know it. “You tell her I called her crazy, and I will deny it.”
“Call next time,” I tell him.
“Why? It was fun watching your date run away from you. Someone should tell her how you like to chase.”
I grind my molars as he leaves.
Should I call her? Probably not.
Maybe I can stalk her instead.
THIRTEEN
CORA
I’m still thinking about that kiss the following day, and I’ve been dreaming about how his hands were sliding all over my body and how much I enjoyed it. I’m not sure how far we would have gone if we hadn’t been interrupted, but I imagine us going further when I’m daydreaming, letting his hands sneak higher up my skirt, letting his mouth drag along my skin. I can’t remember the last time I had a man consume my thoughts the way he does. It’s unfair, and if I could make it go away, I totally would.
Thankfully, he submitted the contract with no more requests to see me. The paperwork went through without issue, and the owner was quite impressed with the sale and asked me to list all their other properties. I said yes, of course, but I’m not sure how many of them I can get above the asking price like I did with that one. I feel like Arlo had specific intentions when he did that. There’s no mistaking he’s a calculated man, but is his endgame me?
I’ve never had anyone want to win me before. Not in that way, that’s for sure.
I knock on the door to Delaney’s apartment, and she pulls it open with a bottle of wine in her hand. Tonight, we’re having dinner with some of our friends. Delaney does this every year: a private dinner for just the two of us, then another with friends.
“Okay, so don’t be mad, but my date is coming.”
“To dinner?” I ask, handing her the flowers I brought.
“Yes.” She bites her bottom lip as I step inside. After removing my jacket, I hang it on the coat rack.
“All right, so what’s his name?”
“James. And be nice, please. I like this one.” I nod in agreement as we move through her house to the dining room. The kitchen is behind that, and there are caterers prepping the food back there.
