Hunter’s hand tightens around mine. “Stop!”
“You’re going to listen, because if you don’t, it’ll go worse for her.” Cole nods at me.
When Hunter says nothing, Cole continues with, “It was Atticus’s idea to go to the library and find any records they had on you. He hasn’t gone out once since the dead rose, so that was a trip.”
“Please,” Hunter whispers, his voice fraught with pain.
“Apparently, you were a pretty big deal and there was all kinds of documentation. To say that I’m confused as hell is an understatement. I didn’t even know monsters like you existed. It’d be easier if it were black and white; good versus evil—but you—fuck, you are something else entirely.”
“I honestly don’t care what you think of me,” Hunter says.
“You should, because it’s the difference between life and death.”
“You think I’m scared of death?”
“No, but I think you’re scared of what will happen to Fiona.”
“You wouldn’t hurt her.”
“No, but she’ll do a good job of torturing herself.”
Hunter sucks in a breath and bends forward, planting his forearms on his thighs and bowing his head.
“I don’t know exactly what happened to you, and how you got so fucked in the head, but I’m glad you are on our side, and I’d like you to remain so.”
“Huh?” I blurt, my heart racing in my chest. “You’re not going to kill him?”
“Truth is, I never wanted to. I just never had a good reason not to. Something’s coming. I can feel it in my bones. And we’re going to need all the men we can get.”
Unable to contain my excitement, I throw my arms around Hunter and let out a squeal. I feel him relax as I hold him, his body melting against mine.
“There’s more,” Cole deadpans.
Of course, there is.
Hunter pushes me away gently, directing his attention to Cole. “Don’t ask me to talk, because I won’t.”
“I figured as much and expected that. This has to do with the terms of your living situation.”
Hunter arches a brow. “Terms.”
“I’m not going to kill you, but I can’t set you free.”
“So you’re going to keep me in the damn holding?” Hunter snickers. “No, thanks.”
“No, not the holding. I have an apartment set up for you two psychopaths.” His eyes dart to me briefly. “It’s about twice as big as a typical apartment because it’s going to be where you spend just about every moment you have left on this earth.”
“I…I don’t understand,” I say, looking from Cole to Hunter.
“It’s house arrest,” Hunter says. “And that I won’t abide. Not for Fiona.”
“Oh, I’ll abide it!” I blurt. “If it means I get to keep you.”
Hunter looks at me, his face full of anguish. “You deserve better.”
I chuckle, trying to set Hunter at ease. “You heard the man.” I glance over at Cole. “I’m a psychopath. Just ask my ex.”
“You need grass and sunshine and light—”
