“Don’t be mad at her. None of this is easy for Hunter. She has a hard time letting people in.Wedidn’t even like each other the first time we met,” she whispered with a yawn. “She thought I was sheltered and naive, and I thought she was bitter and a bitch.” The news surprised me, but I said nothing as Coby got what she needed to say off her chest. “Hunter faced down thehead of the mob today, and she wasn’t afraid. Her heart is a different story. She’s terrified of trusting it, so be patient with her. Just a little while longer. Hunter’s worth it.”
“I will,” I promised. “And I know. I’m not angry with either of you. I promise.”
“Good,” she said with another yawn. “I’d hate for us to jump you, too.” I laughed while Coby giggled. I had no doubt they would. “So I guess this means the wedding is off?”
My head snapped toward her as I frowned so hard it was a wonder my face didn’t break. “Why would you say that?”
Coby worriedly chewed on her lip. “Your father knows.”
Leaning over, I kissed the top of her head. “Mo aingeal, my father isn’t stopping shit. He’s only delaying it for a while. My pops will be lucky if he makes it another week after what he did today.”
“Your mom might be mad.”
“My mother hates him more than I do.” I rolled Coby onto her back and climbed on top of her before she could say another word. “No more worrying about other people’s thoughts. You’re my queen, Coby. Anyone who doesn’t bow down will get put down. Understand?”
Even through the dark, I could see her blushing. “I don’t want you killing anyone for me.”
“Too bad.” I tickled her sides, which made her squeal, and then I rolled away before pulling her into my arms. “Now go to sleep for me, sweetheart.”
“Okay.” Coby snuggled deeper into me. “Night.”
I waited until I was sure she was sleeping deeply before kissing her cheek and leaving the room. I went to my room, dressed in jeans and a hoodie, and strapped a few weapons to me.
I found Hunter downstairs, sitting on the couch in the living room as if she hadn’t been spying on us in the shower. I walkedover and sat on the low coffee table in front of her while she stared at her lap, twiddling her thumbs. It was the most vulnerable I’d ever seen Hunter Parrish, and it was all I could do not to touch her. I wasn’t sure she would welcome it, so I kept my hands to myself.
“Look at me, Vengeance.”
She sucked in a breath before lifting her head and letting me see the uncertainty in her eyes. I wasted no time putting her out of her misery.
“You did nothing I wouldn’t have done myself,” I told her.
The tension left her shoulders all at once. “So what happens now?”
“I go to war with my father.”
Her surprise was palpable. “Are you serious?” I gave a grave nod. I would be digging a lot of them before the end. “And then?”
I reached for her and took her place on the couch before pulling her into my lap.
“You don’t need to be afraid of me,” I assured her because I felt like I needed to. Hopefully, for the last time.
Hunter surprised me when she snorted and curled against me. “I’m not afraid of you. I’m pretty sure I could take you, pretty boy.”
“Oh, yeah?” I laughed as I toyed with her delicate fingers. Coby had implied something similar. “Maybe I should visit next time you’re training with Abel. We could go a few rounds on the mat. See who takes who.”
Hunter squirmed in my lap, probably at the thought of me taking her in a different way. “You still haven’t answered my question. What happens if you win and become Boss?”
“WhenI become Boss,” I corrected as I rubbed her thigh, “I change the rules, and I make you my queen. You…and Coby.”
Hunter stuck her nose in the air and looked away so I wouldn’t see how much she liked that idea. “Well, don’t expect me to mourn you if you die.”
“Brat.” I smiled as I slipped a hand under her shirt. My thumb absently swept the small pudge on her lower belly as I watched her. “Not even a little?” Hunter shook her head, and I kissed her arm. “Well, it’s a good thing I have no intention of failing.”
Hunter scoffed while her nostrils flared. “No one ever intends to fail, Ocean.”
“Look at me.” She met my gaze as I brought her hand to my lips and kissed the back of it. “I won’t fail,” I assured her. I knew the real reason she was pouting. “I won’t die.”
Hunter searched my gaze and surprised us both when she leaned down and pecked my lips. “You better not,” she whispered.
