She looked down at her fingers, still tingling from his warmth. Silently, she scolded herself. She already trusted them. When she looked over at Hunter, she saw him smiling at her. She was connected to him, though. It made sense that she trusted him already. He wouldn’t mistreat her; she was safe with him. But for some reason, she already felt safe with everyone else, already trusted them. Maybe she wasn’t completely ruined. She still had faith in others.
“Jin, the mall I’m taking you to has an amazing chocolate store. After my meeting, I’ll take you there. You’ll love it.” Hunter watched her eyes widen in happiness. That quick, the pain that had flashed in her eyes was gone. “I’ll have to leave you alone during my meeting, but Susan and Renee will take good care of you. Plus, Chasen will be lurking around, too.” Hewatched her eyes flick over to Chasen before quickly planting back on him.
Hunter walked up to her and patted her head. “You ready to go shopping?”
Jin looked up and gave him a half shrug. “I guess so.” Her voice was quiet, but a small smile rested on her lips. She felt his large, reassuring arm swing around her and hold her to his side.
“Renee, Sam, and Susan should be waiting for us by now at the car.” Hunter pulled her along. “We’re taking the stretch SUV so we can all fit comfortably.”
Jin’s eyes lit up in excitement. “I’ve never ridden in one before.”
“A stretch SUV?” Hunter asked with a smile.
“A car.”
Hunter kept the smile on his face, though his gaze met with Chasen’s. How has she never ridden in a vehicle before? Hunter held onto her protectively as they walked outside toward the SUV. Was Jin really there to protect him? Or was she meant to be there so he could protect her?
“I suggest not focusing on what’s right out the windows. Look at the horizon. If this is your first time in a vehicle, you could experience some motion sickness.” Hunter looked at her and she only shrugged.
“I could always ride on the roof of the vehicle in that case. I don’t get air sick.” She giggled at her own joke that, apparently, they didn’t think was funny.
“You ride with us, Jin. You are one of us now. Think of us as family, and we will think of you the same way. Till death do us part, right?” Hunter winked at her.
He felt her body tense up slightly as they approached the black stretch SUV that was gently humming in the distance. The windows were all darkly tinted, and it seemed to shine in the sunlight. Sam was standing by the open door, and Renee andSusan were already seated inside. “There’s nothing to it, Jin,” Hunter whispered in a reassuring voice. She nodded slowly, both excited and nervous. She was experiencing so many firsts in her life. And while it was a bit overwhelming, for once, she felt like she was living.
Chasen trailed just behind them. He couldn’t help it, but his gaze never wandered from Jin. Something about her kept bothering him, and he was pushing back at what his body was feeling. He squeezed his hands into fists and gritted his teeth. This was not in his plans.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jin looked out the window and grinned as her eyes took in the countryside. She turned to Hunter and smiled widely.
“You enjoying the trip? It’s much faster to get around by vehicle.” Hunter grinned as he watched her nod excitedly.
“Yes, this is fun. It is quicker than walking, but not as fast as riding a dragon.” She giggled, then looked back out the window.
“You’ve ridden on a dragon before?” Hunter asked curiously. The rest of the passengers quieted down as they looked at her with interest.
Jin had a soft smile resting on her face as she continued to look out the window. “Yes. I have.”
“Oh wow. That’s amazing. Did you grow up together?” Hunter asked casually.
Jin opened her mouth but continued to quietly stare out the window. “We’ve only known each other for a couple of years.”
“How did you two meet?” Renee asked, engaging in the conversation.
She stared out the window blankly for a moment before she turned and looked at them, her gaze shifting from Hunter to Chasen and back to Renee. “She’s the one who rescued me. My past is a bit dark to be talked about on only the second day ofknowing everyone.” Forcing a smile on her face, she stared back out the window.
Chasen noticed how Jin’s hands squeezed together. He balled his own into fists again as he watched her hide behind her smile.
“Oh, umm … well, what was the dragon’s name? You seem like you’re friends.” Renee cleverly tried to lighten the mood.
Jin’s gaze softened with a smile as she looked back at Renee. “Her name is Ciana. You guys will meet her soon, as long as you’re okay with that.” She looked at Hunter, who nodded. “We split up when I went looking for Hunter. She went scouting for the demons, trying to get an idea of their movements.” Jin looked down at her hands. “I hope she’s okay.”
“I’m sure she is. Dragons are really strong,” Susan reassured Jin with a kind voice.
Jin nodded. “You’re right. I know you all will love her.”
“You say that like she’ll be living with us …” Chasen trailed off, sounding a bit annoyed.
