“What do you want me to do?”he asked.He still didn’t understand why Martinez had called him, although he was grateful for the information.
Martinez hesitated.“I thought we made a good team,” he eventually said.
“We weren’t awful.”They’d managed to work together without killing each other, which was more than Archie had expected.
“I don’t like what the hunters make us do a lot of the time, but I’m not ready to leave.I know I can do good by being here, and I’m not the only one.I just want you to know that if you ever need help again, you should call me at this number.I’ll do what I can to help.I think it’s important that we work together.”
“I don’t think your bosses will be happy about that.”
“They definitely won’t if they find out.”
“We’re all over the news.I’m sure they already have.”
“Yeah, and they talked to me.I still think this is a good idea.The people in charge here won’t be in charge forever, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that the next leaders are on the right side of history.The hunters were created for a reason, and I don’t like that we’ve stepped away from that reason.”
That sounded like Martinez was planning on becoming one of the leaders, which would be interesting.If he did, even years down the line, it would be a good thing for Archie to be on his good side.Besides, sometimes, he and Braith did need help.“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said.
“Good.”
They would have to be careful, especially if Martinez had higher aspirations, but while Archie hadn’t expected this, he was pleased.He’d have to talk to Jasper and his friends.He couldn’t help but wonder if Martinez had a chance of ever becoming a leader.Considering their conversation, he hoped so.
Chapter Ten
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“AND THEN THIS LADYjust started screaming at her husband,” Cullen said as he bounced on the balls of his feet.
Jasper was amused, but he tried not to show it.It was sweet how excited Cullen was about his new job, though.
Just like Jasper had hoped, Cullen had started working with Braith and Archie.He was at their front desk, answering phone calls and helping clients when he could.That also meant that he was in the front row when something happened, including when this lady had apparently found out that her husband was cheating on her.
Jasper hiked the grocery bag on his shoulder higher and nodded so that Cullen knew he was listening.Cullen was carrying two bags, too, but he didn’t seem to feel their weight.He was bouncing ahead, excited to tell Jasper about all that had happened during his first few days of work.
“So I told her that she needed to quiet down because people were trying to work,” Cullen continued.“I thought she was going to hit me.She looked so mad.”
“Shedidn’thit you, though, right?”Jasper asked, alarmed.He’d become a bit protective of Cullen, which maybe didn’t make sense since Cullen was an adult, but after having to deal with Kester, Jasper couldn’t help it.Cullen was just a kid, and he’d already had to deal with so much.
“No,” Cullen quickly reassured.“Braith came out of the office, and he was so big and threatening that he made her squeak.I think he’s been hitting the gym more often because I’m sure he wasn’t that big when I first met him.”
Jasper grinned.“Oh?I didn’t notice.”
“Idid.”
“Is there anything else you’ve noticed about Braith?”
“He’s great.”
That sounded like Cullen had a bit of a crush, which wasn’t a surprise.Braith was a good guy.He was Archie’s best friend, so Jasper was close to him, and he knew that Braith wouldn’t hurt Cullen.That didn’t mean Cullen wouldn’t hurt himself over this, but unfortunately, there was nothing Jasper could do about that.
They turned the corner to take a shortcut back to the apartment.The grocery bags Jasper was carrying dug into his shoulder and fingers, but they were almost home.He couldn’t wait to put everything away and flop down on the couch.Maybe they could get takeout again tonight.They had food now, but Jasper wasn’t sure he’d have the energy to actually cook it.He could do that tomorrow.
A small group of men stood at the other end of the alley.It was a normal occurrence, so Jasper didn’t think too much of it, but his skin prickled when he realized they were wearing clothes that identified them as hunters.He swallowed, his instincts going on high alert.
There were four of them, and they didn’t look friendly.
“Are we in trouble?”Cullen asked quietly.
“I hope not.”
