“I said I’m fucking aware.”
“Dangerous, sick, focused, and fucking rich enough to have unlimited resources.”
“I wasn’t planning a wedding,” I snap. Does he think I’m stupid?
“If you are lucky, he will count your departure as an inevitable loss and not pursue you. But I’ve known him for years. If you run, you become prey, and this man enjoys the hunt. The more difficult the chase, the harder he pushes. I will try to distract him with others.”
My stomach clenches and bile burns my throat. “You mean other women?”
“I do.”
“That’s—” My throat closes, black spots blurring my vision. “No. I’m not okay with that.”
James reaches out and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, his gaze landing on the indents there. “You can’t save everyone. I’m giving you a head start. Don’t go home; don’t go to any of your usual haunts. Disappear, Eleanor, and stay that way for at least a few months. Monitor his movements like theghostyou are. If you find him frequenting Chicago, Denver, or Portland, don’t risk it.”
He listed the three places I keep properties and hinted he knows my very well-kept secret identity. “You really knew where I was?”
His eyes close briefly as a pair of giggling women saunter toward us. They cast an assessing gaze over my brother before falling through the door to the restroom. He’s filled out, becoming a powerful man in his own right, rising to be the predator Jonathan groomed him to be. The question is—is he trapped, or here willingly? I think my last shred of hope for humanity would shrivel and die if James participated in this sick world because he desires it.
“Is there anything in your bag that could identify you?”
“My phone if their hackers are good enough, but I’ll have it wiped within an hour. I can create a false trail to lead them elsewhere.”
“Do it. Whatever means you have for tracking someone, assume Christopher has the same, and behave accordingly. Now, you have to go. They will come looking.”
“But—”
He presses a number into the keypad to disarm the alarm, then throws the door open and pushes on my chest, shoving me outside. I stumble into the alley and spin to face my brother.
“Hide, Eleanor. I need you to fucking live, or what’s left of my black heart will disappear.”
He slams the door, sealing me out of his life once more, and I’m not any closer to destroying Jonathan. Instead, I’ve incited a monster to hunt me. I clutch my hair and pace in a circle.Stupid, Ellie. So fucking stupid.
Arms band around me, and a hand lands over my mouth. I clutch my fist with my opposite hand and hammer my elbow back into my attacker’s stomach. He huffs but doesn’t loosen his grip. I drop my entire weight and prepare to land on my tailbone, but he chuckles and clutches me tighter. I know that laugh. A rich masculine scent washes over me, making my brain a little fuzzy. His lips skim my ear, goosebumps cascading down my arms.
“I thought I was going to have to storm the castle. Lucky me, the princess fell right into my arms. Now, what chaos have you gotten yourself into, Ghost?”
Fuck men. Specifically, this man.
Vice-president of the Desert Reapers in Texas.
The man who tried coaxing me into his bed and failed.
Hunter King.
He’s found me, but a bigger monster is on my trail.
Chapter Eleven
Eleanor
Perceptive men make dangerous adversaries.
Istamp on his stupid big feet, and he chuckles as he loosens his grip enough for me to spin in the circle of his arms.
“Why are you here?” I snap. “Didn’t I make myself clear the last time you tried to get me into your bed?”
Hunter smirks. “I was sent to rescue you from whatever disaster you’ve walked into.”
