“Please,” she scoffs. “Fox can’t play like us; he’s not even on our level.”
True.
“She’s neglecting the very important fact that she is still in danger,” Hunter inserts from across the room.
“I’m dealing with it,” I snap. This right here is why I don’t have friends. They judge, they cajole, they manipulate, and make you question every goddamn decision.
Hunter snorts as he begins building the boxes.
“What threat?” Fox demands, all business, as if he has rights to my personal information.
He doesn’t. None of them do.
“Ghost, help us help you,” Honor says softly. “I know you want to hunker down and cut everyone else out. It’s a safety behavior, and I understand it. No one is saying you can’t look after yourself, but you have friends, support, people who care. Lean on us.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and grind my teeth together. What is the harm in telling them? They become entangled in my vendetta? I study the phone, watching the clock slowly tick up. Honor and Fox are too high profile to be taken by Jonathan. I glance at the behemoth stalking me. Hunter isn’t, but I can’t seem to shake him. I grimace, upset that I care, even a little, that he stays safe.
“I’ve been tracking a sex trafficking ring which has ties to high profile, very rich, very well respected individuals.”
Silence coats the room as Hunter freezes.
“Why?” Fox asks.
I drag my bottom lip between my teeth and close my eyes. “It’s personal.”
“How?” Hunter demands.
“Fox, Hunter, stop it,” Honor snaps. “She told you enough. We can assess the danger and make a plan without understanding the complex reasons why Ghost is hunting this organization.”
My eyes fly open, thankful Honor has kept the dogs at bay.For now. “I am packing a bag, then I’ll be gone. I’ll be in touch once I figure out where I’m heading, but it’s probably best if you don’t know.”
“Like hell you are disappearing into the wind,” Hunter mutters to himself. “I have a place,” he says loud enough for us all to hear.
I shake my head, not even entertaining his suggestion. “No.”
“Do any of those men know who you really are?” Hunter asks.
James’s face flashes in my mind, and my blood runs cold. Fuck. How much can I trust my brother?
“That’s what I thought,” Hunter finishes, the usual mirth missing from his eyes.
“Ghost, go with Hunter, even if it’s temporary while we figure out a way to protect you,” Fox says.
I shake my head. “No. The more people involved, the greater the risk of being found. You and I both?—”
“You remember that favor you owe me?” Honor states.
“No.”
“Really? It involved?—”
“I mean, no, now is not the time to call in that favor.”
“You don’t get to put restrictions on favors, Ghost,” Honor chides.
Silence hangs between the four of us. Hunter stares me down, the boxes half assembled and abandoned at his feet.
“Fine.”
