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“You were about six months ol—” She chokes on her last word as tears take over.
Hunter steps up beside her and wraps his arm around May’s shoulders. “I think we should eat and maybe talk about these things later.”
I pinch my lips together, forming a thin line. “Later?” I huff, placing the frame back on the shelf, then turn to face them. May’s tears have settled, and Hunter still stands beside her. It appears Landon is still missing. “How much later do you expect me to wait? Your family got to stay together while mine was torn away from each other. Who knows what kind of upbringing the rest of my sisters had.” I take a breath in an attempt to calm myself down.
May steps forward. “I am sorry. I’m sorry you missed out on growing up with family. You have no idea how much it has eaten me up for the last twenty-six years.”
I want to be angry.
I want to cry.
I want to lash out and throw all my anger at her.
My head drops. I can’t, though. “Do you mind if I take some food to my room? I think I’d like to be alone right now.”
May nods. “I’ll bring you something shortly, dear.”
I walk around them, heading straight for the bedroom.
I stand in front of a large sliding door leading onto a deck. Darkness has coated the world, and the moonlight shines through the trees surrounding the property. The blackness is slowly seeping into my soul. I have so many unanswered questions and so much pain from being left behind.
For all they knew, I could have been good in the underworld. I could have been an asset. But now, I’ll never know. I’ve been left with years of abandonment issues and a grandmother who now wants to be a part of my life.
“This entire situation is messed up,” I whisper to myself.
There’s a light knock on the door.
“Come in,” I call out over my shoulder.
The door opens, but I don’t turn around. In the reflection on the glass, I watch Hunter enter and place a tray with a plate of food, some bread, and a glass of water on a large trunk at the end of the bed. Then he stands, staring at me.
“What do you want?” I snap, turning to face him.
He pushes his hands into his pockets. I notice he has taken off the suit and is now wearing beige dress pants, which fit nicely in all the right places, and a white fitted T-shirt, accentuating firm biceps and a body that looks to be chiseled to perfection.
My body temperature rises as I drink in his appearance.
“You were rude before.”
I jerk my head back in shock, and my eyes narrow. “I was rude?” I point my finger into my chest. “Okay, says you who had me kidnapped and brought here. Now that’s rude and illegal.”
He doesn’t move, only stares at me before saying, “I did what I thought was right. Do you want to die?”
His question is like a punch to the stomach. Of course, I don’t want to die. Does anyone? “It’s none of your concern what happens to me. It’s taken twenty-six years for any of you people to come after me, and the night you show up, my world tipped on its axis, and I blame you,” I yell and stab a finger in his direction.
“Well, I’m sorry for considering your life.” His voice is so calm, and I find it irritates me more.
“My life?” I yell. “From what you’ve told me, it’s not my life. You apparently have some claim over me. Isn’t that right? You’re only here for me.” Anger sears through me with each word I say.
Hunter steps closer, but I stay by the door and raise my hand. “Stop. Don’t come near me. I might gouge your eyes out. That’s how you’re making me feel right now.”
He pauses his advance, his eyes narrowing as though he’s contemplating if I’d actually do it.
A tense silence fills the space between us, and I glance around the room, not wanting to look Hunter in the eyes. When I do, it’s like they swallow my frustration, and all I want is for him to kiss me. It’s as though he’s fire and I’m ice. We don’t match. He melts away the hardness that coats my stale heart, warming it in every way possible.
A kiss.
A touch.
