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PS. I’m sure Dad is hot on your tail. He may seem nasty and angry, but he’s really not that bad. He’s had everything taken away from him. He was a great father. I will tell you to be careful because he does tend to lash out. Just give him a moment to be angry and remember he only wants to be on top again like he once was.
I carefully fold the letter and place it back into the envelope. My gaze comes to a halt on Nash’s headstone again. A breeze whips past me, and there’s a coolness on my cheeks from the tears that continue to fall. My heart is full yet heavy. Even Nash wants me to trust Hunter and find my sisters. I’m not about to look for them until I know it’s safe for them to know me.
And who knows how long that will be?
My good arm wraps around me with a sudden bout of coolness, sending chills up my spine. I have no idea what I’m going to do.
“How are you?”
I turn my head. My eyes feel puffy as I stare at Hunter’s. He truly is what I would call perfect, so much so that it hurts my heart.
I nod solemnly and turn back to the resting place of my family. Hunter sits beside me, and as he does, he wraps his arm around my shoulders. I shuffle closer to him, wanting his comfort and warmth. His hand rubs up and down my arm, like he read my mind.
“I know what everyone expects me to do. I’m just not sure I’m ready or that I can even do this.” I clear the thickness coating my throat.
“You keep saying that. If you really wanted, I could teach you to defend yourself and...” he takes a deep breath, “... and I could teach you how to handle a gun.”
My stomach clenches. I don’t move. “Is that really the best thing? What if I shoot the wrong person? An innocent person? Shooting anyone scares the hell out of me.” My breaths come faster.
“Hey, you’re jumping ahead, and you don’t need to. It would be a precaution because you’d mostly have a bodyguard with you.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about others putting their lives on the line for me.” The idea doesn’t sit right. If I thought I was scared about using a gun, the mere thought of someone else’s life being cut short because of me rattles me to my core.
“What did Nash say?” he asks.
“Here. You can read it.” I hand the letter to him.
“Oh, I don’t want—”
“It’s okay. I want you to read it since it appears we’re in this together.”
“Are you sure?” I turn toward him, his face all kinds of tender and handsome. His hand comes up, brushing some hair away from my face. “You really are beautiful.”
My chest tightens, and I offer him a weak smile, placing my hand on his leg.
While Hunter reads the letter, I take in the scenery. The burial family plot is over to the side of the barn and house. This property is massive and full of greenery and life. This home, the entire property, has been built with love. Beautiful gardens full of roses, sunflowers, and little daisies surround the family graves.
I make a mental note to come often and place flowers on Nash’s grave. Perhaps one day, when I can find forgiveness, I can do the same for Miles’ as well.
“I remember Nash referred to you as Little Red. It was so fitting. It’s just a name that seems to have stuck.” Hunter laughs and rubs his hand across his face as he finishes reading the letter. Then he folds it up and hands it back. “He really was a good guy, and he is speaking the truth about your father. He is an angry man because he lost a lot after he didn’t keep his promise to my family, but know that anger is a powerful motivator.”
“But he seemed so dangerous when I saw him outside my apartment. It was as if he’d love to kill me.”
Hunter takes my hand. “No, I don’t think he’d hurt you. He would, however, have taken you to my father. Then, of course, my father would probably kill you to exact vengeance for what happened. And knowing my father, he would kill yours after.”
I pull back a little. His words aren’t harsh, but they hold such power, and I hate how spiteful this world is.
“I think I know what I need to do,” I finally say after a moment of pondering.
“What’s that?”
“You and I have to come together and change the way this underworld is run. I want to have a voice for those who are growing up like me. Even if that’s not what you do, it’s something I want.”
Hunter beams, then leans over and presses his lips to mine. When he pulls back, he says, “Your eyes are about to be opened to all opportunities, and I’m here to help you, just like you’re there to support me. We can do this. Together.”
22
“You’re going to die.” Miles stares at me with such hate, his eyes alight with the devil’s fire.
