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Hunter puts me down, slowly easing his arms away from me. Why does being here with him feel right but also very wrong? I should be running or hiding from this man, though I’m sure he’d probably find me again. He is no one to me. Yet, the way he talks to and comforts me, it’s as if he’s been in my life forever. Maybe the small connection between us is the fact that he saved my life, not ending it like he probably should have.
He moves gracefully and sits back on the couch beside me, then slowly turns. “Aelina, you have two brothers and two sisters.”
My heart skips a beat, and my mouth hangs open. “What? Are they all part of the ‘family business,’ as you would call it?”
Hunter’s eyes become sad. “No. One of your brothers is alive, and the other was killed about a year ago. Your sisters got the same treatment as you. Put into hiding. Only your grandmother knows where they are. She gave them to families who couldn’t have children and were no part of the life your parents chose.”
I lean forward over the couch, my head falling into my hands. “This is too much. Why are you here now? What could I possibly do?”
My chest tightens. My breathing becomes heavy. Slowly, I breathe in through my nose and out my mouth. The last thing I need right now is to have a panic attack.
“Your brother, Nash, who was killed, was the oldest, which means he was basically running things alongside your father.”
I lift my head and look at him. “Wait, stop. Are my parents alive?” Even I hear the hopeful plea in my words.
I’m not sure if having them alive is a good or bad thing.
“I believe your mother is, but no one has seen your father in a long time. I’m talking years.”
“What’s happened to my mother?”
“Nothing. She is in hiding, thanks to your grandmother. Your brother, Nash, was running things until...”
“He was killed.” I finish his sentence for him. Hunter nods, a somber expression resting across his face.
It’s amazing how my eyes have adjusted to such little light, and I can see him so clearly now.
I want to cry.
This is all too much.
Silence fills the room while I process the information overload I’ve received. As I think about it, something clicks. Running my fingers through my damp hair, I question, “So you’re telling me that because my older brother has been killed, it’s a chance for me to step in and take his place?”
“Yes.” He leans back and folds his arms across his chest.
“And you’re here because?” I leave the question hanging.
“I’m here to claim what’s mine.”
6
“I’m sorry, what?” I shake my head.
Hunter stands from the couch. “Like I said, I’ve come to claim what’s mine.”
I jerk my head back. “I was right then. You’re here to kill me and keep the underworld for yourself. Newsflash...” I stab my finger at my chest, “... I don’t want it. I’d rather be as far away from it as humanly possible.”
My body trembles as I stand. I’m attempting to put on a determined face because, if I’m being honest with myself, I am scared out of my mind. I don’t want any of this. I didn’t ask Hunter to save my life months ago. Right now, my lifeless body could be buried beneath the bitterly cold dirt, rotting away with no one any the wiser.
Hunter chuckles. “Oh, Red, I wasn’t only promised the underworld, I was promised something else. Something that will help end all this violence between our families.”
I fold my arms across my chest, my curiosity piqued. “What is it then?”
His dark eyes narrow, the air between us thickening. “You.”
I hold up my hands, stopping him from saying anything else. “Wait...me? I was promised to you?”
Hunter shoves his hands in his pockets. “Yes.”
