Page 9 of Hunt Me

‘Sorry again…’ I add one last time.

His right eye twitches.

Yep, I’m out. I step around him and then push my way out of the cat enclosure and rush toward the exit.

Percy is at the counter again, watching me go, and he doesn’t attempt to stop me. I feel a punch of relief in my chest when I make it to my car, and I climb in with shaking knees and weak hands.

This was a mistake. Arhe wasn’t here, but he is related to those scary men, which makes sense considering how we met. But there was something different about him. Something I’m still not ready to give up on. But maybe I’ll stop looking for him here.

There has to be a better place where we can talk. Somewhere I haven’t made a terrible impression. Hell, he seems to like coffins, so maybe a cemetery is a good option.

Yes, that’s a good start. I might not be an expert stalker—which is a good thing—but I’m going to do my best to find him because I don’t think I’ll be able to rest until I can meet him again and give him a proper thank-you for saving my life.

3

DENVER

I’m stewingin my bathtub, doomscrolling Instagram drag reels, when my phone begins to vibrate and flash.

I don’t even bother glancing at the name as I swipe open FaceTime and adjust the camera so whoever it is can’t see anything other than my face and shoulders. I let out a small sigh when Rene’s face appears, his teeth digging into his lower lip as he grins, then holds the phone a little farther away from him so I can see him sign.

‘Bath?’

‘Yes, need to relax.’

His brows lower, and I can tell he’s concerned. I messaged him the night I almost died and met my vampire coffin man, but I didn’t have the energy to tell him what happened. I promised we’d talk soon, and apparently, he’s ready now. The man has never had any patience, but luckily, this lavender bath bomb is deeply relaxing, so I don’t mind a chat.

‘You safe?’

I nod and then lift the wineglass to my lips and think about the cat café and how I didn’t feel unsafe. Well, until I spilled the drink on the floor, and suddenly, Milo faced the unholy task ofbathing an earless cat, which he probably wants to kill me for right now.

But I don’t know. He’s probably less of a threat to me than the dickhead stalker who followed me into the alley. I have a feeling Milo and his brothers only go after people who deserve it, and I like to think that’s not me.

‘I just need a break,’ I tell him. ‘I’m exhausted. Too much going on at work and too many shows this month.’

Rene bobs his head, his bun wobbling on the top of his head. ‘Understand. Maybe you need a vacation? Somewhere far away. Mexico?’

That does sound nice. Somewhere beachy and tropical with a pool and endless drinks. Somewhere I won’t have men following me and strangling me in alleyways. But for some reason, that sounds a lot like running, and I’m tired of being afraid.

The first time there was a stalker in town, I didn’t leave my house for months. Even after Thorne helped me get safe, I couldn’t stop looking over my shoulder. Anytime I thought I saw a shadow in my periphery, my adrenaline would fire, and I’d spend the next few hours sick to my stomach.

I don’t want to be that person again. I’m stronger now, damn it, and I want the chance to prove it.

‘I’ll think about it. I haven’t been out of town in a while with all my sessions at the college.’ I do them to fill up my time so the days don’t feel so lonely, but I’m burning out a little too quickly for my age.

Rene’s eyes brighten. ‘Oh! You should go to the UP in Michigan. I’ve been watching some travel shows on it, and it’s pretty cool. Lots of lighthouses, the Great Lakes, hardly any people.’

That sounds like heaven, even if I doubt I’ll ever leave this place. ‘Maybe.’

He shoots me a grimace. It’s probably obvious I’m blowing off his idea, though I don’t think he cares all that much. ‘Anyway, I wanted to check in on you. You’ve been quiet.’

‘Life is just a lot,’ I tell him, and though I can tell by his face that he doesn’t buy my bullshit, he lets it go and quickly goes into a rant about office politics.

Rene works a part-time job as an archivist in the city, archiving blueprints and historical town documents. He hates every second of it. Not the work, but Debbie, the WASPy front desk manager who refuses to acknowledge Rene’s accommodations. He’s hard of hearing, which means he can hold verbal conversations, and she seems to think that means he doesn’t need assistance at all.

Last week, apparently, she was trying to have all the flashing light alerts removed from the building.

‘I’m going to put gum in her hair,’ Rene signs, his fingers flicking with anger. ‘And I’ll make sure she knows it’s me.’