Page 21 of His to Hunt

Victor stomps to the end of the alley, leaving me confused, overwhelmed, and still aching with arousal. A second later, the back door opens, and Frank sticks his head out.

“What the hell did you say to Joe? He just quit!” Frank yells. “And where did that guy from table ten go? He didn’t even pay his check.”

“He…” I look down at the money, then up at Frank. Anger flickers beneath everything else, and I find myself growing a spine. Or at least something that resembles one. “Did you know why Joe was in prison?”

“Yeah, it was a misunderstanding with some girl,” Frank says dismissively. “Is that why he ran off? You were asking him too many personal questions? That isn’t any of your business.”

I walk up to Frank, my eyes narrowing. It’s like some of Victor’s intensity has rubbed off on me. Or maybe I’m just seeing things a little differently now.

“When you’re trying to set me up with a rapist, I think it is,” I say, pushing past him. “I have customers waiting. Since Joe quit, I guess that means you’re back in the kitchen again?”

“After I call the cops,” Frank says. “I hate people who dine and dash.”

“He didn’t,” I retort bitterly. “The money is on the ground in the alley. More than enough. Go get it yourself.”

Frank looks down at the money like he’s trying to decide if it’s worth walking outside. Once he realizes how much there is, he quickly steps into the alley to grab it. He pockets my tip when he walks back inside, but I don’t even care.

I’m angry. I’m frustrated. And I’m so aroused my panties are drenched.

But at least I don’t have to worry about Joe anymore.

CHAPTER 7

Victor

My instincts don’t seem to care if the mating bond was created by Mother Fate or a foolish little girl playing with magic.

I could smell her arousal when I walked into the diner. The scent was enough to hold me there, and I was enjoying it more than the burgers when her scent changed. The arousal was replaced by fear and disgust.

Frank’s back was turned, but I would have gone through him if I had to. Nothing was going to stand between me and my mate when she needed me. I was already in the alley before I got myself under control. Then I lost it again when I saw Joe’s hand on Taryn’s face.

Nobody touches what is mine. If Taryn hadn’t been so fucking scared, he would have lost that hand. Then he would have lost his life, when I found out why he was in prison. I hesitated because of her. Because for some reason, I didn’t want her to see the monster she brought to Covington. Joe was spared because I wanted to spare her from seeing the worst side of me.

I stayed close to the diner until Taryn’s shift was over, and then I followed her home. It was daylight, so I couldn’t get close enough to see if she noticed the book was gone. I don’t know how often she looks in that old box. By the time it was dark, she was already in bed.

Now that my mate is safe, I’m on the hunt again. I spent some time looking into Joe’s case and made a few calls to members of Silver Pack. Old wolves collect favors, and we have plenty to go around.

Joe said it was a misunderstanding. That was a fucking lie. I saw the photos of the woman’s injuries. He beat the shit out of her before he raped her, and she wasn’t his only victim. She was just the one who sent him to prison. Two other women recanted their testimony before their cases ever made it to trial.

I stop outside the trailer park Joe lives in and circle it, staying hidden in the shadows while I figure out what I’m dealing with. Joe’s sitting outside his trailer with three guys. They’re drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, and laughing.

“So, yeah, that fucking bitch at the diner? Fuck her. And fuck Frank, too. Asshole,” Joe mutters, sipping his beer.

“Who was the guy who showed up? Just some random customer?” the guy to Joe’s left asks.

“Fuck if I know,” Joe answers, rubbing his neck. “He’s lucky, that’s all I’ll say. I don’t care how fucking big he is. If I wasn’t on parole, I would have shanked his ass.”

“Shanked his ass?” the guy across from them snickers. “Thought you stopped shanking ass when you got out of prison.”

“Fuck you, Garth! I’ll shank your ass too!” Joe says angrily, then his eyes cut to the guy next to Garth. “You too, LeDoux.”

“Only my wife gets to shank my ass, Joe,” LeDoux laughs, then his laughter dies out. “But seriously, who was this guy? If he fucked with you, we should track him down. Teach him what happens to people who stick their noses in shit that doesn’t concern them.”

Joe looks around, sips his beer, and leans forward. “I don’t give a fuck about him. He’s gone. But this girl… Mmmmm, Taaaryn.”

“Did you use the line I suggested?” Garth asks. “I told my wife she was the best part of waking up every morning and I got a blowjob.”

“Bitch just asked me if I liked Folger’s coffee,” Joe says, shaking his head in confusion. “Whatever. She lives in the basement under my boss’s house. I’ve been there a few times. Just a sliding glass door.”