Page 100 of Torin

“And the man?”

“It’s Cade,” Orson says.

I turn to him. “…Thanks.”

“It’s true.”

Gunnar frowns. “Who’s Cade?”

“Branson’s son,” Torin says.

Gunnar goes still. “Branson’s son?”

“Yeah.”

“What happened?”

“I was careful,” Torin says.

Gunnar’s expression changes. “Tell me.”

Torin rubs the back of his neck. “I drove over first thing yesterday morning. Figured I’d have a word with him.”

“I wanted to hear what he had to say for himself. Didn’t exactly go to plan.”

“What happened?” Gunnar asks.

“He recognized me right away. Started mouthing off. Told me Hannah belonged to him.”

My stomach tightens.

“Then he challenged me.”

“As a man?”

“Yeah.”

“And?”

“He lost.”

“Then?”

“Then he shifted.”

Gunnar’s expression changes. “And?”

“We fought.”

“And you killed him.”

“Yeah.”

A brief silence.

“Anyone see you?”

“No. I left my phone here, parked well outside their territory and went in through the woods. Cade was alone. I got him to chase me deeper into the forest.”